Find Public Records in Scioto County

Scioto County public records are kept by offices at the county courthouse in Portsmouth. The Clerk of Courts manages court records, the Recorder handles property filings, and the Health Department holds vital records. Under R.C. 149.43, these records are open to anyone who asks. You can search court records by visiting the Clerk's office or using online resources. Property data, tax records, and election information are also available through their respective departments. The county has records going back to 1803 for marriage licenses and 1908 for birth and death certificates.

Scioto County Clerk of Courts

The Scioto County Clerk of Courts Legal Division is at 602 7th Street, Room 205, Portsmouth, OH 45662. Hours are 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Call (740) 355-8218 or fax (740) 354-2057. You can also email sciotoclerkcustomercare@sciotocounty.net. This division handles and provides public access to all permanent court records.

The Legal Division covers several dockets. Civil cases, criminal cases, Court of Appeals filings, domestic relations matters, domestic violence cases, civil protection orders, and state tax and judgment liens are all on file here. The office also provides filing fee schedules, classification forms, domestic relations forms, and local court rules. Southeastern Ohio Legal Services information is available for those who need legal help.

Notary commissions and oaths are also handled through this office.

Search Scioto County Court Records

Court records in Scioto County are public under Ohio law, with some limits. The Portsmouth Municipal Court keeps its own records separate from the Clerk of Courts. If you need municipal court files, you will have to contact that court directly. For Common Pleas cases, the Clerk is the custodian of all records.

Records that are not open to the public include medical files, social security numbers, trial prep materials, adoption and paternity records, juvenile criminal records, and victim information in certain cases. Everything else is fair game. You can search by visiting the Clerk's office in person, submitting a written request, or using available online tools. Certified copies require a trip to the office or a mail request.

The Scioto County public records portal provides information on accessing court, property, and vital records across county departments.

Scioto County Property Records

The Scioto County Recorder's Office keeps all property records for the county. Deeds, mortgages, liens, and other real estate documents are filed and indexed here. These are public records that anyone can search. Credit agencies also access these records, which is how liens show up on credit reports.

Certified copies cannot be printed at home and then certified. The office must print and stamp them as part of the process. You can visit the office for on-the-spot certification, or mail in a request with a self-addressed stamped envelope. UCC financing statements that relate to real estate are recorded here too. Mobile home titles, on the other hand, go through the Scioto County Auditor, not the Recorder.

A marginal notation is a reference to a previously recorded document. Some filings have extra charges per reference for documents with these notations. The Recorder's site has a full FAQ page that explains common questions about property records and fees.

Vital Records in Scioto County

Birth and death certificates are available from the Scioto County Health Department. Records go back to 1908. For marriage records, you need to contact the Scioto County Probate Court. Marriage licenses have been issued in Scioto County since 1803. Divorce records sit with the Clerk of Courts, not the Health Department or Probate Court.

These are separate systems and separate offices. It trips people up sometimes. If you call the Recorder asking about a birth certificate, they will point you to the Health Department. If you ask the Health Department about a divorce, they will send you to the Clerk. Knowing which office holds which record saves you time and trips.

Scioto County Historical Public Records

The Scioto County Public Library Local History Department holds a wealth of historical records. Cemetery inscriptions from county and city cemeteries have been read, printed, and bound in volumes. Birth and death records on microfilm cover 1856 to 1908. The Ohio Death Index runs from 1908 to 1954. Microfilmed marriage records span 1803 to 1911.

Court records from 1801 to 1906 are on file too, including records from Chancery, Common Pleas, Clerk of Courts, and the Board of Commissioners. Military and pension records cover the Revolutionary War through World War I. The library also has newspapers from surrounding counties in early time periods, the Lorberg and Peebles scrapbooks from the early 1800s to 1920s, and Nile Township records from 1853 to 1921.

How to Request Scioto County Records

To get public records in Scioto County, start by figuring out which office holds what you need. Then submit your request. You can visit in person at the courthouse at 602 7th Street, Portsmouth, OH 45662. Written requests are also accepted, though verbal ones work too. The Clerk of Courts office can point you to the right department for each record type.

If your request is denied or delayed, contact the county prosecutor's office. Under Ohio law, offices must respond promptly. Denials must come with a written explanation citing the specific exemption. You can also file with the Ohio Court of Claims or use the Attorney General's free mediation service. Most records are available quickly and at low cost.

• Court records: Clerk of Courts at (740) 355-8218
• Property records: Scioto County Recorder
• Tax records: Scioto County Auditor
• Vital records: Scioto County Health Department
• Marriage records: Scioto County Probate Court

Nearby Counties

If you need public records from neighboring areas, these counties border Scioto County.