Belmont County Court Records

Belmont County court records are official documents containing information from legal proceedings that took place in the courts of Belmont, Ohio. The local court system prepares, collates, and maintains Belmont court records. Interested persons can find records on civil and criminal cases, probate cases, marriage and divorce cases, and birth and death records.

Courts maintain judicial records for a number of reasons. These include but are not limited to providing evidence in cases of appeal, official documentation of legal proceedings, and facilitating public education of the justice system. These records also demonstrate to the general public that cases are adjudicated properly and fairly, safeguarding the rights of all parties involved. Courts are legally required to preserve these documents, even when they are not considered vital.

Are Court Records Public In Belmont County?

Yes. Belmont County court records are generally considered public records and accessible to citizens as codified in the Ohio Public Records Law (Ohio Rev. Code § 149.3(A)(1)). The Belmont County Clerk of Courts is the main custodian of these records. Despite the provisions of the Public Records Law, records containing information that may compromise the privacy or safety of an individual are generally sequestered from public access. The same rule applies to records containing information about minors, victims of sexual assault, and documents whose disclosure may compromise the integrity of a criminal justice process. Only authorized persons may access restricted records. Even at that, access is on a case-by-case basis. The statutory exemption also applies to the following records:

• Medical records
• DNA records
• Intellectual property records and trade secrets
• Adoption files and records related to adoption proceedings.

Belmont County Court Records Search

Persons who wish to obtain Belmont County court records have four options:

• Visiting the courthouse in person
• Accessing the files online.
• Sending a mail request to the record custodian.

Belmont County Courts

The Belmont County Courts system includes different types of courts. These include the Court of Common Pleas and County Courts (which includes three divisions—the Northern, Eastern, and Southern divisions). The addresses and contact information of these courts are listed below.

Belmont County Common Pleas Court
101 West Main Street
St. Clairsville, OH 43950
Phone: (740) 695-2121

Belmont County Court — Northern Division
52160 National Road
St. Clairsville, OH 43950
Phone: (740) 676-4490
Fax: (740) 671-6100

Belmont County Court — Eastern Division
52160 National Road
St. Clairsville, OH 43950
Phone: (740) 499-2308
Fax: (740) 296-5266

Belmont County Court — Western Division
St. Clairsville, OH 43950
Phone: (740) 695-2875
Fax: (740) 695-7285

The County Courts adjudicate over minor offenses and civil cases. Each division has a coverage of different townships and districts over which they possess oversight, with respect to geographical allocation.

The Court of Common Pleas handles serious civil and criminal cases. Civil suits of a more grave nature such as property and tort, and serious criminal cases with imprisonment penalties of over six months are handled in these courts. In addition, the courts preside over appeals from administrative agencies and have jurisdiction over domestic cases like divorce, dissolution, alimony, child support cases, and child custody.

Belmont Court County Criminal Records

Belmont County criminal records are available to the record subject. Persons who obtain these records can expect to find information about their arrests, charges, convictions, and sentences. To obtain criminal records, contact the Belmont County Sheriff's Office by visiting, calling, or sending a mail request.

Generally, to complete their criminal record request, requestors may have to schedule an appointment at a WebCheck location, complete the online WebCheck form, and visit the Office for fingerprint capturing. Remember to take a photo ID, e.g., a driver's license, for identification purposes.

Belmont County Sheriff’s Office
68137 Hammond Road
St. Clairsville, OH
Phone: (740) 695-7933
Fax: (740) 695-9662

Belmont County Civil Court Records

These are official documents that do not pertain to criminal proceedings within the county. The Court of Common Pleas has jurisdiction over larger claims such as property and tort laws, while the County Courts have jurisdiction over smaller claims and minor matters.

Belmont County civil court records are available at the Belmont County Clerk of Courts Office. To obtain these records, visit the Clerk’s Office during business hours. The subject’s name, case number, and case filing date will be required to facilitate a case search. Alternatively, it is possible to find court records by searching the online record search portal maintained by the office.

Belmont County Clerk of Courts
52180 National Road
St. Clairsville, OH 43950
Phone: (740) 699-2169

Belmont County Marriage Records

Belmont County marriage records are considered to be vital records and are managed by the Probate Court. The court manages marriage records from 1803 to the present. Searches for Belmont County marriage records can be done either online or in person.

Persons who obtain Belmont County marriage records can expect to find the following details:

• Full names of both partners
• Date and place of the marriage
• Name of both parties’ parents or guardians.

To obtain Belmont County marriage records, visit the Probate Court during business hours. Alternatively, search the online repository maintained by the court. In any case, the record subjects’ names, marriage date, or document number are typically needed to facilitate a search. The court charges $3.00 per certified copy of marriage records. This fee is payable by certified check or money order. For additional information, contact the court at:

Belmont County Probate Court
101 West Main Street
St. Clairsville, OH 43950
Phone: (740) 699-2144
Fax: (740) 232-1731
Email: probatecourt@co.belmont.oh.us.

Belmont Court County Divorce Records

Divorce, annulment, and dissolution of marriage records are considered vital records in Belmont County. Divorces are filed and adjudicated in the Domestic Relations Division of the Belmont County Court of Common Pleas. This court is also the custodian of the ensuing divorce records.

Persons who obtain Belmont County divorce records can expect to find information about the divorced persons, the decree date, as well as any conditions of the divorce, e.g., child custody arrangements.

To obtain Belmont County divorce records, visit the Court of Common Pleas or the Clerk of Courts Office during business hours. Alternatively, write and mail a letter describing the record with details like the case number, the couple’s names, the case filing date, the decree date, the representing attorney’s name, etc.

Belmont County Clerk of Courts
52180 National Road
St. Clairsville, OH 43950
Phone: (740) 699-2169

Belmont County Common Pleas
101 West Main Street
St. Clairsville, OH 43950
Phone: (740) 695-2121

Belmont County Birth And Death Records

Belmont County birth and death records are classified as Belmont County vital records and Section ORC 3705.02 mandates the statewide registration of births and deaths. Birth and death records are generally listed as public after a sequestration period elapses—usually 50 years. Until then, only the record subject and their immediate family members may obtain certified birth or death records. Third-party requestors will need a court order.

Belmont County birth and death records are available at the County Health Department. To obtain Belmont County birth records, visit the Health Department in person during business hours. It is also possible to apply for birth records online. Either way, the cost per copy is $25.00, payable by credit card, cashier check, or money order. Similarly, persons who wish to obtain Belmont County death records may also visit the Health Department or apply online. The Department charges $25.00 per copy, payable by credit card, certified check, or money order.

Belmont County Health Department
68501 Bannock Road
St. Clairsville, OH 43950.
Phone: (740) 695-1202 ext. 125.

Belmont County Probate Court Records

Probate records in Belmont County are documents related to estate administration, guardianships, conservatorship, wills, etc. Generally, these records are accessible except they contain sensitive information, such as in cases like adoption and mental health matters.

To obtain Belmont County probate court records, visit the probate court in person during office hours. Otherwise, search the case records online portal maintained by the court administration.

Belmont County Probate Court
101 West Main Street
St. Clairsville, OH 43950
Email: probatecourt@co.belmont.oh.us
Phone: (740) 699-2144
Fax: (740) 232-1731

Belmont Court Property Records

Belmont County property records typically include deeds, titles, plats, and tax records, as well as documents containing information about property description, ownership history, partnerships, easement, boundaries, power of attorney, leases, etc. These records are considered public and are primarily maintained by the Belmont County Recorder’s Office.

To obtain Belmont County property records, visit the Recorder’s Office in person during business hours. Alternatively, search property records online via the repository maintained by the Recorder’s Office. Note that user registration is not required; it is possible to find property records in guest mode.

Belmont County Recorder’s Office
101 West Main Street
St. Clairsville Ohio 43950
Phone: (740) 699-2140
Fax: (740) 699-2567
Email: recordersoffice@co.belmont.oh.us.

Belmont County Court Records Online

Generally, members of the public can gain access to Belmont County records through official websites maintained by the county office or record custodian. However, this information is also available on third-party websites like ohiocourtrecords.us. This source offers convenience and allows for broader searches across multiple jurisdictions across the state. However, because independent aggregate websites are not affiliated with the government, record availability and completeness may vary.