Clermont County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Clermont County?

Public records in Clermont County are defined according to Ohio Revised Code § 149.43, which establishes that any records kept by a public office that document the organization, functions, policies, decisions, procedures, operations, or other activities of the office are considered public records. The Clermont County Records Center maintains and provides access to many of these documents.

Clermont County maintains numerous types of public records, including:

Court Records: Civil, criminal, traffic, and small claims cases through the Clermont County Municipal Court; probate and juvenile matters through the Probate/Juvenile Court
Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and property transfers maintained by the County Recorder's Office
Vital Records: Birth and death certificates (1908-present) available through the Health Department
Business Records: Vendor registrations, business licenses, and permits
Tax Records: Property tax information, assessment records, and tax sale listings
Voting and Election Records: Voter registration data, election results, and campaign finance reports maintained by the Board of Elections
Meeting Minutes and Agendas: County commission meetings, board proceedings, and public hearings
Budget and Financial Documents: County expenditures, financial reports, and audits
Law Enforcement Records: Certain police reports, jail records, and incident logs (with statutory limitations)
Land Use and Zoning Records: Building permits, zoning applications, and property inspections through Permit Central

Each record type is maintained by its respective department within the Clermont County government, with specific procedures for requesting and accessing these documents.

Is Clermont County an Open Records County?

Yes, Clermont County fully complies with Ohio's open records laws. Under the Ohio Public Records Act § 149.43, all records kept by any public office are presumed to be public unless they are specifically exempt by law. This statute establishes that "all public records shall be promptly prepared and made available for inspection to any person at all reasonable times during regular business hours."

The Clermont County Board of Elections Public Records Policy explicitly states: "All records kept by the Clermont County Board of Elections are public unless they are exempt from disclosure under Ohio law. All public records must be organized and maintained in such a way that they can be made available for inspection and copying."

Clermont County also adheres to Ohio's Open Meetings Law (Sunshine Law) under Ohio Revised Code § 121.22, which requires public bodies to conduct all deliberations and official actions in meetings open to the public, with limited exceptions.

Each county department maintains its own public records policy in compliance with state law, but all follow the core principle that government records belong to the people and should be accessible with limited exceptions for privacy, security, and other statutory protections.

How to Find Public Records in Clermont County in 2026

Members of the public seeking records in Clermont County may utilize several methods to locate and obtain the information they need:

Visit the appropriate department in person:
- Identify which department maintains the records you seek
- Bring identification if required for sensitive records
- Request assistance from staff to locate specific documents
Submit a written request:
- Direct requests to the specific department holding the records
- Clearly identify the records being sought
- Provide contact information for follow-up
- The Clermont County Public Health department offers a dedicated public records request page
Access online resources:
- Court records can be searched through the Municipal Court and Common Pleas Court websites
- Property records are searchable through the Recorder's Office online portal
- The Clermont County Records Center provides centralized information about record locations
Contact the Records Center:
- For assistance in determining which department maintains specific records
- For guidance on the proper request procedures
Submit requests via email or mail:
- Email requests to the appropriate department (include "Records Request" in the subject line)
- Mail written requests to the department's physical address

Under Ohio law, public offices must acknowledge requests promptly and provide records within a reasonable period. While the law does not specify an exact timeframe, requests are typically processed within 10-30 days depending on complexity and volume.

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

Clermont County charges fees for public records in accordance with Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(B)(1), which permits public offices to charge "the actual cost of making copies." Current standard fees include:

Paper Copies:
- Standard letter/legal size: $0.05 per page (black and white)
- Color copies: $0.10 per page
- Oversized documents: Actual cost of reproduction
Electronic Records:
- CD/DVD: $1.00 per disc
- Email delivery: No charge for electronic files (when available)
- USB drive: Actual cost of the storage device
Certified Documents:
- Additional $1.00-$2.00 per document depending on department
Specialized Records:
- Vital records (birth/death certificates): $25.00 per certified copy
- Marriage licenses: $25.00 for certified copies
- Recorded documents (deeds, mortgages): $2.00 per page for certified copies
- Court records: Vary by court and document type

Payment methods accepted typically include cash, check, money order, and credit/debit cards (in person). Some departments may accept credit card payments for online or telephone requests.

It is important to note that while fees may be charged for copies, public offices must permit inspection of records at no cost during regular business hours. Additionally, departments may waive fees when the request is deemed to primarily benefit the general public.

Does Clermont County Have Free Public Records?

Yes, Clermont County provides free access to certain public records. In accordance with Ohio law, all public records are available for inspection at no cost during regular business hours. The following free options are currently available:

In-Person Inspection: Members of the public may examine any non-exempt public record free of charge at the office where the record is maintained during standard business hours.
Online Access: Several departments provide free online access to public records:
- The Recorder's Office offers free online searching of property records
- The Municipal Court provides free case information lookup
- The Board of Elections offers free voter and election information
- The Probate/Juvenile Court provides certain case information online
Email Delivery: When records are maintained electronically and can be transmitted via email, many departments will provide these at no cost.
Public Access Terminals: Computer terminals are available at certain county offices for public use in searching electronic records.

While inspection is free, fees may still apply for copies or certified documents as outlined in the fee schedule. Additionally, some specialized databases or extensive research requests may incur costs based on staff time and resources required.

Who Can Request Public Records in Clermont County?

Under Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(B)(1), "all public records shall be promptly prepared and made available for inspection to any person." This broad eligibility means:

Any individual, regardless of citizenship or residency status, may request public records
Requestors are not required to disclose their identity, except in specific circumstances
Requestors do not need to provide a reason or purpose for their request
Requests may be made anonymously in most cases
Organizations, businesses, and media outlets may request records
Non-Ohio residents have the same rights to access records as residents

There are limited exceptions to these general rules:

Certain sensitive records may require identity verification (such as one's own medical records)
Incarcerated persons have more limited rights under ORC § 149.43(B)(8)
Commercial requests for bulk data may have different procedures
Requests for voter registration information may require identification and purpose statement

The Clermont County Board of Elections and other departments follow these state guidelines, ensuring equal access to public information while protecting sensitive data as required by law.

What Records Are Confidential in Clermont County?

While Clermont County maintains a presumption of openness for public records, certain documents are confidential under Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(A)(1), which lists numerous exemptions. Records that are not publicly accessible include:

Personal Information:
- Social Security numbers
- Driver's license numbers
- Medical records protected under HIPAA
- Personal financial information
- Employee personnel files (with limited exceptions)
Court and Law Enforcement Records:
- Sealed court records
- Juvenile court records (with exceptions noted in Juvenile Court rules)
- Adoption records
- Confidential law enforcement investigatory records
- Information that would endanger witnesses
- DNA records and fingerprints
Security and Infrastructure:
- Security and infrastructure records
- Emergency response protocols
- Building security systems
- Computer network security information
Proprietary Information:
- Trade secrets
- Confidential business information
- Attorney-client privileged communications
- Attorney work product
Other Protected Records:
- Child welfare and protective services records
- Certain economic development records
- Records prohibited from release by state or federal law
- Records subject to attorney-client privilege

When a record contains both public and exempt information, the county will redact the exempt portions and provide the remainder. The county must cite the specific legal authority for any denial or redaction of records.

Clermont County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Clermont County Recorder's Office
101 East Main Street, 2nd Floor
Batavia, OH 45103
513-732-7236
Office of the Recorder

Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays

The Recorder's Office maintains and provides access to property records including deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and other land records. The office offers both in-person and online services for searching and obtaining copies of these documents.

Additional Services: