Search Perry County Family Court Records

Perry County family court records are kept at the Court of Common Pleas in New Lexington. The Clerk of Courts handles all public records requests for divorce, custody, support, and other family law filings. If you need to look up a case or get copies of court documents, the courthouse on North Main Street is where you go. Perry County also has a Probate and Juvenile Court that manages adoption, guardianship, and marriage license records. Both divisions keep files that date back many years. You can search in person, by mail, or by phone to find what you need.

Perry County Family Court Records Office

The Perry County Court of Common Pleas sits in New Lexington and serves as the main trial court for the county. It has a General Division that handles civil and criminal cases, along with a Domestic Relations Division for all family law matters. Divorce, dissolution, legal separation, and annulment cases are filed here. The court also deals with child custody, parenting time, child support, and spousal support. If parents with minor children file for divorce, Ohio law requires them to take a parenting class before the case can wrap up. All of these filings create family court records that the Clerk keeps on file.

The courthouse is at 105 N. Main Street in New Lexington. Court hours run Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. You can call the court at (740) 342-1022 for case info or to ask about filing. The General Division takes civil matters over $15,000 and felony cases. For family law, the Domestic Relations side is the right place to file.

Perry County Clerk of Courts

The Perry County Clerk of Courts is the official record keeper for every division of the Court of Common Pleas. That means all pleadings, motions, orders, and judgment entries filed in family court cases pass through this office. Staff handle filing, docketing, and storing all court records. Whether you need a divorce decree, custody order, or support ruling, the Clerk's office is where those documents live.

Public access to Perry County family court records is available during business hours. Walk in and ask for copies of any public court document. Standard copies cost $0.10 per page. Certified copies carry an extra fee. The office takes cash, check, or money order. You can also send a written request by mail if you can't visit in person. Older records may be on microfilm, so staff might need a bit more time to pull those files.

The screenshot below shows the Perry County Government Portal, which lists departments and contact info for various county offices including the courts.

This site can help you find phone numbers and addresses for court offices in Perry County before you visit.

Probate and Juvenile Court in Perry County

The Perry County Probate Court handles a broad range of family court records beyond what the Domestic Relations Division covers. On the probate side, the court manages estate administration, guardianships for both minors and adults, adoptions, marriage licenses, name changes, and mental health commitment cases. The juvenile side takes care of delinquency, unruly behavior, abuse, neglect, and dependency cases involving minors. Under ORC Chapter 2151, most juvenile records stay sealed and are not open to the public without a court order.

Marriage licenses are issued at the Probate Court. Both people must show up in person with valid ID. The fee runs about $50 to $75. Certified copies of marriage certificates cost $2.00 each. You can reach the Probate Court at (740) 342-1022 during regular hours.

The image below shows the Perry County Probate Court page with details on forms and services.

Check this page for the latest on hours, fees, and required forms before you head to the courthouse.

How to Search Family Court Records in Perry County

There are a few ways to look up family court records in Perry County. The most direct route is to visit the Clerk of Courts at 105 N. Main Street in New Lexington. Staff can search by name or case number. They can pull files and make copies while you wait. Bring your ID when you go, even though it's not required by law.

Ohio's Public Records Act (ORC 149.43) gives every person the right to request public records. You don't need to give your name or say why you want the records. The office must provide them at cost within a reasonable time. If staff deny your request, they must state the reason in writing and cite the legal basis. You can file a complaint with the Ohio Court of Claims for $25 if you believe a denial was wrong, but you must wait three business days first to let the office correct the issue.

For divorce and dissolution cases, the Domestic Relations Division holds the complete file. This includes the petition, financial disclosures, temporary orders, and the final judgment entry. Under ORC Chapter 3105, Ohio has 11 grounds for divorce. The person filing must have lived in Ohio for at least six months. Property gets divided under equitable distribution rules in ORC 3105.171. Child custody follows ORC Chapter 3109, which uses the best interest of the child standard to make decisions.

Court Fees and Copy Costs

Copy fees at the Perry County Clerk of Courts are $0.10 per page for standard copies. Certified copies cost more. Marriage licenses from the Probate Court run about $50 to $75. Filing fees for divorce in Ohio typically fall between $200 and $400, depending on the case type and county.

If you can't afford court fees, you can ask for a fee waiver. File a poverty affidavit with the court showing your income and expenses. A judge will review it and decide if you qualify. The Supreme Court of Ohio offers standardized forms for many court filings. All 88 counties must accept these forms. They are free to download from the Supreme Court website.

The Supreme Court domestic relations forms page has forms for divorce, dissolution, custody, and support cases that Perry County will accept along with any local forms they may need.

Nearby Counties

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