Perry County Court Records

Perry County courts generate and preserve official records documenting legal proceedings conducted within the county. Commonly referred to as "court records," these documents may include case filings, motions, orders, judgments, verdicts, transcripts, exhibits, and associated dockets. Researchers, litigants, attorneys, and the general public often rely on these records to verify legal outcomes, establish precedents, or gain insight into court functions.

Are Court Records Public in Perry County?

As a general rule, most Perry County court records are considered public under Ohio law. The Ohio Public Records Act (Ohio Revised Code § 149.43) and the Supreme Court of Ohio's Rules of Superintendence, particularly Rule 26, guide the public's right to inspect and obtain copies of court documents. Thus, unless a legal exception applies, citizens are entitled to review these materials.

However, certain categories of records are not fully open to public scrutiny. Examples include:

• Sealed Records: Some juvenile records, adoption proceedings, certain criminal records, and other sensitive matters may be sealed or restricted by the court under applicable statutes (e.g., ORC §§ 2151.355, 2953.52).
• Confidential Personal Information: Identifiers such as Social Security numbers, detailed medical records, financial account details, and other private information may be redacted to protect personal privacy and security, as per the Rules of Superintendence and Ohio Revised Code regulations.
• Active Cases: Ongoing legal actions may be subject to temporary access limitations to ensure a fair judicial process and prevent interference or tampering.

Perry County Court Records Search

Individuals seeking Perry County court records may do so in one of the following ways:

• In-Person Requests: Visiting the courthouse and submitting a request to the Perry County Clerk of Courts or the appropriate division (Common Pleas, Probate, or Juvenile) often yields comprehensive records. The Clerk of Courts is responsible for many filings related to civil, criminal, and domestic cases, while Probate and Juvenile Courts manage their own specialized records.
• Online Databases: While Perry County may not maintain a fully integrated online search system for all record types, certain court filings or docket information may be accessible through the Ohio Supreme Court's online resources.
• Third-Party Websites: Commercial aggregators often assemble public records from multiple jurisdictions. These websites may offer search tools for Perry County court records, though fees are typically charged for this service.

Perry County Courts

The addresses and contact information of the courthouses in Perry County are as follows:

Perry County Court of Common Pleas - General Division
Perry County Courthouse
105 N Main St,
P.O. Box 67,
New Lexington, OH 43764
Phone: (740) 342-1022
Fax: (740) 342-5527

Perry County Court of Common Pleas - Probate and Juvenile Division
Perry County Courthouse
105 N Main St,
P.O. Box 167,
New Lexington, OH 43764
Phone: (740) 342-1118 (Juvenile)
Phone: (740) 342-1493 (Probate)
Fax: (740) 342-5524

Perry County Municipal Court
Perry County Courthouse
105 N Main St,
P.O. Box 207,
New Lexington, OH 43764
Phone: (740) 342-3156
Fax: (740) 342-2188

Corning Mayor's Court
115 S Corning Ave,
Corning, OH 43730
Phone: (740) 347-4476
Fax: (740) 347-4387

Crooksville Mayor's Court
98 S Buckeye St,
Crooksville, OH 43731
Phone: (740) 982-2656
Fax: (740) 982-7641

Junction City Mayor's Court
111 W Front St,
P.O. Box 105,
Junction City, OH 43748
Phone: (740) 987-4121

New Straitsville Mayor's Court
114 W Main St,
P.O. Box 238,
New Straitsville, OH 43766
Phone: (740) 394-2425
Fax: (740) 394-2552

Shawnee Mayor's Court
2nd St,
Shawnee, OH 43782
Phone: (740) 394-2462

Thornville Mayor's Court
Thornville Village Office
1 S Main St, P.O. Box 607,
Thornville, OH 43076
Phone: (740) 246-5537
Fax: (740) 246-5537

Perry County Criminal and Civil Records

Criminal and civil court records in Perry County are primarily overseen by the Clerk of Courts office at the Common Pleas Court. These documents include complaints, pleadings, motions, judgments, sentencing entries, and other case-related filings. Local law enforcement agencies, such as the Perry County Sheriff's Office, compile arrest records, while criminal and civil case documents are filed with the Clerk's Office.

Publicly accessible criminal court records may detail charges, plea agreements, trial outcomes, and sentencing. Some records, particularly those sealed or related to juveniles, require a court order or proof of eligibility for access.

Civil court records, on the other hand, cover a wide range of disputes (e.g., contracts, property, personal injury, and domestic relations cases). Many of these documents are open to the public, although certain sensitive information may be redacted.

Individuals may visit the Clerk of Courts in person to obtain either of these court record categories. Requesters should have identifying details to facilitate the record search, including case numbers or party names relating to the case of interest.

Perry County Marriage Records

Marriage licenses and related records are maintained by the Perry County Probate Court, under ORC Chapter 2101. Marriage records are generally public, and interested persons may request certified copies to confirm marital status or for genealogical research.

To obtain a Perry County marriage record, inquirers may:

• Visit or contact the Probate Court.
• Provide pertinent details, such as the names of the spouses and the approximate date of marriage.
• Pay the required fee and specify if certification or notarization is necessary.

The probate clerks' office also processes mail-in requests. However, the requester must include a self-addressed, stamped envelope along with their application.

Perry County Divorce Records

Divorce decrees and related filings originate in the Domestic Relations Division of the Perry County Common Pleas Court. Under Ohio law, divorce records are generally public unless sealed by the court. Requesters can visit the clerk's office, provide identifying information, and pay the applicable certification or copying fees.

Inquirers who cannot request these records in person may send their applications via mail.

Perry County Birth Records

Ohio birth records are managed per the provisions of the Ohio Revised Code § 3705.23. Birth records registered less than 100 years ago are not fully open to the general public; access is generally limited to the individual named on the record, their immediate family, or legally authorized representatives. After 100 years, these records become public.

Perry County birth records are managed and disseminated by the Perry County Health Department. Interested and eligible persons may obtain these records by sending a written request to the department at:

Perry County Health Department
409 Lincoln Park Drive
New Lexington, OH 43764
Phone: (740) 342-5179

Requesters must submit an application containing details of the record of interest, show valid identification, and pay a fee for certified copies.

Perry County Death Records

Death certificates are also under the purview of the Perry County Health Department and are governed by ORC § 3705.23. Similar to birth records, death records less than 100 years old are limited to immediate family members and those with a legal interest, while older records are public.

Certified copies of death records may be obtained by contacting the county's health department in person or by mail.

Perry County Probate Court Records

Probate Court records in Perry County document estates, guardianships, name changes, and other probate matters under ORC Title 21. While many of these records are open to public inspection, some sensitive files—especially those involving minors or adoptions—may be sealed.

Interested parties may access these records by contacting the Perry County probate court directly.

Perry County Property Records

Property-related documents, such as deeds, mortgages, liens, and land descriptions, are recorded and maintained by the Perry County Recorder's Office under ORC § 317.08. The Auditor's Office assesses property values for tax purposes. These records allow the public to verify property ownership, determine tax obligations, review property boundaries, and confirm transaction history.

Perry County Recorder
105 North Main Street,
Suite 2
New Lexington, OH 43764
Phone: (740) 342-2494

Perry County Auditor
105 North Main Street
New Lexington, OH 43764
Phone: (740) 342-2074

Many property records are accessible online through the Auditor's website or in person at the Recorder's Office.

Perry County Court Records Online

While the online availability of Perry county official court records may be limited, third-party websites like Ohiocourtrecords.us sometimes consolidate public records for remote access. However, it is important to confirm the reliability and completeness of the documents retrieved from these external sources and note that specific details may be omitted or outdated—additionally, some third-party services charge fees for certified copies or more comprehensive searches.