Scioto County Court Records

Rule 44 of the Rules of Superintendence for the Courts of Ohio (Sup. R. 44) categorizes case and administrative court documents as Ohio court records. However, most individuals who want to track court cases or find information regarding specific judicial proceedings are only interested in case documents. The rule defines these documents as paperwork created or collected by any court of record, which includes exhibits, pleadings, motions, orders, judgments, witness statements, and evidence. Administrative documents, on the other hand, pertain to a court's fiscal, personnel, and management activities. Administrative records also cover internal court policies, operations, decisions, and organization.

Scioto County court records are maintained by the county's clerk, who serves as the custodian for records generated and collected in the Courts of Common Pleas. The Portsmouth Municipal Court, the county's lower court, manages its records separately from the clerk, and members of the public can access these documents and materials by approaching the appropriate office.

Are Court Records Public in Scioto County?

Yes. Scioto court records are classed as public information under Sup. R. 45. The rule follows the state's statutory commitment to transparency laid out in Section 149.43 of the Ohio Revised Code (O.R.C 149.43), which states that official records produced by government entities, including courts, are a matter of public information.

However, documents and information subject to public access do not include the following:

• Medical records
• Personal identification numbers like social security, driver's license, and passport digits
• Materials used to prepare for trial or draft judicial decisions and orders
• Financial data like bank account details and credit card data
• Police investigation materials and tactics
• Records related to adoption, child support, and paternity proceedings
• Juvenile criminal records
• Victim information contained in certain Scioto County criminal records

Scioto County Court Records Search

Criminal and civil case records in Scioto County are generated and collected by the Scioto County Court of Common Pleas and Portsmouth Municipal Court. Those who are interested in finding these records should identify the court that handled the case and approach its clerk or use other dedicated resources.

Scioto Court of Common Pleas

The Court of Common Pleas has original jurisdiction to hear every civil and criminal case but focuses more on felonies and civil cases not handled by the municipal court. It has different divisions, including juvenile, probate, and domestic relations courts.

The Scioto County Clerk of Courts is responsible for maintaining and dispensing case records produced in any of the court's divisions. Individuals can use the clerk's online records portal to find details of criminal and court cases. Users can search the system by name (person or company), case number, case type, action code, and attorney details. They can further refine search results by case type and status, party type, date of birth, and filing date. The portal shows the following information:

• Party information
• Charge details, including original amended charges, type and degree of charge, and offense description
• Docket entries
• Sentencing details
• Ticket and citation information, including the involved agency
• Case events
• Case disposition

One can contact the clerk directly using the following details to obtain certified copies of court records:

602 7th Street
Room 205
Portsmouth, Ohio 45662
Phone: (740) 355-8218

Portsmouth Municipal Court

The Portsmouth Municipal Court has jurisdiction anywhere within Scioto County. However, it only handles misdemeanors where the maximum punishments are $1,000 fines and one year incarceration. Civil cases are limited to actions where the amount in dispute does not exceed $15,000.

Members of the public can use the Municipal Court's records search portal to find and view civil and criminal cases under its jurisdiction using names of defendants, hearing dates, case and ticket numbers, and filing dates. Search results produce docket, defendant, complainant/officer, hearing, violation (offense), transaction (court payments), and disposition information.

Scioto County Courts

As mentioned, the Scioto County courts system comprises the Court of Common Pleas divisions and the Portsmouth Municipal Court. The following are their addresses:

Municipal Court
728 Second Street
First Floor
Portsmouth, Ohio 45662

Court of Common Pleas, General Division
602 Seventh Street
Portsmouth, Ohio 45662

Probate Court
602 7th Street
Room 201
Portsmouth, OH 45662
Phone: (740) 355-8290

Domestic Relations Court
602 7th Street
Rooms 303 and 304
Portsmouth, OH 45662
Phone: (740) 355-8316

Juvenile Court
602 7th Street
Room 202
Portsmouth, OH 45662
Phone: (740) 355-8306

Scioto County Criminal Records

Scioto County criminal records are files, information, and other data that tie an individual to certain criminal proceedings, from arrest to incarceration. The methods involved in finding such records can vary depending on whether the individual was tried and convicted after their arrest.

Those looking for information about alleged offenders who have not been charged should be focused on going through Scioto County arrest records. These records are mostly created and maintained by local law enforcement agencies. Interested parties can visit the Scioto County Sheriff's Office or the police department closest to the scene of the alleged crime to obtain arrest records.

The Sheriff's Office allows the public to review updated listings of inmates held in the Scioto County jail. One can use the site to find information about recently booked individuals who may be awaiting subsequent court appearances. The roster shows each inmate's booking date, ID, personal and physical description, photograph, and charges. Members of the public can also contact the Sheriff's Office directly to inquire about recent arrests and bookings.

The Portsmouth Police Department is another major law enforcement agency responsible for most of the county's arrests. Individuals looking for Scioto arrest records can also contact the department's records division by calling (740) 354-1311, visiting 728 Second Street, Portsmouth, Ohio 45662, or emailing info@portsmkuthohpd.gov.

For people who have been charged, members of the public can look up their data using the methods provided for obtaining records created by the Scioto County Court of Common Pleas and Portsmouth Municipal Court.

Running background checks is another way to obtain Scioto criminal records. Ohio law permits certain employers and individuals who have criminal histories to order background checks through the Bureau of Criminal Investigations under the state's Attorney General's Office. The process involves applying through authorized WebCheck Locations by providing one's fingerprints and personal details. The Scioto County Sheriff's Office offers fingerprinting services for people seeking state or national background checks.

Get Scioto County Civil Court Records

Civil court records in Scioto County are created during non-criminal legal actions heard in the Court of Common Pleas and Portsmouth Municipal Court. These cases are started by plaintiffs (or complainants) seeking financial relief or other forms of restitution from defendants. Cases with claims up to $15,000 are heard at the municipal level, while proceedings worth higher fall under the jurisdiction of the Court of Common Pleas. Documents produced during these lawsuits include complaints, motions, testimonies, depositions, and judgments. Individuals can view or get these records using the methods explained earlier.

Scioto County Marriage Records

People interested in Scioto County Marriage records are usually interested in marriage licenses and certificates. These documents are issued by the probate division of the county's Court of Common Pleas, and they can be used for the following purposes:

• Proof of marriage
• Insurance purchases
• Claiming benefits, such as retirement and life insurance of a spouse
• Change of name
• Tax filing

Individuals can use the methods provided by the Scioto County Clerk of Courts to obtain these records.

One such resource is the clerk's online records portal. It displays details about marriage license applications submitted and granted by the probate division. Finding these records involves selecting Scioto County Juvenile/Probate Court under Sites and choosing Marriage License under the Case Type menu. The website displays names and addresses of applicants, application and return dates, and party attorneys (if applicable).

One can contact the clerk's office to make inquiries about obtaining a certified copy of a Scioto County marriage certificate or license.

Scioto County Divorce Records

Individuals generally start divorce proceedings to legally end their marriages and draw up post-marital agreements for matters such as alimony and child support. These actions are also called dissolution of marriage cases and are handled by the Scioto County Court of Common Pleas. Certified copies of divorce records can be used to prove that one is no longer married, especially when applying for another marriage license.

Members of the public can go through the online records system to find and view details of divorces, as they are mostly public records. To search for a case, one has to choose All Sites under Sites and Divorce and Dissolution under the Case Type menu. The system displays docket, party, and case disposition details.

One can also contact the clerk's office to obtain certified copies of the divorce decrees.

Scioto Birth and Death Records

Finding birth and death records in Scioto County involves approaching the county's health department. These documents are called Scioto County vital records and are required during certain legal proceedings and applications. For example, one needs a Scioto County birth certificate to prove they are a parent or child to a person named on the document. Legal birth papers can also be used when applying for driver's licenses, passports, and marriage licenses. Death records are needed to prove that people have passed on when initiating transactions like life insurance claims and inheritance settlements.

The health department keeps and dispenses Scioto County birth records created from December 20, 1908, and death records generated dating back to 1931. Each certified copy costs $25. Individuals can fill out the request form and submit it by mail or hand delivery to the following address:

Scioto County Health Department
612 6th Street
Suite D
Portsmouth, OH 45652
Phone: (740) 355-8358 (ext 1)

Interested parties can also send requests to the Bureau of Vital Statistics of the Ohio Department of Health for birth records dating back to December 20, 1908, and death documents created from 1971 until death. Individuals can order certified documents online, in person, or by mail. The online process requires requesters to use the state department's web application portal and provide an accepted credit card. Certified copies will be sent to the card's billing address.

For mail-in requests, applicants are required to fill out the Application for Certified Copies form and send it to mail it to:

Ohio Department of Health
Bureau of Vital Statistics
P.O. Box 15098
Columbus, OH 43215-0098

In-person requesters can visit the Scioto County Health Department to make their requests.

Individuals are expected to provide the following details in their applications:

• Child's full legal name
• Date of birth
• Mother's maiden name (name before marriage)
• Birth County or city
• Valid credit card (for online orders)

Certified copies of death and birth records from the state's Department of Health cost $21.50 per copy.

Scioto County Probate Court Records

The probate division of the Scioto County Court of Common Pleas has jurisdiction over settling the estates of deceased residents, hearing disputes in relation to wills and related matters, and handling conservatorships and guardianships of mentally impaired and otherwise disabled individuals. The probate court also has other specific powers listed in Section 2101.24 of the Ohio Revised Code.

Individuals can visit the Clerk of Courts or use the office's online records portal to find documents and information created during probate proceedings.

Scioto County Property Records

People can go through the following offices to obtain property records:

• Scioto County Treasurer: The county treasurer collects property taxes and maintains records regarding these levies. Individuals can use its online search tool to verify property ownership and check outstanding tax payments. They can also contact the office directly for more information.
• Scioto County Recorder: The recorder maintains the county's property documents, such as deeds, conveyances, mortgages, land contracts, easements, leases, etc. One can visit or contact the recorder using the following details:

602 7th Street
Room 110
Portsmouth, OH 45662
Phone: (740) 355-8304
Fax: (740) 355-8355

Scioto County Court Records Online

Private databases like Ohiocourtrecords.us also provide access to Scioto County public records, including arrest, court, and vital information online. While these services are offered for a fee, third-party databases typically offer more convenient methods for finding records. However, interested parties are advised that these entities do not produce the records they dispense but aggregate them from various official sources. Hence, they cannot guarantee authenticity and accuracy.