Hardin County
Hardin County was created in 1820 and reorganized on March 1, 1833. It was named for John Hardin, an official in the American Revolution. Hardin County is located in the west-central portion of Ohio. Its county seat and largest city is Kenton. The county spans 471 square miles with over 30,000 people living in it.
Three Courts of Common Pleas and a Municipal Court represent the justice system in Hardin County. The General Division of the Common Pleas Court presides over crimes of serious nature such as felonies and civil cases. The Juvenile Division adjudicates cases that involve crimes committed by minors and dependency/abuse cases. It handles traffic violations, unruly behavior, and delinquency cases caused by persons under the age of 18. The Probate Division addresses the following:
- Overseeing that legal requirements are met for adoption cases
- Processes legal name change petitions for county residents
- Managing the debts of a deceased and ensuring that assets are distributed according to state law
- Handles mental health commitment cases
The Municipal Court presides over small claims cases involving amounts up to $6,000, and civil cases involving amounts up to $15,000. It also adjudicates misdemeanor criminal cases and traffic offenses. As part of its jurisdiction, it holds preliminary hearings for felonies to determine if there is enough evidence to proceed to the Courts of Common Pleas.
The Clerk of Courts is judicially responsible for the keeping of court records. Court records are now preserved in an image format following the advancement in technology. Court records contain various documents that make up a case. These include, for example, the transcripts, judgments, summons, exhibits, and orders that show that a case was heard in court. Apart from storing court records in the courthouse, records are now computerized to facilitate the process of obtaining court records online. Several non-confidential court records are released by the clerk to enable the public to have access to them. Such records include:
- Divorce Court Records
- Civil Court Records
- Probate Court Records
- Traffic Court Records
- Criminal Court Records
- Domestic Relations
- Judgment Lien
- Appeals
If you are searching for court records, you can visit the Office of the Clerk of Courts on Monday to Friday (8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.) at One Courthouse Square, Suite 310, Kenton, Ohio. You may also call (419) 674-2278 or send an email to clerkofcourts@hardincourts.com. If you are looking online, you can search on the Hardin County Clerk of Courts Search Website. You are assured of a prompt response to your request.
