Licking County Public Records

Licking County public records are held by offices in Newark, the county seat. The Clerk of Courts manages court filings across three divisions. The Recorder keeps land and property documents dating back to the early 1800s. The Licking County Municipal Court serves Newark and the surrounding areas. Ohio's public records act under R.C. 149.43 gives you the right to inspect and copy records held by any county office. Many records are now available online through the Clerk's case search system, though some older files require an in-person visit. A fire in 1875 destroyed many early court records, but some pre-1875 documents did survive.

Licking County Clerk of Courts

Olivia Parkinson serves as the Licking County Common Pleas Clerk of Courts. The Licking County Clerk of Courts office has three divisions spread across five locations. The General Division sits at the main courthouse on the square and handles civil cases, criminal cases, tax liens, judgments, and civil anti-stalking orders. Civil and Criminal contact: 1 Courthouse Square, Newark, OH 43055, phone 740-670-5791, fax 740-670-5886. Hours are 8:00 to 4:30, Monday through Friday.

The Domestic Division is at 75 East Main Street, Newark, OH 43055. Call 740-670-5392, fax 740-670-5398. This division handles divorce, dissolution, child custody, paternity, child support, civil protection orders, and Court of Appeals work. Hours are the same, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays. The Title Division runs three offices: 877 East Main Street in Newark, 316 Township Road in Pataskala, and 12938 Worthington Road in New Albany. Title offices handle automobile titles and watercraft registration.

The office migrated to a new case management system in June 2025. E-Filing is available through eFileOH Electronic Filing. Online payments can be made through the Court Fees and Payments link on the website.

Search Licking County Court Records

Court records in Licking County can be found through the Common Pleas Case Records Search link on the Clerk's website. The system covers the General Division, Domestic Division, and related filings. You can look up cases by name, case number, or other search terms. The Licking County Domestic Relations Court also has electronic records available through the TAGCPM Court Records Search. This gives internet access to the Clerk's office computer system where you can check case status, filings, rulings, service on parties, and warrants.

The Licking County Municipal Court serves Newark and surrounding areas. Judges David N. Stansbury and B. Matthew George preside. Carrie Masterson serves as Clerk. The court handles traffic violations, misdemeanors, small claims, and civil disputes. Court calendars, recent filings, and downloadable forms are all on the website. The court fee schedule is posted as well. Live courtroom streams are available for Courtrooms 1, 2, and 3. The court also runs a LIFT Court drug program and an OVI Court program. Fax the municipal court at 740-345-4250.

The Licking County courts website provides direct access to case records across all court divisions.

Licking County Property Records

Bryan Long serves as the Licking County Recorder. The office is at 20 South Second Street, Newark, Ohio 43055. Phone is (740) 670-5300, fax 740-670-5303. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Recording hours run from 8:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. The Recording Desk accepts deeds, mortgages, powers of attorney, veterans discharges, partnership agreements, and zoning amendments. Each document gets a unique document number and time of recording.

The office has several departments. The Data Entry Department handles the integrity of information as filed. The Micrographics Department processes requests for copies or prints of records. The General Index Department maintains hundreds of index and record books plus the computer system. Records go back to the early 1800s, though some were lost in the 1875 fire. The public can search records at no cost in the office, and staff are available to help with searches. For official certified Probate Court records, contact the Licking County Probate and Juvenile Courts at (740) 670-5624.

Vital Records in Licking County

The Licking County Health Department issues birth and death certificates. Birth certificates from 1875 through 1908 are available from the Licking County Probate Court at 1 North Park Place, Newark, Ohio 43055, phone (740) 670-5624. Marriage certificates from 1875 to the present also come from the Probate Court. For more recent birth and death records, contact the Health Department.

The Licking County Law Library is located on the second floor of the LCL Downtown Newark Library. Two computers with LexisNexis access are provided by the county. The print collection is cataloged and can be viewed on the LCL online catalog. Call the Reference Desk at 740-349-5520 for help. Ohio Legal Help is another resource for finding legal options and community resources if you need more than just records. The Ohio Department of Health processes vital records from any county at $21.50 per search.

How to Request Licking County Records

Ohio's public records law keeps the process simple. Under R.C. 149.43, you do not need to give your name, show ID, or state why you want a record. Just ask. The office must respond promptly. Standard copies cost about $0.05 per page. Certified copies cost more depending on the office and record type. If an office refuses your request, they must tell you why in writing and name the specific law that applies.

Some records are restricted. Juvenile cases, adoption proceedings, sealed criminal records, and certain financial or medical files are protected from public view. Everything else is fair game. You can appeal a denial to the Ohio Court of Claims for $25 or call the Attorney General's free mediation line at (800) 282-0515. The Ohio Sunshine Laws page has training materials and model policies that explain the rules clearly.

Cities in Licking County

The following major city in Licking County has its own detailed public records page.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Licking County and may have records you need.