What are Belmont County Public Records?
Following the provisions of the Ohio Open Records Law, Belmont County public records are records kept by any public office. Belmont public records also include records that pertain to providing educational services by an alternative school maintained by a nonprofit or for-profit agency. The following records are not considered as Belmont public records:
- Medical records;
- Records relating to probation and parole hearings, processes relating to the enforcement of community control sanctions and post-release control sanctions;
- Records relating to trial preparation;
- Investigatory records of confidential law enforcement;
- Intellectual property records;
- Records about the profile of donors;
- Residential and familial information about public service workers;
- Information relating to the recreational activities of an individual under eighteen years;
- Records that their release is prohibited by state or federal law.
Belmont County Crime Statistics
The Ohio Office of Criminal Justice Services provides annual crime rates of every state county. Belmont County crime statistics for 2017 show a total number of 540 crimes reported, including 59 violent crimes and 481 property crimes. Violent crimes reported include three murder cases, 19 rapes, three robberies, and 34 aggravated assaults. Property crimes reported include 80 burglaries, 359 larcenies, 42 motor vehicle thefts, and four arsons. Compared to the 2012 crime statistics, it is evident that there is a considerable decline in total crimes reported over five years. There were 856 overall crimes recorded in 2012. There was no change in robbery and motor vehicle theft cases. However, murder, rape, aggravated assaults, and arson rates increased by 100%, 74%, 38%, and 25%. Burglary and larceny cases decreased by 66% and 34%, respectively.
Are Belmont County Criminal Records Public?
By virtue of Ohio law, Belmont County criminal records are not considered public records. It restricts access to criminal history information and the authorization for the release of their information. Belmont criminal records provide comprehensive information about the criminal activities of persons within the county. This information includes details about the record owner, arrest records, date of conviction, probation record, and incarceration information.
Ohio has a central repository that maintains criminal records in the state. The catalog, known as BCI&I (Bureau of Criminal Investigation and Identification), is located within the Office of Ohio’s Attorney General. The BCI&I administers the Computerized Criminal History Records service that allows individuals to order criminal history record checks online through a livescan or card scan. To get the computerized criminal records, applicants must submit some information about the document along with a $22 processing fee. The information should include the approved signature of the record owners as well as personal details and fingerprints. The applicant should also know the name of the record owner, current address, and other identifying characteristics of the record owner. The processing fee, made payable to the ‘Treasurer of State of Ohio,’ can be in the form of a check, electronic payment, or money order. Electronic submissions should be sent to any of the BCI addresses below:
London BCI
1560 State Route 56 Southwest
London, OH 43140
Bowling Green BCI
750 North College Drive
Bowling Green, OH 43402
Richfield BCI
4055 Highlander Parkway
Richfield, OH 44286
Youngstown BCI
20 West Federal Street
Youngstown, OH 44503
Alternatively, interested parties can get local criminal history records at the Belmont County Sheriff’s Office. The address and contact information of the Sheriff’s Office is below:
Belmont County Sheriff’s Office
68137 Hammond Road
St. Clairsville, OH 43950
Phone: (740) 695-7933
Fax: (740) 695-9662
How to Obtain Belmont County Police Reports and Arrest Records?
The Belmont County Sheriff’s Office maintains Belmont County arrest records and police reports. Belmont arrest records are official documents about arrests that have occurred in the county. As public records, arrest records are made available to interested persons upon request. Belmont arrest records and police reports are generated when an arrest is made either through a warrant or a crime witnessed by a law enforcement agency. Information on this record includes search warrants, mugshots, and investigation files of the arrested person. These incident and crash reports are limited to the county’s jurisdiction.
Interested individuals can make in person or mail requests to obtain copies of reports or records at the Sheriff’s Office:
Belmont County Sheriff’s Office
68137 Hammond Road
St. Clairsville, OH 43950
Phone: (740) 695-7933
Fax: (740) 695-9662
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Belmont County?
Belmont County sex offenders’ information is easily accessible online through the county sheriff’s webpage. While the Sheriff is responsible for registering the sex offenders, the Ohio Attorney General manages the statewide registry known as eSORN (electronic sex offender registration network).
In line with Ohio Megan’s Law, the eSORN Registry is a joint effort of the Sheriff and the state’s law enforcement agency to protect residents from child sex offenders and general sex offenders. It is constantly updated to ensure awareness of registered sex offenders in Belmont County and its neighborhood. ESORN can be searched either by using the local address or the name and location of the suspected offender. Using the walk-in service to view the list of sex offenders at the Sheriff’s Office is essential, which can assist requesting parties in finding names that have not been published on the registry. Nonetheless, it is wrong to use the information found on the registry to bully registrants as it can incur civil penalties.
How to Find Belmont County Inmate Records?
The Belmont County Sheriff's office provides online access to inmate records and information. The digital resource provides users with inmate information, such as jail ID, book ID, recent book ID, booking date, arresting agency, last name, first name, date of birth, out date, and house. Users can filter searches for inmate information by jail ID, book ID, booking date range, full name, social security number, date of birth, FBI number, SID number, or release date range. The Ohio Department of Corrections also offers an alternative inmate database for statewide inmate searches. Both resources, at the county and state level, provide information on former or current inmates.
How Do I Visit an Inmate in Belmont County Jail?
The Belmont County Sheriff’s Office is the keeper of the Belmont County Jail records. Therefore, all information regarding how to visit an inmate is available at the office, located at:
68137 Hammond Road
Saint Clairsville, OH 43950
Phone: (740) 695-5124
Fax: (740) 695-4781
The Belmont County Jail visitations are 30-minute long on-site meetings. This mode of visitation is once a week per visitor and is open on Thursdays and Sundays. Visitors are required to book an appointment by calling the Sheriff’s phone number. Video visitation, which permits two visits per day, can be on-site or at home. While remote video visitation will attract a fee, the second option is free.
Court Records
Belmont County court system consists of three Courts of Common Pleas, three County Courts, and ten Mayor’s Courts. These courts handle cases such as civil, criminal, family, small claims, probate, and traffic cases. The files and documents generated during judicial proceedings and kept by the court or its clerks. These Belmont County court records include documents like affidavits, party pleadings, motions, and appeals filed. Belmont court records in Belmont County are documents that reveal information regarding court proceedings, dockets, indictments, transcripts, and depositions that took place after 1954.
The Belmont County Clerk of Courts maintains the court records of the Court of Common Pleas. Court records of the County Courts are maintained at the courthouse of the County Court that adjudged the case. Interested persons should visit the appropriate court to obtain court records.
Location of Courts in Belmont County
Belmont County Courts of Common Pleas
Belmont County Court of Common Pleas
Belmont County Courthouse
101 West Main Street
St. Clairsville, OH 43950
Phone: (740) 699-2169
Belmont County Court of Common Pleas - Juvenile Court
Belmont County Courthouse
101 West Main Street
St. Clairsville, OH 43950
Phone: (740) 699-2141
Fax: (740) 699-2143
Belmont County Court of Common Pleas - Probate Court
Belmont County Courthouse
101 West Main Street
St. Clairsville, OH 43950
Phone: (740) 699-2144
Fax: (740) 232-1731
Belmont County Court - Eastern Division
400 Imperial Plaza
Bellaire, OH 43906
Phone: (740) 676-4490
Fax: (740) 671-6100
Belmont County Court - Northern Division
400 Imperial Plaza
Bellaire, OH 43906
Phone: (740) 676-4490
Fax: (740) 671-6100
Belmont County Court - Western Division
147 West Main Street
St. Clairsville, OH 43950
Phone: (740) 695-2875
Fax: (740) 695-7285
Belmont County Mayor’s Courts
Barnesville Mayor’s Court
132 North Arch Street
Barnesville, OH 43713
Phone: (740) 425-3444
Bellaire Mayor’s Court
3197 Belmont Street
Bellaire, OH 43906
Phone: (740) 676-6539
Belmont Mayor’s Court
321 3rd Street
P.O. Box 68
Belmont, OH 43718
Phone: (740) 484-1989
Fax: (740) 484-1808
Bethesda Mayor’s Court
112 South Main Street
Bethesda, OH 43719
Phone: (740) 484-1250
Bridgeport Mayor’s Court
301 Main Street
Bridgeport, OH 43912
Phone: (740) 635-1244
Fax: (740) 635-6925
Brookside Mayor’s Court
6844 Strimbu Drive
Brookfield, OH 44403
Phone: (330) 448-4500
Martins Ferry Mayor’s Court
35 South 5th Street
Martins Ferry, OH 43935
Phone: (740) 633-2876, extension 301
Fax: (740) 633-1446
Powhatan Point Mayor’s Court
104 Mellott Street
Powhatan Point, OH 43942
Phone: (740) 795-4201
Fax: (740) 795-5764
Shadyside Mayor’s Court
50 East 39th Street
Shadyside, OH 43947
Phone: (740) 676-5972
Fax: (740) 676-1084
St. Clairsville Mayor’s Court
100 North Market Street
St. Clairsville, OH 43950
Phone: (740) 745-1324
Fax: (740) 695-4069
Are Belmont County Court Records Public?
Under Ohio laws, Belmont court records are public records. The courts and their clerks of the county hold these records and provide interested members of the public with access to the records. It should be noted that juvenile court records, other confidential information in court records, and records exempted from public viewing are not available to the general public to obtain or inspect.
Can You Look Up a Belmont County Court Case Online?
The Belmont County Clerk of Courts provides court records of the Courts of Common Pleas online on the Public Access portal. Interested persons can search by name, case number, and case types. They can also search by advanced numbers. Belmont County Courts provide court case information online through the Public Records portal. Interested persons can search based on the court division that handled the case. They can make searches by name, case type, case number, ticket/citation number, and attorney. The public records portal provides case information on civil, criminal, small claims, and traffic cases.
The Ohio Supreme Court also offers online access to court records at the state level. Requesters will need to provide the case number and case caption. Users can also carry out advanced case searches, party searches, and attorney searches.
How to Obtain Belmont County Civil Court Case Records?
Belmont County civil court case records are available at the courthouse where the case was judged. Requesters can obtain copies of civil court case records in person or online. Use the Public Records portal to obtain records of civil cases handled by the County Courts. Civil court case records of the Courts of Common Pleas are accessible on the Public Access portal.
To make in-person requests for court records of the Courts of Common Pleas, visit or contact the Belmont County Clerk of Courts’ Office at:
Belmont County Clerk of Court’s
101 West Main Street
St. Clairsville, OH 43950
(740) 699-2169
Requesters can obtain civil court case documents from any of the Belmont County Court Divisions by visiting the courthouse.
How to Obtain Belmont County Criminal Court Records?
Depending on the court, Belmont County criminal court records can be gotten in person and online. They are maintained at the courthouse where the case was decided. To obtain records of Belmont County criminal court cases handled by the County Courts online, search the Public Records portal. Criminal court records of the Courts of Common Pleas are available on the Public Access portal.
To make in-person requests for Belmont criminal court records of the Courts of Common Pleas, visit or contact the Belmont County Clerk of Courts’ Office at:
Belmont County Clerk of Court’s
101 West Main Street
St. Clairsville, OH 43950
(740) 699-2169
Requesters can get copies of criminal court records from the Belmont County Court Divisions in person by visiting the courthouse.
What are Belmont County Vital Records?
Belmont County vital records are official documents that include information on vital events that happened within the county. These records are from marriages, divorces, births, and deaths that occurred in Belmont. The Belmont County Clerk of Courts maintains the divorce records from the county. Belmont County marriage records are at the Belmont County Juvenile and Probate Court. The Belmont County Health Department is in charge of birth and death records. These records are only available to eligible individuals. As a result, interested persons have to apply to the appropriate custodians before access to the documents is granted. All vital records in Belmont and other counties in the state are accessible via the Ohio Department of Health.
Where and How to Obtain Belmont County Divorce Records?
Belmont County divorce records are available at the court where the divorce case was finalized. Hence, it is filed and stored at the Clerk of Courts’ Office in Belmont. Residents requesting these records are expected to include the petition date, the record file number, and the spouses’ names. The address to submit requests is below:
Belmont County Clerk of Courts
101 West Main Street
St. Clairsville, OH 43950
Where and How to Get Public Belmont County Marriage Records?
Belmont County marriage records are obtainable at the Belmont County Juvenile and Probate Court. Applicants will have to pay $3 for a copy of a Belmont County marriage certificate, and it is payable by cash, check, or money order only. Mail-in requests are faster and should include name, date of marriage, along with a certified check or money order for the copy requested and a self-addressed, stamped return envelope. All applications should go to:
Belmont County Probate and Juvenile Court
101 West Main Street
St. Clairsville, OH 43950
Phone: (740) 699-2141
Where and How to Get Confidential Marriage Records in Belmont County?
All marriage records in Belmont County are considered public.
Where and How to Find Belmont County Birth Records?
The Belmont County Health Department issues copies of Belmont County birth certificates from 1908 to date to interested persons. Interested individuals must be able to provide information about the record to be eligible. They can request Belmont County birth records in person or by mail. To make an in-person request, visit the Belmont County Health Department with a government-issued ID. To order birth records by mail, complete the Application for Certified Copies form. Attach payment and a copy of a government-issued ID and mail it to:
Belmont County Health Department
State Route 331
68501 Bannock Uniontown Road
St. Clairsville, OH 43950
(740) 695-1202
All orders are subject to a fee of $25 per certificate. Payments can be in the form of money order, cash, business check, or cashier’s check.
Belmont County birth records from 20 December 1908 to date are obtainable from the Ohio Department of Health. Interested persons can request for birth records online or by mail. Make online requests through the Ohio Online Certificate Application. Requesters can pay for the service with credit cards. It takes five business days to process requests.
To request Belmont County birth certificates by mail, fill out the Application for Certified Copies form. The filled-out form and payment should be sent by mail to:
Ohio Department of Health
Bureau of Vital Statistics
P.O. Box 15098
Columbus, OH 43215-0098
Make payment with checks and money orders. The Department of Health processes each request within four to six weeks.
Where and How to Find Belmont County Death Records?
The Belmont County Health Department makes Belmont County death records from 1916 to date accessible to interested persons. To obtain copies of death records, requesters need to provide information relating to the record. Requests for death records can be made in person or by mail. To obtain death records through in-person requests, requesters should visit the Belmont County Health Department along with a government-issued ID. For mail requesters, complete the Application for Certified Copies form and include the payment as well as a copy of a government-issued ID. Mail the request to:
Belmont County Health Department
State Route 331
68501 Bannock Uniontown Road
St. Clairsville, OH 43950
(740) 695-1202
All orders are subject to a fee of $25 per certificate. Payments can be in the form of money order, cash, business check, or cashier’s check.
The Ohio Department of Health disseminates copies of Belmont County death records from 1964 to date in the state. Interested individuals can request death records online or by mail. Online requests are made by using the Ohio Online Certificate Application. Requesters pay for online service with credit cards. These requests take a processing time of five business days.
For mail requests, fill out the Application for Certified Copies form. The filled-out form and payment should be sent by mail to:
Ohio Department of Health
Bureau of Vital Statistics
P.O. Box 15098
Columbus, OH 43215-0098
Make payment with checks and money orders. Each request for a death record is processed within four to six weeks.
