Highland County, Ohio Court Records
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Highland County sits in the southwestern part of Ohio, with Hillsboro as its county seat. Each year, the county's court system generates a substantial body of legal records covering the full range of judicial activity — felony prosecutions, civil contract disputes, foreclosure actions, divorce proceedings, juvenile matters, probate estates, and more. A court record can contain case filings, docket entries, hearing transcripts, jury verdicts, sentencing information, court orders, and evidence submitted at trial. Because these records document official court proceedings, they matter to attorneys, litigants, researchers, journalists, and anyone conducting a background check or verifying a legal outcome.
For help understanding the Ohio court structure and tracking down the right court for a particular case, OhioCourts.us is a good starting point. Clerk offices at each courthouse remain the definitive source for official copies and certified documents, and many courts also offer public access terminals and online dockets.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Highland County?
Start by identifying which court handled the case, since each court keeps entirely separate records. For online searches, the main tool is the CourtView Public Records portal maintained by the Highland County Court of Common Pleas. It covers civil, criminal, and domestic relations cases from the General and Domestic Relations Divisions — but be aware that it 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 dedicated searches 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 what you know: 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 is straightforward: under Ohio Revised Code Section 149.43, the state's Public Records Act, court records kept by any public office are presumptively public and must be made available for inspection and copying upon request. You don't have to explain why you want them. Government agencies must respond within a reasonable time, and any denial must come with a written explanation citing specific legal authority.
That said, certain categories are exempt from disclosure. In Highland County, records that may be withheld or restricted include:
- Records related to probation and parole proceedings
- Trial preparation records and attorney work product
- Documents designated 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 for individuals seeking to have prior criminal convictions sealed from public view. When a record is partly public and partly exempt, the custodian must redact the restricted material and release the rest — with a stated legal basis for each redaction.
Highland County Criminal Court Records
All adult felony cases in Highland County go through the Highland County Court of Common Pleas, General Division, presided over by Judge Rocky A. Coss. This court handles everything from arraignment and preliminary hearings through trial, sentencing, and post-conviction proceedings.
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 — indictments, pleas, sentencing entries, judgment records — are searchable through the CourtView online docket. Document images aren't available online, so anyone who needs actual copies of filings will need to contact the Clerk of Courts directly. Court costs can be paid online through the court's online payment portal.
Misdemeanor matters are 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. The Highland County Jail inmate search through the Miami Valley Jails network lets you look up 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 handles requests for investigation reports, incident and crash reports, criminal records, and body camera footage. No appointment is needed — 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 cases in Highland County are split across several courts depending on the dollar amount at stake and the nature of the claim. The Court of Common Pleas, General Division handles major civil matters — foreclosures, administrative appeals, and actions exceeding the lower courts' thresholds. Smaller claims and evictions go to the Highland County Court (Greenfield) or, for city residents, the Hillsboro Municipal Court.
Civil records from the Common Pleas General Division can be searched through the CourtView portal. Highland County Court (Greenfield) records are available 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 civil filing fees are due at the time of filing. The court's court rules page outlines procedural requirements, and its civil fees schedule provides a full listing. Online payment is also available through countycourtgreenfield.com.
For Common Pleas cases, the court's Local Rules & Fees page provides the General and Domestic Relations Divisions' local rules in PDF format, governing procedure for civil and family matters at that level.
Highland County Family Court Records
Family law cases in Highland County are handled by two divisions of the Court of Common Pleas. The Domestic Relations Division covers divorces, dissolutions, legal separations, annulments, child support, civil protection orders, and post-decree motions like custody modifications. The Juvenile Division — combined with Probate under Judge Kevin L. Greer — handles 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 held by the Clerk of Courts and can be searched through the CourtView online portal by entering party names or case numbers. To check scheduled hearing dates, the court's domestic relations page directs parties to use CourtView's events function or call 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 these cases involve minors, access is substantially restricted and typically limited to parties directly involved in the case, their legal representatives, and authorized agencies.
Marriage records are maintained by the Probate Division. 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 applying in person should visit the Probate Court at 105 North High Street, Hillsboro.
Birth and death certificates come from the Highland County General Health District, not the courts. Each certificate costs $25.00. Mail requests go 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 called the Probate Court — exercises jurisdiction 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 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 restricted by law — adoption records are a notable exception and are sealed by Ohio statute. To search probate records online, use the court's probate case search portal at highlandjpcourt.com. In-person requests can 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 |
| Minors 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. If you have questions about a specific proceeding or need help calculating fees, contact the Probate Court clerk directly at (937) 393-9982.