Medina County Court Records Search
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Medina County is located in northeastern Ohio, with its county seat in the city of Medina. The county’s court system operates through the Medina County Court of Common Pleas—which includes a General Division, Domestic Relations Division, Probate Division, and Juvenile Division—along with two municipal courts in Medina and Wadsworth. The Medina County Clerk of Courts serves as custodian of all records filed in the Common Pleas Court, while each municipal court maintains its own case files through a separate clerk’s office.
For those searching for court records in Ohio, a practical starting point is identifying which court handled the matter. General information about the state’s judicial structure and individual county courts can be found through OhioCourts.us. Within Medina County, official clerk offices, courthouse public terminals, and the county’s online docket portals all provide access to publicly available case data. The specific procedures, fees, and tools described below apply to each court in the county.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Medina County?
Medina County provides multiple ways to locate court records, whether you need a quick case status check or certified document copies.
Online Docket Searches
The Medina County Clerk of Courts operates a docket search portal for cases filed in the Court of Common Pleas across all divisions—General, Domestic Relations, and Criminal. Searches can be conducted by party name, business name, attorney name, case number, attorney bar number, or courtroom. There is no charge for online searches.
For Probate Division and Juvenile Division cases, the Medina County Probate and Juvenile Court offers its own online docket that covers public probate cases. Probate case numbers follow the format YYYY-MM-??-00000. The data is not real-time and may take up to 14 days to update, particularly for service records.
The Medina Municipal Court maintains a separate case lookup system for civil, criminal, and traffic cases. The Wadsworth Municipal Court also provides online public record access.
In-Person Requests
Walk-in visitors may inspect court records and request copies at the relevant clerk’s office during business hours. The primary locations are:
| Court/Office | Address | Phone | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clerk of Courts — Legal Division | 225 E. Washington St., Medina, OH 44256 | (330) 725-9722 | Mon–Fri 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. |
| Medina Municipal Court | 135 N. Elmwood Ave., Medina, OH 44256 | (330) 723-3287 | Mon–Fri, window closes 4:00 p.m. |
| Wadsworth Municipal Court | 120 Maple St., Wadsworth, OH 44281 | (330) 335-1596 | Mon–Fri |
| Probate & Juvenile Court | 225 E. Washington St., 4th Floor, Medina, OH 44256 | (330) 725-9703 | Mon–Fri |
Copy and Certification Fees (Common Pleas — All Divisions)
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Photocopies | $0.10 per page |
| Certified copies | $1.00 per page (in addition to photocopy charge) |
| Exemplified copy / Triple seal authentication | Additional fee above certification |
Payment may be made by check, money order, or credit card. An additional $10.00 applies for each defendant named beyond five in any civil or domestic filing.
Email Filing
As of April 1, 2025, the Clerk of Courts no longer accepts fax filings but now accepts email filings for Common Pleas General and Appellate Division cases. Domestic Relations filings can be emailed to mccc-drefiling@medinacounty.gov using the case number as the subject line.
Are Court Records Public in Medina County?
Ohio has one of the broadest public-records statutes in the country. Under the Ohio Public Records Act (ORC § 149.43), any person—including nonresidents and foreign nationals—may request copies of public records without providing a reason or even identifying themselves. Requests need only be reasonably specific, and the custodian may require advance payment for copying costs.
Court records in Medina County are subject to this law, with most civil, criminal, domestic relations, and probate filings open to public inspection. However, several categories of records are restricted or exempt:
- Juvenile records — Case files in the Juvenile Division are generally confidential and not available through public docket searches.
- Adoption records — Sealed by law; accessible only to authorized parties.
- Sealed records — A court may order records sealed when privacy interests outweigh the public benefit, such as in certain family law or criminal matters.
- Restricted personal identifiers — Social security numbers, financial account numbers, and similar sensitive data are redacted from publicly available documents.
- Ongoing investigation records — Access may be limited to avoid compromising the integrity of an active case.
- Protective order details — Some information in domestic violence and dating violence civil protection order files may be restricted to safeguard victim safety.
The Ohio Sunshine Laws manual published by the Legislative Service Commission provides a comprehensive guide to exemptions and restrictions. If a request is denied, the custodian must provide the specific statutory basis for the denial.
Medina County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Medina County are heard in different courts depending on the severity of the charge. Felonies are prosecuted in the General Division of the Court of Common Pleas. Misdemeanors, traffic offenses, and certain preliminary felony proceedings are handled by the Medina Municipal Court or the Wadsworth Municipal Court.
Searching Criminal Records Online
The Clerk of Courts’ docket search portal covers criminal cases in the Common Pleas General Division. Search by defendant name or case number. For misdemeanor and traffic cases, use the Medina Municipal Court’s case lookup or the Wadsworth Municipal Court’s online access tools.
Criminal Background Checks Through the Sheriff’s Office
The Medina County Sheriff’s Office provides fingerprint-based background checks through Ohio’s WebCheck system. To request a background check:
- Complete the background check request form.
- Schedule an appointment with the Sheriff’s Office.
- Appear in person with a valid photo ID (preferably an Ohio driver’s license showing date of birth) for electronic fingerprint capture.
Medina County Sheriff’s Office
Address: 555 Independence Drive, Medina, OH 44256
Phone: (330) 764-8631
Email: rbyrne@medinacounty.gov
The Ohio Attorney General’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) processes the fingerprint-based checks. Results from a WebCheck submission include Ohio criminal history and, if requested, FBI records.
Requesting Criminal Court Documents
Copies of criminal case documents from the Common Pleas Court cost $0.10 per page for photocopies and $1.00 per page additional for certification. Contact the Clerk of Courts Legal Division at (330) 725-9722, or visit the courthouse at 225 E. Washington Street during office hours.
Medina County Civil Court Records
Civil cases in Medina County are divided between the Court of Common Pleas and the municipal courts based on the amount in dispute. The General Division of Common Pleas handles civil matters without a dollar limit, including chancery, foreclosure, and appeals. The municipal courts handle civil disputes up to $15,000 and small claims up to $6,000.
Common Pleas Civil Filing Fees
The court fee schedule sets the following filing deposits (effective October 18, 2021, with periodic updates):
| Filing Type | Deposit |
|---|---|
| Complaint in General Division — up to 5 defendants | $350.00 |
| Foreclosure complaint | $350.00 |
| Each additional defendant beyond 5 | $10.00 |
Municipal Court Civil Cases
The Medina Municipal Court handles general civil actions and small claims. Civil filing fees were increased effective March 1, 2026; contact the clerk at (330) 723-3287 or visit the Medina Municipal Court website for the current fee schedule. Small claims cases are filed by completing a complaint form available from the clerk’s office.
Online Search and Document Access
Civil case records from the Common Pleas Court can be searched through the docket search portal. Municipal court civil records are available through each court’s respective online search system. For in-person copy requests at the Clerk of Courts, photocopies cost $0.10 per page, with certified copies at $1.00 per page additional.
Medina County Family Court Records
Family law matters in Medina County are adjudicated by the Domestic Relations Division of the Court of Common Pleas. This division handles divorce, dissolution of marriage, legal separation, annulment, parentage, third-party legal custody, spousal support, child support, and civil protection orders for domestic violence and dating violence.
Domestic Relations Filing Fees (Effective January 1, 2024)
| Case Type | Filing Deposit |
|---|---|
| Divorce/Annulment/Legal Separation with children | $400.00 |
| Divorce/Annulment/Legal Separation without children | $350.00 |
| Dissolution with children | $350.00 |
| Dissolution without children | $325.00 |
| Motion to convert dissolution to divorce | $50.00 |
| Parentage complaint | $200.00 |
| Amended complaint / Counterclaim / Cross-claim | $175.00 |
| Post-decree motion (child support or parenting time) | $200.00 |
| Post-decree motion to adopt agreement | $25.00 |
| Petition for DV or dating violence civil protection order | No charge |
| Foreign order registration | $200.00 |
| Service by Medina County Sheriff | $25.00 |
| Service by commercial carrier | $50.00 |
| Service by publication | $800.00 |
The Domestic Relations Division provides a comprehensive library of downloadable forms for self-represented litigants, covering dissolution with and without children, divorce complaints and answers, parentage actions, child support modifications, protection order petitions, and miscellaneous post-decree motions. Filing hours for DV-CPO petitions are 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on days the court is open; no filings are accepted the day before a holiday closure.
Searching Family Case Records
Domestic relations cases are searchable through the Clerk of Courts’ online docket by party name or case number. Some party names may be redacted in cases involving protection orders or sensitive matters.
Marriage and Divorce Records
Marriage licenses issued since 1965 are maintained by the Medina County Probate Court. Certified copies can be obtained in person at the Probate Court on the 4th floor of the courthouse, or by mailing a completed request with a $3.00 fee and a self-addressed stamped envelope to 225 E. Washington Street, 4th Floor, Medina, OH 44256.
Divorce records for cases after 2008 are accessible through the Clerk of Courts’ online docket system. Records for cases prior to 2008 are held in the Archives Department of the Clerk’s Office; printed copies cost $0.10 per page, with an additional $2.00 for certification if needed and a $3.00 credit card processing fee.
Birth and Death Records
Vital records are maintained by the Medina County Health Department. Ohio is an open-record state, meaning anyone who can provide basic identifying information about a certificate may request a copy. Birth and death certificates each cost $26.00 per copy. Requests by mail or phone carry an additional $2.00 mail service fee. Payment is accepted by cash, check, money order, or most major credit/debit cards.
Medina County Health Department
Address: 4800 Ledgewood Drive, Medina, OH 44256
Phone: (330) 723-9688 (birth) / (330) 723-9511 (death)
Toll-free: (888) 723-9688
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Medina County Probate Court Records
The Medina County Probate and Juvenile Court has jurisdiction over estate administration, wills, trusts, guardianships, conservatorships, adoptions, marriage licenses, and legal name changes. The Juvenile Division of the same court handles delinquency, juvenile traffic, and child abuse and neglect cases. Judge Kevin W. Dunn presides over both divisions.
Probate and Juvenile Court
Address: 225 E. Washington St., 4th Floor, Medina, OH 44256
Probate Phone: (330) 725-9703
Juvenile Phone: (330) 725-9709
Probate Fax: (330) 725-9119
Juvenile Fax: (330) 725-9173
Searching Probate Records Online
The court’s online docket allows free public searches of probate cases by party name or case number. Estate cases use the PR designation and guardianship cases use GI or GE designations. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy, the data is not real-time, and some records may take up to 14 days to update. Juvenile cases, adoptions, and other confidential matters do not appear in the public docket.
Requesting Copies
Copies of probate records are available at the Probate Court clerk’s window during business hours. The court’s local rules and fee schedule detail the applicable charges. Filings must be submitted in person at the courthouse; the Probate Court is prohibited by law from providing legal advice, but staff can direct individuals to resources such as the Medina County Bar Association at (330) 725-9794 or Community Legal Aid at (800) 998-9454.
Guardianship Background Checks
Prospective guardians are typically required to undergo a criminal background check. The Probate Court background check procedure directs applicants to contact the Medina County Sheriff’s Department at 555 Independence Drive for electronic fingerprinting via WebCheck.
Estates and Wills
The Probate Court oversees the execution of wills, determination of heirs, distribution of estates under Ohio’s intestacy laws when no will exists, and matters involving testamentary trusts. Interested parties may search the online docket for estate case filings or visit the 4th-floor clerk’s office to inspect case files.