Perry County Public Records

Perry County public records are available through government offices in New Lexington, the county seat. The Clerk of Courts, Recorder, Auditor, Probate Court, and Health Department each hold different categories of records that you can view or copy. Perry County sits in southeastern Ohio and has a mix of rural communities spread across its townships. Under R.C. 149.43, Ohio's public records act, anyone can request records from any county office. Court filings, property deeds, tax data, and vital records are all accessible. Some records are online, but many still require a visit to the courthouse or a mail request to get copies.

Perry County Clerk of Courts

The Perry County Clerk of Courts is the central office for court records. Located in the courthouse in New Lexington, the Clerk keeps files for the Common Pleas Court. This court handles felony criminal cases, civil lawsuits, domestic relations matters, and foreclosures. Every pleading, motion, and order filed in these cases becomes part of the public record.

You can visit the Clerk's office during business hours to look at case files. No appointment is needed. Standard copies cost about $0.05 per page. Certified copies carry a higher fee that the staff can tell you when you ask. Perry County is in the Fifth Appellate District, so appeals from the Common Pleas Court go to that court in Canton.

The Perry County Court handles lower-level cases including misdemeanors, traffic citations, small claims, and evictions. This court has its own clerk and its own set of records. Make sure you contact the right court when looking for a specific case.

Search Perry County Records Online

Perry County court records can be searched through the state court system. The Ohio Supreme Court website provides links to case data across all 88 Ohio counties. You can search by name, case number, or case type. The results typically show filing dates, case status, party names, and charges. Full case documents may not be available for download in smaller counties.

If you need a specific document from a Perry County case, contact the Clerk's office directly. They can confirm what is on file and tell you the cost for copies. Most requests are handled within a few business days. In-person requests are usually processed right away during office hours. The county does not charge a search fee for looking up whether a record exists.

Ohio's statewide court portal connects to records from all counties including Perry County.

Perry County Property Public Records

The Perry County Recorder keeps all land and property documents. Deeds, mortgages, liens, and other real estate filings are recorded and indexed at this office in the courthouse in New Lexington. You can search by owner name, parcel number, or document type. Copies run about $2 per page. Certified copies have an extra fee.

The Perry County Auditor maintains a separate set of property records dealing with tax values, assessments, and parcel maps. The Auditor's data is often easier to find online. Property tax amounts, owner of record, and legal descriptions are typically available through the Auditor's website. Using both the Recorder and Auditor offices, you can get a full picture of any property in the county. Both offices are in the courthouse and open Monday through Friday.

Perry County has a lot of mineral rights activity due to oil and gas production in the area. If you are looking for mineral rights records, those are filed with the Recorder too. The recording process is the same as for any other property document.

Vital Records in Perry County

Birth and death certificates come from the Perry County Health Department. A certified copy costs $25.00. Bring a photo ID when you pick up a certificate. The local office can issue birth certificates for births that occurred in any Ohio county because registrars connect to the statewide vital records system.

The Ohio Department of Health handles vital records at the state level. The state fee is $21.50 per record. Birth records at the state go back to December 20, 1908. Death records start from 1971. For older records, try the Perry County Probate Court or local historical archives.

Marriage licenses are issued by the Perry County Probate Court. Divorce records are kept by the Clerk of Courts. These are separate offices with different records and fees.

Getting Perry County Public Records

Under R.C. 149.43, you have the right to access public records from any government office in Perry County. You can make your request in person, by phone, email, or mail. No form is needed. You do not need to give your name or state why you want the records. Just describe what you need. The office must respond promptly.

Standard copies cost about $0.05 per page. Certified copies vary by office. If a request gets denied, the office must explain in writing and cite the specific law that covers the exemption. Sealed records, juvenile files, and active investigation materials are some common exemptions. Everything else is open to the public.

• Ask in person, by phone, email, or mail
• No ID or reason required
• Standard copies cost about $0.05 per page
• Offices must respond promptly under state law
• Denials must be in writing with a legal citation

If you run into trouble, the Ohio Attorney General's Sunshine Laws office provides free mediation at (800) 282-0515. You can also file a formal complaint with the Ohio Court of Claims for $25. Elected officials in Perry County are required to complete public records training every term under R.C. 109.43.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Perry County if you need records from the surrounding area.