Delaware County Court Records Search
OhioCourts.us is not a consumer reporting agency as defined by the FCRA and does not provide consumer reports. All searches conducted on OhioCourts.us are subject to the Terms of Service and Privacy Notice.
Delaware County, Ohio, is part of the state’s Fifth District and is served by the Delaware County Court of Common Pleas — a multi-division trial court that handles criminal felonies, civil litigation, domestic relations, juvenile matters, and probate cases. The county also operates the Delaware Municipal Court, which has jurisdiction over misdemeanors, traffic offenses, and smaller civil disputes. Court records in Delaware County are primarily maintained by the Delaware County Clerk of Courts, though the Domestic Relations Division and Probate Division each manage filings specific to their caseloads. The county seat of Delaware is home to the main courthouse and several adjacent judicial facilities where records can be inspected or requested.
Ohio provides several avenues for locating court case information at both the local and state level. The Delaware County Clerk of Courts operates an online records search portal powered by CourtView that covers Common Pleas, Probate, and Domestic Relations dockets. Public access terminals are also available at courthouse lobbies during business hours, and each clerk office accepts in-person requests. For statewide court information and judicial resources, OhioCourts.us can help users locate court directories, rules, and other publicly available case data across Ohio’s court system.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Delaware County?
Several methods are available for searching court records in Delaware County, whether you need quick docket information or certified copies of specific filings.
Online Case Search
The Delaware County eServices portal provides free public access to case information from the Court of Common Pleas (General Division), Domestic Relations Division, and Probate Division. To perform a search:
- Navigate to the Records Search tool
- Enter a party’s last name, first name, or business name
- Optionally narrow results by case type, case status, party type, or date of birth range
- Review matching docket entries, court schedules, and filed documents
The portal displays case dockets, court calendars, and documents filed with the Clerk of Courts for Common Pleas cases. Probate and Domestic Relations records are also accessible through the same system.
In-Person Visits
Walk-in searches and record requests can be made at the Clerk of Courts Legal Division during regular business hours:
Delaware County Clerk of Courts — Legal Division
Address: 117 North Union Street, Level 300, Delaware, OH 43015
Phone: (740) 833-2500
Fax: (740) 833-2499
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
The office accepts cash, checks, and credit/debit cards (a processing fee applies to card payments).
Copy Fees
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Copies | $0.10 per page |
| Certification | $1.00 per document |
Mail Requests
Written requests for court records can be mailed to the Clerk of Courts at the address above. Include the full names of parties, case number if known, a description of the documents needed, and a check or money order for applicable copy fees.
Are Court Records Public in Delaware County?
Court records in Delaware County are presumed open to the public. This presumption rests on two foundations: Ohio Revised Code § 149.43 (Ohio’s Public Records Act) and the Rules of Superintendence for the Courts of Ohio (Sup. R. 44 through 47), which took effect July 1, 2009, and specifically govern public access to court records.
Under Sup. R. 45, courts and clerks must make court records available upon request, acknowledge requests promptly, and respond within a reasonable time. Courts may also provide remote access to records online, provided the electronic version is identical to the official record.
Records Exempt from Public Access
Despite the presumption of openness, certain categories of court records are restricted from public view:
- Personal identifiers: Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and similar data must be redacted by the filing party under Sup. R. 44
- Juvenile records: Case records involving minors are generally confidential
- Adoption records: Administered through the Ohio Department of Health; access requires specific authorization
- Mental health commitment records: Civil commitment proceedings are restricted by statute
- Sealed or expunged records: Records subject to court-ordered sealing
- Notes and drafts: Internal judicial staff notes, drafts, recommendations, and research are excluded from the definition of “case document”
- Domestic violence victim information: Certain details may be restricted to protect victims
Any person may file a written motion with the court to request access to a restricted document or, conversely, to seek restriction of a public record. The court evaluates such motions under a clear and convincing evidence standard, weighing the presumption of openness against competing interests.
Delaware County Criminal Court Records
Criminal felony cases in Delaware County are prosecuted in the General Division of the Court of Common Pleas, with the Clerk of Courts maintaining all case filings. Misdemeanors, traffic violations, and minor criminal offenses fall under the jurisdiction of the Delaware Municipal Court, which operates separately at the Delaware Justice Center.
Court of Common Pleas — General Division
Address: Delaware County Courthouse, 110 N. Sandusky Street, Delaware, OH 43015
Phone: (740) 833-2500
Delaware Municipal Court
Address: 70 N. Union Street, Delaware, OH 43015
Phone: (740) 203-1570 (Criminal/Traffic)
Fax: (740) 203-1599
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Searching Criminal Cases Online
Felony criminal cases can be searched through the eServices records search tool. Select “Criminal” as the case type when performing a name-based search. Results display docket entries, charges, hearing dates, and case status. Municipal Court criminal and traffic cases can be looked up through the Municipal Court’s website.
Requesting Copies
Visit the Clerk of Courts Legal Division in person or submit a written request with applicable fees ($0.10 per page for copies, $1.00 per certification). Provide case numbers or party names to facilitate the search.
Delaware County Sheriff’s Office
The Delaware County Sheriff’s Office maintains arrest records and local criminal records independently from the court system.
Delaware County Sheriff’s Office
Address: 1776 State Route 521, Delaware, OH 43015
Phone: (740) 833-2810
Fax: (740) 833-2809
Statewide Criminal Background Checks
For a comprehensive Ohio criminal history report, the Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) under the Ohio Attorney General’s Office processes fingerprint-based background checks. BCI compares submitted fingerprints against the statewide criminal fingerprint database. The processing fee is $22 per request, and applicants must submit fingerprints through an authorized agency.
Delaware County Civil Court Records
Civil litigation in Delaware County is divided between the Court of Common Pleas (General Division) for cases exceeding the Municipal Court’s monetary jurisdiction, and the Delaware Municipal Court for small claims and lesser civil disputes.
Types of Civil Records
Civil case records maintained by the Clerk of Courts include complaints, answers, motions, discovery materials filed with the court, settlement agreements, judgments, and orders. Common case types include breach of contract, personal injury, defamation, foreclosure, and property disputes.
Searching Civil Records
The eServices portal allows online searches of civil cases filed in the Court of Common Pleas. Select “Civil” as the case type and enter party names or case numbers. The portal displays docket entries and filed documents.
For Municipal Court civil and small claims cases, contact the court directly:
Delaware Municipal Court — Civil/Small Claims
Address: 70 N. Union Street, Delaware, OH 43015
Phone: (740) 203-1560
Fax: (740) 203-1599
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Obtaining Copies
Copies of civil court documents cost $0.10 per page, with an additional $1.00 for certification. Requests can be made in person at the Clerk of Courts Legal Division at 117 North Union Street, Level 300, or by mail. Provide full case details and include payment with any written request.
Fifth District Court of Appeals
Delaware County falls within the jurisdiction of the Ohio Fifth District Court of Appeals, which handles appeals from civil, criminal, family, and administrative cases. The Clerk of Courts serves as one of the court’s recorders. The appellate court can be contacted at:
Fifth District Court of Appeals
Address: 110 Central Plaza South, Suite 320, Canton, OH 44702
Email: info1@fifthdist.org
Phone: (330) 451-7765
Delaware County Family Court Records
The Domestic Relations Division of the Delaware County Court of Common Pleas has jurisdiction over all family law matters in the county. This division, established in 2017 as a standalone court, handles a wide range of proceedings.
Case Types
The Domestic Relations Court hears cases involving divorce, dissolution of marriage, legal separation, annulment, post-decree modifications, paternity, custody, visitation, child support, allocation of parental rights and responsibilities, and civil protection orders.
Court Contact Information
Delaware County Domestic Relations Court
Address: 117 N. Union Street, 400 Level, Delaware, OH 43015
Phone: (740) 833-2025
Fax: (740) 833-2028
Email: delawaredrcourt@co.delaware.oh.us
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Searching and Requesting Records
Domestic relations case records can be searched online through the eServices portal. The Domestic Relations Court also publishes forms and local rules on its website for those involved in family proceedings. Copies of records can be obtained in person or by mail through the Clerk of Courts, with standard copy fees of $0.10 per page and $1.00 per certification.
Confidential Information in Family Cases
Not all family court records are publicly accessible. Restricted materials include medical records, financial information containing personal identifiers, records involving domestic violence victims, adoption files, juvenile records, mental health records, and materials related to ongoing investigations. Parties should omit or redact personal identifiers before filing documents, consistent with the Rules of Superintendence.
Marriage Records
Marriage licenses and records are maintained by the Delaware County Probate Court, not the Domestic Relations Division. Marriage records from 1996 to the present are available through the Probate Court’s online search tool, in person, or by mail. Records of marriages before 1996 must be obtained from the Delaware County Records Center at 2079 US 23 North, Delaware, OH 43015, Phone: (740) 833-2140. Certified copies of marriage records cost $2.00 each.
Divorce Records
Divorce and dissolution records are maintained by the Clerk of Courts. Copies cost $0.10 per page, with $2.00 per certified copy. Provide the names of both parties as they appeared at the time of marriage, the approximate filing year, and the case number if known.
Birth and Death Records
Vital records are managed by the Vital Statistics Office of the Delaware Public Health District. Birth and death certificates are available to eligible individuals through phone, walk-in, mail, or online orders. A certified copy by mail costs $25, and requesters must complete the Application for Vital Records form.
Vital Statistics Office
Address: 470 South Sandusky Street, Delaware, OH 43015
Phone: (740) 203-2021
Email: rhess@delawarehealth.org
Delaware County Probate Court Records
The Delaware County Probate Court handles estate administration, wills, trusts, guardianships, conservatorships, adoptions, name changes, marriage licenses, mental commitments, and birth record corrections. The court maintains estate records from January 20, 1950, to the present, with some records stored on microfiche or microfilm. Records predating 1950 are held at the Delaware County Records Center.
Court Location
Delaware County Probate Court
Address: 145 N. Union Street, 3rd Floor, P.O. Box 8006, Delaware, OH 43015
Phone: (740) 833-2680
Fax: (740) 833-2679
Searching Probate Records
The Probate Court’s dockets and records can be searched online through the eServices portal. A public terminal is also available in the court lobby during business hours for in-person name searches. Some older records on microfilm or microfiche require on-site inspection. Payments can also be made through the eServices payment portal, though a third-party convenience fee applies.
Key Probate Filing Fees
| Filing Type | Deposit/Fee |
|---|---|
| Estates (with or without will) | $200.00 |
| Guardianship — Adult or Minor (person and/or estate) | $225.00 |
| Guardianship — Minor estate only | $125.00 |
| Conservatorship | $102.00 |
| Marriage license | $41.00 |
| Name change — Adult | $104.00 |
| Name change — Minor | $110.00 |
| Adoption — Full/Pre-placement | $1,433.00 |
| Adoption — Step-parent | $456.00 |
| Trust/Special Needs Trust | $120.00 |
| Will for record only | $58.00 |
| File will for safekeeping | $35.00 |
| Small estate release from administration | $35.00 |
These are initial deposits; actual costs accrue throughout the proceedings and additional deposits may be required.
Common Copy and Miscellaneous Fees
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Copies | $0.10 per page |
| Certified/Authenticated copies | $2.10 per page |
| Certified copy of marriage record | $2.00 |
| Letters (all case types) | $2.00 |
| Short certificate | $5.00 |
| Research fee (per name/record) | $5.00 |
Payments can be made in person by cash, check, money order, or credit/debit card. Mail payments should be sent to the Probate Court at 145 N. Union Street, 3rd Floor, P.O. Box 8006, Delaware, OH 43015, with the case number noted on the check.
Adoption Records
Adoption records in Delaware County are confidential. Access to adoption records is administered by the Ohio Department of Health rather than the Probate Court. Individuals seeking adoption information should consult the Department of Health’s adoption resources for guidance on the process.