Hancock County Public Records

Hancock County public records are managed by offices in the county seat of Findlay. The Clerk of Courts, Recorder, Probate and Juvenile Court, and Sheriff's Office each hold different types of public records. You can search court cases online through the Common Pleas Court website, pull up property documents from the Recorder, and request incident reports from the Sheriff. Ohio's public records law under R.C. 149.43 gives you the right to see and copy records held by any county office. Many Hancock County records are free to view online, though certified copies and some requests will cost a fee.

Hancock County Clerk of Courts

The Hancock County Clerk of Courts is at 300 S. Main Street, Findlay, Ohio 45840. The Legal Division phone number is 419-424-7037. The office receives, distributes, and preserves official court documents. You can visit to pay traffic and criminal fines, file court papers in a civil case, or pull up court records. The Title Department is at a separate location: 8210 CR 140, Suite E, Findlay, Ohio 45840.

Starting January 1, 2026, all attorneys must use the Hancock County e-filing system for court documents. The Clerk's Office no longer accepts paper filings or fax filings from lawyers. If you are representing yourself, you can still file paper documents on the 3rd floor of the courthouse. This change makes more court records available in digital form, which speeds up public access.

Court public records here cover a broad set of case types. Felony criminal cases, civil disputes, foreclosures, and domestic relations matters all go through the Common Pleas Court.

Search Hancock County Court Records

The Hancock County Common Pleas Court runs its own website with case search tools. The court is a trial court of general jurisdiction created by the Ohio Constitution under Article IV, Section 1. It handles civil cases from many areas, including negligence actions, appeals of agency decisions, contract or labor disputes, foreclosure actions, and injunctive relief. The General Division covers all felony criminal cases and serious civil matters.

The court also has a Domestic Relations Division. This part of the court takes on divorce, dissolution, annulment, spousal support, child support, and custody disputes. Judges Jonathan P. Starn and Phillip A. Riegle preside over these cases. The courthouse is at 300 South Main Street, Findlay, Ohio 45840. You can call 419-424-7008 for questions. Office hours are Monday through Thursday, 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM to 4:45 PM, and Friday 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM.

The Hancock County Common Pleas Court website provides access to case search tools and court information for civil and criminal filings.

Hancock County Property Records

The Hancock County Recorder keeps all land records and real estate documents. The office is at 300 S Main Street, Room 23, Findlay, OH 45840. Phone is 419-424-7091. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, with recording ending at 4:00 PM each day. Documents brought in after 4:00 PM go on the next business day's log.

The Recorder's online search has documents recorded and imaged from January 1, 1985 to the present. Staff are working to add older records to the system. When you search online, enter names last name first (like Doe John). For businesses, use the regular name format. You can get a copy of a deed or mortgage by visiting the office, calling and giving a name and address, or searching the website yourself. The office accepts e-recording for documents that do not need to go through the County Auditor's office first. Payment is cash or check only, made payable to Hancock County Recorder. Credit cards are not accepted.

Hancock County Sheriff Records

The Hancock County Sheriff's Office Records Division handles public records requests for incident reports and crash reports. Records are usually ready 3 to 5 business days after an event is reported. The office fills requests during normal business hours, Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Call 419-424-7251 first to make sure what you need is available before making the trip.

To find a record, give them as much detail as you can: the type of incident, the location, the report number, the date or time frame, names of people involved, or the deputy's name. Crash reports are now free online through the Ohio Department of Public Safety. If you pick them up from the office, the fee is $4.00 for the accident report, witness statements, and narratives. Photos on a Sheriff's Office disc cost $4.00, but if you bring your own disc, there is no charge. You can also submit requests through NextRequest, a public records request platform the county uses. Email hancocksheriff@co.hancock.oh.us or mail your request to 200 West Crawford Street, Findlay, OH 45840.

Vital Records in Hancock County

The Hancock County Probate and Juvenile Court handles marriage licenses, estates, and guardianships. You can search probate records online through the court's records search system. For records before May 25, 2021, a separate search link is available. Marriage license searches let you look up brides and grooms by name, case type, case number, or filing date. The system shows couple names, dates of birth, marriage dates, and the name of the person who performed the ceremony.

Birth and death certificates come from the Hancock County Health Department, not the court. Hancock Public Health is at 2225 Keith Parkway, Findlay, Ohio 45840. Records are on file from 1909 to the present. The office can issue birth certificates for anyone born in Ohio, not just Hancock County. Death certificates cover deaths that happened in the county, including the city of Findlay. Each certificate costs $30.

Findlay Municipal Court Records

The Findlay Municipal Court sits on the second floor of the City of Findlay Municipal Building at 318 Dorney Plaza, Room 206. The court covers the City of Findlay and all townships in Hancock County except Washington Township. Judges Alan D. Hackenberg and Stephanie M. Bishop handle cases here. You can search cases and view the daily docket through the court's website. For records before January 1984, you need to visit the office in person. Call (419) 424-7141 for help.

The Hancock County Justice Center at 200 West Crawford Street houses the county jail. The facility opened in 1989 and holds up to 98 inmates. Public records related to jail bookings and inmate information are maintained here. Visitation is non-contact using video monitors.

How to Get Hancock County Public Records

Under R.C. 149.43, you can request any public record from a Hancock County office in person, by phone, by email, or by mail. You do not need to state your name or your reason. Just be clear about what you want. The office has to respond in a timely way. Standard copies cost about $0.05 per page. Certified copies cost more depending on the office and document type.

If a request is denied, the office must tell you why and cite the specific law. You can challenge a denial by filing a complaint with the Ohio Court of Claims for $25 or by using the Attorney General's free mediation service at (800) 282-0515. The Ohio Attorney General's Sunshine Laws page has guides and training materials that explain your rights in plain language.

Cities in Hancock County

Findlay is the county seat and the largest city in Hancock County. Public records for the city run through the county offices listed on this page.

Nearby Counties

If you need public records from areas near Hancock County, check these neighboring counties.