Sandusky County
Sandusky County was established in 1820 and named after the Sandusky River. It is located in northern Ohio, bordering Lake Erie, and included in the Fremont Ohio Metropolitan Statistical Area. It covers approximately 408.2 square miles and has a population of around 58,885 residents. Fremont, the county seat and the most populous city is known for its historical significance as the home of Rutherford Hayes, former president of the United States.
The Sandusky County judicial system comprises the Court of Common Pleas, County and Municipal Courts. The Court of Common Pleas has general jurisdiction over felony and civil cases. It resolves all civil claims exceeding $15,000 in financial disputes and felony-related cases. The Court of Common Pleas' Domestic Relations Division handles divorce cases, child custody, and support disputes, while the General Division handles felony criminal cases, civil lawsuits exceeding $15,000, and appeals from lower courts and administrative agencies. On the other hand, the Probate Division handles guardianships, conservatorships, estate administration, wills, and mental health cases. Meanwhile, the Juvenile Division deals with cases involving minors, including delinquency, dependency, and custody matters.
Sandusky County Courts oversee certain civil and criminal cases not within the purview of the Municipal Courts such as traffic and non-traffic misdemeanors. They also handle the recovery of money and personal property, certain contract disputes, replevin, cases involving title or boundary of real property, temporary protection orders and general civil claims not exceeding $15,000. The Municipal Courts including Fremont, handle misdemeanors, most violations of township resolutions, traffic infractions, general civil claims under $15,000, and preliminary hearings for felony cases.
Sandusky County court records are official documentation of case trials held in the various county courts. They include motions, petitions, dockets, pleas, judicial rulings, summonses, and subpoenas. These records play a vital role in upholding justice and protecting the rights of residents. According to Court Rule 45, the Clerk of Courts manages court records and provides access for public inspection to requesters. Except for confidential records involving juvenile cases and personal identifiers, Sandusky County makes the following records accessible to the public:
- Criminal records
- Civil case filings
- Probate records (excluding adoption or mental health cases)
- Domestic relations records
- Traffic records
Sandusky County offers an Online Records Search platform where users can access court records. Searches can be conducted by name, case number, or hearing dates. Also, the Municipal Courts provide the general public with an Online Search service for case or docket searches. Alternatively, court records can be requested by mail, phone, or by visiting the County Clerk's Office in person at:
100 North Park Avenue
Fremont, OH 43420
Phone: (419) 334-6181
While physical copies cost $0.10 per page, additional charges may apply for certified copies.
