What are Jackson County Public Records?
According to the Open Records Law, Jackson County public records are records kept by any public entity, including agencies in cities, villages, and towns. The law ensures public access to these records and allows custodians to request copy fees in advance of record production. Ohio law states that custodians who deny access to public records must provide the requestor with an explanation for the denial, including legal authority. However, state law exempts some records from public disclosure. Examples include private medical records, confidential law enforcement investigatory records, adoption records, and all records considered confidential by state or federal law.
In addition to government agencies, county public records may 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 are able to 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.
Jackson County Crime Statistics
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) publishes annual Jackson County crime statistics as part of its Uniform Crime Reporting Program (UCR). In 2019, the UCR reported a total of 256 offenses, including 26 violent crimes, 229 property crimes, and 1 arson. Specific violent crimes were 14 rape incidents, 1 robbery, and 11 aggravated assault crimes. Figures for property crimes include 82 burglary incidents, 125 larceny thefts, and 22 motor vehicle thefts. In 2018, the UCR's report revealed a total of 259 crimes, representing a 1.15% drop in reported crimes.
Are Jackson County Criminal Records Public?
Jackson County criminal records are not public. Only the parties named on the records can request and obtain copies of criminal history information records. Eligible persons can obtain these records from the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office.
Record seekers can obtain local Jackson criminal records at $5.00 per document. The Sheriff's Office also offers BCI or FBI checks at $37.00 each, or a combined BCI and FBI check for $60.00. Requestors can pay with cash, checks, money orders, debit cards, or credit cards. However, all card payments incur a $2.00 surcharge for transactions worth between $37.00 and $70.00, or $3.00 for transactions over $71.00. Transactions more than $100.00 cost a 3.75% surcharge. All parties should visit the Sheriff's Office with state-issued ID at the following address:
Jackson County Sheriff’s Office
350 Portsmouth Street
Jackson, OH 45640
Phone: (740) 286-6464
Fax: (740) 286-5635
How to Obtain Jackson County Police Reports and Arrest Records
Police reports and arrest records contain information on incidents and arrests handled by law enforcement agencies. Persons seeking these records can contact the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office by submitting mail, fax, phone, email, or in-person requests. Record seekers may complete the Public Record Request Form and submit it in person. Alternatively, parties requesting Jackson arrest records or police reports can submit written requests containing relevant information and submit using the following details:
Jackson County Sheriff’s Office
Attention: Public Records Request
350 Portsmouth Street
Jackson, OH 45640
Phone: (740) 286-6464
Fax: (740) 286-5635
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Jackson County
Residents seeking Jackson County sex offender information can use the Ohio Sex Offender Search. Anyone can search the registry by area, name, city, internet name, email, or phone number. The database also features a list of non-compliant sex offenders. Available details include offenders’ names, registration numbers, physical descriptions, addresses, offenses, and photographs.
How to Find Jackson County Inmate Records
Anyone interested in Jackson County inmate records should contact the Sheriff’s Office. Requestors should provide the office with inmate details, including names, booking information, charges, and other known details. Record seekers should submit requests to the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office at:
Jackson County Sheriff’s Office
350 Portsmouth Street
Jackson, OH 45640
Phone: (740) 286-6464
Fax: (740) 286-5635
Court Records
Jackson County has Courts of Common Pleas, Mayor's Courts, and a Municipal Court. The Court of Common Pleas is the court of general jurisdiction, exercising original jurisdiction over certain felony and civil cases. The Mayor's Courts handle certain criminal and civil cases, while the Municipal Courts hear felony preliminary hearings, traffic and non-traffic misdemeanors, and municipal ordinance violations.
Locations of Courts in Jackson County
Jackson County Court of Common Pleas - General and Domestic Relations Divisions
Jackson County Courthouse
226 E Main Street, Suite 209
Jackson, OH 45640
Phone: (740) 286-3601
Email: jccpcourt@gmail.com
Jackson County Court of Common Pleas - Juvenile Division
350 Portsmouth Street
Jackson, OH 45640
Phone: (740) 286-6405
Jackson County Court of Common Pleas - Probate Division
350 Portsmouth Street
Jackson, OH 45640
Phone: (740) 286-1401
Jackson County Municipal Court
295 Broadway Street, Suite 101
Jackson, OH 45640
Phone: (740) 286-2718
Fax: (740) 286-0679
Coalton Mayor’s Court
10 S 2nd Street
Coalton, OH 45621
Phone: (740) 288-1686
Oak Hill Mayor’s Court
415 N Front Street
Oak Hill, OH 45656
Phone: (740) 682-6301
Fax: (740) 682-3210
Are Court Records Public in Jackson County?
Jackson County court records are open to the general public. Parties interested in these records can obtain them by submitting record details to the Jackson County Clerk of Courts Office. Although most records are available, court clerks prevent access to records that contain confidential information. Also, Jackson court records that contain sensitive details, or information that may impede a fair trial, are also closed to the public.
How to Obtain Jackson County Civil Court Records
Persons interested in Jackson County civil court records should submit requests to the Clerk of Courts Office. Parties must provide all known record details, including names, dates, and case information. Record seekers should also note that the Clerk of Courts Office may charge request fees. Interested persons should submit requests to:
Jackson County Clerk of Courts
226 East Main Street, Suite 9
Jackson, OH 45640
Phone: (740) 286-2006
How to Obtain Jackson County Criminal Court Records
Parties can contact the Jackson County Clerk of Courts Office for criminal court records. Access to these records requires the requestor to provide a detailed description, including names of parties to the case, charge information, docket details, and other known specifics. All parties should note that the court may request varying copy fees before providing desired court records. Interested persons should submit requests to:
Jackson County Clerk of Courts
226 East Main Street, Suite 9
Jackson, OH 45640
Phone: (740) 286-2006
What are Jackson County Vital Records?
Vital records are records of major life events, such as marriages, divorces, births, and deaths. Jackson County vital records are obtainable from different county agencies, including the Jackson County Clerk of Courts, Probate Court, or the Jackson County Vital Statistics Office. However, record seekers should note that state law prevents access to some Jackson vital records.
Divorce Records
A divorce record proves that a couple has legally ended their marriage. Jackson County divorce records are available at the Clerk of Court's Office. Interested persons must provide the office with the divorced parties' names, divorce location, and date of divorce. Residents requesting Jackson County divorce decrees should submit requests using the details below:
Jackson County Clerk of Courts
226 East Main Street, Suite 9
Jackson, OH 45640
Phone: (740) 286-2006
Marriage Records
A marriage record is an official record of a marriage solemnization between two eligible persons. Anyone interested in obtaining Jackson County marriage records should submit requests to the Probate Court. Each request should provide details of the record and include applicable fees. Record seekers may submit requests for Jackson County marriage certificates using the following information:
Jackson County Probate Court
350 Portsmouth Street
Jackson, OH 45640
Phone: (740) 286-1401
Birth Records
Jackson County birth records are official government records that contain the names, parents’ names, places of birth, and birth dates of all persons born in the county. Members of the general public can obtain copies of birth records from the Jackson County Vital Statistics Office. Each party must complete an Application to Request Certified Copy of Birth Certificate available on the Vital Statistics Office page. Jackson County birth certificates cost $30.00 per copy, payable by cash, credit cards, debit cards, or checks and money orders made out to the Jackson County Health Department. Applicants should submit requests to:
Jackson County Health Department
200 East Main Street
Jackson, OH 45640
Hours: 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, Mondays through Fridays
Phone: (740) 286-5094
Death Records
Jackson County death records are government-issued documents that declare a decedent’s name, date of death, and place of death. Residents may obtain Jackson County death certificates by submitting completed copies of the Application to Request Certified Copy of Death Certificate provided on the Jackson County Vital Statistics Office website. However, records are only available to persons with a tangible relationship to the decedent, such as a spouse, lineal descendant, attorney, executor, or legal agent.
Each application should contain the person’s name at birth, date of death, applicant’s information, and a specified relationship to the deceased. A Jackson County death certificate costs $30.00, payable by credit cards, debit cards, cash, or money orders and checks made out to the Jackson County Health Department. All applicants should submit requests to:
Jackson County Health Department
200 East Main Street
Jackson, OH 45640
Hours: 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, Mondays through Fridays
Phone: (740) 286-5094
