Franklin County
With a population of over 1.3 million as of the 2020 census, Franklin County is the most populous county in Ohio. Its county seat, Columbus, also doubles as the state capital and is the most populated city in the state. Franklin County was established in 1803 and named after one of the founding fathers of the United States, Benjamin Franklin. The county has 532 square miles of land and 11 square miles of water.
The court system in Franklin County comprises the following:
- Franklin County Municipal Court - hears some misdemeanors, violations of township resolutions, felony preliminary hearings, and civil cases with less than $15,000 claims
- Mayor's Courts - hears municipal ordinance violations, some traffic offenses, and parking violations. There are Mayor's Courts in Worthington, Whitehall, Westerville, Upper Arlington, Valley View, Reynoldsburg, Minerva Park, Minerva, New Albany, Marble Cliff, Obetz, Hilliard, Harrisburg, Groveport, Grove City, Grandview Heights, Gahanna, Dublin, Canal Winchester, and Bexley
- Franklin County Court of Common Pleas - has three divisions that handle specific cases. The General Division handles criminal and civil cases. It also hears appeals from administrative agencies. The Division of Domestic Relations and Juvenile Branch handles family law cases, including divorce, child support, child custody, and juvenile delinquency. The Probate Division oversees the admission of wills, the appointment of guardians, and the administration of estates and trusts
Franklin County public court records consist of court filings, court orders, writs, transcripts, legal proceedings, and rulings of the county's courts. The Franklin County Clerk of Courts maintains and preserves these records in conformity with state and county rules. Municipal and Mayor's court clerks also maintain the records of cases heard in their respective courts.
- Criminal records
- Traffic records
- Probate records
- Civil records
- Family law records
The Office of the Clerk of Courts provides a Case Information Online portal for accessing Franklin County public court records. The portal allows users to search for records by name or case number. Alternatively, members of the public can fill out the Public Records Request form to request non-confidential court records. They may also visit the Clerk of Courts' Office to make the request in person:
Clerk of Courts
Franklin County Government Center
373 High Street,
23rd Floor
Columbus, Ohio 43215
