Delaware County Family Court Records

Delaware County family court records are maintained at the Court of Common Pleas in the city of Delaware, Ohio. The county is one of the fastest growing in the state, and the court system handles a high volume of domestic relations cases each year. You can search for divorce filings, custody orders, child support cases, and other family court records through the Clerk of Courts office. The Probate Court also keeps records for adoptions, guardianships, marriage licenses, and name changes. Dublin residents file their family court cases here since part of Dublin falls within Delaware County.

Delaware County Court of Common Pleas

The Delaware County Court of Common Pleas is the main trial court for the county. It includes a Domestic Relations Division that takes care of all divorce, dissolution, legal separation, and annulment filings. The court also handles child custody, parenting time, child support, and spousal support cases. When divorcing parents have minor children, the court makes them attend parenting classes. Every one of these cases creates family court records that the Clerk keeps on file.

Delaware County has seen rapid population growth over the past two decades. That growth means more family court filings. The Domestic Relations Division stays busy with a steady stream of new cases. All filings go through the Clerk of Courts office on the courthouse campus. Staff there can pull up any public case file by name or case number. You can visit in person or call to ask about records.

The screenshot below shows the Delaware County Government Portal, which lists all county departments including the courts.

You can use this site to find contact info and office hours for each court division in Delaware County.

Clerk of Courts Records Access

The Delaware County Clerk of Courts is the official record keeper for the Court of Common Pleas. The Clerk's office maintains every document filed in domestic relations, probate, juvenile, and general civil cases. All pleadings, motions, and judgment entries pass through this office. Staff handle filing, docketing, and preserving court records for public access.

You can get copies of Delaware County family court records during regular business hours. Standard copies are $0.10 per page. Certified copies carry an added fee. The office accepts cash, check, and money order. You can submit your request in person or by mail. Under Ohio's Public Records Act (ORC 149.43), anyone can ask for public records without giving a reason. The office must hand them over at cost within a fair time frame. If staff deny your request, they must explain why in writing and cite the specific law.

If you think a denial was wrong, you can file a complaint with the Ohio Court of Claims for $25 after giving the office three business days to fix the problem. This process applies to all 88 Ohio counties.

Delaware County Probate Court

The Delaware County Probate Court sits at 140 N. Sandusky Street, 3rd Floor, in Delaware, Ohio 43015. Judge David A. Hejmanowski presides. The court handles estates, guardianships for adults and minors, adoptions, marriage licenses, name changes, and mental health commitment cases. You can reach the Probate Court at (740) 833-2680.

Marriage licenses are issued Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM. Both people must show up in person. You need Social Security cards for both applicants. If either person is between 18 and 21, you also need to bring birth certificates. The license is valid for 60 days after it gets issued. Delaware County also handles guardianship cases, which need background checks and yearly reports to the court.

The screenshot below shows the Delaware County Probate Court website, where you can find forms and filing instructions.

The Probate Court website has information on fees, required documents, and how to apply for various types of filings.

How to Search Family Court Records

You can search Delaware County family court records by visiting the Clerk of Courts office at the courthouse. Staff can look up cases by name or case number. Bring your ID. They can pull files and make copies while you wait. You can also call ahead to ask about a specific case.

For divorce and dissolution cases, the Domestic Relations Division keeps the entire file. This includes the petition, the answer, financial disclosures, any temporary orders, and the final judgment entry or decree. Under ORC Chapter 3105, Ohio has 11 grounds for divorce. The plaintiff must be an Ohio resident for at least six months before filing. Property division follows equitable distribution rules in ORC 3105.171. The court weighs factors like the length of the marriage, each person's income, and tax effects. Spousal support decisions come after property division under ORC 3105.18.

Child custody is governed by ORC Chapter 3109. The court uses the best interest of the child standard. Shared parenting is an option. Under ORC 3109.04, the court looks at the wishes of both parents, the child's wishes if old enough, how the child is doing at home and school, and each parent's mental and physical health. Juvenile records in Delaware County are not open to the public under ORC Chapter 2151.

Delaware County Court Fees and Copies

Copy fees at the Delaware County Clerk of Courts are $0.10 per page for standard copies. Certified copies cost more. Filing fees for divorce cases in Ohio range from $200 to $400 depending on the case type and county. A dissolution is usually cheaper than a contested divorce. Post-decree motions have separate filing fees.

Fee waivers are available for people who cannot afford to pay. You file a petition that shows your income and expenses. The judge decides. The Supreme Court of Ohio provides free standard forms for many family court filings. All counties must accept them.

Cities in Delaware County

Part of Dublin falls within Delaware County. Residents there file family court cases at the Delaware County Court of Common Pleas.

Nearby Counties

Delaware County borders several other Ohio counties. If you need family court records from a nearby area, check these counties.