Montgomery County Court Records
Per the Supreme Court of Ohio’s Public Access & Records Retention Rules, a court record refers to any document submitted to a court or filed with a court clerk in a legal case or proceeding. They are vital to court processes and serve multiple purposes. These records act as references for legal professionals, researchers, and the general public. They can be used to prepare appeals, keep track of cases of public interest, and as a source for stories and publications.
The Office of the Clerk of Courts is responsible for maintaining court records in Montgomery County. Court documents are recorded and processed in line with the provisions of the Supreme Court of Ohio Public Access Rules.
Are Court Records Public in Montgomery County
Yes. The Ohio Open Records Law, established under Ohio Rev. Code § 149.43, ensures that most court records are accessible to the general public. Interested individuals can inspect and copy records and documents filed in Montgomery County courts. However, not every court record falls under this public access provision.
The court may choose to seal specific records to protect confidential information. When a record is sealed, it is only accessible to the parties directly involved in the case and those granted permission by the court. Examples of such records include medical records, adoption proceedings, and records pertaining to juveniles.
What Do Montgomery County Court Records Contain?
Montgomery County court records contain various information that can provide inquirers with comprehensive details on a court case. The information varies based on the case type and the court where it was heard. Here are case details and information that inquirers can access when they look up court records in Montgomery County:
- Party information (names of plaintiff and defendant)
- Attorney and judge information
- Case information (case type, status, description, and action, and file date)
- Additional information (case filing ID and plaintiff attorney case ID)
- Case comments
- Docket information (complaints, motions, notices, orders, judgment, and fees)
- Charges (indicted charge, amended charge, disposition, disposition date, disposition comments, and counts)
Where to Conduct a Montgomery County Case Lookup
Court records are generated throughout a court proceeding. Documents filed by the parties involved and other actions taken during the proceeding are documented and stored for record purposes. Individuals who wish to conduct a case lookup in Montgomery County can do so at the following locations:
- Montgomery County Courts of Common Pleas (General Division, Domestic Relations Division, Juvenile Division, and Probate Division)
- Montgomery County Municipal Courts
- Second District Appellate Court of Ohio
- Supreme Court of Ohio
How to Conduct a Montgomery County Case Records Search
Record seekers can visit the courthouse where the case was filed and request court records. Usually, the court clerk's office provides a requestor’s form where inquirers must fill in their personal information and details about the record of interest. The information provided will then be used to conduct the search.
Individuals who wish to request court records online can use the Ohio Judicial System court directory to access the respective case search portal of the courthouse where the case was heard. For example:
- Montgomery County Courts of Common Pleas Probate Division
Records from the Probate Division of the Court of Common Pleas are available on the court's Case Search portal. A search can be conducted by simply inputting the first or last name of the parties involved.
The Probate Division also provides a separate Marriage License Case Search portal for easy access to information about marriage licenses issued after January 1, 2001. Inquirers must visit the courthouse to view marriage records from before this date. Interested parties can request certified copies of Probate Division records by calling (937) 225-4640.
- Montgomery County Courts of Common Pleas (General Division, Domestic Relations Division) and Municipal Courts
The Montgomery County Clerk of Courts has a Public Record Online (PRO) System where individuals can access court records from the Municipal Court and the General and Domestic Relations Divisions of the Court of Common Pleas. There are two search options available on the PRO system:
- General search: With General Search, users can enter case details such as names of parties involved, case number, ticket number, and case type to conduct a search.
- Attorney search: This allows users to search using the attorneys' names involved in the case.
Alternatively, inquirers can request regular, certified, or authenticated copies of court records from the Clerk of Courts Office. Records within the jurisdiction of Montgomery County’s Municipal Court can be obtained by phone, fax, mail, or in person at the two subdivisions. Copies from the Court of Common Pleas can be requested in person, via email (to recordssection@mcohio.org) or to the mail address below:
Records Section of the Clerk of Courts office
Montgomery County Courts Building
41 N. Perry Street
Room 104
Dayton, OH 45422
Note that regular copies cost $.10 per page, certified copies cost $1 per page, and authenticated copies cost $5. Payments for these copies must be made in advance, and requesters must provide a self-addressed, stamped envelope.
Inquirers are advised to contact the appropriate Clerk’s Office to verify the total number of pages before making a payment and submitting the request. Accepted payment methods include cash, check, money order, and credit card.
Montgomery County Civil Court Case Records
Civil court records are official documents of actions taken in a civil court proceeding. Civil cases are initiated by private citizens or companies seeking to enforce agreements, contracts, or obligations.
Montgomery County municipal courts handle civil cases where the disputed amount is less than $15,000 and small claims cases where the amount in dispute is $6,000 or less. Civil actions exceeding $15,000, including business disputes and medical malpractice cases, are heard by the General Division of the Common Pleas Court.
Records of civil cases filed with the Montgomery County Municipal Court and the Common Pleas Court are accessible through the Public Record Online (PRO) System. However, to access civil case records from other Montgomery County municipal courts, inquirers should visit the specific court where the case was heard or utilize the Online Case Search tool on the courthouse's website.
Legal matters related to guardianships and distribution of a deceased person’s assets are handled by the Probate Division of the Court of Common Pleas. This court provides its own Case Search portal that gives inquirers access to records within its jurisdiction. The platform allows users to modify their search results by choosing from different Probate case types, such as Estate, Guardianship, and Trust.
Montgomery County Criminal Court Case Records
Criminal court records are legal documents containing every action taken during the criminal proceedings against an offender. Montgomery County municipal courts hear cases that carry light sentences like misdemeanors and traffic trials, while the General Division of the Court of Common Pleas handles felonies and gross misdemeanors.
To access records of criminal cases, inquirers can visit the courthouse where the case was filed or use the Public Record Online (PRO) System. The PRO system only serves the Montgomery Common Pleas Courts (General Division and Domestic Relations Division), the Montgomery County Municipal Court (Eastern and Western Divisions), and the Second District Appellate Court of Ohio.
Other municipal courts in Montgomery County maintain their own Online Case Search portal where records of cases tried in the court can be accessed remotely. Individuals can also request copies of criminal records by phone, fax, or mailing the request to the respective court's address.
How to Get Court Records Online for Free
The primary way to access court records for free in Montgomery County is through the Case Search system provided by the Montgomery County Clerk of Courts. The system allows users to view records filed at the Court of Appeals, the County’s Municipal Court, and the Common Pleas Court. Follow this guide to use the Case Search System:
- Visit the Montgomery County Clerk of Courts website
- Click on “Public Records Search” at the right corner of the homepage
- Choose from the options “General Search” or “Attorney Search”
- Enter the necessary information (case number, case type or names of parties involved)
- Click on “Search”
- Select the record of interest from the search result.
Courts in Montgomery County
Here are the addresses and contact information for all courts in Montgomery County, Ohio:
Montgomery County Municipal Courts
Montgomery County Municipal Court Eastern Division
6111 Taylorsville Road
Huber Heights, OH 45424
Phone: (937) 225-5824 (Civil)
Fax: (937) 496-7236 (Civil)
Phone: (937) 496-7231 (Criminal/Traffic)
Fax: (937) 496-7236 (Criminal/Traffic)
Montgomery County Municipal Court Western Division
195 South Clayton Road
New Lebanon, OH 45345
Phone: (937) 687-9092 (Civil)
Fax: (937) 687-7119 (Civil)
Phone: (937) 687-9099 (Criminal/Traffic)
Fax: (937) 687-7119 (Criminal/Traffic)
Dayton Municipal Court
Dayton-Montgomery County Courts Building
301 West 3rd Street
P.O. Box 10700
Dayton, OH 45402
Phone: (937) 333-4300
Kettering Municipal Court
2325 Wilmington Pike
Kettering, OH 45420
Phone: (937) 296-2461
Fax: (937) 534-7017
Miamisburg Municipal Court
10 North 1st Street
Miamisburg, OH 45342
Phone: (937) 866-2203
Fax: (937) 866-0135
Oakwood Municipal Court
30 Park Avenue
Dayton, OH 45419
Phone: (937) 293-3058
Vandalia Municipal Court
245 James E. Bohanan Memorial Drive
P.O. Box 429
Vandalia, OH 45377
Phone: (937) 898-3996
Fax: (937) 898-6648
Montgomery County Courts of Common Pleas
Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas - General Division (Criminal and Civil)
Montgomery County Courts Building
41 North Perry Street
Room 106
Dayton, OH 45422
Phone: (937) 225-4512 (Civil)
Fax: (937) 496-7220 (Civil)
Phone: (937) 225-4536 (Criminal)
Fax: (937) 496-7581 (Criminal)
Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas - Domestic Relations Division
Montgomery County Courts Building
41 North Perry Street
Dayton, OH 45422
Phone: (937) 225-4063
Fax: (937) 496-7443
Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas - Juvenile Division
Juvenile Justice Center
380 West 2nd Street
Dayton, OH 45422
Phone: (937) 496-7908
Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas - Juvenile Division - Satellite Juvenile Court of Washington Township, City of Kettering, and City of Centerville
Washington Township Government Center
8200 McEwen Road
Centerville, OH 45458
Phone: (937) 433-0152
Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas - Probate Court
Montgomery County Courts Building
41 North Perry Street
Dayton, OH 45422
Phone: (937) 225-4640
Fax: (937) 496-3181
