Champaign County Court Records

Under the Ohio Public Access Rules, a Champaign County court refers to any document, along with its information, presented to a court or filed with a clerk in a judicial action or proceeding. Information typically found in Champaign court records includes pleadings, dockets, motions, orders, and others. Court records give the public access to critical information regarding legal proceedings, such as the persons involved, case history, and case outcomes.

Are Court Records Public in Champaign County?

Yes. According to the Ohio State Court Rule 45, the court or Clerk of court must grant the request, acknowledge the request right away, and respond promptly when an individual requests direct access to a court record. However, the rules exempt a variety of court records from public access. They include:

• Records or information in a document forbidden from public view under state, federal, or common law
• Any document prohibited from public view by a court
• Domestic affairs and matters involving minors are managed by the Court of Common Pleas.

Champaign County Court Records Search

The following options are available for performing a general search for court records in Champaign County

• Ohio Courts online portal
• The courthouse where the case was filed
• The court clerk's office
• Third-party websites.

Champaign County Courts

The Champaign County Court of Common Pleas has broad jurisdiction over all civil and criminal cases but typically only handles cases that are beyond the purview of lower courts. This includes felonies and civil cases in which the amount in controversy is more than $15,000. County Courts have jurisdiction over certain types of civil and criminal cases in territory that is not within the jurisdiction of a Municipal Court.

Municipal Courts have jurisdiction over certain civil cases, such as most general civil claims for less than $15,000. Criminal cases heard by Municipal Courts include traffic and non-traffic misdemeanors, felony preliminary hearings, most violations of township resolutions, violations of municipal ordinances, and some parking violations.

The contact information of courts in Champaign County is listed below:

Champaign County Court of Common Pleas - Domestic Relations, Juvenile, and Probate Division
200 North Main Street
Urbana, OH 43078
Phone: (937) 484-1027

Champaign County Court of Common Pleas - General Division
200 North Main Street
Urbana, OH 43078
Phone: (937) 484-1047

Champaign County Municipal Court
205 South Main Street
P.O. Box 67
Urbana, OH 43078
Phone: (937) 653-7376

Mechanicsburg Mayor's Court
18 North Main Street
Mechanicsburg, OH 43044
Phone: (937) 834-2239
Fax: (937) 834-3713

North Lewisburg Mayor's Court
60 East Maple Street
North Lewisburg, OH 43060
Phone: (937) 747-3645

St. Paris Mayor's Court
135 West Main Street
P.O. Box 572
Saint Paris, OH 43072
Phone: (937) 663-4367

Champaign County Criminal and Civil Records

The Champaign County Court of Common Pleas has jurisdiction over criminal and civil cases filed within the county. This agency also maintains and disseminates Champaign County criminal records and civil records.

To conduct a Champaign criminal record search, click on Court Records and fill in the party name. Choose "Criminal" under the case type heading. Other search criteria include case status, party type, and file date search range. To conduct a civil record search, fill in the party name and choose "Civil" under the case type heading. Click on search.

Requestors may also contact the municipal court or visit the courthouse where the civil or criminal case was filed.

Champaign County civil court records include landlord/tenant disputes, breach-of-contract, claims, torts, and others. Criminal cases typically involve situations where the defendant violated the Ohio state criminal code.

Champaign County Marriage Records

The Champaign County Clerk maintains marriage certificates for individuals who were married in Champaign County from 1833 to the Present. Following the marriage ceremony, a marriage license is submitted to the Clerk. Therefore, an individual may seek a certified copy of a marriage certificate from the Clerk's office.

Anyone can receive a complete copy of marriage certificates from over 75 years ago. If it is less than 75 years old, only the bride and/or groom can acquire a complete copy. Only the front side of the certificate would be accessible to the general public.

Requests for a marriage certificate may be made via mail, online, or in person. Eligible requesters must present a valid ID and pay $16.50 for a certified marriage certificate with a raised seal and $13.00 for each extra copy bought in the same transaction.

Champaign County Divorce Records

The Domestic Relations Division of the Family Court has jurisdiction over divorce proceedings in Champaign County. To conduct a divorce record search, click on Court Records, input the party name, and select "Divorce" under the Case Type heading. Click on search.

Interested persons may also visit the courthouse where the divorce was filed or visit the family court in person at:

Champaign County Family Court
200 North Main Street
3rd Floor
Urbana, OH 43078

Champaign County Birth Records

The Champaign County Clerk is the official custodian of Champaign County birth records from 1878. Only individuals who are above 18 years old, a direct parent listed on the certificate, a legal guardian, or a legal representative may obtain a Champaign County marriage certificate. Eligible requesters will need to present a valid ID to complete the request.

A certified birth certificate with a raised seal costs $21.00 and $11.00 for each additional copy purchased in the same transaction. The office takes 5-7 days to process a request.

Champaign County Death Records

The Champaign County Clerk maintains all death records in the county. Death records for individuals who died in Champaign County from 1878 to date may be obtained from this agency. A death certificate is a vital record that can only be issued to someone with a genealogical, personal, or property right to the record. Interested persons may Request a death certificate via mail, online, or in person. Individuals must present a valid ID to obtain a death certificate.

A certified death certificate with a raised seal costs $21.00, and each extra copy purchased in the same transaction costs $12.00.

Champaign County Probate Court Records

The Probate Division of the Champaign County Family Court has authority over issues about estates, wills, trusts, name alterations, adoptions, adult guardianships, and adult mental health issues.

To conduct a probate court record search, Click on Court Records and fill in the subject's first and last name or company name. Choose "Estate" under the case type heading. Choose case status, party type, and DOB range. Click on search

Interested persons may also contact the probate division in person at:

Champaign County Family Court
200 North Main Street
3rd Floor
Urbana, OH 43078
Phone: (937) 4841027

Champaign County Property Records

The Champaign County Recorder is in charge of recording, archiving, and retrieving a wide range of records, most notably deeds, liens, plat maps, and various historical documents. Request can be made online through affiliated third-party websites or in person at:

Champaign County Recorder
1512 South US Highway 68
Suite B-200
Urbana, OH 43078
Phone: (937) 484-1630

The Champaign County Auditor's Office manages property records generated within the county and provides the general public with a property search online page. Anyone may search by clicking on the "SEARCH" bar and filling in the required information. Basic searches can be conducted using the property owner's name, parcel number, and address. Advanced search parameters include sales criteria, location criteria, land criteria, and residential criteria.

Property-related information in a Champaign County property record includes the owner's name, property address, appraisal amount, parcel number, property measurement, and others.

Champaign County Court Records Online

Third-party websites provide the general public with online access to court records from any location. Websites such as ohiocourtrecords.us may offer easy access to Champaign County court records. These platforms also have simple features that enable users to search for certain cases or individuals rapidly. Users may look up records for free when conducting basic searches or may be required to subscribe or pay a one-off fee. However, because such platforms are independent of any government body, the accuracy and reliability of data on such platforms may vary.