Franklin County court records can refer to records maintained by the courts and Clerk of Courts in Franklin County, Ohio, including civil, criminal, domestic relations, and appellate cases. The Franklin County Clerk of Courts provides an online Case Information Online (CIO) system that allows the public to search many available court records.
Quick Information
| Information | Details |
| County | Franklin County |
| State | Ohio |
| Main city | Columbus |
| Records | Civil, criminal, domestic relations & appellate |
| Online search | Case Information Online (CIO) |
| Search options | Name, case number and court |
| Clerk’s Office | Franklin County Clerk of Courts |
| Main address | 373 S. High St., Columbus, OH 43215 |
| Phone | 614-525-3600 |
Franklin County Court Records Search
The Franklin County Clerk of Courts maintains court records for the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas and the 10th District Court of Appeals. Its CIO system is designed for public access to available case information.
You can generally search using:
- Plaintiff or defendant name
- Case number
- Court
- Other available case information
Using a case number can make it easier to identify the correct case, especially when several people have similar names.
What Types of Records Can You Find?
The CIO system provides information for several categories of cases, including:
Criminal Records
Many felony criminal cases handled by the General Division of the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas can be searched through CIO. The Clerk’s office also maintains criminal filings and records.
Civil Court Records
Civil matters can include various disputes and proceedings filed with the Court of Common Pleas. Civil documents are searchable through the Clerk’s CIO system.
Domestic Relations Records
Domestic relations cases filed in the Domestic Relations Division of the Court of Common Pleas are included in the CIO system, subject to applicable access restrictions.
Appellate Records
CIO also provides information regarding cases filed in the 10th District Court of Appeals.
How to Search Franklin County Court Records
A basic search process is:
- Open the official Franklin County Clerk of Courts website.
- Select Case Information Online.
- Choose the appropriate search option.
- Enter the person’s name or case number.
- Review the search results.
- Select the matching case.
- Review the available docket information and documents.
If you are searching by name, check the case number, court, filing date, and parties before assuming that a result belongs to the person you are looking for.
Are Franklin County Court Records Public?
Many Franklin County court records are public records, but not every record is publicly available without restrictions.
Certain information may be protected by Ohio law, court rules, or other legal requirements. Records may also be sealed or redacted. The Clerk’s public-records policy explains that protected information, including certain Social Security numbers, driver’s license numbers, and financial account numbers, is not knowingly disclosed through public records.
Can You Request Copies of Court Records?
Yes.
If the information or document you need is not available through the online system, you can request records from the Clerk of Courts.
A request can identify the records using information such as:
- Full name of a plaintiff or defendant
- Attorney’s name
- Case number
- Filing date range
- Document type
You can also specify whether you need certified copies.
Franklin County Clerk of Courts Address
The main Clerk’s Office is located at:
Franklin County Clerk of Courts
373 South High Street
Columbus, OH 43215
The main telephone number is 614-525-3600. The Clerk’s published office hours are generally Monday through Friday, with public hours beginning at 8:00 a.m.; Wednesday opening is listed as 8:15 a.m.
Maryellen O’Shaughnessy – Franklin County Clerk of Courts
3.0•County government office•Closed
Website•Directions•(614) 525-3600
Franklin County Municipal Court Records
It is important to distinguish Franklin County Court of Common Pleas records from Franklin County Municipal Court records.
The Clerk of the Franklin County Municipal Court maintains records for matters handled by that court, including civil, criminal, and traffic cases.
If you cannot find a case through the Common Pleas CIO system, the case may belong to the Municipal Court or another court.
Is Online Case Information the Official Court Record?
Not necessarily.
The CIO system states that its docket entries correspond to the official court docket, but the information available through CIO is considered a copy rather than the official record. If there is a question about accuracy, the original court file at the courthouse should be consulted, subject to applicable access restrictions.
This distinction is important when using online court information for legal or official purposes.
Why Can’t I Find a Franklin County Court Record?
Several reasons are possible:
- Incorrect name spelling
- Incorrect case number
- Case filed in another court
- Recently filed case
- Sealed or restricted record
- Record not available online
- Older or archived record
- Searching the wrong case category
If the record is important, contact the appropriate Clerk’s Office rather than relying solely on an online search.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I search Franklin County court records?
Use the Franklin County Clerk of Courts’ Case Information Online (CIO) system. Searches can generally be performed using a party name or case number.
Can I search Franklin County court records by name?
Yes. CIO allows searches using plaintiff or defendant names for applicable cases.
What criminal records are available?
Many felony criminal cases filed in the General Division of the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas can be searched through CIO.
Where is the Franklin County Clerk of Courts?
The Clerk’s main office is at 373 South High Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215.
What is the Franklin County Clerk of Courts phone number?
The main phone number is 614-525-3600.
Are all Franklin County court records available online?
No. Some records may be restricted, sealed, unavailable online, or require a direct records request.
Final Takeaway
Franklin County court records can be searched online through the Franklin County Clerk of Courts’ Case Information Online system. The system provides public case information for many civil, criminal, domestic relations, and appellate matters.
When searching by a person’s name, always verify the case number, court, parties, and dates to avoid confusing records belonging to people with similar names. For certified or unavailable documents, contact the Clerk’s Office directly.
Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Court-record availability, privacy restrictions, procedures, and online information can change. For an official or legally significant record, verify the information with the appropriate Franklin County court or Clerk of Courts.
