Find Madison County Public Records

Madison County public records are managed by offices in London, the county seat. The courthouse at 1 North Main Street houses the Common Pleas, Municipal, and Juvenile/Probate courts all in one building. The Clerk of Courts handles court filings and record requests. The Health Department keeps vital records. Madison County shares a regional jail with Champaign and Union counties, which affects where you search for inmate records. Under R.C. 149.43, all government records are open to public inspection unless a specific exemption applies. Crime in the county dropped 37.5% between 2015 and 2019.

Madison County Clerk of Courts

Erin Bauer serves as the Madison County Clerk of Courts. The office is at 1 North Main Street, P.O. Box 557, London, OH 43140-0557. Phone is 740-852-9776. Email erin.bauer@madison.oh.gov with questions. The Domestic Relations Division uses the same phone number. Fax is (740) 845-1778. Court records in Madison County are public records. Fees may apply as set by the court, and you may need valid identification for some requests.

The Madison County Courthouse is convenient because it houses all the county courts in one building. The Common Pleas Court handles felony criminal cases, major civil disputes, and domestic relations matters including divorce and custody. The Municipal Court at 1 North Main Street, P.O. Box 646, London, phone (740) 852-1669, fax (740) 852-0812, covers misdemeanors, traffic violations, small claims, and other local matters. Having everything at one address saves time when you need records from different courts.

Madison County Court Records

The Court of Common Pleas General Division and Domestic Relations Division share the main courthouse. Divorce records come from the Domestic Relations Division at (740) 852-9776. The Juvenile and Probate divisions are at 1 North Main Street, Room 205, London, OH 43140. The Juvenile division can be reached at (740) 852-0760, fax (740) 852-7134. The Probate division is at (740) 852-0756, fax (740) 852-7353. Marriage records come from the Probate division.

Mt. Sterling Mayor's Court at 1 South London Street, Mt. Sterling, OH 43143, phone (740) 869-2211, fax (740) 869-3442, handles minor offenses for that village. Records from the mayor's court are public under Ohio law but are kept at the village level, not at the county courthouse. You need to contact that court directly for copies. The county courthouse is the first place to check for most types of public records, but mayor's court records are the exception.

Ohio's statewide records search tools provide additional access to Madison County public records.

Madison County Criminal Records

The Madison County Sheriff's Office is at 23 West High Street, P.O. Box 558, London, OH 43140. Phone is (740) 852-1332, fax (740) 852-7125. The Sheriff maintains arrest records and criminal files. Criminal records are public unless sealed by the courts. The office runs an online sex offender registry where you can search by name, phone numbers, or email addresses. Results include physical addresses, offense level, and demographic details.

In 2019, law enforcement in Madison County reported 572 index crimes. Violent crimes included 2 murders, 18 rapes, 5 robberies, and 22 aggravated assaults. Property crimes totaled 77 burglaries, 43 motor vehicle thefts, and 405 larceny-thefts. Overall crime fell 37.5% from 2015 levels. Larceny-theft dropped 34.5% and burglary fell 62.9%. However, murder rose 100% and motor vehicle theft went up 7.5% over that period. These numbers help put record request context in perspective.

Madison County closed its own jail on December 8, 2000 due to space constraints. Inmates are now housed at the Tri-County Regional Jail at 4099 State Route 559, Mechanicsburg, OH 43044, phone (937) 834-5000. The facility is shared with Champaign and Union counties. Visitors must provide valid government-issued ID. You must be at least 18, or accompanied by a parent or legal guardian if younger. Maximum 4 visitors per session, each lasting 30 minutes. Visitation is Saturdays and Sundays only. The jail roster is updated twice per hour and shows booking numbers, mugshots, names, booking dates, offenses, and arrest details.

Vital Records in Madison County

Madison County Public Health handles vital statistics. The office is at 306 Lafayette Street, P.O. Box 467, London, OH 43140. Phone is (740) 852-3065, fax (740) 852-5418. Birth and death records cost $25 per certified copy. Walk-in service is available Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Payment options include cash (walk-in only), check, money order, credit card, and debit card.

Mail requests must include a copy of your picture identification and exact payment. Include a self-addressed envelope. Immediate relatives of the deceased are eligible for death records. Persons with a tangible interest may also request records. Marriage records come from the Probate Court at (740) 852-0756. Divorce records sit with the Domestic Relations Division at (740) 852-9776. The Ohio Department of Health also processes vital records from any county at $21.50 per search.

How to Get Madison County Records

Ohio's public records act makes requesting records straightforward. Under R.C. 149.43, you do not need to give your name, show ID, or state your purpose. Just describe the record you want. The office must respond promptly. Standard copies cost about $0.05 per page. Certified copies vary by office. Denials must be put in writing with the specific legal basis cited.

You can challenge a denial through the Ohio Court of Claims for $25 or call the Attorney General's free mediation service at (800) 282-0515. The Ohio Sunshine Laws page has guides and training materials. Protected records include sealed court files, juvenile cases, adoption records, and active investigation materials. All elected officials in Madison County must complete public records training each term under Ohio law.

• No name or reason needed for requests
• Standard copies about $0.05 per page
• Offices must respond promptly
• All courts are in one courthouse building
• Inmate records at Tri-County Regional Jail

Nearby Counties

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