Hancock County Court Records

The first step in starting legal proceedings in Hancock County's circuit or superior court is filing complaints or motions with the clerk of the court. The document could be an indictment filed by law enforcement or a civil action submitted by members of the public, businesses, or non-profit organizations. Other paperwork and materials logged with the clerk's office during these criminal and civil proceedings are called Hancock County court records.

Individuals are allowed to inspect these records when cases are active or closed. Inquirers may use different resources, such as state-level databases containing Ohio court records and methods provided by the Hancock County clerk.

Hancock court documents are generally used for police investigations, court case tracking, precedent research, criminal background checks, and court administration.

Are Court Records Public in Hancock County?

Yes, members of the public have statutory permission to review Hancock County court records per Sup. R. 45. However, only publicly available court records will be open to review or reproduction. The following documents and details are not part of Hancock County public records:

• Private personal information includes medical records, financial records, and identification details like passports and driver's license information.
• Certain Hancock criminal records tied to active investigations
• Tactics designed for criminal investigations
• Sealed and expunged court records
• Juvenile arrests and criminal case information
• Certain family-related court case information, such as adoption, child support, and child custody data

Hancock County Court Records Search

Various search methods are available to individuals seeking Hancock County Court records. These methods include offline and online processes for accessing documents and details created by the county's Court of Common Pleas, probate/juvenile court, and the Findlay Municipal Court. Thus, the first step in finding a record is determining which court handled the case. While each court has the same geographic jurisdiction, it hears different types of cases.

The next step is learning the court's process. Individuals who are only interested in basic case details can use available online resources without having to visit the courthouse. However, one may need to contact the court’s clerk to purchase certified copies of case documents.

Interested parties are also advised to consider using third-party vendors if they intend to seek different types of Hancock County public records. These services may not be official, but they collate records from government agencies and allow members of the public to search from one platform.

Hancock County Courts

The following are address and contact information for courts within Hancock County:

Findlay Municipal Court
318 Dorney Plaza
Room 206
P.O. Box 826
Findlay, OH 45840-3306
Phone: (419) 424-7141
Fax: (419) 424-7803

Hancock County Criminal Records

The fastest way to obtain Hancock County criminal records depends on the basis of the search and the subject's situation. For example, one may need to specifically look for Hancock County arrest records to discover an arrested person's location, bond details, or next court appearance. Individuals interested in finding the outcome of a suspect's trial can go through criminal case records.

When looking for Hancock arrest records, it is important to identify the arresting agency. One can approach the Findlay Police Department or any other local police department with jurisdiction over the suspect's arrest location.

However, the Hancock Sheriff's Office may be a good place to start. Since it controls the county jail, one can contact the office to determine if a loved one is in custody. The Sheriff's Active Inmate Inquiry web tool contains information about current inmates. Individuals can search the portal by name, subject number, and booking number. The utility also has options like the booking date range fields to filter search results. Search results show each inmate's photograph, personal description (including date of birth), bond information, offense and arrest (booking) dates, charge description, arresting agency, and next court date. Site users can also find the court where the individual will appear and the release date (if applicable). Further, the Sheriff's records unit holds and dispenses arrest and incident reports containing more details about apprehensions.

To obtain Hancock's criminal records through court files, one has to use resources available for the adjudicating court. The Findlay Municipal Court’s Traffic/Criminal Division has jurisdiction over traffic and misdemeanor matters throughout the county. It also handles certain felony pretrial hearings. The court provides online resources for searching traffic/criminal daily dockets, case records, and active warrants. The daily docket page lists hearings scheduled on any given day and links details about each case. It shows the type of hearing, defendant information, court date and time, involved law enforcement agency, charge description, and other case-related details. The case search portal allows people to search for cases by name, case number, and driver's license number. It displays the same results after clicking a case link through the dockets page.

To obtain court records, one can visit or call the court using these address and contact details:

Findlay Municipal Court
318 Dorney Plaza
Room 206
P.O. Box 826
Findlay, OH 45840-3306
Phone: (419) 424-7141
Fax: (419) 424-7803

The Hancock County Clerk of Courts is the records custodian for the Hancock County Court of Common Pleas. It is the office to approach for records regarding felony cases. One can visit or call the clerk to make inquiries about obtaining court documents. Members of the public can also use the clerk’s online case search portal to find details about criminal trials. The process involves searching by case participant name, case number, attorney details, and case type. The database displays details of open and closed criminal cases, including defendant information, charges, disposition, and case events.

Get Hancock County Civil Court Records

Civil cases are court actions involving disputing parties. These parties can be public or private organizations or individuals. Cases are usually connected to entities seeking relief over disagreements related to negligence, personal injuries, infringement of rights, and business issues. Relief usually comes in the form of financial reparations, which determines the court where the matter will be handled.

The Findlay Municipal Court's Civil Division has jurisdiction over small claims and citizen’s settlement program (CSP) matters worth $6,000 and below and general civil cases not exceeding $15,000. One can visit the court’s civil department daily docket and case search web pages to find details about these lawsuits. Interested parties can also contact or visit the court to request copies of court documents.

The General Division of the Court of Common Pleas handles civil cases outside the jurisdiction of the municipal court. It also has a domestic relations division where family-related issues are heard and resolved. Individuals can approach the Hancock County Clerk of Courts to order documents or use the court’s case search portal as explained above to view civil case details.

Hancock County Marriage Records

Couples who intend to get married in Hancock County are required by law to apply for a marriage license through the Probate/Juvenile Court. This document, alongside other marriage-related paperwork, are called Hancock County marriage records.

One can obtain a certified copy of their license through the probate clerk's office to facilitate any application or process where a Hancock County marriage certificate is needed. Further, the probate court’s records search system allows members of the public to view details of issued marriage licenses that have been returned or still pending. Users are allowed to search by applicant (couples) name, case type, case number, or filing date. The system shows couple information (name, type, date of birth, and contact details), marriage details (date and officiator), and license issues and return date. Individuals can view images of the issued and returned licenses.

Hancock County Divorce Records

Divorce records contain details about proceedings leading to the termination of marriages. These proceedings are also called dissolution of marriage cases and are handled by the Domestic Relations division of the Court of Common Pleas. Individuals can obtain divorce records through the office of the clerk or by visiting the case search webpage.

The online tool displays open and closed dissolution of marriage cases. Members of the public can search by specifying “dissolution” under the case type menu.

Hancock County Birth and Death Records

Hancock County birth records and death documents are created and filed with the county’s public health department at the event of a person's birth or passing within the county. These documents are part of Hancock County vital records, and are often required for different legal purposes.

A death certificate is usually needed when settling the affairs of a decadent or claiming their insurance and retirement benefits. One needs a Hancock County birth certificate to apply for a passport, enroll in school, register for social security, and participate in sports, among other activities.

These records can be ordered from the Vital Statistics Division of the Hancock Public Health Department. One can visit the department or send their orders by mail after filling out the Hancock County birth certificate or death certificate request form. The request form contains detailed instructions on the information required to order certificates and parties allowed to submit requests. In-person and mail-in requesters can send their applications or visit the following addresses:

Hancock Public Health
2225 Keith Parkway
Findlay, Ohio 45840

Each certificate costs $30.

Hancock County Probate Court Records

Probate cases are generally initiated after the passing of Hancock County residents who may have left real estate and other property behind. The proceeding helps to appoint executors, determine inheritance, and enforce the deceased person’s will, if any. The county's probate court can also hear inheritance disputes among relatives and other parties, issue marriage licenses, and handle conservatorship matters.

Individuals can contact the probate court for copies of court documents or use its records search system.

Hancock County Property Records

Property records are documents and information that show details of real estate taxes, transfers, sales, liens, repairs, judgments, assessments, etc. These records are generally used to verify and assess ownership and property liability during sales, transfers, mortgage applications, and other transactions. Property documents can also be used to challenge taxes when owners believe their properties may have been assessed wrongly.

Custodians of property documents in Hancock County include the following:

• Hancock County Auditor
• Hancock County Recorder
• Hancock County Treasurer

These offices are open to members of the public who intend to copy or view property records. Individuals can also use online records search systems available on each office's website.

Hancock County Court Records Online

Individuals looking to expedite the court records search process may use third-party services like Ohiocourtrecords.us. While these platforms may charge for public records searches, their processes are often more straightforward. Public vendors generally provide access to different types of court records from one website and allow name searches. However, intending customers must understand that these probate entities cannot guarantee the correctness of data obtained from public bodies.