Pike County Court Records

According to Rules of Superintendence for the Courts of Ohio Rule 44, Pike County court records include both case and administrative documents. Case documents are exhibits, motions, pleadings, orders, and judgments filed with the clerk or documents created by the clerk, like indices, dockets, or journals during a judicial proceeding. Conversely, administrative documents are information or materials created, received, or kept by a court that records court activities.

Court records are very significant in legal proceedings as they help reveal and hold the court accountable and ensure transparency of the judicial system. These records tend to reveal information about case parties, hearing date and time, charges, judgment, bond, disposition, case number, case type, filing date, and the presiding judge’s name.

Are Court Records Public in Pike County?

Yes. The Ohio Public Records Act and Rules of Superintendence for the Courts of Ohio Rule 45 presume court records are open to public access. This allows Pike County Courts to release court information to anyone upon request. However, they restrict access to any court document that poses a risk of injury to persons, public safety, individual privacy rights and interests, fairness of the adjudicatory process, and proprietary business information. Generally, courts grant case parties, their legal representatives, and anyone with a court order access to restricted court records.

Pike County Court Records Search

The Pike County Court and the Court of Common Pleas both have online portals where individuals can find court records for free. Users would need a name or case number to use any of the portals. Alternatively, requesters can visit any of the courthouses in Pike County to request copies of court records.

Pike County Courts

The Pike County court system comprises a Court of Common Pleas, County Court, Juvenile Court, Probate Court, and Mayor’s Courts. Below are the addresses of these courts:

Pike County Court of Common Pleas
100 East Second Street
Waverly, OH 45690
Phone: (740) 947-2212
Fax: (740) 947-1729

Pike County Court and Juvenile and Probate Courts
230 Waverly Plaza
Suite 900
Waverly, OH 45690

Piketon Mayor’s Court
411 South West Street
Piketon, OH 45661
Phone: (740) 289-2581

Waverly Mayor's Court
202 S. Market Street
Waverly, OH 45690
Phone: (740) 835-8015
Fax: (740) 947-4944
Email: mayorscourt@cityofwaverly.net

Pike County Criminal and Civil Records

Pike County criminal records are commonly found at the Sheriff’s Office. Record seekers can get these records by conducting arrest, background checks, and inmate record searches online or in person. Interested persons must download the Record Check form and bring it to the office for background checks. Pike County arrest records and inmate information can be viewed for free online using the Inmate Lookup tool.

The Pike County Court of Common Pleas has exclusive jurisdiction over all civil cases where the matter in controversy exceeds $15,000. In contrast, the Pike County Court has limited jurisdiction over civil cases where the amount in controversy is not over $15,000 and small claims cases ($6,000). These courts attend to civil record requests online and in person during business hours. For online access, individuals can use the Pike County Court’s Record Search portal to find civil records.

The search parameters are name, hearing date, case number, or file date. The Pike County Court of Common Pleas’s CourtView is also a powerful tool for finding civil court records. A name, case number, case type, or advanced attorney is required to access civil information on the portal.

Pike County Marriage Records

The Probate Court provides free Pike County marriage records from 1815 to date online. Record seekers should go to the Record Search menu on the court’s website and conduct a search by name, case number, or filing date. Couples can also get certified copies of their marriage certificates for $2 by phone at (740) 947-2560 or by email at probatecourt@pikecounty.oh.gov. Those who want it mailed to them can pay their fees by card for a total cost of $3. Requesters would need to provide both applicants' marriage date and full names.

Pike County Divorce Records

The easiest way to find divorce records in Pike County is online. The Pike County Common Pleas has a Record Search portal where individuals can find divorce records without charges. The search criteria are name, case number, case type, and advanced attorney. Interested persons can obtain copies of divorce records in person at the courthouse. They have to pay $0.25 for plain copies and an extra $1 for certified copies.

Pike County Birth Records

The Probate Court maintains Pike County birth records from 1867 until 1909. Requesters can click on the Archived Books section on the main menu of the court’s website to view birth records for free. Alternatively, individuals can visit the courthouse during business hours to obtain copies of Pike County birth certificates. Staff charges $0.10 for plain copies of birth records and $2 for certified copies.

Certificates of births that occurred after 1909 may be obtained from the Pine County General Health District Vital Statistics Office online, by mail, fax, or in person. This service costs $30, with an extra $5 for card transactions. Mail and fax customers must send an Application for Certified Copies Form and the necessary fees to:

Pike County General Health District
116 South Market St.
Waverly, OH 45690
Phone: (740) 947-7721
Fax: (740) 947-1109

Pike County Death Records

Pike County death certificates from 1867 until 1909 are available to members of the public at the Probate Court. The index books for these records are available online for free. However, residents can visit the courthouse in person to obtain copies of death certificates for a small fee. Generally, plain copies cost $0.10 and $2 for certified copies.

Copies of death records from 1909 to date can be obtained online, by mail, fax, or in person at the Pine County General Health District Vital Statistics Office. Requests must be accompanied by a fee of $30.

Pike County Probate Court Records

The Pike County Probate Court handles cases like the administration of the decedent’s estates, guardianships, adoptions, and name changes from 1815 to the present. Individuals can click the Archived Books on the left navigation pane of the court’s website and go to the general index to view probate records online for free.

Customers can also request copies of probate court records by email at probatecourt@pikecounty.oh.gov. The record staff will provide an estimated cost, payable over the phone by card. Afterward, the staff will mail or email copies of records to the requester.

Pike County Property Records

Pike County public records, like property documents, are available to residents at the record custodians’ offices. The Pike County Recorder and Auditor's Office accepts requests for property records in person. Requesters must provide basic information about the property to facilitate the search.

Additionally, property information is available to the public online without any cost. For example, the Pike County Recorder’s Office allows residents to view property records online using the Property Search portal. A search can be conducted using a name, instrument number, or book/page. The Pike County Auditor’s Office also has a Property Search tool for accessing property information using a parcel number, property address, or owner name.

Pike County Court Records Online

Members of the public sometimes turn to third-party platforms like Ohiocourtrecords.us to access Pike County court records due to their convenience. However, this does not imply they are superior to official government websites, as they may occasionally contain errors or inaccuracies. These platforms typically provide basic court information for free at the start of a search, with a small fee required for more detailed results.