Williams County Court Records

Williams County court records are official documents of legal proceedings and judicial activities within Williams County. The county's court system creates these records during filing and as cases progress. They typically contain the case number, names of parties or litigants, case type, filings, motions, orders, judgments, hearing dates, and other related documents or evidence.

The Williams County Clerk of Courts is the primary custodian of these records and is responsible for maintaining and providing public access. These records serve different purposes, including providing transparency in the judicial system, allowing public access to case information, enabling the public to monitor and track case proceedings and outcomes, and supporting legal research.

Are Court Records Public in Williams County?

Yes. Williams County court records are public under Ohio's Public Records Act (ORS Section 149.43). This Act allows individuals within and outside Williams County to request access to view or obtain court records of matters adjudicated in the county from the custodian. However, not all court records are subject to public disclosure under the law. The restricts or exempts the following types of court records from public access:

• Juvenile records
• Adoption records
• Mental health commitments
• Adult Protective Services records
• Child custody records
• Sealed or expunged court records
• Witness records in criminal trials
• Trial preparation materials
• Records related to confidential law enforcement investigations.

Williams County Court Records Search

To search for Williams County court records, individuals can:

• Visit the Clerk of Court's office in person.
• Submit requests via mail, email, or phone to the Clerk of Court.
• Request records in person or online from specific courts, such as probate or Bryan Municipal Court
• Use the Clerk of Court's online case search portal.
• Access third-party public records websites.

Williams County Courts

Williams County courts include the Court of Common Pleas, Juvenile Court, Probate Court, and Bryan Municipal Court. The contact information of these courts is listed below.

Williams County Court of Common Pleas - General and Domestic Relations Divisions
1 Courthouse Square
Bryan, OH 43506
Phone: (419) 636-1551
Fax: (419) 636-7877

Williams County Juvenile Court
1 Courthouse Square
Bryan, OH 43506
Phone: (419) 636-1548
Fax: (419) 636-5405

Williams County Probate Court
1 Courthouse Square
Bryan, OH 43506
Phone: (419) 636-1548
Fax: (419) 636-5405

Bryan Municipal Court
1399 East High Street
P.O. Box 546
Bryan, OH 43506
Phone: (419) 636-6939
Fax: (419) 636-3417

Williams County Criminal and Civil Records

The Williams County Court of Common Pleas (General Division) handles felony criminal cases and civil cases, including personal injury, contracts, torts, and real estate disputes. In contrast, the Bryan Municipal Court hears misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic matters, small claims, and other civil cases. The Williams County Clerk of Courts maintains records for the Court of Common Pleas, while the Bryan Municipal Court is responsible for records of criminal and civil cases it hears.

To this effect, interested parties may contact the Williams County Clerk of Courts Office in person, by mail, or by phone to request records of criminal and civil matters adjudicated in the Common Pleas Court. Additionally, they can use the Clerk of Courts' “Record Search” portal to conduct online searches for civil and criminal case records. Fees for copies of records include $2.00 per page of a complete record and $2.00 for certification of each court document.

Williams County Clerk of Courts
1 Courthouse Square, 3rd Floor
Bryan, OH 43506
Phone: (419) 636-1551

Similarly, interested parties may contact the Bryan Municipal Court to request records of civil and misdemeanor criminal matters heard in the court. This can be done in person, Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., or by mail, email, phone, or fax.

Bryan Municipal Court
Don C. North Municipal Building
1399 East High Street
Bryan, Ohio 43506
Phone: (419) 636-6939
Fax: (419) 636-3417

Mailing Address:

Bryan Municipal Court
P.O. Box 546
Bryan, OH 43506.

Alternatively, individuals can use the Bryan Municipal Court's "case search" portal to find records of cases handled in the court.

Williams County Marriage Records

Williams County marriage records are maintained by the Williams County Court of Common Pleas (Probate Division). Individuals seeking Williams County marriage records can contact the Probate Court directly. Alternatively, contact the Williams County Clerk of Court's Office at:

Williams County Clerk of Courts
1 Courthouse Square, 3rd Floor
Bryan, OH 43506
Phone: (419) 636-1551

A certified copy of a marriage record costs $7.00. If requested by mail, the cost is $7.60.

Note: When requesting marriage records, applicants should provide the full names of both the bride and groom, the marriage date, and the marriage location.

Williams County Divorce Records

The Williams County Clerk of Courts is the official custodian of divorce records for Williams County. The Clerk's Office is responsible for the maintenance and preservation of all records of annulments, legal separations, divorces, and marriage dissolutions handled by the Domestic Relations Division of the Williams County Court of Common Pleas.

Interested persons should contact the Clerk of Courts Office in person, by mail, or by phone to submit requests to view or obtain copies of Williams County divorce records.

Williams County Clerk of Courts
1 Courthouse Square
3rd Floor
Bryan, OH 43506
Phone: (419) 636-1551

Williams County Birth Records

Williams County birth records are public records, available from the Williams County Health Department for births from 1909 to the present. They cost $25 per copy and are essential for identity verification, obtaining government documents like passports, or school enrollment.

Individuals can request birth records from the Williams County Health Department by phone, mail, online, or in person.

• Phone: Call (419) 485-3141.
• Mail: Send a completed “Application for Birth Certificate” with a $25 fee and a self-addressed stamped envelope to:

Williams County Health Department
310 Lincoln Avenue
Montpelier, OH 43543.

• In Person: Visit the Health Department, Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m at:

Williams County Health Department
310 Lincoln Avenue
Montpelier, OH.

Williams County Death Records

Williams County death records are official records of deaths in Williams County. The Williams County Health Department is the custodian of these records. Individuals typically obtain these records for different purposes, including settling estates and claiming inheritance.

Interested persons may obtain copies of Williams County death records at $25 per copy by submitting in-person requests to the Williams County Health Department, Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at:

310 Lincoln Avenue
Montpelier, OH

Alternatively, they can submit a completed application for death record form by mail to the WCHD at:

Williams County Health Department
310 Lincoln Avenue
Montpelier, OH 43543.

Mail requests must include a check or money order for $25.00 per certificate, payable to "Williams County Health Department," and sent in a self-addressed, stamped envelope.

Williams County Probate Court Records

Williams County probate court records include records on the admission of wills, the administration of decedents’ estates, and the administration of guardianship and conservatorship matters heard in the Williams County Probate Court.

To request or obtain Williams County probate court records, individuals can use the public terminal located at:

One Courthouse Square
3rd Floor
Bryan, OH 43506
Phone: (419) 636-1548
Fax: (419) 636-5405

Alternatively, email requests for these records to the probate court at probate@wmsco.org.

Williams County Property Records

Williams County property records include deeds, mortgages, liens, and other documents. The Williams County Recorder is the official custodian of these records, and interested persons can access or obtain them through the recorder's office.

Williams County Recorder's Office
One Courthouse Square
2nd Floor
Bryan, OH 43506
Phone: (419) 636-3259
Email: recorder@wmsco.org.

Alternatively, use the Williams Land Records Search to find these records online or the Williams County Auditor's "Real Estate Advanced Search" to look up property records by parcel, owner, or address.

Williams County Court Records Online

Third-party websites like Ohiocourtrecords.us offer a convenient alternative to official sources for public access to Williams County court records. These platforms provide searchable databases that allow users to find specific court records using case numbers, party names, or dates. Some sites even enable direct court document downloads. However, since these sites operate independently from government agencies, the volume, reliability, and accuracy of court records they provide may vary.