Trumbull County Court Records
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Trumbull County sits in northeastern Ohio, with its county seat in Warren. The county's judicial system spans multiple locations, serving communities that stretch from Cortland and Brookfield to Girard, Niles, and Newton Falls. Trial-level cases move through the Court of Common Pleas (General Division and Probate Division), the Family Court (Domestic Relations and Juvenile Divisions), two county courts, four municipal courts, and several mayors' courts. Each court's clerk office manages and provides access to its own case records independently.
If you're researching court records anywhere in Ohio, OhioCourts.us is a helpful place to start — it can help you identify courts and locate publicly available case information statewide. Within Trumbull County, the Clerk of Courts manages records for the Common Pleas General Division, while the Family Court and Probate Court each run separate filing systems. Several of these courts offer free online search portals, and all of them accept in-person records requests at their offices. Public access terminals at the Trumbull County Courthouse in Warren let you search case data at no charge during regular business hours.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Trumbull County?
Before you start searching, figure out which court handled the case you're looking for. Felony criminal matters and civil claims over $15,000 go to the Court of Common Pleas General Division. Family law and juvenile cases belong to the Family Court. Probate, estate, guardianship, and marriage matters fall under the Probate Division. Misdemeanors, traffic violations, and smaller civil claims are filed in one of the county or municipal courts, depending on the geographic jurisdiction.
Online Case Search Options
Several Trumbull County courts offer free electronic case lookups:
- Common Pleas General Division — The Clerk of Courts maintains the Courtview portal, where you can search by party name, case number, attorney name, case type, or filing date range.
- Central District Court — The Caselook search system supports searches by name, case number, and ticket number.
- Eastern District Court — A separate Courtview portal offers similar name-based and case-number searches.
- Probate Court — Case records are searchable through the Probate Court's online search page.
In-Person Searches
Public computer terminals are available at the Trumbull County Clerk of Courts offices inside the Trumbull County Courthouse at 161 High Street NW, Warren, and in the Passport Office on the 5th floor of the Administration Building at 160 High Street NW, Warren. You can search Common Pleas and Domestic Relations records by party name or case number at no charge.
Requesting Copies
Document copies cost $0.05 per page. Certifying a copy adds $1.00 per document, and exemplified copies are $5.00 each. The Clerk of Courts does not allow files to be taken out of the office — all copies are made on-site. If you need a formal name search conducted by clerk staff, the fee is $5.00 per name. Self-service searches on the public terminals are free.
Mail Requests
Send written requests to the appropriate clerk division. Include the case number or full party name, the time period you want searched, and payment by certified check or money order — personal checks are not accepted. Enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope with any mail request.
Are Court Records Public in Trumbull County?
Ohio law strongly favors public access to court records. The Ohio Public Records Act (R.C. 149.43) requires records held by public offices — including courts — to be available for inspection and copying upon request. On top of that, the Ohio Supreme Court's Rules of Superintendence (Rules 44 through 47) specifically address court records access and establish a clear presumption that case documents are open to the public.
Under these rules, anyone can inspect and obtain copies of court records without having to explain why they need them. The Trumbull County Clerk of Courts, Probate Court, and Family Court are all required to respond to records requests and provide copies at the statutory fee rates.
Records That Are Not Publicly Accessible
Some categories of case records are off-limits to the general public:
- Sealed records — Any record a judge has ordered sealed is removed from public view and can only be accessed with court authorization.
- Juvenile case records — Most juvenile court proceedings are confidential, with access limited to parties, their attorneys, and authorized individuals.
- Adoption records — Adoption files are confidential and are not available for public inspection.
- Mental health proceedings — Records related to involuntary commitment and similar mental health matters are restricted.
- Protected personal information — Social security numbers, financial account numbers, and similar sensitive identifiers are redacted from publicly available documents.
- Child custody evaluations and certain domestic abuse records — Portions of family court files may be restricted when they involve evaluations, investigative reports, or safety-sensitive information.
If you believe you have a legal right to access a restricted record, you can file a motion with the court requesting disclosure. The judge will weigh that request against applicable statutes and rules before making a decision.
Trumbull County Criminal Court Records
Felony criminal cases in Trumbull County are prosecuted in the Court of Common Pleas General Division. Misdemeanor and traffic cases are heard in the municipal courts — Warren, Girard, Niles, or Newton Falls — or in the county courts (Central and Eastern Districts), depending on where the offense occurred. Each court's clerk maintains the official records for cases within its jurisdiction.
Searching Criminal Case Records
The Courtview portal for Common Pleas gives you online access to felony case dockets, charges, and dispositions. Search by defendant name or case number. The Central District Court's Caselook system and the Eastern District Court's Courtview portal cover misdemeanor and traffic cases in their respective jurisdictions.
In-person searches are available at the following locations:
Trumbull County Court of Common Pleas General Division
Address: 161 High Street NW, Warren, OH 44481
Phone: (330) 675-2557
Warren Municipal Court
Address: 141 South Street SE, Warren, OH 44483
Phone: (330) 841-2525
Girard Municipal Court
Address: 100 North Market Street, Girard, OH 44420
Phone: (330) 545-0069 (Criminal), (330) 545-3049 (Traffic)
Niles Municipal Court
Address: 15 East State Street, Niles, OH 44446
Phone: (330) 652-5863
Newton Falls Municipal Court
Address: 19 North Canal Street, Newton Falls, OH 44444
Phone: (330) 872-0232
Bonds and Criminal Costs
Ohio law requires a $25.00 fee from bond depositors, which is not refunded upon a guilty finding. Bonds can be posted at the Clerk of Courts office during business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.). After-hours bond posting is handled through the jail at (330) 675-2508. The clerk accepts cash bonds, 10% bonds, insurance bonds, and property bonds — property must be located in Trumbull County and meet specific equity requirements.
Expungement
Filing a motion to expunge a criminal record in Common Pleas costs $50.00. Expungement of a domestic violence record filed through the Family Court also costs $50.00. In the Juvenile Division, expungement carries no filing fee.
Sheriff's Office Records
The Trumbull County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records, incident reports, and other law enforcement files. You can submit a Public Record Request through the county's online portal. The Sheriff also maintains a publicly accessible sex offender search page.
Trumbull County Sheriff's Office
Address: 150 High Street NW, Warren, OH 44481
Phone: (330) 675-2508
Fax: (330) 675-7023
Lobby Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Trumbull County Civil Court Records
Civil litigation in Trumbull County is spread across several courts based on the type and amount of the claim. The Common Pleas General Division handles civil matters where the amount in controversy exceeds $15,000 — including foreclosures, professional torts, product liability, workers' compensation appeals, and other civil actions. The county and municipal courts handle smaller civil claims, small claims matters, and eviction proceedings.
Civil Filing Fees — Common Pleas General Division (Effective April 1, 2019)
| Filing Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Foreclosure complaint | $653.00 |
| All other civil complaints | $253.00 |
| Cognovit (without precipe) | $213.00 |
| Cognovit (with precipe) | $233.00 |
| Counterclaim / amended complaint | $0.00 |
| Counterclaim with service requested | $60.00 |
| Judgment lien (from other court) | $25.00 |
| Judgment lien (from Trumbull County) | $27.00 |
| Foreign judgment | $25.00 |
| Garnishment | $25.00 |
| Execution | $25.00 |
| Debtor exam | $25.00 |
| Appeal of arbitration | $180.00 |
| Order of sale by Sheriff | $500.00 |
An additional surcharge applies when certified mailings involve more than five defendants. This ranges from $50.00 for 6–10 defendants up to $250.00 for 26–30 defendants, and must be paid upfront.
Copy and Search Fees
All copies are $0.05 per page. Certification costs $1.00 per document. A clerk-conducted name search is $5.00. Self-service searching on the public terminals is free.
Filing and Procedures
Civil complaints must be captioned with the specific type of action: Administrative Appeal, Foreclosure, Product Liability, Professional Tort, Other Civil, Other Torts, or Workers' Compensation. Filers must submit an original with an original signature and enough copies for service on all defendants. The Clerk of Courts office accepts cash, certified check, money order, or credit card — in person or by phone at (330) 675-2557.
Standardized forms for appeals and other actions are available at the Clerk of Courts office or can be downloaded from the clerk's website.
Central and Eastern District Courts
The two county district courts handle civil claims, small claims, and traffic cases:
Trumbull County Court Central District
Address: 180 North Mecca, Cortland, OH 44410
Phone: (330) 675-2280
Trumbull County Court Eastern District
Address: 7130 Brookwood Drive, Brookfield, OH 44403
Phone: (330) 675-7900
Both courts offer online record searches through their respective portals and accept in-person requests during business hours.
Trumbull County Family Court Records
The Trumbull County Family Court operates from its own building and is divided into two divisions: Domestic Relations and Juvenile. The Domestic Relations Division handles divorce, dissolution, annulment, legal separation, and post-decree matters involving custody, visitation, and support. The Juvenile Division has jurisdiction over delinquency, unruly behavior, dependency, neglect, abuse, parentage, and juvenile custody and support.
Domestic Relations Division
Trumbull County Family Court — Domestic Relations
Address: 220 Main Avenue SW, Warren, OH 44481
Phone: (330) 675-2625
Fax: (330) 675-7907
Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Domestic Relations filing fees (effective May 1, 2025):
| Filing Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Divorce / legal separation / annulment complaint | $301.00 |
| Dissolution petition | $301.00 |
| Foreign complaint (reciprocal, custody, support, visitation) | $301.00 |
| Answers and counterclaims (with or without service) | $105.00 |
| Any post-decree motion | $105.00 |
| Motion for continuance | $25.00 |
| Motion to reinstate | $55.00 |
| Objections to Magistrate's decision | $55.00 |
| Mediation fees (per party, first four hours) | $100.00 |
| Parenting coordination fees | $100.00 |
| Certificate of dissolution/divorce | $2.00 |
| Copies per page | $0.05 |
| Certified copy | $1.00 |
Domestic violence petitions carry no filing fee. Victims can contact Someplace Safe at (330) 393-3003 or visit the Clerk of Courts office for a packet of forms and instructions on obtaining a civil protection order.
Copies of divorce decrees are $0.05 per page plus $1.00 for certification; include a self-addressed stamped envelope with your request. Credit card payments are accepted in person or by phone at (330) 675-2625. Personal checks are not accepted.
Juvenile Division
Trumbull County Family Court — Juvenile Division
Address: 220 Main Avenue, P.O. Box 1209, Warren, OH 44482
Phone: (330) 675-2600
Juvenile Clerk: (330) 675-2375
Fax: (330) 675-2322
Juvenile filing fees (effective January 1, 2022):
| Filing Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Parentage / custody / visitation complaint | $140.00 |
| Unruly / delinquency complaint | $75.00 |
| Motions | $100.00 |
| Objections or motion to set aside | $50.00 |
| Appeals | $181.00 |
| Motion for continuance | $20.00 |
| Expungement | No charge |
Juvenile case records are generally confidential. Public access is limited, and most records are available only to case parties, their attorneys, and authorized personnel. The Juvenile Court does not accept personal checks.
Marriage Records
Marriage licenses are issued exclusively by the Trumbull County Probate Court. The fee is $44.00, payable in cash (exact change required) or by credit card with a $3.00 processing fee. Licenses are issued by appointment only — call (330) 675-2521 to schedule. Both applicants must appear in person with birth certificates, photo identification, and — if previously married — a certified copy of the divorce decree or death certificate. Documents must be emailed to marriage@trumbullprobate.org no later than 2:00 p.m. on the business day before the appointment. A marriage license is valid for sixty calendar days after issuance.
Birth and Death Records
Birth and death certificates are vital records maintained by the Warren City Health Department and the Ohio Department of Health's Bureau of Vital Statistics. The Probate Court may have access to certain death records that intersect with estate proceedings.
Trumbull County Probate Court Records
The Trumbull County Probate Court handles far more than estate administration. Its caseload includes guardianships, conservatorships, adoptions, name changes, mental health commitments, marriage licenses, and wrongful death claims. Judge James A. Fredericka presides over this division.
Trumbull County Probate Court
Address: Trumbull County Courthouse, 161 High Street NW, Warren, OH 44481
Phone: (330) 675-2521
Fax: (330) 675-3024
Searching Probate Records
The Probate Court offers an online case search where you can look up records by case number, party name, company name, or attorney name. In-person searches are available at the courthouse during regular hours. Copy fees follow the county standard of $0.05 per page.
Estate Administration
When an Ohio resident passes away, any probate assets not transferred automatically by contract or joint ownership must go through the Probate Court. The court appoints a fiduciary — an executor if there is a will, an administrator if there is not — and oversees the collection, management, and distribution of assets. Most estates require an initial deposit of approximately $161.00 in court costs, though the total varies with the complexity of the case.
Key stages of estate administration include:
- Filing a notice of death and application for authority (with will probate, if applicable)
- Appointment of the fiduciary
- Gathering assets and filing inventory (due within 90 days of appointment)
- Payment of creditors
- Filing and payment of applicable taxes
- Distribution of assets
- Closing the estate with a final accounting (due within six months of appointment)
Fiduciary fees are set by Ohio statute: 4% on the first $100,000 in personal property and real estate sold under the will, 3% on the next $300,000, 2% on the remainder, and 1% on unsold real estate transfers.
Release from Administration
Smaller estates may qualify for one of three expedited options at the Trumbull County Probate Court:
- Short Form Release (estates up to $20,000 for a surviving spouse or minor children, or up to $10,000 for others) — Filing fee: $30.00 plus service expenses
- Summary Release (assets up to $45,000 when a surviving spouse qualifies, or up to $5,000 otherwise) — Filing fee: $60.00
- Full Release (up to $100,000 for a surviving spouse, or up to $35,000 otherwise) — Filing fee varies; contact the court for details
Guardianship and Conservatorship
The Probate Court appoints guardians for incompetent adults and minors without suitable parents. To apply, you must file a guardianship application, a statement of willingness to serve, a bond, and — for adult wards — a statement of mental and physical condition from a licensed physician or licensed clinical psychologist. A Webcheck criminal background check is required before the hearing. The court conducts an investigation and a formal hearing before making any appointment. Guardians must file annual accountings and reports, and all fees require prior court approval.
Conservatorships serve competent but physically infirm adults who voluntarily ask the court for help managing their affairs. The conservatee selects the conservator and determines the scope of authority granted.
Adoption Records
Adoption records are confidential under Ohio law. Once an adoption is finalized, the court file is sealed and does not appear in public search systems. Access is limited to authorized parties and requires a court order.