Are Portage County Divorce Records Public?

Yes, Portage County divorce records are public. Section 149.43 of the Ohio Revised Code authorizes public inspection and copying of Portage County divorce records and other official documents in the possession of government agencies. Also, Sections 45 and 47 of the Ohio Rules of Superintendence for the Courts, Section 3105 of the Ohio Code, and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) are some regulatory laws for access to divorce records in Portage County.

Under Ohio and federal laws, some Portage County divorce records are not publicly disclosable for security and safety reasons. For instance, Ohio law mandates the Portage County Clerk of Courts to redact Social Security Numbers, financial account details, information about child custody agreements, and other sensitive records from publicly accessible divorce documents.

Who Can Access Portage County Public Records?

Any interested person can access Portage County divorce records. The Ohio Public Records Act grants individuals, law enforcement, legal representatives, researchers, and government agencies the right to obtain copies of Portage County divorce records.

However, the type of information accessible depends on legal authorization and the requester's relationship to the specific divorce case.

Generally, basic divorce information like names of the divorced parties, case numbers, filing dates, and final divorce declarations are accessible to all interested persons. However, access to sealed divorce records and sensitive information requires legal authorization, judicial orders, or the consent of the owners of the documents.

Interested individuals seeking to verify their eligibility to access Portage County divorce records should send valid government-issued identification documents to the Portage County Clerk of Courts Office.

Do I Need to State My Purpose and Use When Requesting Divorce Records in Portage County?

No, requesters do not need to state reasons for accessing divorce records in Portage County. Nonetheless, access to Portage County divorce records must be for legitimate purposes. Individuals can request Portage County divorce records for personal interests, legal use, and research.

How do you Request Divorce Records in Portage County?

Requesters can access Portage County divorce records through the Portage County Clerk of Courts Office, which provides online and offline access to divorce records. Interested individuals can request Portage County divorce case information through the Portage County Clerk of Courts Records Search Portal. For certified and non-certified copies of Portage County divorce records, interested individuals should visit in person or send mail requests to the Portage County Clerk of Courts – Domestic Relations Division at:

203 West Main Street,
Ravenna,
OH 44266
Phone: (330) 297-3475
Fax: (330) 297-4268

Mail address
P.O. Box 1035,
Ravenna,
OH 44266-1035.

The Portage County Clerk of Courts Office accepts cash payments for in-person requests. Requesters can also pay for copies of divorce records by checks, money orders, and credit cards. Credit card payments require the payer to provide validation identification.

What Information is Included in a Portage County Divorce Record?

The information on Portage County divorce records depends on the type of divorce document. The table below outlines the information on the various Portage County divorce documents.

Portage County divorce case files provide comprehensive details of divorce proceedings. However, confidential information such as Social Security Numbers, financial records, child custody, and medical history are not publicly disclosable.

Fees for Accessing Portage County Divorce Records

The cost of copies of Portage County divorce records depends on the type of documents. It costs $0.10 to obtain a copy of Portage and an additional $5.00 certification fee (if the request is for a certified copy); these charges exclude mailing fees. For online requests through the Portage County Clerk of Courts Records Search Portal, there is an additional $2.00 credit card processing fee for payments less than $50.00, which rises to 4% of the total costs if the payment is over $50.00.

Low-income earners, seniors, legal aid clients, NGOs, and veterans who cannot afford the costs of accessing copies of Portage County divorce records should check for a waiver option on the Portage County Clerk of Courts Records Search Portal or submit written requests with the necessary identification documents to the Portage County Clerk of Courts - Domestic Relations.

How Long Does It Take to Obtain Divorce Records in Portage County?

The wait time for divorce records from the Portage County Clerk of Courts Office after payments depends on the request method and the volume of requests. In-person requests may be available on the same day or within several hours. However, it may take between 7 and 14 business days to process mail requests.

Online requests may be available immediately if the records are available for download or may take 1 to 5 business days to process. Portage County divorce record requesters should note that the processing timeline does not include the mail delivery time (this may take an additional two or more business days).

Can I Request Divorce Records Online in Portage County?

Yes, Portage County divorce records are accessible online. The Portage County Clerk of Courts Records Search Portal offers online access to divorce records. Also, requesters can search for Portage County divorce records through private websites like Ohiocourtrecords.us and other non-government online repositories. Notwithstanding, users of third-party online databases should note that these platforms are independent, and there are no guarantees on the accuracy of their documents.

Are There Any Exceptions to Accessing Portage County Divorce Records?

Yes, there are exceptions to accessing Portage County divorce records. Due to security and safety concerns, Ohio and federal laws exempt public access to sensitive divorce information. The public cannot access sealed divorce records or sensitive divorce information such as:

• Social Security Numbers
• Financial account details
• Medical or mental health histories
• Information relating to children under 18 years.

Access to sealed or sensitive divorce information requires legal authorization, the consent of the involved parties, or court orders.