Delaware County Public Records

How to Find Public Records in Delaware County in 2026

DelawareOHRecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to public records maintained by government agencies in Delaware County, Ohio. Members of the public seeking court documents, property filings, vital records, or other official documents may locate relevant data through a combination of county office resources, state-maintained databases, and online search tools. Record availability varies by document type, custodial office, and applicable state law.

Records available through official channels in Delaware County include:

Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and domestic relations)
Property deeds, mortgages, and liens
Vital records (birth, death, and marriage)
Business registrations and fictitious name filings
Property tax and assessment records
Voting and election records
County commission meeting minutes and agendas
Law enforcement incident reports (where permitted)
Land use, zoning, and permit records

Online Access: The Delaware County, Ohio official website provides access to several online databases. Property records and recorder documents are searchable through the county's online portal. The Delaware County Auditor maintains a property search tool that allows members of the public to retrieve assessment and tax records without registration. Court case information is accessible through the Ohio Courts Network.

In-Person Requests: Members of the public may visit the Delaware County Recorder's Office or the Clerk of Courts to inspect records during regular business hours. Staff at each office can assist with locating documents and processing copy requests. Requestors should bring identifying information relevant to the record sought, such as a parcel number, case number, or full legal name.

Written/Mail Requests: Written requests must include the requestor's name, contact information, a description of the records sought, and the preferred format for delivery. Under Ohio Revised Code § 149.43, public offices are required to respond to public records requests within a reasonable period of time.

Phone/Email:

Delaware County Recorder: (740) 833-2490
Delaware County Clerk of Courts: (740) 833-2500
Delaware County Auditor: (740) 833-2900

What Are Public Records in Delaware County?

Public records in Delaware County are defined under Ohio Revised Code § 149.43 as any record kept by a public office, including documents, devices, or items created or received by a government entity in the course of its official duties. The statute broadly encompasses records in any format, including paper, electronic, and audio-visual materials.

The following record types are currently maintained by Delaware County offices:

Record Type	Custodial Office
Civil and criminal court records	Delaware County Clerk of Courts
Probate and estate records	Delaware County Probate Court
Property deeds and mortgages	Delaware County Recorder
Property tax and assessment records	Delaware County Auditor
Vital records (birth, death, marriage)	Ohio Department of Health / Probate Court
Business registrations	Delaware County Recorder / Ohio Secretary of State
Voting and election records	Delaware County Board of Elections
Meeting minutes and agendas	Delaware County Board of Commissioners
Law enforcement records	Delaware County Sheriff's Office
Land use and zoning records	Delaware County Planning Department

The Delaware County Recorder's Office serves as the primary custodian for real property documents, while the Clerk of Courts maintains judicial records across civil, criminal, and domestic relations divisions.

Is Delaware County an Open Records County?

Delaware County operates in full compliance with Ohio's open records law. Under Ohio Revised Code § 149.43, all public offices in the state are required to make public records available for inspection and copying upon request. The statute establishes that public records are the property of the public and must be promptly made available to any person who requests them.

As the Ohio Attorney General's Office states, "Ohio's Public Records Act is one of the most open in the nation, providing broad access to government records with limited exceptions." The law does not require requestors to provide a reason for their request, and public offices may not condition access on the disclosure of the requestor's identity or purpose.

Delaware County does not maintain a separate county-level open records ordinance, as the state statute governs all public offices within Ohio's jurisdiction. The Ohio Sunshine Laws, which encompass both the Public Records Act and the Open Meetings Act, apply uniformly to all county agencies, boards, and commissions operating within Delaware County.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Delaware County?

The cost to obtain public records in Delaware County varies by record type and the office maintaining the document. Under Ohio law, fees for public records must be limited to the actual cost of reproduction and may not include staff time for retrieval or research.

Standard Copy Fees:

Record Type	Fee
Standard paper copies (8.5" x 11")	$0.05 per page (black and white)
Certified copies of court records	$1.00 per page + $1.00 certification fee
Certified copies of deeds	$2.00 per document
Electronic records (where available)	No charge in many cases
Recorder document copies	$2.00 per page

Inspection fees: Ohio law does not permit public offices to charge a fee solely for inspecting records.
Certification fees: Vary by office and document type.
Search fees: Not permitted under Ohio's Public Records Act when the request is specific enough to allow retrieval.
Payment methods: Cash, check, and money order are accepted at most county offices. Some offices accept credit cards.

Fee waivers are not formally established by statute for most record types, though individual offices may exercise discretion in certain circumstances. The Delaware County Auditor provides property records at no charge through its online search portal.

Does Delaware County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available at all Delaware County government offices during regular business hours. Ohio law requires that public offices permit any person to inspect public records at no charge; fees apply only when copies are requested.

The following resources currently provide free access to Delaware County records:

Delaware County Auditor's property search portal — Members of the public may search property ownership, assessment values, and tax information at no cost through the auditor's online database.
Delaware County Board of Elections — Voter registration records and election results are available through the Delaware County Board of Elections website without charge.
Ohio Courts Network — Basic case information for Delaware County courts is searchable at no cost through the state's judicial records system.
Delaware County Recorder's online index — Document indexes are searchable online; copies of recorded documents carry a per-page fee.

The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant under Ohio law. Members of the public have the right to view any non-exempt public record in person at no cost, but reproduction of those records is subject to the applicable copy fees described above.

Who Can Request Public Records in Delaware County?

Any person may request public records in Delaware County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. Ohio's Public Records Act does not restrict access based on the identity or affiliation of the requestor. As the Ohio Attorney General's Office affirms, "Any person may inspect or receive copies of public records."

Requestors are not required to:

Be a resident of Ohio or Delaware County
Provide government-issued identification
State the purpose of the request
Submit requests in writing (though written requests are recommended for documentation purposes)

Certain record types carry additional access restrictions. Juvenile court records, sealed criminal records, and adoption files require the requestor to demonstrate a legal interest or obtain a court order. Personnel records maintained by county agencies are subject to partial disclosure, with exempt portions redacted prior to release.

Individuals requesting their own records — such as personal court filings or property documents — follow the same process as any other requestor. No special authorization is required to access one's own public records through standard channels.

What Records Are Confidential in Delaware County?

Not all government records in Delaware County are subject to public disclosure. Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(A)(1) enumerates specific categories of records that are exempt from the Public Records Act. Public offices are required to redact exempt information and release the remainder of any partially exempt record.

Records currently exempt from public disclosure in Delaware County include:

Sealed court records — Records sealed by judicial order pursuant to Ohio expungement statutes
Juvenile records — Case files and proceedings involving minors
Ongoing criminal investigation records — Documents that would interfere with active law enforcement investigations
Medical and mental health records — Protected under both state law and federal HIPAA regulations
Adoption records — Sealed by statute except under specific court-ordered circumstances
Child welfare and protective services records — Maintained as confidential by the Delaware County Job and Family Services
Personnel records — Employee evaluations, medical information, and certain disciplinary records
Social Security numbers and financial account data — Redacted from all public-facing documents
Trade secrets and proprietary business information — Submitted in confidence to regulatory agencies
Security and infrastructure plans — Documents whose release could compromise public safety

The Ohio Attorney General's office notes that "the release of exempt records is not required, but a public office may choose to release them if no other law prohibits disclosure." Public offices bear the burden of identifying the specific statutory exemption that applies to any withheld record.

Delaware County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Delaware County Recorder's Office
91 N. Sandusky St., Delaware, OH 43015
(740) 833-2490
Delaware County Recorder

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays

Delaware County Clerk of Courts
91 N. Sandusky St., Delaware, OH 43015
(740) 833-2500
Delaware County Clerk of Courts

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Delaware County Auditor
91 N. Sandusky St., Delaware, OH 43015
(740) 833-2900
Delaware County Auditor

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Delaware County Probate Court
91 N. Sandusky St., Delaware, OH 43015
(740) 833-2700
Delaware County Probate Court