Geauga County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Geauga County?

Public records in Geauga County are defined according to the Ohio Public Records Act § 149.43, which states that public records include "any record that is kept by any public office" that documents the organization, functions, policies, decisions, procedures, operations, or other activities of the office. These records are maintained by various county departments and are generally accessible to the public with certain exceptions.

Geauga County maintains a comprehensive collection of public records including:

Court Records: Civil, criminal, domestic relations, probate, and juvenile court cases are maintained by the Geauga County Clerk of Courts. These include case filings, judgments, and court proceedings.
Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and property transfers are maintained by the County Recorder's Office. Property assessment records and tax information are available through the County Auditor's property search system.
Vital Records: Birth certificates (from December 1908), death certificates (from January 1909), and marriage licenses (from 1806) are maintained by the Geauga County Health Department and Probate Court.
Business Records: Business licenses, vendor permits, and fictitious name registrations are maintained by various county departments including the Auditor's Office.
Tax Records: Property tax information, assessment records, and tax payment histories are maintained by the County Treasurer and Auditor.
Voting and Election Records: Voter registration information, election results, and campaign finance reports are maintained by the Geauga County Board of Elections.
Meeting Minutes and Agendas: Records of county commission meetings, board proceedings, and other public body deliberations are maintained by the respective agencies.
Budget and Financial Documents: County financial records, budgets, expenditures, and audit reports are maintained by the County Auditor and Commissioners' offices.
Law Enforcement Records: Arrest logs, incident reports, and jail records (with certain restrictions) are maintained by the Sheriff's Office and local police departments.
Land Use and Zoning Records: Building permits, zoning applications, and land use plans are maintained by the County Planning Commission and Building Department.

The Department of County Archives and Records Enterprise (CARE) serves as the central repository for many historical records and provides archival services for county departments.

Is Geauga County an Open Records County?

Geauga County fully complies with the Ohio Public Records Act § 149.43, which establishes the public's right to access government records. Under this state law, all records kept by any public office are presumed to be public unless specifically exempted by statute.

The Ohio Public Records Act states that "upon request and subject to division (B)(8) of this section, all public records responsive to the request shall be promptly prepared and made available for inspection to any person at all reasonable times during regular business hours." This provision ensures that Geauga County residents and non-residents alike have legal access to public information.

Geauga County has adopted comprehensive public records policies in accordance with Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(E)(1), which requires all public offices to adopt a public records policy. These policies outline procedures for responding to public records requests and ensuring compliance with state law.

The county adheres to Ohio's "Sunshine Laws," which include both the Public Records Act and the Open Meetings Act (Ohio Revised Code § 121.22). These laws collectively ensure transparency in government operations by requiring public access to records and meetings.

Geauga County's commitment to open government is reflected in its official public records policy, which establishes guidelines for record retention, management, and public access. This policy is designed to facilitate prompt responses to records requests while protecting confidential information as required by law.

How to Find Public Records in Geauga County in 2026

Members of the public seeking records in Geauga County may follow these procedures to obtain the information they need:

Identify the Appropriate Department: Determine which county office maintains the records you seek. The Geauga County Court maintains court records, while property records are available through the County Recorder and Auditor.
Submit a Request: Public records requests may be submitted in person, by mail, email, or fax to the appropriate department. While written requests are not required by law, they are recommended to ensure clarity and documentation.
Be Specific: Clearly identify the records being requested with sufficient detail to allow the office to identify and locate them. Overly broad requests may require clarification.
Court Records Access: For court records, visit the Clerk of Courts office or access the online case search system. The Clerk maintains records for Common Pleas Court, Domestic Relations, and the Court of Appeals.
Property Records Search: Property records can be searched through the Geauga REALink system maintained by the County Auditor. This online database provides access to property ownership, valuation, and tax information.
Vital Records Requests: Birth and death certificates can be requested from the Health Department, while marriage licenses and probate records are available through the Probate Court.
Online Resources: Many records are available through the county's online portals. The Chardon Municipal Court provides access to municipal court records, while the County Auditor's website offers property information.
Historical Records: For historical or archived records, contact the Department of County Archives and Records Enterprise (CARE), which preserves and provides access to historical county documents.
Review Records: Once identified, records may be inspected during regular business hours at the appropriate office. Many departments provide computer terminals for public use.
Request Copies: After reviewing records, copies may be requested according to the established fee schedule. Some departments offer electronic delivery options for convenience.

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

Geauga County charges reasonable fees for copies of public records in accordance with Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(B)(1), which permits public offices to charge "the actual cost of making copies." The current fee structure for public records in Geauga County is as follows:

Standard Paper Copies: $0.05 per page for black and white copies (8.5" x 11" or 8.5" x 14")
Color Copies: $0.10 per page (where available)
Oversized Documents: Varies by size, typically $1.00-$5.00 per page for large-format documents
Electronic Records: No charge when sent via email; $1.00 per CD/DVD if physical media is requested
Certified Copies: Additional $1.00-$2.00 per document for certification

Specific departments may have statutorily authorized fees that differ from the standard rates:

Vital Records: Birth certificates and death certificates: $25.00 per certified copy
Marriage Licenses: $50.00 for the license; $2.00 per certified copy
Court Records: $1.00 per page for certified copies; $0.10 per page for regular copies
Recorded Documents: $2.00 per page for the first two pages, $1.00 for each additional page

Payment methods accepted by most county offices include:

Cash (in-person requests only)
Personal checks
Money orders
Credit/debit cards (subject to processing fees at some locations)

Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(B)(6), requestors are not required to pay in advance unless the total cost exceeds $10.00. However, the county may require advance payment for voluminous requests or requests that require extensive staff time to fulfill.

Fee waivers are not explicitly provided for in county policy, but some departments may reduce or waive fees in cases of demonstrated financial hardship or when the request serves a public interest.

Does Geauga County Have Free Public Records?

Geauga County provides free inspection of public records in accordance with Ohio Public Records Act § 149.43, which states that all public records "shall be promptly prepared and made available for inspection to any person at all reasonable times during regular business hours." This statutory provision ensures that while copies may incur fees, viewing records in person is free of charge.

The following free public records services are available to residents and non-residents:

In-Person Inspection: All county offices allow free inspection of non-exempt public records during regular business hours. Computer terminals are available at many departments for self-service research.
Online Access: Several county departments provide free online access to public records:
- The Geauga County Court offers free online access to court dockets and case information
- The County Auditor provides free access to property records through REALink
- The Board of Elections offers free access to voter and election information
- County Commissioners provide free access to meeting minutes and agendas
Public Terminals: The Clerk of Courts, Recorder's Office, and Auditor's Office maintain public computer terminals that allow visitors to search records without charge.
Research Assistance: The Department of County Archives and Records Enterprise provides free research assistance for historical records, though copy fees may apply.
Public Libraries: The Geauga County Public Library system offers free access to certain county records and research materials, including historical documents and genealogical resources.

While inspection is free, requestors should note that fees apply for physical or certified copies of documents as outlined in the county's fee schedule. Additionally, extensive research requests requiring significant staff time may incur charges even if inspection is free.

Who Can Request Public Records in Geauga County?

Under Ohio Public Records Act § 149.43(B)(1), "any person" may request public records from Geauga County offices. This broad eligibility extends to:

Ohio residents
Non-Ohio residents
U.S. citizens
Foreign nationals
Corporations and business entities
Media organizations
Non-profit organizations
Incarcerated individuals (with certain limitations)

The law specifically states that a public office "shall make copies of the requested public record available to the requestor at cost and within a reasonable period of time." Requestors are not required to:

Provide identification (except for certain restricted records)
State the purpose of their request
Make the request in writing
Provide their name

However, certain record types do have specific eligibility requirements:

Vital Records: Birth and death certificates may be requested by the person named in the record, immediate family members, legal representatives, or those with a direct interest as defined in Ohio Revised Code § 3705.23.
Law Enforcement Records: While incident reports are generally public, investigative records may be withheld during active investigations pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(A)(2).
Juvenile Records: Access is restricted to the juvenile, parents/guardians, attorneys, and others with a legitimate interest as determined by the court under Ohio Revised Code § 2151.14.
Adoption Records: Access is limited to parties to the adoption and their legal representatives, with specific procedures outlined in Ohio Revised Code § 3107.17.

For requests involving one's own records that contain personal information, identification may be required to verify identity and prevent unauthorized disclosure. This is particularly relevant for records containing Social Security numbers, medical information, or other sensitive personal data.

What Records Are Confidential in Geauga County?

Certain records maintained by Geauga County are exempt from public disclosure under Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(A)(1), which enumerates specific categories of records that are not subject to the Public Records Act. These confidential records include:

Medical Records: Personal health information protected under HIPAA and state medical privacy laws, including county employee medical records and medical examiner reports containing protected health information.
Juvenile Court Records: Records pertaining to minors in juvenile court proceedings, except as specifically authorized by Ohio Revised Code § 2151.14.
Adoption Records: Adoption files and proceedings are confidential under Ohio Revised Code § 3107.17, with limited exceptions for biological parents and adoptees under specific circumstances.
Child Welfare Records: Child abuse and neglect investigations and children's services records are confidential under Ohio Revised Code § 5153.17.
Social Security Numbers: Documents containing Social Security numbers must be redacted before public disclosure.
Law Enforcement Investigatory Records: Information that would disclose the identity of an uncharged suspect, confidential informant, or witness to whom confidentiality has been reasonably promised.
Infrastructure and Security Records: Information that could compromise security, including county building security systems, emergency response protocols, and computer network security information.
Attorney-Client Privileged Communications: Legal advice and communications between county officials and their legal counsel.
Intellectual Property Records: Trade secrets and proprietary information submitted to county agencies.
Peace Officer Residential and Familial Information: Personal information about law enforcement officers, including home addresses and family member information.
Sealed Court Records: Records that have been ordered sealed by a court, including expunged criminal records and sealed juvenile records.
Economic Development Records: Certain records related to economic development projects before public announcement.
Competitive Bidding Documents: Information that would provide an unfair competitive advantage during active procurement processes.

When a record contains both public and exempt information, the county will redact the exempt information and provide the remainder of the record. The county must cite the specific statutory exemption when denying access to records or redacting information.

Ohio law requires a balancing test for certain exemptions, weighing the public interest in disclosure against the interest protected by the exemption. This analysis is conducted on a case-by-case basis.

Geauga County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Geauga County Recorder's Office
231 Main Street, Suite 1-C
Chardon, OH 44024
(440) 279-2020
Geauga County Recorder

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

The Geauga County Recorder's Office is responsible for maintaining and preserving land records and other official documents for the county. The office records, indexes, and maintains documents including:

Deeds and property transfers
Mortgages and mortgage releases
Liens and lien releases
Easements
Plats and surveys
Military discharge papers (DD-214)
Powers of attorney
Partnership agreements
Federal tax liens

The Recorder's Office provides public access to these records through both in-person services and online resources. Computer terminals are available in the office for public use during regular business hours. The office maintains records dating back to the county's formation in 1806, with many historical documents preserved in their original form.

For research assistance or questions about specific documents, members of the public may contact the office directly by phone or email. Staff members are available during regular business hours to assist with locating and accessing recorded documents.

Document recording fees vary by document type and length, with current fee schedules available at the office or on the Recorder's website. The office accepts cash, checks, and money orders for payment of recording fees and copy requests.

Lookup Public Records in Geauga County

Geauga County Court records

Chardon Municipal Court case information

Clerk of Courts document search

Property records through Geauga REALink

Historical records at the Department of Archives