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Geauga County, Ohio State Court Records

Geauga County court records are official documents created, filed, or generated by courts during legal proceedings within the county's jurisdiction. These records cover a wide range of case types, including civil, criminal, domestic relations, probate, and juvenile matters. The Geauga County Clerk of Courts functions as the primary custodian responsible for maintaining and providing access to these records.

The county's court system is also closely connected to records kept by other public agencies. For instance, an arrest by a local law enforcement agency often leads to a criminal case file in the court system, while probate proceedings may intersect with vital records maintained by the Geauga County Health Department.

Are Geauga County Court Records Public?

Yes, Geauga County court records are available to the public. Two key laws govern their public accessibility: the Ohio Public Records Act (Ohio Revised Code § 149.43) and the Rules of Superintendence (Rules 44-47). Together, these statutes establish a broad presumption of openness, requiring that court records be made available for inspection by any interested individual during regular business hours at no charge.

Furthermore, you do not necessarily need to be a resident of the state or disclose the reason for the request to be able to access records. Copies may be obtained for a reasonable fee. Notwithstanding, not every court record is open for public view. Certain categories are withheld to protect privacy, safety, or the integrity of ongoing proceedings. Common exemptions include:

  • Juvenile records
  • Adoption records
  • Mental health and civil commitment proceedings
  • Sealed records
  • Ongoing investigation materials
  • Records containing confidential informant information
  • Domestic violence protection order records involving protected persons

What Information is Available in Geauga County Court Records?

The specific contents of a court record differ depending on case type, but public records typically include the following:

  • Party names (plaintiffs, defendants, petitioners, respondents)
  • Case number and filing date
  • Case type and current status
  • Docket entries and scheduled hearing dates
  • Charges (in criminal cases)
  • Motions, orders, and court opinions
  • Judgments and dispositions
  • Attorney names and contact information
  • Sentencing details

Geauga County Court Records Search

Record seekers can choose from any of the following methods when looking up Geauga County court records:

Online Access

The eAccess portal is Geauga County's primary online court case information system. Records available through this platform are generated from computerized records maintained by the court clerk. Keep in mind that the portal will not return identifying information about individuals seeking protection orders for domestic violence, sexually oriented offenses, and civil stalking.

A person may conduct a search using a party's full name, case number, case type, or attorney information. Users can further narrow down search results by providing additional details, such as case type, case status, party type, file date range, and birth date range.

In-Person Access

To obtain records not available through the eAccess portal, including certain protective order cases (like those mentioned above), mental health proceeding documents, and adoption records, contact the Geauga County Clerk of Courts office during weekdays, excluding public holidays, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at

100 Short Court Street, Suite 300,

Chardon, OH 44024

Mail and Phone Requests

Individuals can also contact the Geauga County Clerk of Court's Office by phone at (440) 279-1960 or submit a written record request by mail to

Geauga County Clerk of Courts

Auto Title Division

12611 Ravenwood Drive, Ste. 100

Chardon OH 44024

Fees for Court Records in Geauga County

Under Ohio's Public Records Act, anyone may inspect court records in person free of charge. Fees only apply when copies are requested. The Ohio Revised Code authorizes clerks to charge fees that do not exceed the actual cost of duplication. The following copy fees apply in Geauga County:

  • $0.10 per regular page
  • $1.00 per certified page
  • $3.00 for authentication of copy
  • VHS copies of courtroom proceedings: $1.00
  • Downloaded computer files (CD/DVD): $1.00 per disc

Geauga County Courthouse Locations

Ohio's court system consists of the common pleas court and a municipal court, both located in Chardon, the county seat. The common pleas court is made up of two divisions: the General Division and the Juvenile and Probate Division. While the former is in charge of all civil, criminal, administrative appeals, and domestic relations cases, the latter only handles juvenile and probate matters. The municipal court has jurisdiction over traffic cases and less serious civil and criminal cases.

Below is a directory of Geauga County's court locations

Geauga County Court of Common Pleas - General Division

Geauga County Courthouse

100 Short Court St, Suite 300, Chardon, OH 44024

Phone: (440) 279-1960

Geauga County Court of Common Pleas - Probate and Juvenile Divisions

Geauga County Courthouse Annex

231 Main St, Suite 200, Chardon, OH 44024

Phone: (440) 279-1830

Fax: (440) 285-8751

Chardon Municipal Court

111 Water St, Chardon, OH 44024

Phone: (440) 286-2684 (Civil/Small Claims), (440) 286-2670 (Criminal/Traffic)

Fax: (440) 286-2679 (Civil/Small Claims/Criminal/Traffic)

Criminal Records Access in Geauga County

Felony cases in Geauga County are heard in the General Division of the Court of Common Pleas, while misdemeanors and traffic matters are heard in the Chardon Municipal Court. The Geauga County Clerk of Courts maintains the resulting case files and is responsible for making them available to the public. Criminal court case records can be retrieved through the eAccess online portal or by visiting the Clerk's office in person, where public-access computers are available.

The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI), which operates under the Ohio Attorney General's Office, handles statewide criminal background check requests. These require a completed fingerprint card submitted alongside a criminal record request to the BCI. This service requires a fee of $22.00 payable to the Treasurer of the State of Ohio. For further information, contact the BCI at (877) 224-0043.

Geauga County Probate Records

Alongside other cases handled by the Probate Division of the Geauga County Court of Common Pleas are estates-related cases, including the administration of decedents' estates, guardianships, conservatorships, testamentary trusts, adoptions, name changes, birth certificate corrections, and civil commitment proceedings.

Probate records, which include petitions, inventories, orders, and final decrees, are public under Ohio law, though some categories are not readily available for unrestricted public access, including adoption records, mental health commitment files, and information about minors. Geauga County probate case records can be searched online through the eAccess portal.

Geauga County Family Court Records

Family law matters in Geauga County are handled by the Domestic Relations Division of the Court of Common Pleas. They include divorce and dissolution, child custody, child support, spousal support, paternity, and domestic violence. Juvenile matters, including delinquency cases and child welfare proceedings, fall under the Juvenile Division, which shares a courthouse annex with the Probate Division at 231 Main Street.

Geauga County Family Court records are accessible through the eAccess online portal and at the Clerk of Courts' office. However, some records carry restrictions. Adoption files, for instance, are not open to the general public. Access is limited to parties to the adoption and their legal representatives per Ohio Revised Code § 3107.17. Similarly, child custody records may be sealed by court order in certain circumstances.

Third parties who can demonstrate legitimate interest may petition the court for authorization to access non-public records, which are then available in person at the clerk's office only. Certified copies of family court records can be obtained by contacting the Clerk of Courts' office at (440) 279-1960.

Federal Court Records in Geauga County

Federal court records are cases handled under federal law, such as bankruptcy, immigration, interstate drug trafficking, tax-related offenses, and civil rights claims, rather than state or local law. Geauga County falls within the jurisdiction of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, which is headquartered in Cleveland.

Federal records from Geauga County are accessible through the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) system. PACER allows users to search case dockets and retrieve documents by entering a case number or party name in the provided fields. A registered PACER account is required, and fees apply at $0.10 per page, with a maximum charge of $3.00 per document. Copy requests can also be submitted to the clerk's office at $0.50 per page ($11.00 for certified documents).

U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio

U.S. Courthouse 801

West Superior Avenue,

Cleveland, OH 44113

Phone: (216) 357-7000

Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.

Geauga County Court