Ottawa County
Ottawa County, situated in the northwestern part of Ohio, was established in 1840. According to the United States Census in 2023, the county has an estimated population of 39,803 people. It covers about 254.70 square miles of land, with Port Clinton serving as the county seat. The judicial system in Ottawa County comprises two Common Pleas Courts, a Municipal Court, and a Mayor's Court.
The Ottawa County Common Pleas Courts handles felony criminal cases, family matters, and civil cases where the amount in dispute is over $15,000. Additionally, the court serves as a trial court of general jurisdiction and includes a Domestic Relations Division. This Division has authority over child support, family disputes, dissolution, and divorce. The Municipal Court in Ottawa County has jurisdiction over criminal misdemeanors, traffic violations, landlord-tenant disputes, and civil cases where the amount in dispute does not exceed $15,000. The Ottawa County Mayor's Court handles minor offenses, with limited jurisdiction over misdemeanor cases, city ordinance violations, and traffic violations occurring within city limits.
Ottawa County court records consist of case documents or information submitted during court proceedings within the county boundaries. These records include exhibits, motions, pleadings, orders, and dockets. Per Rule 45 of the Ohio Rules of Superintendence for Courts, court records are available to the public for viewing and copying. However, some court records, such as national security matters and juvenile records, are deemed confidential. Types of court records in Ottawa County include:
- Family Court Records
- Probate Court Records
- Civil Court Records
- Traffic Court Records
- Criminal Court Records
In Ottawa County, the Clerk of Courts serves as the record custodian for the county, including court records. Interested individuals may search for Common Pleas Court records by name, case number, or citation through the Ottawa County Clerk of Courts portal. Requesters may also search for Municipal Court records using the Ottawa County Municipal Court Record Search. To obtain physical or certified copies of court records, records seekers may visit the courthouses in person at:
Ottawa County Common Pleas Court
315 Madison Street
Room 301
Port Clinton, OH 43452
Phone: (419) 734-6852
Ottawa County Municipal Court
Ottawa County Government Complex
1860 E. Perry Street
Port Clinton, OH 43452
Phone: (419) 734-4143
