Delaware County Court Records

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    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 handling criminal felonies, civil litigation, domestic relations, juvenile matters, and probate cases. The county also operates the Delaware Municipal Court, which covers misdemeanors, traffic offenses, and smaller civil disputes. Court records are primarily maintained by the Delaware County Clerk of Courts, though the Domestic Relations Division and Probate Division each manage filings specific to their dockets. The county seat of Delaware is home to the main courthouse and several adjacent judicial facilities where you can inspect or request records in person.

    Ohio offers several ways to locate court case information at both the local and state level. The Delaware County Clerk of Courts runs an online records search portal powered by CourtView that covers Common Pleas, Probate, and Domestic Relations dockets. Public access terminals are available in courthouse lobbies during business hours, and every clerk office accepts walk-in requests. For statewide court information and judicial resources, OhioCourts.us can help you find court directories, rules, and other publicly available case data across Ohio's court system.

    How to Look Up a Court Case in Delaware County?

    Whether you need quick docket information or certified copies of specific filings, several methods are available for searching court records in Delaware County.

    Online Case Search

    The Delaware County eServices portal gives you free public access to case information from the Court of Common Pleas (General Division), Domestic Relations Division, and Probate Division. To run a search:

    1. Navigate to the Records Search tool
    2. Enter a party's last name, first name, or business name
    3. Optionally narrow results by case type, case status, party type, or date of birth range
    4. 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 searchable 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

    You can mail a written request to the Clerk of Courts at the address above. Include the full names of all parties, the case number if you have it, 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 generally presumed open to the public. That 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 address 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, as long as 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:

    • 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 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

    Start with the eServices records search tool for felony criminal cases. Select "Criminal" as the case type when running a name-based search. Results show docket entries, charges, hearing dates, and case status. For Municipal Court criminal and traffic cases, check the Municipal Court's website directly.

    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). Providing case numbers or party names helps the clerk locate records faster.

    Delaware County Sheriff's Office

    The Delaware County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records and local criminal records separately 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

    If you need 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 split 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 lets you search civil cases filed in the Court of Common Pleas online. 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. You can request them 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. You can reach the appellate court 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. Established in 2017 as a standalone court, this division 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 can be obtained in person or by mail through the Clerk of Courts, at the standard rates 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 searchedmonline 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 accumulate throughout the proceedings, and additional deposits may be required as the case progresses.

    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 is administered by the Ohio Department of Health rather than the Probate Court. If you're seeking adoption information, review the Department of Health's adoption resources for guidance on the process.