Union County Court Records Search
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Union County, located in central Ohio, is home to the city of Marysville and operates a court system that handles criminal, civil, domestic relations, juvenile, and probate matters. The county’s judicial structure centers on the Union County Court of Common Pleas, which contains a General Division, a Domestic Relations Division, a Juvenile Division, and a Probate Division. The Marysville Municipal Court serves as an additional venue for misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic offenses, and smaller civil disputes. Residents, attorneys, and members of the public who need access to court filings, case dockets, judgments, or other official documents interact primarily with the Clerk of Courts or the relevant divisional office.
Ohio provides several avenues for locating court records. The Union County Clerk of Courts maintains case files for the Court of Common Pleas and makes many of them available through the county’s online public records portal. The Marysville Municipal Court operates its own record search system for cases within its jurisdiction. Statewide resources, including OhioCourts.us, can also help users identify where and how to search for publicly available case information. Beyond digital tools, records may be reviewed in person at the relevant clerk’s office or requested by mail with the appropriate fees.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Union County?
The method for finding a case depends on which court handled it. Union County operates two primary court venues, each with its own records system and 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.
The Clerk of Courts, Danielle N. Sullivan, oversees recording, indexing, and certifying all legal documents filed in the Common Pleas court. Cases in the General Division, Domestic Relations Division, and appellate filings from the Third District Court of Appeals can be searched through the Union County Public Records Search portal. This 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 maintains its own online record search where the public can look up case information by party name or case number. The court also accepts e-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, can be searched 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. Any person may request access without stating a reason, and government offices must respond within a reasonable period.
However, several categories of court 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 disclosure is ordered.
- Mental health and medical records — documents containing 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 to protect their safety.
- Sealed and expunged records — cases that have been sealed or expunged by court order are removed from public access.
Marysville Municipal Court proceedings are considered public, and the court’s website confirms that its records are open. The Union County Clerk of Courts facilitates 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 divided between two courts based on the severity of the charge. Felony cases are prosecuted in the Court of Common Pleas, General Division, while misdemeanors and traffic offenses fall under the jurisdiction of 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. These records are searchable 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. All deposits and fees are detailed 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. Records can be searched on the court’s online search page, and payments for fines or court costs can be made through the court’s payment portal.
Union County Sheriff’s Office
The Union County Sheriff’s Office also maintains arrest records and processes background check inquiries.
- Address: 221 West 5th Street, Marysville, OH 43040
- Phone: (937) 645-4110
- Fax: (937) 645-4170
Criminal history information at the state level can be obtained through the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI), which maintains fingerprint-based records and conducts background checks for employment, licensing, and other authorized purposes. The Internet Criminal History Access Tool (ICHAT) is a Michigan resource and does not apply in Ohio; instead, Ohio’s equivalent is the BCI & I WebCheck system, available through approved vendors statewide.
Union County Civil Court Records
Civil litigation in Union County is split between the Court of Common Pleas for larger claims and the Marysville Municipal Court for disputes within its monetary jurisdiction.
Court of Common Pleas — General Division
The General Division handles civil actions involving amounts above the municipal court’s limit, including contract disputes, personal injury lawsuits, foreclosures, and appeals from administrative agencies. The Clerk of Courts records and indexes all filings, and the public records search provides online access to case 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 mandated by 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 retains discretion to 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 in general civil matters. Small claims cases have a simplified procedure:
- Filing fee (one defendant): $50
- Each additional defendant: $15
- Payment methods: Cash, check, or money order
The court provides 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 court’s forms page.
Copy and certification fees at the Common Pleas level are $1 per page for standard copies and $10 for the first page of a certified copy, with $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
Domestic relations matters in Union County are adjudicated in the Domestic Relations Division of the Court of Common Pleas. The Clerk of Courts files and maintains all records for divorce, dissolution, legal separation, annulment, and related post-decree matters.
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 exercise discretion to 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 assessed by the court.
Child Custody, Support, and Domestic Violence
The Juvenile Division, reachable at (937) 645-3029, addresses matters involving abuse, neglect, dependency, delinquency, and unruly behavior. The Juvenile Division page provides contact details and hours (Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.).
Domestic violence protection orders and related civil filings are processed through the Common Pleas court. Victims seeking assistance may contact the Clerk’s office at (937) 645-3006 for information about filing procedures.
Marriage Licenses
The Probate Division issues marriage licenses in Union County. Applicants can begin 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 maintained by the Probate Division. Older marriage records are held 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 incompetent adults, conservatorships, adoptions, name changes, and mental health commitment proceedings. Judge Rick Rodger presides, and the office is staffed 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. Users can look up estate filings, guardianship cases, and other probate matters. Physical records may 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.
Wills and Safekeeping
Original wills may be deposited with the Probate Division for safekeeping during a testator’s lifetime. After the testator’s death, a 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 cases for minors and adults who are incapacitated 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
While not part of the Probate Division, 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 capabilities for those tracing real estate holdings connected to an estate.