Licking County Court Records
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Licking County sits in central Ohio with its county seat in Newark and runs a multi-tiered court system that processes thousands of criminal, civil, domestic, and probate cases each year. The Court of Common Pleas — divided into a General Division, Domestic Relations Division, and Probate-Juvenile Division — handles the bulk of those proceedings. The county also operates a Municipal Court and ten Mayors Courts across its municipalities. The Clerk of Courts and the individual court divisions maintain case files, and the public can access many of these records through online portals, in-person visits, or written requests.
If you're starting a search for court records in Ohio, several resources can help you find and retrieve case information. Clerk of Courts offices maintain searchable databases, public access terminals are available at courthouse locations, and online tools allow remote queries by party name or case number. OhioCourts.us may also help individuals locate publicly available court case information across the state's judiciary.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Licking County?
Licking County offers several ways to find court case records depending on which division handled the matter.
Online Case Search
In June 2025, the Licking County Common Pleas Clerk of Courts migrated to a new case management system. The current platform for searching records remotely is re:SearchOH, which covers case dockets and filings from the General Division (civil and criminal matters) and the Domestic Relations Division (excluding juvenile matters), as well as cases filed in the Licking County Court of Appeals (5th Appellate District). You can search by party name, case type, or case number. Docket updates occur during business hours at approximately 15-minute intervals.
Some case types are excluded from remote access, including domestic violence protection orders, criminal protection orders, and civil protection orders. The Probate-Juvenile Division maintains its own search portal for probate and juvenile case records.
For the Licking County Municipal Court, case searches and online court cost payments are available through a separate system. The Municipal Court can be reached at (740) 670-7800 or by email at office@lcmunicipalcourt.com.
In-Person and Mail Requests
Copies of court records can be obtained by visiting or writing to the appropriate clerk's office. Your written request should include the names of the parties and the case number, along with the applicable copy fees.
| Fee Type | Cost |
|---|---|
| Plain copies | $0.05 per page |
| Certified/authenticated copies | $2.00 per copy |
| Credit card processing fee (in-person/online) | 2.95% (minimum $1.00) |
| Online transaction fee | $3.50 per transaction |
Court Locations
| Court/Division | Address | Phone | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Division (Civil & Criminal) | 1 Courthouse Square, Newark, OH 43055 | (740) 670-5791 | Mon–Fri, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM |
| Domestic Relations Division | 75 E. Main Street, Newark, OH 43055 | (740) 670-5392 | Mon–Fri, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM |
| Probate-Juvenile Division | 1 North Park Place, Newark, OH 43055 | (740) 670-5624 | Mon–Fri, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM |
| Municipal Court | 40 W. Main Street, 3rd Floor, Newark, OH 43055 | (740) 670-7800 | Mon–Fri, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM (closed 12:00–1:00 PM) |
Payments can be made in person (cash, check, money order, or credit/debit card), by mail (check or money order), or online through the Clerk's online payment portal. Checks and money orders should be made payable to the Treasurer of the State of Ohio or to the specific court division, depending on the type of payment. E-filing is now available for the Common Pleas Court; review the Electronic Filing Policy for detailed instructions.
Are Court Records Public in Licking County?
Ohio law establishes a broad right of public access to government records. Under Ohio Revised Code Section 149.43 — commonly known as the Ohio Public Records Act — any person may request and obtain copies of records maintained by a public office, including court records. The statute defines "public record" broadly to cover records kept by state, county, city, village, township, and school district entities.
Court records in Ohio are also subject to the Rules of Superintendence for the Courts of Ohio, which define what constitutes a court record and set parameters for public access and retention. The Supreme Court of Ohio's public access guidelines provide further detail on these rules.
Despite this general openness, certain categories of court records in Licking County are not publicly accessible:
- Records sealed by court order, such as certain expunged criminal cases
- Juvenile delinquency records (confidential by statute)
- Adoption records
- Cases involving involuntary hospitalization of the mentally ill
- Domestic violence, criminal, and civil protection orders (excluded from remote online access)
- Records containing sensitive personal identifiers — including Social Security numbers and financial account details — which are subject to redaction before disclosure
If a public records request is denied, Ohio Revised Code 149.43(1) allows the requester to file a complaint with the Ohio Court of Claims for review. Anyone who believes they are entitled to sealed records should consult with an attorney or contact the relevant court division directly.
Licking County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Licking County are split among multiple courts based on the severity of the offense. The General Division of the Court of Common Pleas handles all felony matters and certain serious misdemeanors. The Licking County Municipal Court has jurisdiction over misdemeanors, traffic offenses, and ordinance violations committed within its territory. The county's ten Mayors Courts cover lesser municipal ordinance violations, parking infractions, and some criminal traffic matters including OVI cases.
Searching Criminal Case Records
Criminal case records from the General Division can be searched through the re:SearchOH platform by defendant name, case number, or case type. To obtain certified copies, submit a written request with the defendant's name and case number along with payment to:
Licking County Clerk of Courts – General Division
1 Courthouse Square
Newark, OH 43055
Phone: (740) 670-5791
Fax: (740) 670-5886
For payment plan arrangements on felony criminal cases, call (740) 670-5801 directly.
Criminal Background Checks Through BCI
Statewide criminal history checks are administered by the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI). To request a background check, you'll need to provide:
- Full name and current address of the subject
- A complete set of fingerprints with signed consent
- A valid photo ID
- A fee of $22, payable by credit/debit card, check, or money order to the Treasurer of the State of Ohio
Fingerprint scans can be completed at the Licking County Sheriff's Office or submitted to any BCI regional office.
Licking County Sheriff's Office
The Licking County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest reports, incident records, and related law enforcement documentation. The office also processes concealed carry permits and manages the county jail.
Licking County Sheriff's Office
155 E. Main Street
Newark, OH 43055
| Division | Phone |
|---|---|
| Dispatch/Reports | (740) 670-5555 |
| Civil/Records Division | (740) 670-5541 |
| Sex Offender Registration | (740) 670-5559 |
| Jail Division | (740) 670-5501 |
| Concealed Carry Licensure | (740) 670-5508 |
An active inmate listing for the Licking County Jail is available online.
Licking County Civil Court Records
The General Division of the Court of Common Pleas handles a broad range of civil matters in Licking County — general civil lawsuits, foreclosures, tax liens, judgments, and civil anti-stalking protection orders. Civil cases involving smaller dollar amounts or specific claim types may be heard in the Municipal Court.
Accessing Civil Case Records
Civil case information from the General Division is available through the re:SearchOH online portal. You can search by party name, attorney name, or case number. Copies of pleadings and docket entries can be requested in person, by mail, or through the online system.
To request copies by mail, prepare a written request specifying the party names and case number, and include payment ($0.05 per page for plain copies; $2.00 for certified copies). Mail to:
Licking County Clerk of Courts – General Division
1 Courthouse Square
Newark, OH 43055
Detailed filing fee schedules for the General Division are available on the Clerk's website. Parties who cannot pay may apply for a fee waiver using the Security Deposit and Fee Waiver Affidavit, pursuant to ORC 2323.311.
Property-Related Records
Court records involving real property — such as foreclosures, evictions, and liens — are maintained by the Clerk of Courts. For deed transfers, ownership histories, and property valuations, the Licking County Auditor provides an online property search tool. The Licking County Recorder also maintains a searchable online portal for property deeds, covering ownership transfers, liens, and mortgages.
Licking County Recorder
20 S. Second Street
Newark, OH 43055
Phone: (740) 670-5300
Fax: (740) 670-5303
Licking County Family Court Records
The Domestic Relations Division of the Licking County Court of Common Pleas is the primary court for family law matters. It hears all cases involving divorce, dissolution of marriage, legal separation, annulment, child custody and visitation, child support, paternity, spousal support, property division, and civil domestic violence protection orders.
Court Contact and Hours
Licking County Domestic Relations Court
75 East Main Street
Newark, OH 43055
Phone: (740) 670-5400
Fax: (740) 670-5419
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM – 4:30 PM
The Clerk of Courts Domestic Relations Division handles filing and record retrieval for all domestic cases and can be reached at (740) 670-5392. Civil Protection Order (CPO) packets are available at 75 E. Main Street. Victims of domestic abuse can also contact The Center for New Beginnings at (740) 345-4498 or (800) 686-2760 for assistance.
Searching Family Court Records
Domestic relations case records — excluding juvenile matters and protection orders — are searchable online through re:SearchOH. Copies can be requested in person or by mail by providing the parties' names and case number with the applicable fees. The Domestic Division filing fee schedule is posted on the Clerk's website, and a Fee Waiver Affidavit for Domestic cases is available for qualifying individuals.
Forms and Local Rules
The Domestic Relations Division offers several downloadable resources for self-represented litigants:
- Rules of Court 2026 (local rules governing domestic proceedings)
- Notice of Intent to Relocate form
- Ex Parte Motion form
- Citizens Guide to Domestic Relations Court
- Guide to Representing Yourself in Court
Standardized Ohio domestic relations forms, including those for divorce and dissolution, are also accessible through the Supreme Court of Ohio forms page.
Marriage Records
Marriage licenses in Licking County are issued by the Probate Court. The Probate-Juvenile Division maintains all marriage records for licenses issued in the county. To apply for a marriage license, you must submit an application online or in person at the Probate Clerk's Office by appointment — call (740) 670-5624 to schedule. The license fee is $70.00 (cash, credit, or debit only; no checks accepted). At least one applicant must be a Licking County resident, or the marriage must be performed within the county. The license is valid for 60 days from issuance.
To obtain a certified copy of a marriage record, complete the Request for Certified Copy of Marriage Record form and submit it in person or by mail with $2.00 per copy and a self-addressed stamped envelope to the Probate Court at 1 North Park Place, Newark, OH 43055. For licenses issued prior to 1991, the exact date of marriage is required to retrieve the record.
Birth and Death Records
Birth and death certificates in Licking County are maintained by the Licking County Health Department. Certified copies cost $25.00 (including $13.50 in state fees). Requests can be made in person or by mail using the Vital Records Request form.
Licking County Health Department
675 Price Road
Newark, OH 43055
Phone: (740) 349-6535
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Licking County Probate Court Records
The Probate-Juvenile Division of the Licking County Court of Common Pleas, presided over by Judge Deborah G. Lang, handles more than 200 categories of cases. Probate matters include estate administration, the probate of wills, appointment of executors and administrators, guardianship of minors and incapacitated adults, conservatorships, civil involuntary commitment of the mentally ill, adoptions, birth record corrections, name changes, supervision of testamentary and inter vivos trusts, land appropriations, and will contests.
Public Access to Probate Records
With the exception of adoption records and involuntary hospitalization proceedings, probate court hearings are open to the public and probate court records are public records. Anyone can search for probate case information using the Probate-Juvenile Court online records search portal.
Requesting Copies
For verified copies of probate records, submit requests in person or by mail to:
Probate-Juvenile Division
Licking County Common Pleas Court
1 North Park Place
Newark, OH 43055
Phone: (740) 670-5624
Fax: (740) 670-5880
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
The Probate Court accepts electronic filings for certain pleadings and documents submitted after the original complaint. A list of accepted e-filing documents is available online. E-filings for probate matters can be sent to the Probate Court's designated electronic filing email. Filings that require a new case number assignment must still be submitted in paper form.
Visitors to the Probate-Juvenile courthouse should note that the entrance is on the southeast side of the building at street level, a security screening is required, and cell phones are not permitted inside.