Hancock County Courts – A Practical Guide to Court Records and Services
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Hancock County sits in northwestern Ohio, with Findlay serving as the county seat. Three separate courts make up the county’s judicial structure: the Hancock County Court of Common Pleas (with a General Division and a Domestic Relations Division), the Hancock County Probate/Juvenile Court, and the Findlay Municipal Court. Each court keeps its own records. The Hancock County Clerk of Courts handles all Common Pleas filings, while the Probate/Juvenile Court and the Findlay Municipal Court each manage records through their own clerk operations. Across these courts, you’ll find criminal felony and misdemeanor cases, civil lawsuits, domestic relations matters, probate and estate proceedings, juvenile adjudications, and traffic offenses.
If you’re looking for court case information in Hancock County, you can access records through the clerk offices, public-access terminals at the courthouses, and online search tools maintained by the individual courts and the state judiciary. OhioCourts.us offers access to statewide rules, court forms, and resources that explain how Ohio courts work and where to send record requests. Hancock County’s courts also offer their own electronic portals for searching case information remotely.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Hancock County?
The right place to start depends on which court handled the case. Each court runs a separate records system, so it helps to know whether you’re looking for a felony, a traffic ticket, a civil lawsuit, or a probate matter before you search.
Hancock County Common Pleas Court (General Division and Domestic Relations)
The Hancock County Clerk of Courts keeps all records for the Court of Common Pleas. You can search case information online through the Hancock County Court eServices public portal, which covers both open and closed matters. Searches can be run by case participant name, case number, attorney name, or case type. The portal displays party details, charges, dispositions, and case events. One important limitation: records from before January 1985 are not available electronically and must be viewed in person at the Clerk’s office.
- Address: 300 South Main Street, 3rd Floor, Findlay, OH 45840
- Phone: (419) 424-7037
- Fax: (419) 424-7801
- Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (except legal holidays)
Findlay Municipal Court
The Findlay Municipal Court handles traffic violations, misdemeanor criminal matters, and civil cases within its jurisdictional limits. The court offers several dedicated online tools:
- Case Search — search by name, case number, or driver's license number for traffic and criminal matters
- Civil Case Search — look up civil docket entries and case details
- Daily Dockets — view scheduled hearings for the current day
- Active Warrants — search outstanding warrants by name
Contact information:
- Address: 318 Dorney Plaza, Room 206, P.O. Box 826, Findlay, OH 45840-3306
- Phone: (419) 424-7141
- Fax: (419) 424-7803
Hancock County Probate/Juvenile Court
The Probate/Juvenile Court maintains a records search system for probate matters, marriage licenses, estates, guardianships, and name changes. You can search by applicant name, case type, case number, or filing date.
- Address: 209 West Main Cross Street, Findlay, OH 45840
- Phone: (419) 424-7079
- Fax: (419) 424-7898
- Hours: Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
- Email: juvenile@co.hancock.oh.us (Juvenile Court)
In-Person Access
All three courts allow in-person access to public records during their posted business hours. The Clerk of Courts office has computer terminals available for the public to search the electronic case management system. Photocopying and document certification are available for a fee.
Are Court Records Public in Hancock County?
Court records in Hancock County are generally presumed open to public access under Ohio Rules of Superintendence, Rule 45. This rule establishes that records are available for inspection and copying unless they fall within specific exemption categories. The Superintendence Rules also set guidelines for how courts manage electronic access and what information must be redacted before documents are made publicly available.
Several categories of records and information are restricted from general public access:
- Personal identifier information: Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, driver's license numbers, passport numbers, and certain medical records must be redacted from publicly accessible documents.
- Sealed and expunged records: Cases sealed or expunged by court order are removed from public view, including from online portals.
- Juvenile records: Adjudications involving minors are confidential and not available through public case search tools. The eServices portal for Hancock County specifically notes that juvenile cases are excluded from public viewing.
- Active investigation records: Certain criminal records tied to ongoing law enforcement investigations may be withheld.
- Family court confidential information: Adoption proceedings, certain child custody evaluations, and child support enforcement data may carry access restrictions.
- Victim and witness information: Identifying details of victims and witnesses may be shielded from public disclosure.
If you need records that may contain restricted material, contact the relevant clerk’s office directly. The court may be able to provide redacted versions of documents where partial exemptions apply. A record search fee of $15 applies at the Clerk of Courts office for research requests.
Hancock County Criminal Court Records
Criminal prosecutions in Hancock County are split between two courts depending on the severity of the charge. Felony cases go to the General Division of the Hancock County Common Pleas Court, while misdemeanor and traffic cases are handled by the Findlay Municipal Court. The Municipal Court also conducts certain felony pretrial hearings before cases are bound over to Common Pleas.
Searching Criminal Case Records
For felony cases, the Hancock County eServices portal allows public searches by defendant name, case number, or case type. Results include charge descriptions, case status, disposition information, and a full record of court events.
For misdemeanor and traffic offenses, the Findlay Municipal Court’s traffic/criminal case search page is the place to start. The court also publishes a daily hearing docket showing scheduled matters, including hearing type, defendant information, charges, and the involved law enforcement agency.
Arrest Records and the Sheriff's Office
The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office maintains arrest records, incident reports, and crash reports. An active inmate inquiry tool lets you search for current inmates by name, subject number, or booking number. Results include photographs, physical description, bond details, charges, arresting agency, booking and offense dates, next court date, and release date if applicable.
The Sheriff’s records unit processes all public record requests for incident and arrest reports:
- Records Phone: (419) 424-7251
- Address: 200 West Crawford Street, Findlay, OH 45840
- Hours: Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Email: hancocksheriff@co.hancock.oh.us
- Online Requests: Available through the NextRequest portal
Records are generally available three to five business days after an event is reported. Crash reports can also be obtained at no cost from the Ohio Department of Public Safety. Reports obtained directly from the Sheriff’s Office cost $4.00 for accident reports with narratives and witness statements, and $4.00 for photos provided on a department disc.
Criminal Expungements
If you want to seal or expunge a criminal record in Hancock County, the petition is filed through the Clerk of Courts. The filing fee for a criminal expungement is $55.
Hancock County Civil Court Records
Civil cases in Hancock County are divided between the Common Pleas Court and the Findlay Municipal Court based on the dollar amount in dispute. The Common Pleas General Division handles claims above $15,000, including foreclosures, contract disputes, negligence actions, administrative agency appeals, declaratory judgments, and injunctive relief. The Findlay Municipal Court’s Civil Division covers general civil cases up to $15,000 and small claims up to $6,000.
Common Pleas Court Filing Fees
The Clerk of Courts fee schedule sets the following deposit and filing amounts:
| Case Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Civil action | $350 |
| Civil action (more than 5 parties to be served) | $50 additional |
| Civil action with garnishment or attachment | $375 |
| Foreclosure | $525 |
| Answer and counterclaim / cross-complaint (civil) | $250 |
| Third-party complaint | $250 |
| Execution | $100 |
| Garnishment | $100 |
| Debtor's examination | $55 |
| Arbitration | $450 |
| Certificate of judgment (file and record) | $45 |
| Certificate of judgment (issue, file, and record) | $50 |
| Appeal to Court of Appeals | $150 |
| Record search | $15 |
| Subpoena (when party has no deposit) | $10 each |
Municipal Court Small Claims
Small claims up to $6,000 are filed in the Findlay Municipal Court, and the filing fee must be paid when the complaint is submitted. Hearings are typically scheduled within 40 days of filing. Claims exceeding $6,000 are either waived above that threshold or must be filed on the general civil docket. The Municipal Court’s case details and docket entries are available through the civil case search page.
E-Filing
As of January 1, 2026, all attorneys must use the Hancock County Clerk of Courts electronic filing system for Common Pleas filings. Paper and fax filings are no longer accepted from attorneys. Self-represented litigants may still submit paper documents at the Clerk’s office on the 3rd floor of the courthouse.
Hancock County Family Court Records
Domestic relations cases in Hancock County are heard by the Domestic Relations Division of the Court of Common Pleas. This division handles divorces, dissolutions of marriage, legal separations, annulments, child custody and parenting time, child support, spousal support, domestic violence civil protection orders (CPOs), and registration of certain out-of-state support orders.
Domestic Relations Filing Fees (Effective July 1, 2025)
| Matter | Fee |
|---|---|
| Divorce (no children) | $400 |
| Divorce (with children) | $475 |
| Dissolution (no children) | $375 |
| Dissolution (with children) | $450 |
| Answer and counterclaim divorce (no children) | $245 |
| Answer and counterclaim divorce (with children) | $295 |
| Domestic continuing jurisdiction motions (custody/visitation) | $245 |
| Domestic continuing jurisdiction motions (support or non-child matters) | $175 |
| Home investigation (per household) | $100 |
| Guardian ad litem (attorney) | $600 |
| Guardian ad litem (volunteer) | $350 |
All domestic relations fees are paid at the Clerk of Courts office. Forms and instructions for divorce, dissolution, and post-decree motions are available on the Domestic Relations Forms page. The court requires parenting education seminars in all divorce and dissolution cases involving minor children; details are available on the Parenting Education page. For questions, contact the Domestic Relations Court at (419) 424-7818.
Civil Protection Orders
CPO petitions for adults are filed in the Domestic Relations Division; when the respondent is under 18, the petition goes to Juvenile Court. Petition forms are available at the court or from the Clerk of Courts. Petitioners may also contact the Open Arms Domestic Violence Shelter at (419) 422-4766 or (419) 420-9261 for victim advocacy assistance.
Marriage Records
Marriage licenses are issued exclusively by the Hancock County Probate Court. The license fee is $68, payable by cash, check, or credit card. Both applicants must appear together with valid identification. If either applicant was previously married, a certified copy of the most recent divorce or dissolution decree is required. No blood test or waiting period applies, and licenses are valid for 60 days from issuance. To save time, applicants can begin their application online before their visit. Certified copies of a returned marriage license cost $5 and can be requested in person, by phone, by email, or by mail.
The Probate Court’s records search system lets you search marriage license records by couple name, marriage date, officiant, and issuance and return dates. Images of issued and returned licenses are viewable online.
Divorce Records
Divorce and dissolution records are maintained by the Clerk of Courts and are searchable through the eServices portal. You can filter by case type — selecting dissolution or divorce — to find a specific proceeding. Copies of divorce decrees can be obtained from the Clerk’s office at 300 South Main Street, 3rd Floor, Findlay, OH 45840.
Birth and Death Records
Birth and death certificates in Hancock County are maintained by the Hancock Public Health Vital Statistics Division, not by the courts. Certificates cost $30 each and can be ordered in person or by mail using the department’s request form. The department is located at 2225 Keith Parkway, Findlay, Ohio 45840.
Hancock County Probate Court Records
The Hancock County Probate Court, combined with the Juvenile Court in a single division, handles estate administration, will contests, guardianships, conservatorships, adoptions, name changes, involuntary commitments for the mentally ill, land appropriation cases, and marriage license issuance. The court is located at the Allan H. Davis Judicial Center, 209 West Main Cross Street, Findlay, OH 45840.
Estate Administration
When a Hancock County resident dies, the Probate Court supervises the administration of their estate. Every step — from appointing an executor or administrator to distributing assets — is subject to court examination and approval. The court handles both testate estates (where a valid will exists) and intestate estates (where no will was left). If disputes arise among heirs or beneficiaries, those matters are also heard and resolved by the Probate Court.
Guardianships, Conservatorships, and Adoptions
The court appoints and supervises guardians for minors and incapacitated adults, oversees conservatorship proceedings, and handles all adoption matters within the county. Name change petitions are also filed in Probate Court.
Searching Probate Records
The Probate Court’s records search system gives online access to estate, guardianship, marriage license, and name change records. You can search by name, case type, case number, or filing date. The system displays case details and allows you to view filed document images. Probate forms are available through the court’s website or from the Supreme Court of Ohio forms page. The court has also published its 2026 Probate Rules of Court for local practice requirements.
For copies of probate documents or records not available online, contact the Probate Court directly at (419) 424-7079. In-person visits are welcome during court hours: Monday through Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.