Greene County, Ohio State Court Records
In Greene County, court records create a paper trail of all legal proceedings handled by the county’s judiciary. They provide a definitive history of a case, from the first filing to the final order, and are filed with the Clerk of Court. The Clerk of Court is generally responsible for logging every motion, hearing, order, and document into the case file.
Court records in the county are public, but not under the Ohio Public Records Act. Court records also serve a broader purpose beyond the judiciary. They often interact with and sometimes form the basis for the creation of other public records in the county.
Are Greene County Court Records Public?
Yes. The general rule regarding court records in Greene County, as set forth in Rule 45 of the Rules of Superintendence for the Courts of Ohio, is that they are open to the public for inspection. However, this access is not absolute. Although most court records are publicly accessible, several categories are restricted by law, and some are restricted by court order. Commonly restricted records in the county include
- Identifying information on victims in domestic violence cases
- Grand jury records
- Adoption records
- Juvenile court records
- Documents related to probation or community control
- Bank account numbers
- Psychiatric records
What Information is Available in Greene County Court Records?
Non-confidential court records in Greene County typically contain the following details:
- The names of all parties involved in the case
- Case details, such as the case number, case type, case status, filing date, and disposition date
- Docket information
- Documents filed by parties with the court
- All court actions, including orders and rulings
- The name and title of the judge assigned to the case
Greene County Court Records Search
Members of the public can search and access Greene County court records through the following access methods.
Online Access
The CourtView Case Search and the Probate Court Case Search portals are the two primary online portals for court record access in Greene County. The CourtView portal may be used to search for civil and criminal cases, while the Probate Court Case Search portal may be used to search wills, land civil actions, estates, marriage licenses, and other probate-related records.
Users can search for a record using the first and last name of a case party or the case number. Cases filed before 1982 are not available on the portal. Searches on the portals are free; however, documents cannot be downloaded or printed. To obtain copies of a case viewed online, researchers may submit a Public Record Request to the Clerk of Court’s Office.
The Xenia Municipal Court Public Access and the Fairborn Municipal Court portals are municipal-level online court record databases that offer access to court records for their respective cities.
In-Person Access
Court records may be accessed in person at the Greene County courthouse or municipal courthouse where the case was initially filed. In-person access allows inquirers to ask questions and receive assistance and clarification about a record, which is typically not possible when viewing it online. Inquirers can also obtain plain copies or certified copies of a record.
Mail and Phone Requests
Individuals who cannot visit the courthouse or locate a record online can request a record via a written application by mail to the courthouse. The application should include a self-addressed, stamped envelope with sufficient postage, so the record can also be returned by mail.
Fees for Court Records in Greene County
In Greene County, there is typically no fee associated with inspecting court records online or in person. However, requiring physical copies of the record will incur a fee, which differs depending on the court and how the copies are made. The fees for physical copies are below.
Court of Common Pleas and Juvenile Court Fees
- Paper photocopies: 10 cents per page
- Certified copies: $1 per page
- Audio/Video Records: $5
Probate Court Fees
- Certified copy of a marriage record: $2 per copy
- Authenticated copies: $3 plus 10 cents per page
- Exemplified copies: $4 plus 10 cents per page
Greene County Courthouse Locations
The Greene County Court of Common Pleas is the primary court in the county with jurisdiction over felony criminal cases and major civil disputes. The court is divided into four specialized divisions: General, Domestic Relations, Juvenile, and Probate. The municipal courts in the county (Xenia and Fairborn) handle misdemeanor criminal cases and traffic violations. Below are the court addresses.
Greene County Court of Common Pleas (General Division) and Probate Court
45 North Detroit Street
Xenia, OH 45385
Court of Common Pleas Phone: (937) 562-5290
Probate Court Phone: (937) 562-5280
Greene County Domestic Relations Court
595 Ledbetter Road
Xenia, OH 45385
Phone: (937) 562-6249
Fax: (937) 562-6233
Greene County Juvenile Court
2100 Greene Way Boulevard
Xenia, OH 45385
Phone: (937) 562-4000
Fax: (937) 562-4010
Xenia Municipal Court
101 North Detroit Street
Xenia, OH 45385
Phone: (937) 376-7294
Fax: (937) 376-7288
Fairborn Municipal Court
1148 Kauffman Avenue
Fairborn, OH 45324
Phone: (937) 754-3040
Fax: (937) 879-4422
Criminal Records Access in Greene County
Greene County criminal records document an individual’s involvement with the county’s criminal justice system. Criminal records encompass arrest records, jail records, convictions, and criminal case files. These records are generally kept by law enforcement, except for criminal case files, which are maintained by the court.
The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) is the department responsible for managing criminal history data reported by all Ohio counties. The department conducts background checks and provides an official criminal history report based on the information retrieved. Criminal history reports from the department are not public; individuals are privy only to their own records. Individuals interested in a background check may visit any location of the state-approved third-party vendor that handles requests.
On the other hand, criminal case files can be accessed and obtained at the courthouse for a fee or viewed for free on the CourtView Case Search portal.
Greene County Probate Records
Greene County probate records are created when the Probate Court oversees the distribution of a person’s affairs after death or manages the affairs of those unable to care for themselves. Common examples of probate records in the county include wills, guardianships, trusts, and name changes.
The majority of Greene County probate records are publicly accessible, while a few records are considered confidential. These confidential records require authorization before access can be granted to members of the public. Examples are guardianship records and records of involuntary treatment or mental health evaluations.
Greene County has a dedicated Probate Court Case Search portal for online access to probate records. A search can be done using the party name, case number, and case type. Individuals can visit the Clerk of Court’s Office at the courthouse to obtain copies of a record.
Older records may be found with the Greene County Records Center and Archives.
Greene County Family Court Records
Family court records are formal accounts of litigation involving family/domestic relationships, such as divorce, child custody, child and spousal support, parentage, abuse and neglect, and domestic violence protection orders. These records are managed by the Domestic Relations Court (for adults) and the Juvenile Court (for minors).
The public nature of family court records depends on which court heard the case. Most cases handled by the Domestic Relations Court are generally public, while Juvenile Court records are usually not open to the public. Public family court records may be accessed online through the CourtView portal. A record can also be inspected in person at the court. Requesters may need to show an ID if they are a party to a restricted juvenile case.
Federal Court Records in Greene County
Federal court records in Greene County are not maintained by the Greene County Clerk of Courts, but by the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio. Greene County falls under the court’s Western Division, with cases from the county typically being heard in Dayton.
Individuals can access federal court records by visiting the federal courthouse or searching for the record online through the Public Access to Electronic Records (PACER) system. Obtaining copies of documents in person or searching the PACER system costs a fee.