Adams County Court Records

Adams County court records are official documents containing information related to the county's legal proceedings and court decisions. These records are maintained by designated custodians who follow structured systems to ensure accurate documentation, support the administration of justice, and uphold the transparency of the Ohio judicial process.

In Adams County, Ohio, court records are valuable resources for legal practitioners, researchers, public officials, and members of the general public. They allow legal professionals to reference prior rulings, help the public monitor judicial accountability, and serve as a data source, particularly in areas like public health (e.g., vital statistics). Common details found in court records include:

• Case filings
• Pleadings
• Motions
• Judgments
• Court orders (e.g., injunctions, mandates)
• Warrant information
• Hearing schedules and summaries

The county's primary court records custodian is the Adams County Clerk of Courts.

Are Court Records Public in Adams County?

Yes. Court records are considered public records under the Ohio Public Records Act codified in Ohio Revised Code § 149.43. This law mandates that public offices, including courts, provide citizens with access to inspect and obtain copies of such records, thereby promoting transparency in government operations.

However, some court records are exempt from public access to protect privacy, sensitive information, or the integrity of ongoing legal matters. These exemptions include:

• Records involving juveniles or minors
• Law enforcement records from active investigations
• Medical or psychiatric records
• Attorney-client privileged documents
• Sealed or expunged case files
• Records containing personal identifiers (e.g., Social Security numbers)

Accessing restricted or exempt records generally requires a court order.

Adams County Court Records Search

There are multiple avenues for searching for Adams County court records, including:

• In-person records searches
• online record searches
• Mail requests
• Third-party record searches.

Adams County Courts

Adams County courts operate within the Fourth District Court of Appeal and exercise judicial oversight via several different courts. These courts handle legal matters, from Adams County criminal records to civil disputes. The addresses and contact information of Adams County courts are as follows:

Adams County Court of Common Pleas
110 West Main Street
West Union, OH 45693
Phone: (937) 544-2344

Adams County Court
110 West Main Street
West Union, OH 45693
Phone: (937) 544-2011

Manchester Mayor's Court
400 Pike Street
Manchester, OH 45144
Phone: (937) 549-3330

Peebles Mayor's Court
1 Simmons Avenue
P.O. Box 430
Peebles, OH 45660
Phone: (937) 587-3191

Seaman Mayor's Court
17806 SR 247
P.O. Box 248
Seaman, OH 45679
Phone: (937) 386-2980

West Union Mayor's Court
33 Logans Lane
P.O. Box 395
West Union, OH 45693
Phone: (937) 544-6122

Winchester Mayor's Court
24 W Washington Street
Winchester, OH 45697
Phone: (937) 695-0880

Adams County Criminal and Civil Records

In Adams County, criminal and civil court records are classified as public records and accessible upon request, pursuant to Ohio law. To obtain these records, requesters may need to:

• Provide a valid form of identification (especially for in-person requests)
• Supply case details such as the case number or names of parties involved
• Pay any applicable fees for copies or certified versions of the documents.

The Adams County Clerk of Courts serves as the official custodian of these records. The office is responsible for creating, filing, and long-term maintaining criminal and civil case documents. Requests for records can be made in person, by mail, or online using the Clerk's records search tool.

For more specific criminal-related records—such as Adams County arrest records—individuals should contact the Adams County Sheriff's Office or the relevant local law enforcement agency. These agencies serve as the primary custodians of arrest data until the case progresses to court.

Types of civil records available include:

• Contract dispute records
• Property dispute case files
• Personal injury claims
• Family law case records (e.g., custody, adoption, support)
• Employment dispute documentation
• Consumer protection case records.

Adams County Marriage Records

Marriage records in Adams County are also considered vital records and are maintained by the Adams County Probate Court. They include marriage licenses and marriage certificates.

These records may be accessed by submitting a request:

• In person at the Probate Court
• By mail
• Online using the court's records search tool

For more accurate search results online, requesters will need to provide search parameters such as the full names of both parties, the case number (if applicable), and the filing date. Selecting "marriage" under the case type filter may also improve search accuracy.

Adams County Divorce Records

The Adams County Clerk of Courts maintains divorce records, which are also considered vital records per Ohio law. Public access to divorce records is generally allowed; however, certain records may be restricted, especially if sealed by court order or contain sensitive financial or personal information. Adams County divorce records encompass decrees and certificates, and requests for them may be made in person, by mail, or online through the Clerk of Courts' records search portal.

Adams County Birth Records

Interested members of the public may contact the Adams County Health Department (county level) or the Ohio Department of Health (state level) to access Adams County birth records. Individuals with necessary information (name, date of birth) can make requests in person at the offices, by mail, or online through the Ohio Department of Health's online portal.

Adams County birth certificates are public information, but comprehensive access is limited to individuals eligible to access them or obtain certified copies of the record. Information may be redacted from the public copy of a birth record unless the requester is one of the following eligible individuals:

• The person named on the record
• immediate family members
• legal representatives and guardians

Birth records can be used as an important means of identification, genealogical research, school enrollment, access to government benefits, and proof of citizenship.

Adams County Death Records

Like birth records, Adams County death records are maintained by the Adams County Health Department or the Ohio Department of Health. An individual can request a death record in person, by mail, or through the Ohio Department of Health's online website, provided they provide a valid means of identification to prove eligibility and pay applicable fees for copying the record.

Per Ohio law, immediate family members, legal representatives of the deceased, and individuals with a viable vested interest in the death records of the deceased are eligible to access them without any restrictions. The records can be used to settle legal claims, for genealogical research, as proof of death in administrative processes, and to track public health.

Adams County Probate Court Records

The Adams County Probate Court is the primary custodian of Adams County Probate Court Records. Types of probate cases handled by the court include estate administration cases, guardianships, conservatorships, adoptions, name change petitions, and trust administrations. Documentations created or filed during the legal process of these cases constitute probate records.

To obtain a probate record from its custodian, a person may visit the probate court in person and provide relevant case details and valid identification to facilitate a search. Individuals may also obtain probate records by sending a mail request to the probate court or using the online records search tool provided by the Clerk of Court's office.

Adams County Property Records

Adams County property records contain information on the ownership and transactions of and related to real estate in the county. The Adams County Recorder of Deeds is the primary custodian of these records, which are available upon request to interested and eligible persons.

To access a record, an individual may visit the recorder's office in person to request a record, send a mail request, or use the county's land records search tool. The information needed to facilitate a search includes the property owner's name, parcel ID, or property address. A property record typically contains deeds, easements, liens, parcel maps, tax assessments, and records of mortgages.

Adams County Court Records Online

Third-party platforms like Ohiocourtrecords.us are an alternative means for accessing public records, including Adams court records. These sites aggregate public records from various record custodians and offer a single repository for online searching and obtaining these records.

Third-party websites typically offer a comprehensive search using their advanced features (filter, exact match, etc.) and may be accessed remotely. However, they have limited functionality since they are not usually as up-to-date as records from official government sources. Some third-party websites may only give basic access to information and may require payment for comprehensive details.