This page helps users look for Court Records in Fairfield County, Ohio and choose the right official court or clerk resource for the case type they need.

For Common Pleas matters, the Fairfield County Clerk of Courts and the Fairfield County Common Pleas Public Records Search and Electronic Case Filing portal handle public case access. Municipal Court records are handled through the Fairfield County Municipal Court case search tools.

The Fairfield County Common Pleas Public Records Search and Electronic Case Filing portal is the main online access point for Common Pleas public case information.

You can search the Common Pleas case management database by name or case number. If searching by case number, use the required format: four-digit year, a space, two-letter case type, a space, and the five-digit case number, including leading zeroes when needed. The portal gives this example: 2001 CR 00001.

  • Name
  • Case number

Access note: Civil and criminal case document images are viewable online for filings from January 1, 2019 to present. Domestic Relations and Court of Appeals case images are not viewable online.

Municipal Court case searches

Fairfield County Municipal Court handles misdemeanor criminal charges, traffic matters, small claims, and civil matters within its jurisdiction. Its case inquiry system allows searches by name or case number.

Use the Municipal Court record search forms for the appropriate case type: Fairfield County Municipal Court record search form or Fairfield County Municipal Court case search form.

The Municipal Court system notes that posted information may lag behind filings or judicial action by at least twenty-four hours, and sometimes longer. For verified information, contact the court or visit during regular business hours.

Public records requests and copies

The Fairfield County Clerk of Courts Records Division manages public records requests for Clerk records. Requests may be made in person, over the telephone, or online.

A person requesting public records does not need to provide a name or reason for the request. Providing details is voluntary, but it can help clarify and speed up the response.

Public record copies are $0.10 per page. Other media, such as DVD when available, may have a different charge. The Clerk’s office may ask for prepayment before processing a request.

For request details, use the Fairfield County Clerk of Courts public records request page.

Case types and court offices

The Fairfield County Clerk of Courts Legal Department handles filings for the Civil Division, Criminal Division, Domestic Relations Division, Court of Appeals Division, and Records Division.

Court or division Records or case types
Common Pleas Court Civil, criminal, and domestic relations cases within Fairfield County
Civil Division Foreclosures, money judgments, garnishments, summonses, subpoenas, writs, and related civil filings
Criminal Division Felony criminal cases bound over to the grand jury and grand jury indictments
Domestic Relations Division Divorce, dissolution, parenting, and other domestic actions
Court of Appeals Division Appeals from Common Pleas Court, Juvenile/Probate Court, and Municipal Court in Fairfield County
Records Division Public access, public records requests, retention, preservation, and official record services

Online record limits and older court dockets

Some records require an office visit or staff assistance. Records relating to civil protection orders and stalking civil protection orders are not available through the internet-based Common Pleas search. The public may access those records by coming to the Fairfield County Clerk of Courts office.

Court dockets from 1993 to present are available online through the Fairfield County Clerk of Courts online search. Prior years are available by contacting the Clerk of Courts Records Division.

If a Municipal Court search result is missing, delayed, or unclear, use the posted result as a starting point and request verified information from Fairfield County Municipal Court.

Filing and eFiling notes

Common Pleas eFiling through the ECF system requires registration. Attorneys may register online, while non-attorneys and members of the public must appear in person at the Clerk of Courts office to register.

Documents for eFiling must be uploaded in PDF format. Proposed orders may be submitted as Microsoft Word documents or fillable PDFs. A motion should include the motion title in the document note field, and a service request should identify the type of service requested.

Filings may also be accepted in person, by U.S. Mail, email, or fax. Pleadings over 20 pages may not be filed by email or fax, and new cases or pleadings requiring a filing fee may not be filed by email or fax.

Court records contacts

Use these contacts for court records, case questions, filing questions, and record requests tied to Fairfield County court records.

  • Fairfield County Clerk of Courts Legal Department, Hall of Justice, 224 E. Main Street, Lancaster, Ohio 43130
    Phone: (740) 652-7360
    Fax: (740) 687-0158
    Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
  • Fairfield County Clerk of Courts Domestic Relations Division, Hall of Justice, 224 E. Main Street, 4th Floor, Lancaster, Ohio 43130
    Phone: (740) 652-7357
    Fax: (740) 652-7399
    Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
  • Fairfield County Clerk of Courts Records Division, Hall of Justice, 224 E. Main Street, 4th Floor, Lancaster, Ohio 43130
    Phone: (740) 652-7358
    Fax: (740) 652-7399
    [email protected]
    Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
  • Fairfield County Municipal Court, 136 West Main Street, Post Office Box 2390, Lancaster, Ohio 43130
    Phone: (740) 687-6621
    Daily court hours: 8:00am - 4:00pm Monday-Friday
  • Fairfield County Municipal Court Clerk’s Office
    Phone: (740) 687-6620
    Fax: (740) 687-6693
    [email protected]
    Hours: 8:00am - 4:00pm Monday-Friday
  • Fairfield County Juvenile and Probate Court, Hall of Justice, 224 East Main Street, 3rd floor, Lancaster, Ohio 43130
    Juvenile phone: (740) 652-7463
    Probate phone: (740) 652-7485
    [email protected]
    [email protected]

Common questions

Where do I search Fairfield County Common Pleas court records online?

Use the Common Pleas public records search portal. It allows searches by name or by a properly formatted case number.

How should I format a Common Pleas case number?

Use the four-digit year, a space, the two-letter case type, a space, and the five-digit case number. Include leading zeroes when needed, such as 2001 CR 00001.

Can I view every Common Pleas case image online?

No. Civil and criminal case images are viewable online for documents filed from January 1, 2019 to present. Domestic Relations and Court of Appeals case images are not viewable online.

How do I search Fairfield County Municipal Court records?

Fairfield County Municipal Court provides case inquiry searches by name or case number for matters such as misdemeanor criminal, traffic, small claims, and civil cases.

Are Municipal Court search results updated immediately?

No. The Municipal Court notice says there may be a delay of at least twenty-four hours between filings or judicial action and the posting of information, and the delay may be longer.

How do I get verified Municipal Court record information?

Send a request to Fairfield County Municipal Court or visit the court during regular business hours when you need verified information.

Who handles older Fairfield County court dockets?

Court dockets from 1993 to present are available online through the Clerk of Courts online search. For earlier years, contact the Fairfield County Clerk of Courts Records Division.

How much are public records copies from the Clerk of Courts?

Public records copies are $0.10 per page. Other available media may cost more, and the Clerk’s office may ask for prepayment before processing a request.