Highland County Court Records Search
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Highland County, Ohio sits in the southwestern part of the state with Hillsboro as its county seat, and its court system produces a substantial body of legal records annually. These documents arise from the full range of judicial activity — felony prosecutions, civil contract disputes, foreclosure actions, divorce proceedings, juvenile matters, probate estates, and more. A court record may contain case filings, docket entries, hearing transcripts, jury verdicts, sentencing information, court orders, and evidence submitted during trial. Because these records reflect the official account of court proceedings, they serve important functions for attorneys, litigants, researchers, journalists, and members of the public conducting background checks or verifying legal outcomes.
Those looking to research court cases in Ohio can turn to several resources for assistance. Clerk offices at each courthouse remain the definitive source for official copies and certified documents, while many courts also offer public access terminals and online dockets. OhioCourts.us provides a useful reference for understanding the Ohio court structure and may help identify the appropriate court and contact information for locating publicly available case data across the state.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Highland County?
The first step in searching for a Highland County court record is identifying which court handled the case, since different courts maintain entirely separate record systems. The primary tool for online searches is the CourtView Public Records portal maintained by the Highland County Court of Common Pleas, which covers civil, criminal, and domestic relations cases from the General and Domestic Relations Divisions. Note that this system displays docket information only — document images are not available online.
Online search resources by court:
- Common Pleas General & Domestic Relations:CourtView case search via the Clerk of Courts’ website at highlandclerkofcourts.org
- Probate & Juvenile Court:Probate case search portal at highlandjpcourt.com, including a dedicated search for marriage records and estate cases
- Highland County Court (Greenfield):Record search tool at countycourtgreenfield.com
For in-person and mail requests:
- Identify the court that handled the case (Common Pleas, Probate/Juvenile, County Court, or Municipal Court).
- Gather available information: party name, case number, approximate filing date, and case type.
- Visit the appropriate clerk’s office during business hours or send a written request by mail.
- Pay any applicable copy or search fees at the time of the request.
Highland County Clerk of Courts — Legal Office
Address: 105 N. High Street, Hillsboro, OH 45133
Phone: (Legal): (937) 393-9957
Fax: (937) 393-9878
Email: clerkofcourts@hccpc.org
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Are Court Records Public in Highland County?
The baseline rule governing access to court records in Highland County is Ohio Revised Code Section 149.43, the state’s Public Records Act. This statute declares that records kept by any public office — including court records — are presumptively public and must be made available for inspection and copying upon request. Government agencies cannot require requesters to state a reason for seeking records, and they must respond within a reasonable time. Denial of public records requests must be accompanied by a written explanation citing specific legal authority.
Certain categories of records are exempt from public disclosure under Ohio law. In Highland County, documents that may be withheld or restricted include:
- Records pertaining to probation and parole proceedings
- Trial preparation records and attorney work product
- Documents deemed confidential under state statute
- Information that could identify confidential witnesses, victims, or complainants
- Juvenile court records, which are generally sealed under ORC Chapter 2152 to protect the privacy of minors
- Criminal records sealed or expunged under ORC Section 2953.32, which makes eligible conviction records inaccessible to the public after a successful sealing order
- Adoption records, which are sealed by statute
The Highland County Clerk of Courts maintains a dedicated page on sealing and expungement of records, providing guidance for individuals seeking to have prior criminal convictions sealed from public view.
When portions of a record are public and other portions are exempt, the custodian is required to redact the exempt material and release the remainder. Each redaction must be supported by a stated legal basis.
Highland County Criminal Court Records
Felony criminal cases in Highland County are handled exclusively by the Highland County Court of Common Pleas, General Division, presided over by Judge Rocky A. Coss. This court exercises jurisdiction over all adult felony offenses, from arraignment and preliminary hearings through trial, sentencing, and post-conviction matters.
Highland County Court of Common Pleas — General Division
Address: 105 North High Street, Hillsboro, OH 45133
Phone: (937) 393-2422
Fax: (937) 393-2989
Email: commonpleas@hccpc.org
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Criminal case records from this court — including indictments, pleas, sentencing entries, and judgment records — are searchable through the CourtView online docket. No document images are available online; requesters who need copies of actual filings must contact the Clerk of Courts. Court costs can be paid online through the court’s online payment portal.
Misdemeanor criminal matters falling below felony jurisdiction may be heard in the Highland County Court (Greenfield) or the Hillsboro Municipal Court.
Hillsboro Municipal Court
Address: 130 Homestead Avenue, Hillsboro, OH 45133
Phone: (937) 393-3022
Fax: (937) 393-0517
Highland County Court (Greenfield Courthouse)
Address: 300 Jefferson Street, P.O. Drawer 378, Greenfield, OH 45123
Phone: (937) 981-2139
Fax: (937) 981-2130
For arrest and custody information, the Highland County Sheriff’s Office maintains a public records office and an online inmate search system. The Highland County Jail inmate search through the Miami Valley Jails network allows anyone to search for individuals currently held in the county jail by last name.
Highland County Sheriff’s Office — Records Division
Phone: (937) 393-1421, option 2
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.; Saturday, 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
The Records Office provides access to investigation reports, incident and crash reports, criminal records, and video camera footage. No appointment is required — walk-in requests are accepted during business hours.
Sheriff’s Office Records Fees:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Incident & Crash Reports | No charge |
| Copies of reports | No charge |
| Body Camera Footage | $75.00/hour (max $750.00), provided on thumb drive |
Highland County Civil Court Records
Civil litigation in Highland County is divided between several courts based on the dollar amount in dispute and the nature of the claim. The Court of Common Pleas, General Division handles major civil matters including foreclosures, administrative appeals, and civil actions exceeding lower court thresholds. Smaller civil claims and evictions are handled by the Highland County Court (Greenfield) and, for city residents, the Hillsboro Municipal Court.
Civil records from the Common Pleas General Division can be searched through the CourtView portal, while Highland County Court (Greenfield) records are accessible through its own online record search.
Civil Filing Fees — Highland County Court (Greenfield):
| Action | Fee |
|---|---|
| Civil Complaint (up to $15,000 max claim) | $105.00 |
| Each Additional Defendant | $10.00 |
| Forcible Entry & Detainer (Eviction) | $105.00 |
| Small Claims (up to $6,000 max claim) | $75.00 |
| Each Additional Defendant (Small Claims) | $5.00 |
| File Third Party Complaint | $50.00 |
| Jury Demand in Civil Action | $500.00 |
| Certified Copy of Judgment (per page) | $5.00 |
| Certificate of Judgment or Satisfaction | $10.00 |
| Garnishment of Personal Earnings (certified mail) | $75.00 |
| Civil Subpoena per Witness | $20.00 |
All filing fees for civil actions in the Highland County Court are required at the time of filing. The court’s court rules page outlines procedural requirements for civil filings, and its civil fees schedule provides a comprehensive listing. Online payment options are also available through the court’s website at countycourtgreenfield.com.
The Common Pleas Court’s Local Rules & Fees page provides the General and Domestic Relations Divisions’ local rules of court in PDF format, governing procedure for civil and family cases heard at that level.
Highland County Family Court Records
Family law proceedings in Highland County are divided between two divisions of the Court of Common Pleas. The Domestic Relations Division handles divorces, dissolutions of marriage, legal separations, annulments, child support, civil protection orders, and post-decree motions such as custody modifications. The Juvenile Division (combined with Probate under Judge Kevin L. Greer) addresses matters involving minors, including delinquency, dependency, neglect, abuse, and unruly youth cases.
Domestic Relations Division
Address: 105 North High Street, P.O. Box 821, Hillsboro, OH 45133
Phone: (937) 393-9957
Fax: (937) 393-9878
Divorce and dissolution records are maintained by the Clerk of Courts and may be searched through the CourtView online portal by entering party names or case numbers. To view scheduled hearing dates for a domestic relations case, the court’s domestic relations page directs parties to use the CourtView “events” function or contact the Domestic Relations office directly.
Probate/Juvenile Court — Juvenile Division
Address: 105 North High Street, Hillsboro, OH 45133
Phone: (937) 393-9982
Juvenile court records are generally confidential under Ohio law. Because the Juvenile Division handles cases involving minors, access to those records is substantially restricted and typically available only to parties directly involved in the case, their legal representatives, and authorized agencies.
Marriage records are maintained by the Probate Division of the Court of Common Pleas. Marriage licenses issued in Highland County can be searched online through the Probate Court’s marriage record search. The current filing fee for a marriage license is $62.00. Applicants wishing to apply in person should visit the Probate Court at 105 North High Street, Hillsboro.
Birth and death certificates are issued by the Highland County General Health District, not the courts. Each birth or death certificate costs $25.00. Requests may be submitted by mail to:
Highland County General Health District
Address: 1487 North High Street, Suite 400, Hillsboro, OH 45133
Phone: (937) 393-1941
Fax: (937) 393-4694
Email: info@highlandcountyhealth.org
Mail requests must include a completed birth and death certificate application form, a copy of valid photo identification, and a $25.00 check or money order made payable to HCHD.
Highland County Probate Court Records
The Highland County Court of Common Pleas, Probate Division — commonly referred to as the Probate Court — exercises jurisdiction as defined under Ohio Revised Code Section 2101.24. Judge Kevin L. Greer presides over both the Probate and Juvenile Divisions, with Dawn Watson serving as Chief Deputy Clerk. The court’s core responsibilities include settling decedents’ estates, issuing marriage licenses, establishing and monitoring guardianships for minors and incapacitated adults, hearing will contests, administering trusts, overseeing civil commitments, and handling adoptions and name changes.
Probate records are generally public unless otherwise restricted by law. Adoption records are a notable exception and are sealed under Ohio statute. To search probate records online, the court provides a dedicated probate case search portal at highlandjpcourt.com. In-person requests may be made at the Probate Court clerk’s office during regular business hours.
Probate Filing Fees — Highland County:
| Proceeding | Fee |
|---|---|
| Release of Administration & Summary Release With Will | $156.00 |
| Release of Administration & Summary Release Without Will | $141.00 |
| Full Administration | $176.00 |
| Testamentary Trust | $100.00 |
| Will Contest | $61.00 |
| Guardianship/Incompetent | $286.00 |
| Guardianship/Minor | $161.00 |
| Petition to Terminate Guardianship | $10.00 |
| Adoption (Step Parent) | $400.00 + assessor fee |
| Adoption (Non-Step Parent) | $650.00 + assessor fee |
| Adult Adoption | $111.00 |
| Change of Name | $148.00 |
| Marriage License | $62.00 |
| Minor’s Claim | $71.00 |
| Wrongful Death | $81.00 |
| Inventory With Appraisal | $10.00 |
| Accounts/Certificate of Termination | $12.00 |
| Application for Correction of Birth | $30.00 |
| Non-Certified Copies | $1.00/page |
The full fee schedule, along with Local Court Rules (revised September 2021) and required forms, are available through the Probate Court’s official website. Parties with questions about specific proceedings or fee calculations should contact the Probate Court clerk directly at (937) 393-9982.