Franklin County Court Records Search
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Franklin County is the most populous county in Ohio, with Columbus — the state capital — serving as its county seat. The county’s judicial system is among the busiest in the state, processing hundreds of thousands of cases each year across multiple courts. Franklin County operates a Court of Common Pleas with separate divisions for general matters, domestic relations and juvenile cases, and probate. A high-volume Municipal Court handles misdemeanors, traffic violations, and civil disputes below certain monetary thresholds. The Franklin County Clerk of Courts is the official record keeper for the Court of Common Pleas and the Tenth District Court of Appeals, while the Municipal Court Clerk maintains records for that tribunal independently.
Individuals seeking Ohio court records can begin their search through official clerk offices, courthouse public-access terminals, and digital tools maintained by each court. OhioCourts.us may help users locate publicly available court information and identify the correct court for a particular matter. At the county level, both the Franklin County Clerk of Courts and the Franklin County Municipal Court Clerk operate free online case-search systems, and all courthouses provide in-person access during regular business hours.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Franklin County?
Franklin County offers multiple pathways for finding case information, with the method depending on which court handled the matter and whether you need basic case data or certified copies of documents.
Online Case Search — Court of Common Pleas
The Franklin County Clerk of Courts operates the Case Information Online (CIO) system, which provides public record information for criminal, civil, domestic relations, appeals, juvenile traffic, and estate cases filed in the Court of Common Pleas. Users can search by party name, attorney name, filing date, case number, case type, and court division. The system displays docket entries, hearing dates, charges, and case status. It does not provide downloadable document images for all filings; copies of specific documents must be obtained from the Clerk’s office.
Online Case Search — Municipal Court
The Franklin County Municipal Court Clerk records search covers all cases filed in the Municipal Court, including civil, small claims, criminal, and traffic matters. Searches can be performed by party name, company name, date of birth, case number, ticket number, case type, case year, and case status. The portal also shows amounts owed, court dates, and warrant information.
In-Person Access
Walk-in visitors can search records and request copies at the following locations during regular hours (Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with a Wednesday opening delay to 8:15 a.m. at the Clerk of Courts):
| Office | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Franklin County Clerk of Courts — Administration | 373 South High Street, 23rd Floor, Columbus, OH 43215 | (614) 525-3600 |
| Clerk of Courts — General (Civil/Criminal) | 345 South High Street, 1st Floor, Columbus, OH 43215 | (614) 525-3621 |
| Clerk of Courts — Domestic Relations | 373 South High Street, 4th Floor, Columbus, OH 43215 | (614) 525-4410 |
| Franklin County Municipal Court | 375 South High Street, Columbus, OH 43215 | (614) 645-8186 |
| Franklin County Probate Court | 373 South High Street, 22nd Floor, Columbus, OH 43215 | (614) 525-3894 |
Written and Online Records Requests
The Clerk of Courts accepts formal records requests through its Public Records Request form on its website. Juvenile records may not be submitted through the online form — those requests must be made in person at the Juvenile Division (373 South High Street, 4th Floor) with a valid photo ID. Include as much identifying information as possible in any request: full party names, case number, case type, and the court division.
Copy Fees — Court of Common Pleas (General Division)
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Copy (per page) | $0.10 |
| Certified copy (per document) | $1.00 |
| Exemplified copy (per document) | $4.00 |
Are Court Records Public in Franklin County?
Ohio maintains a strong public records framework. Under Ohio Revised Code § 149.43, public records are defined broadly and must be made available to any person upon request. The statute applies to court records held by clerks of court, and the Ohio Attorney General’s Public Records Act guidance confirms that the right of access extends to records in any format — paper, electronic, or otherwise.
Despite this presumption of openness, Ohio law carves out several categories of records that are exempt from disclosure or subject to restricted access:
- Sealed and expunged records. Criminal records that have been sealed or expunged by court order under ORC § 2953.32 are removed from public view. The Clerk charges a $50.00 filing fee for expungement/sealing petitions in the General Division.
- Juvenile records. Case files involving juvenile offenders are confidential under ORC § 2151.14 and cannot be accessed by the general public.
- Adoption records. Adoption proceedings and files are sealed under ORC § 3107.17.
- Medical records. Medical information contained within court filings is exempt from disclosure.
- Probation and parole records related to community control or post-release supervision.
- Law enforcement investigatory records that could compromise ongoing investigations.
- Victim and witness information. Contact details for victims and witnesses in law enforcement records are protected.
- Confidential personal identifiers. Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and other sensitive data within court documents may be redacted.
When a record contains both public and exempt information, the custodian must redact the exempt portions and release the remainder. Any denial of a public records request must include a written explanation citing the applicable legal authority. Disputes over records access can be brought before the Ohio Court of Claims under ORC § 149.43©.
Franklin County Criminal Court Records
Criminal jurisdiction in Franklin County is split between two courts. The Court of Common Pleas — General Division has original jurisdiction over all felony cases. The Franklin County Municipal Court handles misdemeanors, traffic violations, and certain ordinance infractions within its territorial reach.
Searching Criminal Case Records
Criminal case information can be accessed through both the CIO portal (for felonies in Common Pleas) and the Municipal Court Clerk’s records search (for misdemeanors and traffic). Both systems are free and require no registration. In-person searches are available at the General Division counter (345 South High Street, 1st Floor) and at the Municipal Court (375 South High Street).
Arrest and Incarceration Records
Arrest records are held by the arresting law enforcement agency. The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office maintains criminal records, investigation reports, and video footage through its Public Records Office:
Franklin County Sheriff’s Office
373 South High Street
Columbus, OH 43215
Phone: (614) 525-3333
Public Records Phone: (614) 525-6096
Fax: (614) 525-5730
Email: fcsopublicrecords@franklincountyohio.gov
Copies from the Sheriff’s Office cost $0.05 per page for paper and $1.00 per disc for electronic files. Accident reports are $4.00 each. Payment is required before records are released.
The Sheriff also publishes an online inmate search showing current detainees with their names, charges, case numbers, facility assignment, and court dates. A sex offender registry is also maintained online.
For incidents within Columbus city limits, the Columbus Division of Police handles records requests separately (email publicrecords@columbuspolice.org).
State Criminal Background Checks
The Ohio Attorney General’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation operates the WebCheck system for fingerprint-based criminal background checks. Individuals must visit an approved WebCheck location for electronic fingerprinting. Fees vary by provider but typically range from $35 to $45 for a BCI (state) check and $38 to $45 for an FBI (national) check.
Franklin County Civil Court Records
Civil disputes in Franklin County are divided among three courts based on the amount in controversy and the nature of the claim.
Jurisdictional Breakdown
- Court of Common Pleas — General Division: Original jurisdiction over all civil cases involving more than $15,000, including foreclosures, contract disputes, personal injury, and appeals from administrative agencies.
- Franklin County Municipal Court: Civil cases where the claim is under $15,000, including forcible entry and detainer (eviction) actions.
- Small Claims Division: Claims for money damages not exceeding $6,000, handled within the Municipal Court. Small claims cases follow simplified procedures and do not require attorney representation.
Filing Fees — General Division (Selected)
| Filing Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Civil complaint (Categories A, B, C, D, H, H3) | $225.00 |
| Foreclosure complaint (Category E) | $300.00 |
| Administrative appeal (Category F) | $100.00 |
| Confession of judgment (Cognovit) | $100.00 |
| Jury demand | $300.00 |
| Expungement/sealing of conviction | $50.00 |
| Lis pendens | $5.00 |
The full General Division fee schedule is published on the Clerk’s website.
Filing Fees — Municipal Court (Selected)
| Filing Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Civil case (plus service per defendant) | $121.00 |
| Small claims (plus service per defendant) | $86.00 |
| Eviction — certified mail/bailiff/process server (up to 3 defendants) | $133.00 (1 cause) / $170.00 (2 causes) |
| Certificate of judgment filed | $84.00 |
| Jury demand | $510.00 (includes $500 deposit) |
Service fees are charged separately based on method: $10.00 for certified mail, $25.00 for bailiff service (Franklin County only), $25.00 for process server, $3.00 for ordinary mail, and $41.00 for sheriff service outside the county. The complete Municipal Court civil cost schedule provides additional detail.
Forms and E-Filing
The Franklin County Law Library offers downloadable forms for various court filings. Both the Court of Common Pleas and Municipal Court support electronic filing. The Common Pleas e-filing system is available for civil, criminal, and domestic relations filings.
Property Records
While not court records, property ownership information is often sought alongside civil case data. The Franklin County Auditor’s property search allows lookups by owner name, address, or parcel number. The Franklin County Treasurer’s property search provides tax payment history and parcel information.
Franklin County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Franklin County are handled by the Court of Common Pleas — Division of Domestic Relations and Juvenile Branch, located at 373 South High Street, 4th Floor, Columbus, OH 43215. Phone: (614) 525-3628 Court operations run Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Civil Protection Order intake hours are 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
This division handles divorce, dissolution of marriage, legal separation, annulment, child custody and visitation, child support, domestic violence protection orders, juvenile delinquency, abuse, neglect, dependency, and adoption proceedings.
Divorce and Dissolution Filing Fees
| Action | Fee |
|---|---|
| Dissolution | $225.00 |
| Divorce | $275.00 |
| Legal separation | $200.00 |
| Annulment | $200.00 |
| Custody and support | $175.00 |
| Post-judgment motion | $150.00 |
| Counterclaim (divorce, annulment, separation) | $43.00 |
The full Domestic Relations fee schedule is available on the Clerk of Courts website. Beginning in 2026, the court increased its filing fee for domestic cases from $30 to $55 and juvenile cases from $42 to $55.
Searching Family Court Records
Case information for domestic relations matters is accessible through the Clerk of Courts’ CIO system. However, because family law records contain sensitive personal information, not all documents are viewable online. Sealed or confidential records — including adoption files, juvenile proceedings, and certain protective order details — require party status or a court order to access. Juvenile records requests must be made in person at the 4th floor Juvenile Division with a valid photo ID.
Standardized domestic relations and juvenile forms are available on the court’s website, and the Supreme Court of Ohio publishes statewide standardized forms that may be filed in Franklin County.
Marriage Records
Marriage licenses in Franklin County are issued by the Probate Court, not the Domestic Relations Division. The license fee is $65.00, payable by cash or credit/debit card (a 3% service fee applies to card transactions). Both applicants must complete the online marriage license application before appearing in person. Walk-in license issuance is available Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (both parties must be present by 4:00 p.m.). The license is valid for 60 days.
Certified marriage abstracts cost $2.00 per copy and can be ordered online through Point & Pay ($1.00 transaction fee applies), by mail, or in person. The Marriage License Index Search covers records from January 1995 to the present; records from 1803 to 1994 are available at the Probate Court in person. Mail requests should be sent to:
Franklin County Probate Court
ATTN: Marriage Records
373 S. High Street, 22nd Floor
Columbus, OH 43215-6311
Email: marriage@franklincountyohio.gov
Phone: (614) 525-3108
Birth and Death Records
Vital records are not held by the courts. The Columbus Public Health Office of Vital Statistics issues certified copies of birth and death certificates for events occurring in Ohio from 1908 to the present. The fee is $25.00 per certificate. Orders can be placed in person (240 Parsons Avenue, Columbus, OH 43215; Monday–Friday 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.), by mail with a check payable to the Columbus City Treasurer, or online through VitalChek (additional $9.95 service fee). Phone inquiries: (614) 645-7331; email: VS@columbus.gov.
Franklin County Probate Court Records
The Franklin County Probate Court is a division of the Court of Common Pleas with jurisdiction over estate administration, will probate, guardianships, conservatorships, trusts, adoptions, name changes, marriage licenses, and certain birth-related matters. Judge Jeffrey D. Mackey presides.
Probate Court Location and Hours
Franklin County Probate Court
373 South High Street, 22nd Floor
Columbus, OH 43215-6311
Phone: (614) 525-3894
Email: probate@franklincountyohio.gov
Court hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. The cashier closes at 4:30 p.m.; visitors conducting transactions that require payment should arrive by 4:00 p.m.
Searching Probate Records
The Probate Court maintains a General Case Index search tool that allows the public to look up estate, guardianship, trust, adoption, and other probate case filings. Records are current as of the previous business day. The court also supports e-filing for new case initiation and subsequent filings, and registered users can view non-confidential documents through the e-filing portal.
Estate Administration
Ohio law distinguishes between large and small estates, with different procedures and costs:
Large Estates (Full Administration)
Filing requires an initial deposit, with the court recommending $250.00 (the ORC minimum deposit is $125.00, though that amount does not cover letters of authority). Key filing costs include:
| Filing Type | Cost |
|---|---|
| Full administration deposit | $125.00 (minimum) |
| Probate only | $73.00 |
| Probate only with real estate | $80.00 |
| Real estate transfer only | $65.00 |
| Will for record only | $63.00 |
| Wrongful death deposit | $175.00 |
| Ancillary administration deposit | $125.00 |
Total estate court costs typically run under $230 but vary depending on actions filed.
Small Estates
A small estate applies when the surviving spouse inherits the entire estate valued under $100,000, or when someone other than a surviving spouse inherits an estate under $35,000. Court costs for small estates are:
- No Administration: $105.00–$115.00
- Summary Release from Administration: $105.00
The Probate Court publishes small estate forms and a large estate filing guide with detailed instructions. Statewide probate forms are also available from the Supreme Court of Ohio.
Guardianship
The Probate Court appoints guardians for both the person and the estate of individuals who are unable to manage their own affairs. Guardianship proceedings require filing a petition, providing notice to interested parties, and appearing at a hearing. The court provides guardianship information and forms on its website. Attorney representation is strongly recommended due to the legal complexity involved.
Required Documents for Opening an Estate
Individuals initiating a probate case should be prepared to bring the following to the Probate Court:
- Government-issued photo identification
- The original will of the decedent (if one exists)
- A certified copy of the death certificate
- Proof of funeral payment
- Verification of assets in the decedent’s name (bank statements, vehicle titles, property deeds, stock certificates)
- A certified marriage abstract (for cases involving surviving spouse entitlement without a will)
- The completed packet of forms with the required filing fee