What are Gallia County Public Records?
Under the Ohio Open Records Law or Sunshine Laws, Gallia County public records are records about government business kept by the county’s public bodies. This includes any records about the delivery of educational services by schools run by any profit or non-profit entities in the county.
Public records in Ohio can exist in many different forms from written or typed documents and computer data to audio and video recordings. Some government records however are not considered public records. These records may have parts redacted or removed, sometimes the entire record could also be restricted from public view. These are usually records that have been exempted from public view by law or by a court order. Examples of these records include the following:
- Any medical records including any document pertaining to a patient’s medical history, diagnosis, prognosis, or medical condition. This also includes any records created and maintained during any medical treatments.
- Any records generated and maintained during probation or parole proceedings include investigative reports and documents reviewed by a parole board.
- Any records of adoption procedures including the contents of the adoption file maintained by the department of health.
- Trial Preparatory records including any records containing information specifically prepared for civil and criminal actions or proceedings.
- Any confidential law enforcement investigatory records. These include confidential investigatory techniques or procedures and information that would endanger the safety of law enforcement personnel, a victim, a witness, or a confidential source.
In addition to government agencies, county public records can also be obtained from third-party websites. These non-government platforms come with intuitive tools that allow for expansive searches. Record seekers may either opt to use these tools to search for a specific record or multiple records. Users can search third-party websites remotely for multiple records at a time with just the name of the record subject and their last known location including the city, county, or state. Third-party sites are not sponsored by government agencies. Because of this record availability and results may vary.
Gallia County Crime Statistics
The responsibility for collecting and compiling the yearly crime statistics for Gallian county falls to the Gallia County Sheriff’s Office. The compiled data is usually submitted to the FBI and added to their Uniform Crime Reporting Database(UCR). According to the FBI database for 2019, Gallia County had 694 reports of different incidents of crime. There were 9 rapes, 1 murder, 22 aggravated assaults, 294 property crime incidents, 77 burglaries, 192 larceny incidents, 25 vehicle thefts, and 2 arsons. There were no cases of robbery reported in 2019.
Compared to 2018, incidents of murder and rape increased by 100% and 200% respectively. Cases of robbery, assault, property crime, burglary, larceny, vehicle theft, and arson decreased by 100%, 12%, 20.3%, 26.7%, 19.3%, 3.9%, and 50% respectively. The overall violent crime in the county also fell by 6.7%.
Are Gallia County’s Criminal Records Public?
Criminal records and background checks in Ohio and Gallia County are generally considered public records. An individual can acquire criminal record checks for themselves in Gallia County from the Gallia County Sheriff’s Office. Record checks for another individual can also be acquired by any member of the public with the permission of the subject of the check.
Interested persons will be required to submit a completed copy of the record check request form which is available from the sheriff's office. The completed form can be submitted in person or by mail to the Gallia County Sheriff’s Office at:
Gallia County Sheriff’s Office
18 Locust Street,
Gallipolis, OH 45631 P
Phone: (740) 446-1221
Fax: (740) 441-2098
Criminal records and background checks are also obtainable by contacting the Identification Division of the Ohio State Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) located at:
Identification Division
Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation
1560 State Rt. 56 SW,
P.O. Box 365
London, OH 43140
Phone: (855)BCI-OHIO (855) 224-6446)
How to Obtain Police Reports and Arrest Records
Gallia County arrest records and police reports are obtainable from the Gallia County Sheriff’s Office. Interested persons can make requests for these records by submitting a request to the sheriff’s office in person or by mail. Requests can also be made using the Gallia County Sheriff’s Office Public Record Request form. All requests should be made at or addressed to the sheriff’s office at:
Gallia County Sheriff’s Office
18 Locust Street,
Gallipolis, OH 45631 P
Phone: (740) 446-1221
Fax: (740) 441-2098
There may be a fee charged for copies of the records if any are required. Requesters will be required to provide a daytime telephone number where they can be reached to be informed of the fees.
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Gallia County
Gallia County Sex Offender information can be obtained online from Gallia County Offender Registry database operated by the county sheriff’s office. Visitors may use the sex offender search page on the registry to look up sex offenders by name, city, internet name, email, and telephone number. Residents are also able to search for sex offenders in their area using their addresses.
The registry also has a current list of all published offenders currently registered on the registry. The registry also permits a resident to register on the website to receive email alerts when an offender registers in their given area.
How to Find Gallia County Inmate Records
Gallia County inmate records are obtainable from the Gallia County Sheriff’s Office Corrections Division. Requesters may submit a request for inmate information by contacting the corrections division at:
Gallia County Sheriff’s Office
18 Locust Street,
Gallipolis, OH 45631 P
Phone: (740) 446-1221
Fax: (740) 441-2098
The Gallia County Sheriff’s Office website also has an inmate search page that provides a full list of inmates currently detained and their corresponding information. Any visitor to the website can view this list and information such as names, photographs, charges, arresting agencies, booking date, current disposition, and total bail.
Gallia County Court Records
Gallia County Courts are divided into the Court of Common Pleas and the Municipal Courts. These courts hold jurisdictions for court cases in the county depending on the severity of the cases. Gallia court case records are obtained from the clerk of courts of the Court of Common Pleas or the municipal court depending on where a case was heard.
Locations of Courts in Gallia County
The names, locations, and contact details of the various courts in Gallia County are listed below:
Gallia County Court of Common Pleas - General and Domestic Relations Divisions
Gallia County Courthouse
18 Locust St, Room 1290,
Gallipolis, OH 45631
Phone: (740) 446-4612
Fax: (740) 441-2932
Gallia County Court of Common Pleas - Juvenile/Probate Division
Gallia County Courthouse
18 Locust St, Room 1293,
Gallipolis, OH 45631
Phone: (740) 446-3842
Fax: (740) 446-3144
Gallipolis Municipal Court
518 2nd Avenue,
Gallipolis, OH 45631
Phone: (740) 446-9400
Fax: (740) 441-6028
Are Gallia County Court Records Public?
According to the Ohio Sunshine Law, Gallia County court records and other records created and stored by the judiciary are public records. However, some court records are exempted from public view and the general public will be unable to request or copy such records. These records include those sealed by a judge or court order and those exempted by the sunshine laws and the state or federal statutes. Examples of these records include records for cases involving juveniles or minors and confidential trial preparatory records for civil and criminal proceedings.
How to Obtain Gallia County Civil Court Case Records
Gallia County civil court records are obtainable from the Gallia County Clerk of Courts who serves as the custodian of these records. Interested persons may obtain these records by contacting the clerk of courts of the court of common pleas in person or in writing. All requests should be directed to the clerk of courts at:
Gallia County Courthouse
18 Locust St, Room 1290,
Gallipolis, OH 45631
Phone: (740) 446-4612 extensions 221 and 224
Fax: (740) 441-2932
Email: clerkofcourts@gallianet.net
Any record requests should contain adequate information for court stay to be able to locate the record. Such information includes the names of the parties of the case, the type of case, and a case number. If copies of the record are to be made the requester will be charged the sum of $0.25 per page.
Gallia County civil court records can also be obtained from the eaccess public portal operated by the Gallia County Court of Common Pleas. The search tool on the website allows court records to be looked up using names of parties, case numbers, and case types.
How to Obtain Gallia County Criminal Court Records
Record seekers may obtain Gallia County criminal court case records by contacting the Gallia County Clerk of Courts. The clerk of court is in charge of all records generated by the Gallia County Court of Common Pleas. Criminal court case records can be obtained either in person or by submitting a written request to the Clerk of the Court. Any requesters must provide enough information for the court record to be identified and found. Names of the parties, case type, and a case number are the necessary information required to locate a court record. All requests in-person or by mail should be addressed to the clerk of courts at:
Gallia County Courthouse
18 Locust St, Room 1290,
Gallipolis, OH 45631
Phone: (740) 446-4612 extensions 221 and 224
Fax: (740) 441-2932
Email: clerkofcourts@gallianet.net
Charges of $0.25 per page will be charged for any copies of records made during the request.
Gallia County criminal court case records can also be found online on the eaccess public search portal maintained by the Gallia County Court of Common Pleas. Using names, case types, and case numbers record seekers will be able to search for criminal court case records online.
What are Gallia County Vital Records?
Gallia County’s Vital Records are the records kept by its government bodies documenting the life events that have occurred within the county. Birth records, marriage records, divorce decrees, and death records are examples of these vital records. Vital records for Gallia county can be obtained from the custodians at the Gallia County Clerk of Courts, Juvenile/Probate Court, and the Health District.
Ohio is considered an Open Record state, hence vital records are obtainable by members of the public that go through the given procedures and pay the fees. Requesters will be able to obtain either certified or abstract copies of vital records. Certified copies can be used for legal business such as establishing identity while abstract copies contain the same information but cannot be used for legal purposes.
At the state level, vital records can be obtained at the Ohio State Bureau of Vital Statistics in person or by mail.
Where and How to Get Divorce Records
Interested parties may obtain Gallia County Divorce Decrees from the Gallia County Cleark of Courts. Requests can be made in person or by submitting a written request to the clerk's office by mail. Requesters must provide enough information for the divorce record to be located, such information includes:
- The names of both parties to the divorce including maiden names
- The date of the marriage
- The case number of the divorce
- The location where the divorce was heard
Requesters are required to provide valid identification, contact details, and the appropriate fees during any request for divorce records. All requests for divorce records should be directed to the Gallia County Clerk of Courts at:
Gallia County Courthouse
18 Locust St, Room 1290,
Gallipolis, OH 45631
Phone: (740) 446-4612 extensions 221 and 224
Fax: (740) 441-2932
Email: clerkofcourts@gallianet.net
For any inquiries about copy fees and request processing times, records seekers should call the clerk of courts at (740) 446-3892 or email clerkofcourts@gallianet.net.
Where and How to Get Marriage Records
Gallia County marriage records can be obtained from the Gallia County Juvenile/Probate Court. As Ohio is an open record state members of the public can request copies of marriage records by going through the request process and paying the fees. To obtain the marriage records from Gallia County interested persons should make their request in person, by phone, or by mail. All requests should be directed to the probate court office using the following contact details:
Gallia County Juvenile/Probate Court
Gallia County Courthouse
18 Locust St, Room 1293,
Gallipolis, OH 45631
Phone: (740) 446-3842
Fax: (740) 446-3144
During all requests, the requester will be expected to provide the following:
- The names of both parties to the marriage before it took place including all maiden names
- The date and location of the marriage
- The fee for copies of the marriage certificate
During phone requests, the request can select a day to pick up the record. Mailed requests should also include a self-addressed and stamped envelope to deliver the records.
Copies of Gallia County marriage records cost $2 per copy and payment is accepted in checks or money orders. Cash is also accepted if the request is made in person at the probate court office.
Where and How to Get Birth Records
Gallia County birth records can be obtained from the Vital Statistics Department of the Gallia County Health District. Due to Ohio’s status as an open record state birth records can be requested by any member of the public who follows the request procedures.
Birth records can be ordered from the Gallia County Health Department by submitting a Vital Record Application form with the birth record indicated to:
Gallia County General Health District
499 Jackson Pike, Suite D
Gallipolis OH 45631
All mailed requests should include a copy of identification, the correct fees for the record, and a self-addressed and stamped envelope. Certified copies of Gallia County birth records from the general health district cost $25 per copy. Fees can be paid in cash, money, or credit and debit cards, personal checks are not accepted.
Where and How to Get Death Records
Gallia County death records can be obtained from the Gallia County General Health District, Vital Statistics Department. Ohio is an open records state so anyone who goes through the request procedure and pays the fees may request the death record.
Requests for death records are made by submitting a vital record application with the death record indicated in person or by mail to:
Gallia County General Health District
499 Jackson Pike, Suite D
Gallipolis, OH 45631
A requester may be required to provide current identification during a death record request. Requests made by mail should also include a self-addressed and stamped envelope to deliver the records. Certified copies of death records cost $25 per copy and payment is accepted in cash, money orders, and credit or debit cards.
