Madison County, Ohio Court Records
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Madison County, Ohio, centered around the county seat of London, maintains a court system serving the legal needs of its roughly 29,000 residents through several distinct judicial divisions. Court records — from criminal indictments and civil judgments to estate filings and protective orders — form an important part of Ohio's public record. Knowing which court holds a particular record, and how to request it, makes navigating the system considerably more manageable.
Locating Court Records in Ohio
You can access court records in Ohio through clerk offices, in-person public access terminals at the courthouse, mail requests, and various online tools. The county's official website provides direct search portals for both the Clerk of Courts and the Municipal Court. At the state level, OhioCourts.us is a useful resource for identifying court information and locating publicly available case details across Ohio's judicial system. Whether you're a legal professional, a researcher, or an individual with a personal stake in a case, starting with the correct court division will save you considerable time.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Madison County?
Madison County offers online case search tools for its primary courts, along with in-person and mail options for those who prefer or require them.
Online Search Options
- Common Pleas Court / Clerk of Courts: The Clerk of Courts Record Search on the county website lets you search by party name or case number. When searching by name, enter the last name first, followed by a comma, a space, and the first name. Case number searches should use numbers only — no dashes.
- Municipal Court: The Municipal Court Record Search provides online access to misdemeanor, traffic, and small claims case information. The site notes that records are provided as a public service and may not reflect the most recent court activity.
- Probate and Juvenile Court: The county's Probate Court index search lets you look up estates, guardianships, trusts, civil cases, miscellaneous matters, and marriage records by entering the last and first name of the case party.
In-Person Requests
You're welcome to visit the appropriate clerk's office during regular business hours. Bring case-identifying information — a party name, approximate filing date, or case number — to help staff locate the file. Staff can assist with finding records but are not permitted to provide legal advice.
Mail-In Requests
Written requests may be mailed to the relevant clerk's office. Include the full names of the parties involved, the approximate date of the case, the case number if you have it, and a return address. Call ahead to confirm copy fees before sending payment.
Madison County Court Locations
| Court | Address | Phone | Fax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Common Pleas Court | 1 N. Main St., P.O. Box 527, London, OH 43140 | (740) 845-1780 | (740) 852-7144 |
| Clerk of Courts | 1 N. Main St., P.O. Box 557, London, OH 43140 | (740) 852-9776 | (740) 845-1778 |
| Municipal Court | 55 North Oak St., P.O. Box 646, London, OH 43140 | (740) 852-1669 | (740) 852-0812 |
| Probate & Juvenile Court | 1 N. Main St., Room 205, London, OH 43140 | (740) 852-0756 |
The Madison County court records portal on the city of London's website links to all three primary court search systems in one convenient location.
Are Court Records Public in Madison County?
Ohio's Public Records Act, O.R.C. 149.43, establishes the baseline rule that government records — including most court records — are open to any person upon request. You don't need to explain why you want a record, and public offices are obligated to respond promptly. The Madison County Clerk of Courts Public Records Policy confirms that the office follows Ohio's public records laws consistent with the Ohio Revised Code, the Rules of Superintendence for the Courts of Ohio, the Ohio Rules of Procedure, and the local rules of the Madison County Court of Common Pleas.
Despite this broad right of access, several categories of records are shielded from public disclosure:
- Juvenile records: Protected under O.R.C. 2151.14 to safeguard the privacy of minors involved in delinquency, dependency, or neglect proceedings.
- Sealed and expunged records: Under O.R.C. 2953.32, criminal records that have been sealed or expunged are removed from public access and may only be retrieved by court order or by certain authorized agencies.
- Medical and mental health records: Confidential under both state law and federal HIPAA provisions; not subject to routine public records requests.
- Adoption records: Sealed by statute to protect the parties involved.
- Active investigation files: Records whose release could compromise ongoing law enforcement activities may be withheld.
Redaction of personal identifiers — such as Social Security numbers and financial account numbers — is standard practice before documents are released to the public.
Madison County Criminal Court Records
Criminal matters in Madison County are divided between two courts based on the severity of the offense. Felonies are prosecuted in the Common Pleas Court, while misdemeanors, ordinance violations, and traffic offenses fall under the Municipal Court's jurisdiction.
Common Pleas Court Felony Cases
The Madison County Common Pleas Court, presided over by Judge Eamon P. Costello, handles all felony-level criminal proceedings. Case records — including indictments, pleas, motions, judgments, and sentencing entries — are maintained by Erin Bauer, Clerk of Courts. You can reach the clerk's office at (740) 852-9776 or by email at clerkofcourts@co.madison.oh.us. Criminal case records are searchable online through the Clerk of Courts Record Search.
Municipal Court Misdemeanors and Traffic
Judge Eric M. Schooley presides over the Madison County Municipal Court at 55 North Oak Street, London. The court handles misdemeanor criminal cases, minor misdemeanor traffic violations, and local ordinance matters. Court hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Case records are searchable via the Municipal Court Record Search tool on the county website, and ticket payments can be made online through the court's payment portal.
Sheriff's Office Arrest Records and Incident Reports
The Madison County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records and incident/offense reports. An inmate search tool is available on the Sheriff's website for identifying individuals currently in custody. To obtain copies of incident or offense reports, submit an email request to the Records Division at records@madisonsheriff.org. The Sheriff's administrative division keeps all records and reports generated by the office.
Criminal History Restrictions
Sealed and expunged records under O.R.C. 2953.32 are not accessible through any public search tool. If you need a certified background check rather than a specific case record, contact the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation through the Ohio Attorney General's Office.
Madison County Civil Court Records
Civil litigation in Madison County is divided between the Common Pleas Court and the Municipal Court based on the dollar value of the claim.
Common Pleas Court Civil Division
The Common Pleas Court has jurisdiction over civil matters where the amount in controversy exceeds $15,000, as well as equity cases and real property disputes. Records of civil filings, judgments, and orders are maintained by the Clerk of Courts and are searchable through the Clerk of Courts Record Search.
Certificate of Judgment Fees:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Make a Certificate of Judgment | $5.00 |
| Record a Certificate of Judgment | $30.00 |
| Make and Record | $35.00 |
Municipal Court Small Claims and Minor Civil Disputes
The Municipal Court handles civil claims within its jurisdictional dollar threshold — making it the more accessible venue for smaller disputes such as landlord-tenant matters, contract disagreements, and debt collection. The Municipal Court Record Search is available for researching civil case dockets.
Protective Orders
Petitions for Domestic Violence Protection Orders and Civil Stalking Protection Orders are filed with the Clerk of Courts. Under court order, petitions filed before 11:30 AM on a court business day are considered by the judge or magistrate at 11:30 AM the same day; filings received after 11:30 AM are considered at 11:30 AM the following business day. Forms for these petitions are available on The Ohio Supreme Court's protection order forms page.
Madison County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Madison County are handled within the Common Pleas Court's domestic relations division. The Clerk of Courts maintains all records related to divorce, dissolution, child custody, and parental rights proceedings.
Divorce and Dissolution Records
Divorce and dissolution case files include the original complaint or petition, any separation agreement, custody and support orders, and the final decree. These records are generally public unless sealed by court order. To request access, provide the full names of both parties and the approximate filing date to the Clerk of Courts at 1 N. Main Street, London. Standardized filing forms for divorce and dissolution are available through The Ohio Supreme Court's domestic relations forms page.
Child Custody and Support
Orders allocating parental rights and responsibilities, as well as support determinations, are part of the civil case file and are accessible through the Clerk of Courts. Modification requests — called reallocation of parental rights — follow the same filing process and use the same standardized forms available from the Supreme Court.
Marriage Records
In Ohio, marriage certificates and licenses are issued and maintained by county probate courts, not the Clerk of Courts. Marriage records for Madison County are held by the Probate Court and are searchable through the Probate Court index search. The Ohio Department of Health's Vital Statistics division notes that marriage and divorce records are not maintained at the state level — copies must be obtained from the county probate court where the marriage license was issued.
Birth and Death Records
Vital records for Madison County residents are handled by Madison County Public Health, not the court system. The Office of Vital Statistics issues certified birth certificates for all Ohio births and certified death certificates for deaths occurring in Madison County from 1908 to the present. You can request records in several ways:
- Online or by phone: Visit certificates.madisonph.org or call during business hours (8:30 AM–4:30 PM, Monday–Friday) and pay by debit/credit card.
- By mail: Send a completed birth certificate application or death certificate application with payment to: Madison County Public Health, P.O. Box 467, London, Ohio 43140.
- In person: Walk-in service is available with same-day processing; cash, checks, and debit/credit cards are all accepted.
Birth and Death Certificate Fee Breakdown:
| Fee Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Local fee | $11.50 |
| State fee | $9.00 |
| State child abuse prevention fund | $3.00 |
| State domestic violence shelter fund | $1.50 |
Juvenile Court Records
The Juvenile Court — which shares a division with the Probate Court — handles delinquency, dependency, neglect, and abuse proceedings involving minors. Under O.R.C. 2151.14, juvenile records are confidential and not available for general public inspection. Access is limited to the minor, their parents or legal guardians, counsel, and certain authorized government agencies.
Madison County Probate Court Records
The Madison County Probate Court is located at 1 N. Main Street, Room 205, London, OH 43140, and is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. You can reach the court at (740) 852-0756. Judge Christopher J. Brown presides over the court, which handles a broad range of non-adversarial legal matters.
Probate Court Jurisdiction Includes:
- Estate administration (testate and intestate)
- Probate of wills and issuance of letters testamentary
- Guardianships of minors and adults
- Conservatorships and trusts
- Name change proceedings
- Adult Protective Services cases
- Marriage license issuance and marriage record maintenance
Searching Probate Records
Start with the Probate Court index search, which lets you look up estates, guardianships, trusts, civil probate cases, and marriage records online by entering a last name followed by a first name. This is a useful first step before deciding whether to visit the court in person.
Requesting Records In Person or By Mail
For records not available through the online index, or to obtain certified copies, visit the Probate Court clerk's office at Room 205. Staff can answer procedural questions but are not permitted by law to provide legal advice. For mail requests, include the decedent's or ward's full legal name, an approximate year of death or case opening, and a return address. Call (740) 852-0756 to confirm applicable fees before submitting payment.
Guardianship Confidentiality
Certain guardianship and conservatorship records are treated as confidential and are not accessible to the general public. Parties with a direct legal interest in a guardianship matter — such as a family member, the ward, or appointed legal counsel — may petition the court for access.
Marriage Records Through Probate
The Probate Court is the official keeper of marriage licenses and certificates in Madison County. To obtain a copy, provide the full names of both spouses and the approximate date of the ceremony. Records are searchable through the probate index, and certified copies may be requested directly from the clerk's office. The Ohio Department of Health confirms that marriage record copies must be obtained from the issuing county probate court, as they are not held at the state level.