Franklin County Court Records
What Is Franklin County Court Records
Court records in Franklin County, Ohio, are official documents generated and maintained by the judicial system in connection with legal proceedings filed within the county. These records encompass a broad range of materials, including case files, dockets, pleadings, motions, orders, judgments, transcripts, exhibits, and sentencing records. Under Ohio Revised Code § 149.43, a "public record" includes any document, device, or item created or received by a public office, including courts, in connection with the transaction of public business.
Court records are distinct from other categories of public records maintained in Franklin County. Property records, for instance, are held by the Franklin County Recorder's Office, while vital records such as birth and death certificates are administered through the Franklin County Board of Health. Court records, by contrast, document the formal proceedings of the judicial branch and are maintained by the respective court clerk's office.
The following courts in Franklin County currently maintain their own records:
- Franklin County Court of Common Pleas – General Division (felony criminal, major civil cases)
- Franklin County Court of Common Pleas – Domestic Relations Division (divorce, dissolution, custody)
- Franklin County Court of Common Pleas – Probate Division (estates, guardianships, adoptions, mental health)
- Franklin County Court of Common Pleas – Juvenile Division (delinquency, dependency, custody of minors)
- Franklin County Municipal Court (misdemeanor criminal, traffic, small claims, civil cases up to $15,000)
These courts collectively handle civil, criminal, family, probate, and traffic matters originating within Franklin County's jurisdiction.
Are Court Records Public In Franklin County
Court records in Franklin County are presumptively open to the public under Ohio law. Ohio Revised Code § 149.43, commonly known as the Ohio Public Records Act, establishes that all records kept by public offices — including courts — are public unless specifically exempted by statute. Members of the public may inspect and obtain copies of most court records without providing a reason or demonstrating a personal interest in the case.
Records that are generally available for public inspection include:
- Most civil case files, including pleadings, motions, and judgments
- Criminal case files following the filing of formal charges
- Docket sheets and hearing schedules
- Final orders and sentencing entries
- Probate filings such as estate inventories and wills admitted to record
Certain records are exempt from disclosure under Ohio law. These include juvenile adjudication records (which are generally sealed), adoption records, mental health commitment records, and records sealed pursuant to court order under Ohio Revised Code § 2953.32. Members of the public seeking access to records in federal courts located in Columbus — such as the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio — must use the federal PACER system, as federal courts operate under separate rules governed by the federal judiciary rather than Ohio state law.
The Ohio Supreme Court's Rules of Superintendence, particularly Rule 44 through Rule 47, govern the management and public access to records in all Ohio courts of record and provide the administrative framework for how courts respond to records requests.
How To Find Court Records in Franklin County in 2026
Members of the public may access Franklin County court records through several channels, depending on the court and the nature of the case. The following steps outline the primary methods currently available:
- Identify the correct court. Determine which court handled the case — Common Pleas (General, Domestic Relations, Probate, or Juvenile Division) or Municipal Court — based on the type of matter involved.
- Search online portals. Many Franklin County courts provide free online access to case information through their respective websites. The Franklin County Clerk of Courts maintains a public records search portal for Common Pleas cases.
- Visit the clerk's office in person. Members of the public may appear at the clerk's office during regular business hours to inspect physical case files. Staff are available to assist with locating records.
- Submit a written public records request. Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 149.43, any person may submit a written request for copies of public records. Requests may be submitted in person, by mail, or via online request forms where available.
- Pay applicable fees. Courts may charge a reasonable fee for copies of records. Inspection of records in person is generally provided at no charge.
How To Look Up Court Records in Franklin County Online?
Franklin County provides several online portals through which members of the public may search court records at no cost. Each portal is maintained by the respective court's clerk's office and is updated on a regular basis.
Franklin County Clerk of Courts – Common Pleas Division The Franklin County Clerk of Courts public records search provides access to civil, criminal, and domestic relations case information filed in the Court of Common Pleas. Users may search by party name, case number, or attorney name.
Franklin County Probate Court – General Case Index The general case index maintained by the Franklin County Probate Court allows members of the public to search estate, guardianship, and other probate matters. All records provided through the case search are current as of the previous day's date.
Franklin County Probate Court – Marriage License Index The marriage license index is a searchable database of marriage licenses issued through the Franklin County Probate Court. This resource is particularly useful for genealogical research and legal verification of marital status.
Franklin County Recorder – Property and Land Records The Franklin County Recorder's Office maintains a public records search portal for recorded land documents, deeds, mortgages, and liens. While these are not court records in the traditional sense, they are frequently referenced in civil litigation and probate proceedings.
To conduct an online search, users should:
- Navigate to the appropriate portal listed above.
- Enter the party name, case number, or document type in the designated search fields.
- Review the results and select the relevant case or document.
- Download or print available documents, or note the case number for an in-person records request.
How To Search Franklin County Court Records for Free?
Ohio law guarantees the right of any person to inspect public records, including court records, free of charge. Under Ohio Revised Code § 149.43, public offices are required to make records available for inspection during regular business hours at no cost to the requester. Fees may only be charged for the actual cost of making copies.
The following Franklin County court systems currently offer free online record searches:
- Franklin County Clerk of Courts – Free case search for Common Pleas civil and criminal matters
- Franklin County Probate Court – Free access to the general case index and marriage license index
- Franklin County Municipal Court – Free online docket search for misdemeanor, traffic, and small claims cases
Members of the public who visit clerk's offices in person may inspect physical case files at no charge during posted public counter hours.
What's Included in a Franklin County Court Record?
The contents of a court record vary depending on the type of case and the court in which it was filed. The following outlines what is typically included in each major category:
Civil Case Records:
- Complaint and answer
- Motions and memoranda
- Court orders and judgment entries
- Deposition transcripts and exhibits
- Docket sheet reflecting all case activity
Criminal Case Records:
- Indictment or information
- Arrest and booking information (post-charging)
- Plea agreements
- Sentencing entries and probation orders
- Warrants (where not sealed)
Probate Records:
- Wills admitted to record
- Estate inventories and accountings
- Guardianship orders
- Adoption decrees (subject to sealing provisions)
- Marriage licenses and certificates
Domestic Relations Records:
- Divorce or dissolution decrees
- Custody and parenting time orders
- Child support orders
- Separation agreements
Traffic and Small Claims Records:
- Citations and complaints
- Judgment entries
- Payment records and fine assessments
How Long Does Franklin County Keep Court Records?
Franklin County courts retain records in accordance with the retention schedules established by the Ohio Supreme Court and the Ohio History Connection (formerly the Ohio Historical Society). Retention periods vary by record type and court division.
Current retention periods for common record types include:
- Felony criminal case files: Permanently retained
- Misdemeanor criminal case files: Retained for a minimum of 5 years following case closure
- Civil case files (Common Pleas): Retained for a minimum of 10 years following final judgment
- Probate records (wills, estate files): Permanently retained
- Traffic case files: Retained for a minimum of 3 years
- Small claims records: Retained for a minimum of 5 years
The Ohio Supreme Court's Rules of Superintendence, Rule 26.05, establishes the framework for records retention schedules applicable to all Ohio courts of record. Courts are prohibited from disposing of records prior to the expiration of the applicable retention period without authorization from the Ohio Supreme Court.
Types of Courts In Franklin County
Franklin County's court system is organized in a hierarchical structure, from courts of limited jurisdiction at the base to the Ohio Supreme Court at the apex.
Franklin County Municipal Court 375 S. High St., Columbus, OH 43215 (614) 645-8400 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Franklin County Municipal Court
Franklin County Court of Common Pleas – General Division 345 S. High St., Columbus, OH 43215 (614) 525-3600 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Franklin County Clerk of Courts
Franklin County Court of Common Pleas – Domestic Relations Division 373 S. High St., Columbus, OH 43215 (614) 525-3690 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Domestic Relations Division
Franklin County Court of Common Pleas – Probate Division 373 S. High St., 22nd Floor, Columbus, OH 43215 (614) 525-3894 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Franklin County Probate Court
Franklin County Court of Common Pleas – Juvenile Division 373 S. High St., Columbus, OH 43215 (614) 525-3800 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Juvenile Division
Ohio Tenth District Court of Appeals 414 Walnut St., Columbus, OH 43215 (614) 525-3525 Tenth District Court of Appeals
Ohio Supreme Court 65 S. Front St., Columbus, OH 43215 (614) 387-9000 Ohio Supreme Court
The court hierarchy proceeds as follows: Franklin County Municipal Court and Franklin County Court of Common Pleas (trial courts of general and limited jurisdiction) → Ohio Tenth District Court of Appeals (intermediate appellate review) → Ohio Supreme Court (final appellate authority on matters of Ohio law).
What Types of Cases Do Franklin County Courts Hear?
Each court within Franklin County's judicial system is authorized to hear specific categories of cases as defined by Ohio statute.
Franklin County Municipal Court hears:
- Misdemeanor criminal offenses
- Traffic violations and OVI cases
- Civil cases with a value up to $15,000
- Small claims matters up to $6,000
- Eviction (forcible entry and detainer) proceedings
Franklin County Court of Common Pleas – General Division hears:
- Felony criminal cases
- Civil cases exceeding $15,000 in controversy
- Appeals from Municipal Court decisions
Franklin County Court of Common Pleas – Domestic Relations Division hears:
- Divorce and legal separation
- Dissolution of marriage
- Spousal support and property division
- Allocation of parental rights and responsibilities
Franklin County Court of Common Pleas – Probate Division hears:
- Decedent estate administration
- Guardianship and conservatorship
- Adoption proceedings
- Mental health and substance abuse commitments
- Issuance of marriage licenses
Franklin County Court of Common Pleas – Juvenile Division hears:
- Juvenile delinquency matters
- Unruly and truancy cases
- Dependency, neglect, and abuse proceedings
- Juvenile traffic offenses
Ohio Tenth District Court of Appeals hears:
- Appeals from Franklin County trial courts
- Appeals from state administrative agencies headquartered in Columbus
How To Find a Court Docket In Franklin County
A court docket is the official chronological record of all filings, hearings, and orders entered in a specific case. Members of the public may access Franklin County court dockets through the following methods:
Online Search:
- Visit the Franklin County Clerk of Courts website and use the public records search to locate a case by party name or case number. The docket sheet is displayed as part of the case record.
- For probate matters, use the general case index on the Franklin County Probate Court website to access docket information for estate and guardianship cases.
- For Municipal Court cases, visit the Franklin County Municipal Court Clerk's online portal and search by defendant name, case number, or citation number.
In-Person Access:
- Members of the public may visit the clerk's office of the relevant court during public counter hours and request to inspect the docket sheet for any non-sealed case.
- Clerk staff are available to assist in locating case numbers and printing docket sheets upon request.
By Mail or Written Request:
- Written requests for docket information may be submitted to the clerk's office by mail. Requesters should include the full case number, party names, and the specific documents sought.
Which Courts in Franklin County Are Not Courts of Record?
A court of record is a court whose proceedings are officially documented and preserved, and whose judgments carry legal authority that may be appealed to a higher court. Under Ohio law, courts not of record do not maintain a verbatim transcript of proceedings and generally have more limited jurisdiction.
Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 1901.01 and related provisions, Ohio's Municipal Courts are designated as courts of record. However, certain quasi-judicial bodies and administrative hearing officers operating within Franklin County — such as county administrative appeal boards and some local zoning hearing bodies — are not courts of record. Proceedings before these bodies are not subject to the same records retention requirements as formal courts, and appeals from their decisions are typically taken to the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas, which conducts a de novo review or review on the administrative record depending on the applicable statute.
At present, all principal trial courts operating within Franklin County — including the Municipal Court and all divisions of the Court of Common Pleas — are courts of record under Ohio law. No separate magistrate's court or justice of the peace court currently operates as a standalone court not of record within Franklin County's judicial structure, as these functions have been absorbed into the Municipal Court system.