Stark County Court Records Search

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    Stark County, Ohio, encompasses the Canton metro area and operates a multi-tiered court system that includes the Court of Common Pleas and three independent Municipal Courts. The Stark County Clerk of Courts, currently led by Lynn M. Todaro, serves as the central records custodian for the Common Pleas Court and works in coordination with the Municipal Court clerks to maintain case records across the county. Whether a case involves a felony prosecution, a civil contract dispute, a divorce proceeding, or a probate estate, knowing where records are held and how to access them makes the difference between a productive search and a frustrating dead end.

    Finding Court Records in Stark County:

    Ohio residents and out-of-state requesters have several ways to locate Stark County court case information. Records can be accessed through clerk’s office visits, public terminals at the courthouse, written requests, and online tools. The OhioCourts.us state courts website may assist in identifying where publicly available case information is maintained across Ohio. For the most accurate and complete records, the county’s official court portals and clerk offices described throughout this guide are the authoritative sources.

    How to Look Up a Court Case in Stark County?

    The primary online tool for locating court records across all Stark County courts is the Stark County Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS). This free, publicly accessible database consolidates records from the Court of Common Pleas (Civil, Criminal, and Domestic Relations Divisions) and the three Municipal Courts into a single searchable interface — making it the most efficient starting point for most records searches.

    How to Use the CJIS System:

    1. Visit the CJIS website and select “Guest Access” — no registration is required for basic searches.
    2. Choose the specific court you want to search, or search across all participating courts simultaneously.
    3. Enter the subject’s first, middle, and last name, along with their role in the case (defendant, plaintiff, attorney, judge, guardian, or applicant).
    4. Optionally narrow results by entering a case number, date range, or cause of action.
    5. Review the results for matching case entries, which typically display party names, case type, filing date, and case status.

    Note that the CJIS system does not include Probate Division records, which are maintained separately by the Probate Court.

    In-Person Access at the Clerk of Courts Office

    The Clerk of Courts office at 115 Central Plaza North, Suite 101, Canton, Ohio 44702 is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Title Division hours: Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and Saturday 8:00 a.m. to noon). Staff can assist with locating specific case files and providing certified copies. A valid government-issued ID is required when collecting physical copies. Court staff do not conduct searches by telephone.

    Stark County Clerk of Courts
    Address: 115 Central Plaza North, Suite 101, Canton, OH 44702
    Phone: (330) 451-7801
    Email: clerk@starkcountyohio.gov
    Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

    Are Court Records Public in Stark County?

    Court records in Stark County are public records under Ohio Revised Code § 149.43, the state’s Open Records Law, which defines public records as documents kept by any public office and establishes every person’s right to inspect and obtain copies. The Ohio Attorney General’s Public Records Act reinforces these rights and outlines the duties of public offices in responding to requests.

    Restricted and Confidential Records

    The presumption of openness is not absolute. Certain categories of records are withheld or sealed under Ohio law:

    • Juvenile case records, including delinquency, abuse, neglect, and dependency proceedings
    • Domestic violence cases where sealing has been ordered to protect the victim
    • Records sealed by court order following an expungement or sealing petition
    • Adoption records
    • Grand jury records
    • Mental illness commitment records
    • Ongoing criminal investigation records that would compromise law enforcement
    • Social Security numbers, financial account details, and other sensitive personal identifiers redacted from copies provided to the public

    When a court seals a record, it is removed from public terminals and the CJIS database. Requesters seeking sealed records must obtain a court order authorizing access.

    Copy Fees

    The Stark County Family Court charges $0.10 per page for standard copies and $1.00 per certified page under its public records policy. Copy fees at other divisions vary; requesters should confirm current rates with the relevant clerk’s office at the time of their request. No fee is charged for in-person inspection of records on courthouse premises.

    Stark County Criminal Court Records

    Felony cases in Stark County are prosecuted in the Stark County Court of Common Pleas — General Division, which has original jurisdiction over criminal cases and civil matters where the amount in controversy exceeds $15,000. Misdemeanors, traffic offenses, and lower-level criminal matters are handled by the three Municipal Courts.

    Stark County Court of Common Pleas — General Division
    Address: 101 West Tuscarawas Street, Canton, Ohio 44702
    Mailing Address: 115 Central Plaza N., Suite 400, Canton, Ohio 44702
    Phone: (Main): (330) 451-7931
    Fax: (330) 451-7740
    Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

    Online Criminal Case Lookup

    Criminal court case records from the Common Pleas General Division and the Municipal Courts can be searched through the CJIS online system by name or case number. Basic case information — including parties, case type, filing date, and status — is available without charge. For more detailed archived records or certified copies, an in-person or written request to the clerk’s office is required.

    Criminal History Background Checks

    For certified criminal background checks limited to Stark County, requesters must complete Form AOC-CR-314 (Request for Certified Criminal Record Search) and submit it to the Clerk of Superior Court with a $25 fee. For Ohio statewide and federal criminal history checks, the Stark County Sheriff’s Office offers civilian fingerprinting services by appointment:

    Stark County Sheriff’s Office
    Address: 4500 Atlantic Blvd. N.E., Canton, Ohio 44705

    • BCI State of Ohio Background Check: $40.00
    • FBI Federal Background Check: $40.00
    • Ink Prints per Card: $10.00 (cards provided)
    • Payment: Credit/Debit Card only
    • Appointments: Schedule online at starkcountysheriff.timetap.com

    Download the Civilian Fingerprint Background Check Application (PDF) before your appointment. Criminal history records maintained by the Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) are not public records under Ohio law; they require the subject’s authorization. Arrest records, however, are generally accessible through the Sheriff’s Office on a case-by-case basis.

    Stark County Civil Court Records

    Civil matters in Stark County are split between the Common Pleas General Division (cases over $15,000) and the three Municipal Courts (smaller civil claims and small claims cases). The CJIS system covers civil records for all these courts.

    Searching Civil Case Records

    To search for civil case records through CJIS:

    1. Go to the CJIS website and select Guest Access.
    2. Choose Common Pleas Court or the relevant Municipal Court.
    3. Enter the plaintiff’s or defendant’s name, or the case number if known.
    4. Filter by cause of action (contract dispute, property, injunction, etc.) or date range to narrow results.
    5. Click Search and review case summaries returned.

    Sealed records and cases recently filed may not appear online. For complete file review, visit the Clerk of Courts office with a photo ID. Fees apply for copies.

    Municipal Courts

    The three Municipal Courts in Stark County each have an independently elected clerk and maintain their own records, all of which participate in the CJIS database:

    Canton Municipal Court
    Address: 218 Cleveland Ave SW, Canton, OH 44702
    Services: E-File, Docket Search, Online Payments (see cantoncourt.org)

    Massillon Municipal Court
    Address: 2 James Duncan Plaza, Massillon, OH 44646
    Phone: (330) 830-1730
    Services: E-File, Docket Search, Online Payments (see massillonclerk.org)

    The Massillon Municipal Court serves western Stark County, including the cities of Massillon and Canal Fulton, and surrounding townships and villages.

    Stark County Family Court Records

    The Stark County Family Court is composed of two divisions of the Court of Common Pleas: the Domestic Relations Division and the Juvenile Division. Both share a courthouse location and collectively handle all family-related legal matters in the county.

    Stark County Family Court
    Address: 110 Central Plaza South, Suite 601, Canton, Ohio 44702
    Phone: (330) 451-7415
    Fax: (330) 451-7837
    Administrative Judge (Juvenile): Hon. Rosemarie A. Hall
    Administrative Judge (Domestic Relations): Hon. Michelle L. Cordova

    Cases Handled by Each Division

    The Domestic Relations Division presides over:

    • Divorce and legal separation
    • Child custody and visitation orders
    • Child support and spousal support determinations
    • Domestic violence civil protection orders

    The Juvenile Division handles:

    • Juvenile delinquency and traffic offenses
    • Child abuse, neglect, and dependency
    • Foster care and termination of parental rights
    • Paternity matters
    • Emancipation petitions

    Family Court records are accessible in person at the clerk’s office. The court charges $0.10 per page for standard copies and $1.00 per certified page. CJIS includes Domestic Relations case records but does not include Juvenile Division records, which are confidential under Ohio law.

    Marriage and Divorce Records

    Marriage licenses and divorce records in Stark County are maintained by the Stark County Probate Court. Both are publicly accessible, though records containing sensitive identifying information are redacted before release.

    • Marriage record search fee: up to $30.00
    • Marriage certificate copy: $1.00 per copy
    • Divorce record search fee: up to $30.00
    • Divorce decree copy: $1.00 per certified copy (or $0.10 per uncertified page)

    To request divorce records, call the Clerk of Courts at (330) 451-7801. To request marriage records, contact the Probate Court directly at (330) 451-7755.

    For vital records related to marriage and family matters, the Ohio Department of Health Bureau of Vital Statistics maintains statewide records. Requests may be submitted by mail to: Ohio Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics, P.O. Box 15098, Columbus, Ohio 43215. ODH charges $20.00 per copy, payable by cash, check, or money order.

    Stark County Probate Court Records

    The Stark County Probate Court operates independently from the Common Pleas General Division and maintains its own records system. Presided over by Hon. Judge Curt Werren, the court handles all matters related to estate administration, wills, trusts, guardianships, mental illness commitments, and adoptions.

    Stark County Probate Court
    Address: 110 Central Plaza South, Suite 501, Canton, Ohio 44702
    Phone: (330) 451-7755
    Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
    Marriage License Department Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:15 p.m.

    Probate Records Available

    Probate case records that are open to the public include:

    • Wills admitted to probate
    • Estate inventories and accountings
    • Letters testamentary and letters of administration
    • Guardianship and conservatorship orders
    • Trust filings
    • Dissolution of marriage records maintained by the Probate Court
    • Name change decrees

    Searching Probate Records

    The Probate Court operates its own dedicated case search portal, separate from the CJIS system (Probate records are not included in CJIS). To search, have the following on hand:

    • Full first and last name of the party involved
    • Case number (if known)

    The portal provides access to the complete indices of the Probate Court at no charge. For copies of specific documents, in-person or mail requests to the Probate Court office are required. Fees apply based on the type of record and number of copies requested. The Probate Court also offers a new guardianship accounting tool through its partnership with Societal, a software platform designed to streamline guardian’s accounting filings.

    Requesting Probate Records by Mail

    Mail written requests with payment to:

    Stark County Probate Court
    110 Central Plaza South, Suite 501
    Canton, Ohio 44702

    For questions about current fee schedules, contact the Probate Court directly at (330) 451-7755 before submitting a request.