What are Richland County Public Records?
Richland County’s employees abide by the Iowa Open Records Law. The OPR defines Richland County public records as all physical or digital documents or any other type of information that a state, county, city, township government agency, and any of its affiliates might create, maintain, or preserve. Iowa Government Code Chapter 22 makes Richland County public records available to anyone who wishes to examine or copy them - unless the document is confidential by state law or court order. Confidential documents include (but are not limited to):
- Hospital records;
- Medical records;
- Personal records regarding juveniles;
- Trade secrets;
- Documents under attorney-client privilege.
Richland County Crime Statistics
In Richland County, the Federal Bureau of Investigation collects crime data and puts it into its annual Uniform Crime Report. In its 2016 report, the Bureau reported 57 violent crimes and 1164 property crimes in Richland County - 1221 crimes in total. A further breakdown revealed three murders, 24 rape cases, seven robberies, and 23 cases of aggravated assault. Richmond County law enforcement also reported 447 burglaries, 694 instances of larceny-theft, 23 vehicular-theft cases, and five arson instances.
Over two years, the crime numbers in Richland County declined. In a 2018 report, the Federal Bureau of Investigation reported 813 total crimes, broken into 65 violent crimes and 748 property crimes. Richland County law enforcement reported 35 rapes, nine robberies, and 21 cases of aggravated assault. They also recorded 185 burglaries, 307 instances of larceny-theft, and four instances of arson.
Are Richland County Criminal Records Public?
According to the Iowa Open Records Law’s provisions, Richland County criminal records are in the public domain. Iowa permits every interested person to scrutinize, duplicate, and distribute a Richland County criminal record unless Iowa’s Government Code Ch. 22.7 or another law exempts it from public view.
The Iowa Department of Public Safety, per state statutes, provides Richland criminal records to interested persons upon request. Iowa’s Government Code Ch. 22.7 exempts the following types or portions of criminal records from public view:
- Juvenile records;
- Criminal identification files of state and local law enforcement;
- Government reports and financial information whose release would not aid the public or give an edge to competitors;
- Confidential personnel records.
How to Obtain Richland County Police Reports and Arrest Records?
The Richland County Sheriff’s Records Department creates and stores all arrest records and police reports. All arrest records are permanent, except for those a court expunges. The Records department provides the public with arrest records upon request. Interested persons may obtain Richland County arrest records by visiting the Sheriff’s office in person or sending a written appeal.
The Records Department attends to requesters from 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Requesters must provide as much accurate information as possible to facilitate the search.
Richland County Sheriff’s Office - Records Division
73 East 2nd Street,
Mansfield, OH 44902
Phone: (419) 774-78645
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Richland County
Individuals who wish to view Richland County sex offender information may query the statewide Sex Offender Registry, which the Iowa Department of Public Safety maintains according to the Iowa Code Chapter 692A. The DPS regularly updates the registry, and interested persons may search for Richland sex offenders by name, address, or county. The DPS also offers a Notification and Registrant Watch System, which residents may register on to receive notifications when registered offenders move into the neighborhood and update their profile. Individuals who want this service must create an account with a valid email address and receive notification by email, phone call, or text.
How to Find Richland County Inmate Records
In Richland County, the Sheriff’s Office regularly updates inmate details on its Who’s In Jail page. Interested persons can look through the page to find the desired Richland County inmate record. The page provides inmates’ names, booking dates, and booking numbers, mugshots, conviction information, and arresting agency info.
How Do I Visit an Inmate in Richland County Jail?
Richland County’s Sheriff allows inmates’ friends and family to visit them at the County Jail. Inmates may receive one 30-minute visit per week. Individuals interested in visiting inmates must schedule two weeks in advance by calling (419) 774-3281 from 8:0 a.m.-5:0 p.m., Monday through Friday. The prison will not admit walk-in visitors. The approved visiting hours are as follows:
- Monday - Friday: 5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.;
- Saturday and Sunday: 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m..
All visitors must enter the facility through the Visitation Area Entrance at the building’s southwest corner. All visitors must provide a valid ID, pass through a metal detector, and are subject to a search when entering the facility. The facility does not admit minor visitors currently. The prison staff does not allow contraband to enter the building, and visitors must leave them in their cars. Contraband includes:
- Food and drinks;
- Bags, purses, and coats;
- Cellphones and other electronic devices;
- Guns, knives, or any other weapons;
- Alcohol, cigarettes, marijuana, or any other type of drug;
- Vapes.
All visitors must dress comfortably but conservatively. The prison’s staff will deny anyone entrance if they are wearing the following:
- Tight or revealing tops;
- Leggings or sundresses;
- Short skirts or mini-shorts;
- Slippers or sandals;
- Clothing with lewd, offensive, or gang-related print;
- Clothing that closely resembles prison uniforms.
Richland County Court Records
Richland County’s courts are under the state’s trial court system. The Richland County Court of Common Pleas handles nearly all county cases, including criminal cases, civil disputes, and family court cases.
The locations of all the courts in Richland County are below:
Richland County Court of Common Pleas - Domestic Relations Division
County Administration Building
50 Park Ave E, Mansfield, OH 44902
Phone: (419) 774-5549
Fax: (419) 774-5547
Richland County Court of Common Pleas - General Division
County Administration Building
50 Park Ave E,
Mansfield, OH 44902
Phone: (419) 774-5549
Fax: (419) 774-5547
Richland County Court of Common Pleas - Juvenile Division
Juvenile Detention Center
411 S Diamond St,
Mansfield, OH 44902
Phone: (419) 774-5578
Richland County Court of Common Pleas - Probate Division
County Administration Building
50 Park Ave E,
Mansfield, OH 44902
Phone: (419) 774-5583
Fax: (419) 774-5865
Mansfield Municipal Court
30 N Diamond St,
Mansfield, OH 44902
Phone: (419) 755-9632
Shelby Municipal Court
29 Mack Ave,
Shelby, OH 44875
Phone: (419) 342-2896
Fax: (419) 342-6404
Bellville Mayor's Court
142 Park Pl,
Bellville, OH 44813
Phone: (419) 886-2245 ext. 1
Butler Mayor's Court
33 Elm St,
Butler, OH 44822
Phone: (419) 883-2481
Fax: (419) 883-3360
Lexington Mayor's Court
Village Hall
44 W Main St,
Lexington, OH 44904
Phone: (419) 884-7267
Lucas Mayor's Court
101 1st Ave,
Lucas, OH 44843
Phone: (419) 892-2178
Ontario Mayor's Court
Ontario Municipal Building
555 Stumbo Rd,
Ontario, OH 44906
Phone: (419) 529-3723
Fax: (419) 529-6132
Plymouth Mayor's Court
25 Sandusky St,
Plymouth, OH 44865
Phone: (419) 687-2020
Fax: (419) 687-5383
Shiloh Mayor's Court
13 W Main St,
P.O. Box 242,
Shiloh, OH 44878
Phone: (419) 896-2011
Are Richland County Court Records Public?
Per the Iowa Open Records Act, Richland County court records are available for public inspection. Richland County residents may scrutinize or copy a Richland County record unless the law or a court order exempts it from general viewership. Confidential portions of Richland County court records are publicly unavailable and accessible only to the parties and legal representatives involved. Some examples of closed Richland court records include:
- Documents containing juvenile delinquent and non-delinquent information;
- Search warrants;
- Investigative filings;
- Adoption records;
- Witnesses information forms;
- Substance abuse assessments;
- Mental health records.
The Richland County Clerk of Courts manages the county’s court records and provides them to interested persons upon request.
How to Obtain Richland County Civil Court Case Records
The Richland County Clerk of Courts offers Richland County civil court case records to interested persons upon request. Individuals who wish to request individual records may first obtain their information on the Iowa Court Case Search website by selecting "civil" and "Richland" on the Case Type and County drop-down menu, respectively. To conduct a name search, researchers must provide the parties’ names. If available, the results will provide the citation or case number, along with other details.
The researcher may apply to the Clerk of Courts for certified copies of Richland County court civil court case records. Requesters must provide complete details, including the parties’ names and the case number. They must also pay the appropriate copy fees.
Richland County Clerk of Courts
50 Park Ave. East
Mansfield, OH 44902
Phone: (419) 774-5549
Fax: (419) 774-5547
How to Obtain Richland County Criminal Court Records
In Richland County, the Clerk of Courts is responsible for storing criminal court records and providing them to interested persons upon request. Individuals interested in obtaining Richland County criminal records must first get their information on the Iowa Court Case Search website by selecting "criminal" and "Richland" on the Case Type and County drop-down menu, respectively. To conduct a name search, researchers must provide the defendant’s full name and birthdate. If available, the results will give the case number, along with other details.
The researcher may apply to the Clerk of Courts for certified copies of Richland County court criminal court records. Requesters must provide complete details, including the defendant’s full name, birth date, and case number. They must also pay the appropriate copy fees.
Richland County Clerk of Courts
50 Park Ave. East
Mansfield, OH 44902
Phone: (419) 774-5549
Fax: (419) 774-5547
What are Richland County Vital Records?
Richland County vital records refer to official documents that offer information on important life events such as birth, death, marriage, and marital dissolution. As a standard, the state of Ohio does not provide vital records to the public unless a period elapses or exceptional circumstances apply. The Richland County Clerk of Courts disseminates Richland County divorce records, while the Richland County Recorder provides certified copies of marriage records to eligible persons. Similarly, the Iowa Department of Public Health is responsible for managing and delivering copies of marriage, birth, and death certificates.
Where and How to Obtain Richland County Divorce Records
The Richland County Clerk of Courts manages the county’s divorce register and provides copies of divorce records to the following persons:
- The divorcees;
- The divorcees’ immediate family members;
- The divorcees’ legal representatives;
- Anyone with a court order to obtain the record.
Eligible persons who require copies of Richland County divorce certificates may query the Richland County Clerk’s office in person or in writing. All requests to the county clerk must consist of:
- The full name of the first party in the divorce;
- The full name of the second party in the divorce;
- The month, day, and year when the court finalized the divorce.
Requesters may query the Clerk of Court at:
Richland County Clerk of Courts
50 Park Ave. East
Mansfield, OH 44902
Phone: (419) 774-5549
Fax: (419) 774-5547
Where and How to Get Public Richland County Marriage Records
In Richland County, marriage records become publicly available 75 years after the first issue. Interested persons who wish to obtain public copies of Richland County marriage certificates may contact the Richland County Recorder’s office in person or by mail. The cost of a certified public marriage record is $15.
Richland County Recorder’s Office
50 Park Ave. East
Mansfield, OH 44902
Phone: (419) 774-5599
If the recorder’s office does not have the required documents, the researchers may reach out to the Iowa Vital Records office on (515) 281-4944 to locate them. Requesters may also query the vital records office by mail or in-person at:
Iowa Department of Public Health Bureau of Health Statistics
Lucas State Office Building - 1st Floor
321 E. 12th Street
Des Moines, IA 50319-0075
Interested persons may also query the Iowa Genealogy Society and the State Historical Society of Iowa to access public Richland County marriage records.
Where and How to Get Confidential Marriage Records in Richland County
In Ohio, marriage records under 75 years old are inaccessible to the public. The Richland County Recorder’s office will provide confidential Richland County marriage records to the following persons only:
- The registered parties on the record;
- Any individual who can establish a familial relationship with the record’s subjects;
- Any biological or adopted sibling of the record’s subject;
- Any of the grandparents of the record’s subjects;
- Any biological or adopted child of the record’s subjects;
- Any legal ward of the record’s subjects;
- Any legal representatives of any of the registrants or any eligible relatives;
- Anyone in possession of a court order issued by a court of sufficient jurisdiction.
Interested persons who wish to obtain certified copies of confidential Richland County marriage certificates may contact the Richland County Recorder’s office in person or by mail. The cost of a certified confidential marriage record is $15.
Richland County Recorder’s Office
50 Park Ave. East
Mansfield, OH 44902
Phone: (419) 774-5599
If the recorder’s office does not have the required documents, the researchers may reach out to the Iowa Vital Records office on (515) 281-4944 to locate them. Requesters may also query the vital records office by mail or in-person at:
Iowa Department of Public Health Bureau of Health Statistics
Lucas State Office Building - 1st Floor
321 E. 12th Street
Des Moines, IA 50319-0075
Interested persons may also query the Iowa Genealogy Society and the State Historical Society of Iowa to access confidential Richland County marriage records.
Where and How to Find Richland County Birth Records
The Richland Public Health’s Vital Statistics Division is responsible for maintaining records of all births in Richland County since 1909. It makes certified copies of Richland County birth records available to eligible persons, including:
- The record’s subject;
- Any individual who can establish a familial relationship with the record’s subject;
- The spouse of the record’s subject;
- Any biological or adopted sibling of the record’s subject;
- Any maternal grandparent of the record’s subject;
- Any paternal grandparent of the record’s subject, if the father’s name is on record;
- Any biological or adopted child of the record’s subject;
- Any legal guardian of the record’s subject;
- Any legal representative of any eligible relative;
- Legal representatives of the registrant’s estate empowered by qualified court order;
- Anyone in possession of a court order issued by a court of sufficient jurisdiction.
Eligible persons may obtain copies of Richland birth certificates by ordering online or completing a vital records request form and submitting it by mail. To access the documents, requesters must provide the following information:
- The subject’s full name at the time of birth
- The birth date of the subject
- The county of birth
- The name of the subject’s parents and the mother’s maiden name
- The relationship of the subject to the requester
Copies of Richland county birth certificates cost $25 each. Individuals sending in mail applications must attach a replica of a valid photo ID and a self-addressed, stamped envelope to facilitate the record’s return.
Richland Public Health
555 Lexington Ave
Mansfield, OH 44907
Where and How to Find Richland County Death Records
The Richland Public Health’s Vital Statistics division maintains Richland County’s death register and provides certified copies of Richland County death records to the following eligible persons:
- Any individual who can establish a familial relationship with the deceased;
- The decedent’s spouse;
- Any biological or adopted sibling of the deceased;
- Any maternal grandparent of the decedent;
- Any paternal grandparent of the decedent, if the father’s name is on record;
- Any biological or adopted child of the deceased;
- Any legal guardian of the deceased;
- Any legal representative of any eligible relative;
- Legal representatives of the decedent’s estate empowered by a qualified court order;
- Anyone in possession of a court order issued by a court of sufficient jurisdiction;
- Any party who was a joint tenant or co-owner on personal or real property of the decedent;
- Any person listed in the decedent’s will and final testament;
- Any person listed as a beneficiary on the decedent’s insurance policy;
Applicants must provide the following details to obtain access to the records:
- The decedent’s name;
- The place of death;
- The day of death;
- The degree of relation the requester has to the deceased.
Eligible persons may obtain copies of Richland death certificates by ordering online or completing a vital records request form and submitting it by mail.
Richland Public Health
555 Lexington Ave
Mansfield, OH 44907
