Stark County Public Records | OhioCourtRecords.us (2024)

Court records are documents a court produces during legal proceedings. These documents include any paperwork or document filed before, during, and after the proceedings of a case. Court records are needed to ensure accountability through proper documentation. Court records typically include:

• Complaints or petitions filed with the court
• Docket entries summarizing events during a legal case
• Names of the parties involved in the case, including the defendant and plaintiff
• Court case number
• Case type indicating whether it's a civil, criminal, family, or probate case.
• Court responses or answers
• Court judgments and decrees reached at the end of a case

TheStark County Clerk of Courtsmaintains court records from court proceedings. Since court records are deemed public records under Ohio law, interested parties can request available copies from the County Clerk of Courts.

Are Court Records Public in Stark County?

According to theOhio Open Records law, court records are generally accessible to the public. Stark County residents can access court records, including court proceedings and judgments. However, there are exceptions to this rule. For instance, court records may be sealed in some cases by a court order. This is usually done to protect the privacy of individuals involved in the case, especially in juvenile or domestic violence cases.

Stark County Court Records Search

There are two main ways to search for court records in Stark County. You can do so online through theStark County Criminal Justice Information Systems. This free database allows you to search court case records from different courts in the county. You can also visit the Clerk of Courts office at the courthouse for the specific court where the case was filed.

Stark County Court Records Search by Name

Interested parties can look up court records by name using the name search feature of the Stark County Criminal Justice Information System. To search, input the subject’s first, middle, and last names and their roles, such as attorney, judge, applicant, or guardian. You can optionally enter additional search criteria like case number, date range, or cause of action.

Stark County Courts

Stark County includes a Court of Common Pleas and three Municipal Courts within its judicial system. The Court of Common Pleas has a General Division, Probate Division, Domestic Relations, and Juvenile Divisions. The Domestic Relations and Juvenile Divisions make up the Family Court.

• General Division: This division is responsible for handling civil cases, criminal cases, and appeals brought by administrative agencies.
• Probate Division: Cases involving wills, estate, trusts, guardianships, mental illness, and adoptions are brought to the Probate Division. They are often also called the Probate Court.
• Domestic Relations Division: This division handles divorce, child custody, and child support cases.
• Juvenile Divisions: Besides handling most paternity cases and offenses involving juveniles (including juvenile traffic charges), this division may also share jurisdiction over child support and custody with the Domestic Relations Division.

You can locate the different courts in Stark County with the following addresses:

Stark County Court of Common Pleas - General Division

Stark County Courthouse
101 West Tuscarawas St.
Canton, Ohio 44702.
Phone: (330) 451-7801
Fax: (330) 451-7066

Stark County Probate Court

110 Central Plaza South, Suite 501
Canton, Ohio 44702
Phone: (330) 451-7755

Stark County Family Court

110 Central Plaza South, Suite 601
Canton, Ohio 44702
Phone: (330) 451-7415
Fax: (330) 451-7837

Stark County District Court Records

Stark County, Ohio, does not have a District Court. The Common Pleas Court handles most general civil and criminal cases in the county. This includes matters like:

• Felony and misdemeanor criminal cases
• Civil lawsuits exceeding $15,000
• Domestic relations (divorce, child custody)
• Probate and estate matters

To access court records in Stark County, you can use the CJIS system or visit the Clerk of Courts office. The CJIS system allows you to search court records from various courts, including the Common Pleas Court.

Stark County Criminal Records

While criminal court records are publicly available in Stark County, criminal history records maintained by the Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI)are not public. Therefore, to access them, you will have to seek authorization. However, you can freely access your criminal history record. Take the following steps to get a copy of your criminal history record.

1. Submit the complete name, current address, and other identifying details of the person whose records you are seeking;
2. Submit a complete set of fingerprints of the person whose records you are seeking;
3. Submit a signed consent form from the person whose records you are seeking.
4. Submit a business check, money order, or electronic payment of $22.00 to the “Treasurer of the State of Ohio”.

Alternatively, you can contact theStark County Sheriff's Office. The Sheriff's Office provides background checks and fingerprinting services for county residents. You need to schedule an appointment by calling the Sheriff's Office for its fingerprinting services at (330) 451-1383. County residents can also visit the physical address at:

4500 Atlantic Blvd., N.E.,
Canton, Ohio 44705

To request a copy of your criminal history record, fill out the Fingerprint Background Check Application and send it to the Stark County Sheriff's Office. You can send your application to the Stark County Sheriff at:

Stark County Safety Building
4500 Atlantic Blvd., N.E.,
Canton, Ohio 44705

To cover the background check cost, send theStark County Treasurera certified bank check, cashier's check, or money order. A State of Ohio background check costs forty dollars.

Note: These agencies can release some information on a case-by-case basis, depending on the severity of the crime and their record-keeping policies.

Stark County Criminal Court Case Lookup

Criminal court records are documents or paperwork filed during a criminal court proceeding. They are necessary for documenting and keeping track of criminal proceedings. For criminal cases that went to trial or reached some form of adjudication in Stark County, Ohio, you can utilize the following methods:

1. CJIS Online Search: While not ideal for criminal records, the Stark County CJIS system allows basic searches by name across various courts, including Common Pleas (which handles most felonies). It might show basic information on adjudicated criminal cases but may not be comprehensive.
2. In-Person Search at Clerk of Courts Office: Visit the Clerk of Courts office for the court where the case was most likely filed (Common Pleas Court for felonies). They can search archived records for adjudicated instances based on the defendant's name or case number (fees may apply).

Note:These methods may not include sealed records or cases that are still ongoing. In-person searches involve fees for record searches or obtaining copies of documents.

Get Stark County Civil Court Records

The information documented and filed during civil court cases heard at the Stark County Court of Common Pleas General Division County is contained in civil court case records. The civil court in Spark County typically oversees cases involving:

• Contract disputes
• Property rights issues
• Landlord-tenant disagreements
• Divorce and child custody cases
• Injunctions and restraining orders (not sealed)
• Small claims cases (handled by Municipal Courts) depending on the court's policy

There are two main ways to access civil court records in Stark County. Firstly, you can use the Stark County Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS). Take the following steps when searching on the system:

1. Visit the CJIS website.
2. Select "Guest Access" since you do not need to register for basic searches.
3. Choose the court you want to search from (Common Pleas Court or a Municipal Court).
4. Enter the party's name (plaintiff or defendant) or case number (if known). You can filter by date range or cause of action (e.g., contract dispute, property).
5. Click "Search".

Since the search is free, it may not have some more detailed records. Sealed records or recently filed cases could also be unavailable. It provides basic information like parties involved, case type, filing date, and sometimes case status.

Aside from conducting searches online, you can conduct a civil court case records search at the Clerk of Courts office for the specific court where the case was filed. Take the following steps when trying to search for a case.

1. Visit the Clerk of Court’s office during business hours.
2. Inform the clerk you want to search for civil court records.
3. Provide the party's name (plaintiff or defendant) or case number (if known).
4. There may be fees for record searches or obtaining copies of documents.

You will need to provide a valid ID card when making your request.

Stark County Family Court Records

Stark County has a Family Court comprising the Courts of Common Pleas Domestic Relations and Juvenile Divisions. These divisions usually preside over cases that involve:

• Divorce and legal separation
• Child custody and visitation arrangements
• Child support and spousal support determinations
• Domestic violence restraining orders
• Child abuse
• Juvenile traffic offenders

As an interested party, you can obtain family court records in Stark County at the county’s clerk’s office at the Court of Common Pleas. However, you must request the specific court division in the county where the case was tried. That is, if the Juvenile Division presided over the case, you will have to make an application there. You can request family court records in person or by mail at the Stark County Family Court. The court charges 10 cents for each copy and an additional $1 for certified pages under the public records provision policy.

You can also apply for family court records to theBureau of Vital Statisticsunder the Ohio Department of Health (ODH). The ODH charges $20 per copy. You can make payments with cash, cheques, or money orders. Requests to ODH are submitted to:

Ohio Department of Health
Bureau of Vital Statistics
P. o. 15098
Columbus, Ohio 43215

Since family records contain private information, you should note that they are more challenging to find. They are usually not publicly accessible through government or third-party sources.

Stark Dissolution of Marriage Records

The Stark County Probate Court maintains the dissolution of marriage records. Due to the Ohio revised codes, dissolution of marriage records are publicly available. However, certain kinds of information would be excluded to protect privacy. You can request the Stark County probate court in person, via mail, or online.

Stark County Marriage and Divorce Records

The Probate Court is responsible for maintaining marriage and divorce records in Stark County.

Marriage Records

Marriage records in Stark County are publicly accessible. They are not purpose- or identity-restricted.

You can make requests at the Probate Court. When making an application to the court, you will need to include the following information:

• Name of the parties on the record (first, middle, and last)
• County or city where it occurred
• Name of parents (first, middle, and last)
• Certificate ID

You should note that a search fee of up to $30 applies and a $1 fee for each copy you request.

Divorce Records

Just like marriage records, divorce records are publicly accessible. However, divorce records hold sensitive information that is typically excluded. You will need to provide the following information when requesting divorce records in Stark County:

• Full names, suffixes, and other personal information of the parties
• The day, month, or year when the divorce occurred
• Location, residence, or county where the divorce occurred
• The court or case number

It costs up to $30 to complete a divorce record search, while each requested copy costs $1. You may need to pay additional fees where certification of records is required.

Although it is possible to look for divorce and marriage records through government agencies and sources, the availability of these records cannot be guaranteed. This also holds for their accessibility through unaffiliated websites and businesses; as a result, record accessibility may differ even more. Additionally, remember that marriage and divorce documents are frequently sealed and regarded as particularly private due to the information they contain.

Stark Birth and Death Records

TheStark County Health Departmentis responsible for maintaining birth and death records in Stark County. There are different ways for you to get these records.

You can request birth and death records online. Interested parties can do this via an independent company, such as Permitium LLC, with which the Health Department has formed a partnership. You can visit this website to begin the process.

You should note that Permitium charges an additional $4 convenience for their services. They accept all major credit cards, including American Express, Discover, MasterCard or Visa.

Aside from the online route, you can request the mail. Send a check for $25 to the Stark County Health Department to request a copy of the birth certificate. Also, before you make a request, fill out the Birth or Death Certificate Application form. Mail the request to:

Stark County Health Department
7235 Whipple Ave NW Suite B
North Canton, OH 4470

You can also visit the Department’s physical address to purchase a birth record for $25. You can fill out the Birth Certificate Application in person. Visit the following addresses to make an in-person request.

Alliance City Health Department
537 E. Market St.,
Alliance, Ohio 44601.
(330) 821-7373

Canton City Health Department,
420 Market Avenue N.,
Canton, Ohio 44702.
(330) 489-3231

Massillon City Health Department,
611 Erie St S.,
Massillon, Ohio 44647,
(330) 830-1711

Note: The Stark County Health Department only keeps death records from 1908 to the present day. You can find some of these death records at the Stark County District Library at:

Stark County Probate Court Records

The Stark County Probate Court handles legal matters related to estates and the deceased. The court handles cases involving estate administration, guardianship, and conservatorship.

You can access probate records in Stark County by visiting the Probate Court and making an in-person request at:

Stark County Probate Court

110 Central Plaza South, Suite 501
Canton, Ohio 44702
Phone: (330) 451-7755

Fees may apply depending on the type of search and the amount of copies requested. As a more convenient option, you can search for records on the Probate Court’scase search portal. You will need the following information on hand when trying to complete a search:

• First and last name of the party involved in the case.
• The case number.

Stark County Property Records

Property records in Stark County are kept with theCounty’s Recorder’s office. These records contain information such as:

• Land Description
• Ownership details
• Parcel Number

Interested parties can search property records online through the recorder’s searchportal. You can also go to the physical address to conduct searches.

Stark County Court Records Online

Members of the public can access court records online for free through theStark County Criminal Justice Information Systems. You will need to register and sign in to use the system freely. Also, you can use third-party websites likecourtrecords.usthat offer search services for court records. However, depending on the platform, there can be a difference in the quantity of free searches provided.