Preble County Court Records

The courts in Preble County maintain the Preble County court records. These records outline the official proceedings of legal cases held within the county and are often used to verify case outcomes and legal precedents or to understand how courts work. As a comprehensive account of case events in a court of law, court records include motions, judgments, orders, verdicts, exhibits, and more.

Are Court Records Public in Preble County?

Yes. Preble County court records are presumed public under the Ohio Courts' Rules of Superintendence. According to these rules, most court records are available upon request for public inspection.

However, some restrictions exist to safeguard sensitive information and protect individual privacy. Examples include:

Sealed Records: Juvenile, adoption, or certain criminal case records are not available to the public.

Confidential Information: Personal information such as Social Security numbers, medical records, and financial account numbers are exempt from public records.

Ongoing Cases: Limited access may be imposed on ongoing cases to prevent interference with the judicial process.

Preble County Court Records Search

It is possible to access Preble County court records via court-run online databases, third-party websites, or in person at the courthouse. Requests to a courthouse are typically processed by the court's office of the clerk. The Preble County Clerk of Courts keeps and disseminates all records of cases filed in the Common Pleas Court, while the Municipal Court clerks are responsible for disclosing related traffic and criminal case records. On the other hand, third-party websites assemble Preble County public records into one database and provide remote access to many Preble court records.

Preble County Courts

The names of courts that handle various legal matters in Preble County, alongside their addresses, are shown below:

Preble County Court of Common Pleas
Preble County Courthouse
101 East Main Street
Eaton, OH 45320
Phone: (937) 456-8165

Preble County Probate and Juvenile Courts
Preble County Courthouse
101 East Main Street
Second Floor
Eaton, OH 45320
Phone: (937) 456-8136 (Juvenile)
Phone: (937) 456-8137 (Probate)

Eaton Municipal Court
1199 Preble Drive
Eaton, OH 45320
Phone: (937) 456-4941

Camden Mayor's Court
56 West Central Street
Camden, OH 45311
Phone: (937) 452-2001

Gratis Municipal Court
404 East Harrison Street
Gratis, OH 45330
Phone: (937) 787-3728

Preble County Criminal and Civil Records

The Clerk of Courts maintains criminal and civil court records. These records can provide vital information about civil and criminal case specifics, judgments, filings, and proceedings. In addition, local law enforcement agencies manage Preble County arrest records, which can offer further insights into an individual's criminal history within the county.

Anyone can visit the Preble County Clerk of Courts in Eaton to obtain Preble County criminal records. The Preble criminal records usually contain information such as charges, proceedings, and dispositions. An in-person request is often necessary to obtain detailed information and sealed records.

The Clerk of Courts also maintains civil court records, representing various cases, including contracts, property disputes, divorce filings, and probate. Records can be accessed at the same Clerk's Office in Eaton. Some information may be accessible online through third-party websites; however, one may have to visit the Clerk's Office for complete case information. Civil records include divorce filings, civil complaints, small claims, and probate cases.

Note that a fee may apply to obtain copies of court records, and the requester will need specific information to retrieve a record (e.g., case numbers or names of the involved parties).

Preble County Marriage Records

Preble County marriage records are housed at the Preble County Probate Court, which is responsible for issuing marriage licenses and recording marriages within the county. Preble County marriage records are public by nature and can be disseminated upon request to any interested public member.

Individuals can obtain a Preble County marriage certificate by visiting the Preble County Probate Court. They will need to provide means of identification, and a small fee may be required depending on the number of copies requested. For those individuals who cannot visit, marriage records can be requested via written correspondence by mail. Individuals can also acquire records or certified copies by contacting the Probate Court.

Preble County Divorce Records

The Preble County Clerk of Courts keeps divorce records in Preble County. These are public records of marriage dissolution that have occurred within the county. Any interested public member can request these records if they observe due process.

To get a divorce record in Preble County, one can visit the Preble County Clerk of Courts. Each requester must complete the Clerk's request form and may be expected to provide a valid form of identification, such as a driver's license or state ID. A fee applies to obtain a certified copy of the divorce record.

In addition to the Clerk's office visit, divorce records can be requested by mail. The requesting form should be filled out, and the appropriate fee should be included in the application.

Preble County does not have an online portal for remote access to divorce records. One must contact the Clerk's Office for certified copies or case information.

Preble County Birth Records

Preble County birth records are handled under the Ohio Revised Code § 3705.23, with specific access limitations imposed on them. According to the code, the records of births that occurred less than 100 years ago are usually not available to anyone except the individual, the parents, the legal guardians of the individual, or immediate family members such as a spouse or child.

However, birth records of individuals born over 100 years ago are considered public records and can be accessed by anyone. These records are usually needed when applying for a license, passport, admission into schools, claims for social security benefits, and proving U.S. citizenship.

An individual can obtain a Preble County birth certificate by submitting a completed birth application form. A valid photo ID is required, and there is a fee for certified copies. The request form can be sent via mail or hand-delivered to the Preble County Health Department at the address below:

601 East Main Street
Eaton, OH 45320

Preble County Death Records

The Preble County death records are an essential component of Preble County vital records. They are maintained by the Preble County Health Department, following the regulations outlined in Ohio Revised Code § 3705.23. Death certificates are usually required for various purposes: legal, personal, or private, like the settlement of estates, life insurance, application for Social Security death benefits, or other genealogical issues.

Death records within the last 100 years have restricted access to immediate family members and those with a proven legal interest. Records over 100 years are available to anyone. To get a certified copy of a death certificate, one needs to fill out an application form, present valid photo identification, and pay the fees. Applications may be submitted in person, by mail, or through the use of authorized third-party service providers.

Preble County Probate Court Records

Preble County Probate Court records cover a range of legal matters, including estates, guardianships, name changes, adoptions, marriage licenses, contested wills, and civil commitments. A copy of this record can be retrieved by visiting the Probate Court or contacting the court at (937) 456-8137. Although many of these records are public, access to some record types, for example, cases dealing with minors or sensitive guardianship issues, is limited by law in Ohio. Probate court records are essential for estate settlement, legal guardianship confirmation, and other personal or legal matters.

Preble County Property Records

Preble County property records provide information on real estate ownership, property taxes owed, land descriptions, and any record of the property's transaction history. These documents are recorded in the Preble County Recorder's Office and include deeds, mortgages, and liens.

At the same time, the Auditor's Office handles property tax assessments and valuations. These records are available to the public to verify property ownership, settle boundary disputes, buy and sell real estate, and establish tax liability. Preble County property records are public documents, although access to some personal information may be restricted. Individuals can make requests in person at the Recorder's Office or through online platforms provided by the Auditor's Office.

Preble County Court Records Online

Third-party websites, like Ohiocourtrecords.us, disseminate some Preble County court records online. These sites enable access to different court records without one needing to visit the courthouse. However, although these online searches save time and allow for quicker results, some limitations exist. For one, the records may not be complete, and some information may be restricted due to privacy laws. Many sites also charge a fee to obtain copies of records.