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How to Look Up Eviction Records in Ohio 2026

Court portal, certified copy fees, and expungement laws for Ohio

Municipal Court or County Court Court handling eviction cases
County-Level Only Online access level
$0.10–$1/page Certified copy fee (typical)
No No statutory expungement right

Where to Search Ohio Eviction Records

Court: Municipal Court or County Court
Online portal: County-level (search your county court clerk's website)
Certified copy fee: $0.10–$1/page

Ohio Forcible Entry and Detainer (FED) eviction cases are filed in the Municipal Court (cities) or County Court (rural areas). There is no unified statewide online portal for Municipal or County Court civil records. Larger courts have their own online systems: Franklin County (Columbus) Municipal Court at fcmc.us; Cuyahoga County (Cleveland) at cccourts.org; Hamilton County (Cincinnati) at courtclerk.org. Source: ORC § 1923.01 et seq.

Step-by-Step: How to Search Ohio Eviction Records

  1. Identify the county court. Find the Municipal Court or County Court website for the county where the property is located.
  2. Search by party name. Enter the prospective tenant's full legal name (last name, first name) as a defendant/respondent. Try name variations including maiden names.
  3. Filter by case type. Select eviction, forcible detainer, unlawful detainer, or summary possession as the case type depending on the court's terminology.
  4. Review the disposition. Identify whether the case resulted in a judgment for the landlord (eviction), dismissal (tenant won or case settled), or is still pending. A filing alone does not mean the tenant was evicted.
  5. Check the filing date. Consider how old the record is — most tenant-screening best practices recommend discounting records older than 5–7 years.
  6. Request certified copies if needed. For a certified copy of the court record, contact the Municipal Court or County Court clerk's office directly. Fees are typically $0.10–$1/page.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I look up eviction records in Ohio?

Ohio Forcible Entry and Detainer (FED) eviction cases are filed in the Municipal Court (cities) or County Court (rural areas). There is no unified statewide online portal for Municipal or County Court civil records. Larger courts have their own online systems: Franklin County (Columbus) Municipal Court at fcmc.us; Cuyahoga County (Cleveland) at cccourts.org; Hamilton County (Cincinnati) at courtclerk.org. Source: ORC § 1923.01 et seq.

Are eviction court records public in Ohio?

Yes — eviction court records in Ohio are presumptively public under Ohio's public records law. Eviction actions are civil court filings and are part of the court's public record, accessible by any member of the public.

Can a tenant get an eviction record removed or expunged in Ohio?

Ohio does not currently have a general statutory right to expunge or seal eviction court records. The record of an eviction filing remains in the court's public file unless the court orders it impounded in a specific case.

How much does it cost to get a certified copy of an eviction court record in Ohio?

In Ohio, certified copy fees for court records are typically $0.10–$1/page. Fees are set by the Municipal Court or County Court and may vary by county or court location. Many courts also charge a flat certification fee on top of the per-page copy fee. Online access to basic case information (party names, filing date, disposition) is typically free through the court's public portal where available.

Related Ohio Landlord Guides

← Ohio Eviction Risk Overview Ohio Just Cause Eviction Ohio Eviction Notices Ohio Eviction Timeline Eviction Records — All States

Court portal information sourced from the Ohio court administrative office official website. Expungement laws from published Ohio statutes (see citations above). Last updated April 30, 2026. For informational purposes only — not legal advice.