Union County Court Records
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Union County sits in central Ohio, with Marysville as its county seat. The county's courts handle criminal prosecutions, civil disputes, domestic relations matters, juvenile cases, and probate proceedings. At the center of it all is the Union County Court of Common Pleas, which includes a General Division, a Domestic Relations Division, a Juvenile Division, and a Probate Division. The Marysville Municipal Court rounds out the local judiciary, covering misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic offenses, and smaller civil claims. Whether you're an attorney, a party to a case, or a member of the public, your first step is usually determining which court handled the matter—then going to the right office or portal to find the records you need.
Ohio offers several ways to search court records. The Union County Clerk of Courts maintains case files for the Court of Common Pleas and makes many of them available through an online public records portal. The Marysville Municipal Court runs its own separate record search system for cases within its jurisdiction. Statewide resources, including OhioCourts.us, can help you identify the right search tools. You can also review records in person at the relevant clerk's office or send a written request by mail with the required fees.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Union County?
The best approach depends on which court handled the case. Union County has two main court venues, and each keeps its own records system with its own point of contact.
Court of Common Pleas (General, Domestic Relations, Juvenile Divisions)
- Address: 215 West 5th Street, Marysville, OH 43040
- Phone: (937) 645-3006
- Fax: (937) 645-3162
- Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Clerk of Courts Danielle N. Sullivan oversees the recording, indexing, and certification of all legal documents filed in Common Pleas court. You can search General Division cases, Domestic Relations cases, and appellate filings from the Third District Court of Appeals through the Union County Public Records Search portal. The system covers domestic, civil, certificate of judgment, Court of Appeals, and felony criminal cases.
Marysville Municipal Court
- Address: 1250 West 5th Street, Marysville, OH 43040
- Phone: (937) 644-9102
- Fax: (937) 644-1228
- Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Judge Robert W. Parrott presides over misdemeanor criminal matters, traffic cases, and civil actions within the court's monetary limits. The municipal court keeps its own online record search where you can look up cases by party name or case number. The court also accepts electronic filings through its e-filing portal.
Probate and Juvenile Divisions
- Probate Division Phone: (937) 645-3006 ext. 3441
- Probate Division Fax: (937) 645-4124
- Juvenile Division Phone: (937) 645-3029
- Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Probate records—including estates, guardianships, and marriage license applications—are searchable through the Probate Division Records page. Judge Rick Rodger presides over both the Probate and Juvenile Divisions. Local rules and court-specific forms are posted on the Probate Rules & Local Forms page.
Are Court Records Public in Union County?
Ohio's Public Records Act, codified at Ohio Revised Code 149.43, establishes a broad presumption that government records—including court documents—are open to public inspection and copying. Anyone may request access without explaining why, and government offices must respond within a reasonable time.
That said, certain categories of records are exempt from public disclosure under Ohio law:
- Juvenile case records: Proceedings involving minors in delinquency, unruly, abuse, neglect, or dependency cases are generally confidential.
- Adoption records: Files related to adoption proceedings are sealed and may only be accessed through a court order or specific statutory procedures.
- Grand jury proceedings: Testimony and deliberations before a grand jury remain secret unless a court orders disclosure.
- Mental health and medical records: Psychiatric evaluations, medical histories, or treatment records submitted to the court are restricted.
- Trade secrets and proprietary information: Business records designated as trade secrets and filed under seal are not publicly accessible.
- Victim information: Identifying details of victims in sexual assault and domestic violence cases may be redacted or withheld.
- Sealed and expunged records: Cases sealed or expunged by court order are removed from public access.
Marysville Municipal Court proceedings are generally considered public, and the court confirms that its records are open. The Union County Clerk of Courts processes written record check requests for a $5 fee, which requires the subject's name, Social Security number, and date of birth.
Union County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Union County are split between two courts depending on the severity of the charge. Felony cases go to the Court of Common Pleas, General Division. Misdemeanors and traffic offenses fall under the Marysville Municipal Court.
Felony Cases – Court of Common Pleas
The Clerk of Courts maintains all filings, docket entries, and judgment entries for felony criminal matters. Search these records through the county's public records search portal. Key filing fees and costs for criminal cases in Common Pleas include:
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Criminal cause filing fee (special projects fund) | $125 |
| Mediation services fee per criminal cause | $50 |
| Application to seal a criminal conviction record | $50 |
| Application to seal a dismissed criminal record | $0 |
| Written record check (per name) | $5 |
The Clerk issues arrest warrants, summonses, and subpoenas as directed by the court. Full deposit and fee details are listed on the Union County Case Deposits page.
Misdemeanor and Traffic Cases – Marysville Municipal Court
The municipal court handles misdemeanor charges, OVI cases, traffic violations, and criminal infractions. Search case records on the court's online search page, and pay fines or court costs through the court's payment portal.
Union County Sheriff's Office
The Union County Sheriff's Office also maintains arrest records and handles background check inquiries.
- Address: 221 West 5th Street, Marysville, OH 43040
- Phone: (937) 645-4110
- Fax: (937) 645-4170
For statewide criminal history information, contact the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI), which maintains fingerprint-based records and conducts background checks for employment, licensing, and other authorized purposes. Ohio's BCI & I WebCheck system is available through approved vendors statewide.
Union County Civil Court Records
Civil litigation in Union County is divided between the Court of Common Pleas for larger claims and the Marysville Municipal Court for disputes that fall within its monetary jurisdiction.
Court of Common Pleas – General Division
The General Division handles contract disputes, personal injury lawsuits, foreclosures, appeals from administrative agencies, and other civil actions above the municipal court's limit. The Clerk of Courts records and indexes all filings, and the public records search portal gives you online access to dockets and entries.
Filing deposits effective April 1, 2023 include:
| Filing Type | Deposit |
|---|---|
| Civil action, counterclaim, or cross-claim | $435 |
| Cognovit complaint | $335 |
| Proceedings in aid of execution / motion to vacate or modify judgment | $335 |
| Appeal from another tribunal | $435 |
| Foreclosure | $910 |
| Foreclosure cross-claim or counterclaim (additional) | $200 |
| Garnishment proceeding | $90 |
| One-day jury trial deposit | $180 |
| Issuance of 10+ subpoenas (minimum) | $100 |
An additional $10 fee is required under R.C. 2303.201 for all civil actions, and a $3 computerization/legal research fee applies under R.C. 2303.20. Cash deposits may be replaced by approved bonds, and the Clerk may increase a deposit if the initial amount proves insufficient. All costs must be paid before final entries are journalized. Publication costs for service by newspaper are billed separately.
Marysville Municipal Court – Civil and Small Claims
The municipal court's civil division accepts cases up to $15,000. Small claims cases go through a simplified procedure:
- Filing fee (one defendant): $50
- Each additional defendant: $15
- Payment methods: Cash, check, or money order
The court posts forms for small claims and eviction filings on its website. Eviction (forcible entry and detainer) actions also originate in the municipal court, with fee schedules available on the forms page.
At the Common Pleas level, standard copies cost $1 per page. Certified copies are $10 for the first page and $1 for each additional page. Filing a Certificate of Judgment costs $30, while releasing one costs $5. Releasing a State of Ohio Certificate of Judgment is $35.
Union County Family Court Records
Divorce, dissolution, legal separation, annulment, and post-decree matters are heard in the Domestic Relations Division of the Court of Common Pleas. The Clerk of Courts files and maintains all records for these cases.
Filing Deposits for Domestic Relations Cases
| Case Type | Deposit |
|---|---|
| Dissolution without minor children | $375 |
| Dissolution with minor children | $400 |
| Divorce or alimony without minor children | $450 |
| Divorce or alimony with minor children | $560 |
| Defendant's counterclaim in a divorce/alimony case | $100 |
| Post-decree domestic relations motion | $485 |
| Guardian Ad Litem request deposit | $500 |
All costs in dissolution, divorce, alimony, and annulment cases must be paid before the court will journalize a final entry. The Clerk may increase the deposit for divorce or alimony actions if circumstances warrant it. The $500 Guardian Ad Litem deposit is credited toward the total GAL fees the court ultimately assesses.
Child Custody, Support, and Domestic Violence
The Juvenile Division, reachable at (937) 645-3029, handles matters involving abuse, neglect, dependency, delinquency, and unruly behavior. The Juvenile Division page lists contact details and hours (Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.). Domestic violence protection orders and related civil filings go through the Common Pleas court. If you need information about filing procedures, call the Clerk's office at (937) 645-3006.
Marriage Licenses
The Probate Division issues marriage licenses in Union County. Start the process through the marriage license application page on the county website. Both parties must appear in person at the Probate Division office at 215 West 5th Street, Room 107, Marysville, OH 43040.
Vital Records
Marriage records created after 1951 are held by the Probate Division. Older marriage records are kept at the Union County Records Center & Archives, located at 128 South Main Street, Marysville. Divorce records filed after 2004 are available through the Clerk of Courts; earlier records may also be at the Records Center.
Birth and death certificates are administered by the Ohio Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics. Ohio Revised Code Chapter 3705 governs access to these records. Birth records are generally restricted to authorized applicants, while death records are more broadly available.
Union County Probate Court Records
The Probate Division of the Union County Court of Common Pleas handles estate administration, will contests, trust matters, guardianships of minors and incapacitated adults, conservatorships, adoptions, name changes, and mental health commitment proceedings. Judge Rick Rodger presides, and staff are available during regular business hours.
Probate Division
- Address: 215 West 5th Street, Room 107, Marysville, OH 43040
- Phone: (937) 645-3006 ext. 3441
- Fax: (937) 645-4124
- Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Searching Probate Records
The Probate Division makes records available through its online records search. You can look up estate filings, guardianship cases, and other probate matters from there. Physical records can be reviewed at the Probate Division office during business hours.
Common Probate Filings
Estate proceedings in Union County follow Ohio Revised Code Title 21 (Courts – Probate – Juvenile). Typical filings include applications to administer estates, inventories, accounts, certificates of transfer, and entries approving final accounts. The Probate Division's local rules and forms page lists required documents and procedures for each type of matter.
Wills and Safekeeping
You can deposit an original will with the Probate Division for safekeeping during your lifetime. After a testator's death, the will is filed for probate and the estate administration process begins. Interested parties—typically heirs, beneficiaries, or creditors—receive notice and may contest the will within statutory timeframes.
Guardianships and Adoptions
Guardianship petitions for minors and incapacitated adults are filed in the Probate Division. Adoption petitions are also processed here, though adoption records are sealed upon finalization and are not accessible to the public without a court order.
Property Records
Property records relevant to estate matters are maintained by the Union County Recorder at 233 West 6th Street, Marysville, OH 43040, Phone: (937) 645-3032 Deeds, mortgages, liens, and other instruments affecting real property can be searched online through the Recorder's office portal. The Union County Auditor's property information site offers additional parcel search tools for tracing real estate holdings connected to an estate.