Criminal Records
The Lake County Sheriff’s Department serves as the major law enforcement agency for the region. It also provides access to public records, in compliance with the Ohio Public Records Law. Interested parties can request for public criminal records by submitting a request in writing at any of the office locations.
In addition, the Ohio Attorney General’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation maintains an expansive database of criminal fingerprints. County residents can request background checks to search for any existing criminal records within Mahoning County and the rest of the state.
Who Can Request a Police Report
In compliance with state laws, access to some arrest records and court records may be restricted to only authorized applicants. Requests can be made by witnesses or victims of a crime, insurance carriers, or legal representatives of victims. Requests for juvenile information will require the permission of the presiding judge of the juvenile court.
How to Find Inmate Records
The Lake County Sheriff’s Department maintains a public jail roster that lists inmates currently held in correctional facilities within the county. It also publishes an online list of most wanted fugitives. Similarly, the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction provides access to an online database that displays data of offenders held in correctional inmate facilities across the state. Members of the public can conduct searches by name, county, zip code, or using any known offender number.
How to Find Sex Offender Information
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office maintains records of registered sex offenders living in the county. Residents can view or obtain records in person at the department located at:
84 N. State Street
Painesville, OH 44077
Phone: (440) 350-5676 or (440) 350-5858
Fax: (440) 350-5888
In addition, the Ohio Attorney General provides public access to an online registry that contains the names and details of registered sex offenders residing in Lake county and other parts of the state.
Court Records
The Lake County court system consists of multiple courts, including courts of common pleas, municipal courts, and county courts. Records of cases filed in the Courts of Common Pleas can be viewed by contacting the Clerk of Courts located at the:
Lake County Courthouse - West Annex
25 N Park Pl
Painesville, OH 44077
Phone: (440) 350-2657
The Clerk of Court also provides public access to records of cases filed at the Common Pleas Court or Probate Court via its eAccess portal. Members of the public can search through case information and records by case status, case type or party type. Records of cases filed at the municipal courts can be viewed directly at the respective courthouse based on its jurisdiction.
Mentor Municipal Court
8500 Civic Center Blvd
Mentor, OH 44060
Phone: (440) 974-5744
Presides over the cities of Mentor and Mentor-on-the-Lake.
Painesville Municipal Court
7 Richmond St, P.O. Box 601
Painesville, OH 44077
Phone: (440) 392-5900
Fax: (440) 352-0028
Presides over the city Painesville; the townships of Concord, Leroy, Madison, Painesville, and Perry; and the villages of Fairport Harbor, Grand River, Madison, North Perry, and Perry.
Willoughby Municipal Court
4000 Erie St
Willoughby, OH 44094
Phone: (440) 953-4150
Fax: (440) 953-4149
Presides over the cities of Eastlake, Kirtland, Wickliffe, Willoughby, Willoughby Hills, and Willowick; the Villages of Kirtland Hills, Lakeline, Timberlake, and Waite Hill; and Kirtland Township.
Vital Records
Lake County provides access to vital records at the county and state level. To secure records, interested parties may be required to provide a copy of a valid ID. Accepted options include U.S. passport, driver's license, or a military ID card.
How to Find Divorce Records
Eligible parties can obtain copies of a divorce decree granted in Lake County by contacting the Office of the Clerk of Court at:
Lake County Courthouse West Annex
25 North Park Place
Painesville, OH 44077-3416
County residents can also search for general case information using the court’s eAccess platform.
How to Obtain Birth and Death Records
Access to birth and death records can be obtained at the Lake County General Health District. It maintains records of deaths that occur within the county and births across the state. Records can be obtained in person at:
Lake County General Health District,
5966 Heisley Road,
Mentor, OH 44060
Records can also be obtained via mail by sending a completed application form with the appropriate fees to:
Vital Statistics
Lake County General Health District
5966 Heisley Rd.
Mentor, OH 44060
A $21.50 fee is charged per copy for each certificate. Submitted applications must include the full name of the individual on record as well as the contact details of the requester. Interested parties can also obtain records from the Vital Statistics Office of the Ohio Department of Health. It processes both same day (in-person) and mail requests. To obtain a certified copy of a birth/death record by mail, interested parties must send a completed application form to the:
Ohio Department of Health
Bureau of Vital Statistics
P.O. Box 15098
Columbus, OH 43215-0098
The department charges $21.50 for each copy of a birth or death records.
How to Find Marriage Records
The Lake County Probate Court maintains records of marriages that occurred in Lake County. Residents of the county can obtain certified copies of a marriage license by visiting the Lake County Probate court at:
Lake County Marriage Department
25 North Park Place
P.O. Box 490
Painesville, OH 44077
Submitted applications must include the date of marriage, number of copies required and the names of both parties.
