What Are Hancock County Public Records?
Hancock County public records refer to documents of any form maintained by public offices in the county, including cities, townships, or villages within the jurisdiction. These records contain written, typed, taped, or electronically-recorded information that is not under the following exemptions:
- Medical records
- Adoption records
- Trial preparation records
- DNA and donor profile records
- Proprietary, privilege, and intellectual property records
- Trade records
- Financial statements and data
- Evaluation, examination, and test materials or tools used for licensing
- Personal information
- Protected health information
- Confidential records on law enforcement investigation
- Other records sealed or exempted by state or federal law, code, or court rule
Hancock County Crime Statistics
According to the Ohio Crime by County Statistics provided by the OCJS section of the Ohio Department of Public Safety, Hancock County indexed 136 violent crimes and 1,491 property crimes in 2017. Violent crimes consisted of three murders, 27 rapes, 24 robberies, and 82 aggravated assaults. Larceny thefts constituted about 80.3% of the total property crimes with 1,198 incidents, while burglary, motor vehicle theft, and arson had 254, 39, and four recorded incidents, respectively. Comparatively, the 2016 reports showed that the county recorded 66 violent crimes and 869 property crimes. Violent crimes consisted of four murders, 18 rapes, 11 robberies, and 33 aggravated assaults. Property crimes included 666 larceny thefts, 187 burglaries, 16 motor vehicle thefts, and one arson. In comparison, violent crimes doubled between 2016 and 2017, while property crimes increased by 71.6%. With the exception of murder, every other crime category had a rise in indexed incidents.
Are Hancock County Criminal Records Public?
Not all Hancock County criminal records are under the umbrella of public records. These records are available to the record subject and authorized agencies/organizations for certain licensing or employment purposes. Interested persons may request copies of their personal criminal records from the Bureau of Criminal Investigation through fingerprint-based background checks. Hancock criminal records will contain available information on arrest and disposition gathered from courts and law enforcement agencies in the state.
Furthermore, the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office may conduct background checks following requests made to:
200 West Crawford Street,
Findlay, OH 45840
Phone: (419) 424-7251
Fax: (419) 424-7078
Email: hancocksheriff@co.hancock.oh.us
Requesters should provide descriptions required to identify the record, proof of identification, and fees. Individuals may also obtain criminal case records from the court that presided over the case.
How to Obtain Hancock County Police Reports and Arrest Records?
Hancock County arrest records, crash reports, and other police reports are available at the law enforcement agency that filed the record, such as the Sheriff’s Office, city police departments, or other law enforcement agencies. For records maintained by the Sheriff’s Office, make requests by providing names of involved persons, incident type, date, location, and other descriptions to:
200 West Crawford Street,
Findlay, OH 45840
Phone: (419) 424-7251
Fax: (419) 424-7078
Email: hancocksheriff@co.hancock.oh.us
When required, present proof of identification and pay required fees, which must not exceed the standard or actual costs. Interested persons should note that not all Hancock arrest records and police reports are public.
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Hancock County
Individuals can find sex offenders in the county by using the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office Sex Offender Registry. Users may search for offenders according to city, area, names, email/internet names, phone number, as well as locate non-compliant offenders online. Interested persons may also register for email alerts on offenders in their neighborhood. However, note that results from search and notifications are only of published offenders. Furthermore, it is not unusual for some offenders to register the wrong information at the Sheriff’s Office. Therefore, the lack of results does not guarantee that an individual is not a sex offender. It is also not proof that no sex offenders reside in the specified area.
How to Find Hancock County Inmate Records
The Corrections Division of the Sheriff’s Office manages and maintains inmate records for the Hancock County Justice Center located at 200 West Crawford Street, Findlay, Ohio 45840. Interested persons may use the Hancock County inmate search tool to find active inmates in the facility according to their names, subject number, booking number, booking date, or housing facility.
For past inmate’s records or information unavailable online, contact the Sheriff’s Office at:
200 West Crawford Street,
Findlay, OH 45840
Phone: (419) 424-7251
Fax: (419) 424-7078
Email: hancocksheriff@co.hancock.oh.us
Note: Victims may also get information on the custody status of offenders through the Vine Notification System.
How Do I Visit an Inmate in Hancock County Jail?
Inmates in the Hancock County Justice Center may receive non-contact, video visits from approved and scheduled visitors. Visits can be on-site at the main lobby of the facility at 200 West Crawford Street, Findlay, Ohio 45840 or off-site with a personal computer, tablet, or smartphone that has access to high-speed internet and a webcam. Inmates may receive visits from pre-approved family and friends from Monday to Sunday at the following visitation hours:
- 9:00 a.m. – 11:20 a.m.
- 12:20 p.m. – 4:20 p.m.
- 5:20 p.m. – 10:45 p.m.
Approved visitors should set appointments up at least 24 hours beforehand or up to 21 days in advance. For scheduling, use the Video Visitation monitor at the Main Lobby, or apply online using approved third-party sites. On-site visits are free but limited to two sessions weekly and 20 minutes per session, whereas off-site sessions are paid but may only be limited by inmate’s availability based on the schedule.
On-site visitors should arrive at the facility 10-15 before the appointed time. Disorderly, intoxicated, or inappropriately-dressed persons will not be allowed to enter the center. All visitors must keep the video visitation rules on dress code, conduct, and procedure.
Court Records
Hancock County court records are documents maintained and issued by courts within the county jurisdiction. These documents contain information about civil actions, criminal trials, and administrative actions of county courts. Examples of these records include transcripts, audio recordings, sworn statements, decrees, case files, and other court-generated materials. The location of courts in Hancock County is as follows:
Hancock County Court of Common Pleas - General and Domestic Relations Divisions
Hancock County Courthouse
300 South Main Street,
Findlay, OH 45840
Phone: (419) 424-7037
Fax: (419) 424-7801
Hancock County Court of Common Pleas - Juvenile Division
308 Dorney Plaza,
Findlay, OH 45840
Phone: (419) 424-7066
Fax: (419) 424-7898
Hancock County Court of Common Pleas - Probate Division
308 Dorney Plaza,
Findlay, OH 45840
Phone: (419) 424-7079
Fax: (419) 424-7898
Findlay Municipal Court
Findlay Municipal Building
318 Dorney Plaza,
Room 206,
P.O. Box 826
Findlay, OH 45839
Phone: (419) 424-7143 (Civil/Small Claims)
Phone: (419) 424-7141 (Criminal/Traffic)
Fax: (419) 424-7803
Are Hancock County Court Records Public?
Unless otherwise restricted by the Ohio Open Records Law, court order, federal/state laws, or other statutes, Hancock court records are open to the public, especially when the public interests outweigh the need for privacy. Confidential files and information are often unavailable to the public, except the requester provides proof of valid claim or court disclosure order.
How to Obtain Hancock County Civil Court Case Records
Individuals who wish to obtain Hancock County court records on civil cases filed in the County Courts of Common Pleas may conduct an online search or direct requests to the Clerk of Courts' office at:
Hancock County Courthouse,
300 South Main Street,
Third Floor,
Findlay, OH 45840
Phone: (419) 424-7037 (Legal)
Fax: (419) 424-7801
For civil cases filed in the Findlay Municipal Court, send requests to:
318 Dorney Plaza,
Room 206
P.O. Box 826
Findlay, OH 45840-3306
Phone: (419) 424-7143
Fax: (419) 424-7803
Email: CourtContact@findlayohio.com
These record custodians may require requesters to make requests in person or via mail by providing case descriptions, fees, or other requirements.
How to Obtain Hancock County Criminal Court Records
The Clerk of Courts is responsible for maintaining records of actions and proceedings that took place in Hancock County Courts of Common Pleas. Individuals interested in obtaining criminal case information or record copies may conduct an online search or direct requests to the Clerk of Courts' office at:
Hancock County Courthouse,
300 South Main Street,
Third Floor,
Findlay, OH 45840
Phone: (419) 424-7037 (Legal)
Fax: (419) 424-7801
For criminal cases filed in the Findlay Municipal Court, send requests to:
318 Dorney Plaza,
Room 206
P.O. Box 826
Findlay, OH 45840-3306
Phone: (419) 424-7141
Fax: (419) 424-7803
Email: CourtContact@findlayohio.com
Requesters may make requests in person or via mail by providing case descriptions, fees, or other requirements.
What Are Hancock County Vital Records?
Hancock County vital records are documentation of life events that are maintained and issued by a county authority. These records include uncertified or certified documents, licenses, certificates, or decrees concerning events like births, deaths, marriages, and divorces that occurred in the county. Most of these records are publicly available at different county or state-run departments unless otherwise restricted by law.
Where and How to Obtain Hancock County Divorce Records
Records of divorces, annulments, or dissolution of marriages granted by the Domestic Relations Divisions of the Hancock County Court of Common Pleas are available at the Clerk of Courts' office. Individuals may request certified or uncertified copies of these records by sending requests with divorcees' names, divorce date, and other information to:
Hancock County Courthouse,
300 South Main Street,
Third Floor,
Findlay, OH 45840
Phone: (419) 424-7037
Fax: (419) 424-7801
When required, requesters should pay fees for searching, duplicating, and certifying the documents.
Where and How to Get Public Hancock County Marriage Records
The Hancock County Probate Court maintains records of marriages licensed by the court. Except under statutory exemption, individuals may obtain copies of Hancock County marriage records by conducting an online search, visiting the court, or sending written requests with party names, marriage date, and license/case number to:
Hancock County Probate Court
308 Dorney Plaza,
Findlay, OH 45840
Phone: (419) 424-7079
Fax: (419) 424-7898
Note: Sections of Hancock County marriage certificates with social security numbers or other restricted details are only available to authorized requesters such as the couple, law enforcement agencies, or persons with a court disclosure order.
Where and How to Get Confidential Marriage Records in Hancock County
Hancock County marriage records rendered confidential by statute or sealed at the request of the married couple are available at the Hancock County Probate Court. However, only the married couple, law enforcement agencies, persons with court disclosure order, and other parties with legitimate interests may view or obtain copies of these records. Eligible requesters may not find information by conducting an online search and should visit the court or send written request with party names, marriage date, license number, and proof of identification/authorization to:
Hancock County Probate Court
308 Dorney Plaza,
Findlay, OH 45840
Phone: (419) 424-7079
Fax: (419) 424-7898
Where and How to Find Hancock County Birth Records
The Vital Statistics Division of Hancock Public Health is the custodian of Hancock County birth certificate. The division issues records of births filed in the state from 1909 till date for $30.00 per copy. Interested persons should send completed request forms, along with fees in the form of a money order or check made payable to Hancock Public Health to:
Hancock Public Health
2225 Keith Parkway,
Findlay, OH 45840
Information required in the application for Hancock County birth records includes the subject's full name at birth, parents' names, birthplace, and birth date.
Where and How to Find Hancock County Death Records
The Vital Statistics Division of Hancock Public Health maintains Hancock County death records filed since 1909. The division redacts the social security number of the deceased from copies given to unauthorized requesters, until five years after the date of death. Individuals may make walk-in or mailed requests by submitting or sending completed request forms, along with a $30 money order or check made payable to Hancock Public Health to:
Hancock Public Health
2225 Keith Parkway,
Findlay, OH 45840
Required information includes the subject's full name at birth, parents' names, birth location, and birth date. For certified copies of Hancock County death certificates with social security numbers, eligible persons such as the deceased's close relatives, spouse, or other authorized parties should also provide valid identification or authorization documents.
