This guide helps users find Court Records in Franklin County, Ohio, by pointing to the main official search tools for Common Pleas, appellate, and Municipal Court cases.
For many Common Pleas and 10th District Court of Appeals records, the Franklin County Clerk of Courts Case Information Online system is the central public access point. Municipal Court case searches are handled through the Franklin County Municipal Court Clerk search page.
Franklin County Clerk of Courts Case Information Online
Use Franklin County Clerk of Courts Case Information Online to review public case information for Criminal and Civil cases in the General Division of the Court of Common Pleas, Domestic Relations cases in the Domestic Relations Division, and appellate cases in the 10th District Court of Appeals.
The system is maintained by the Franklin County Clerk of Courts and the Franklin County Data Center. It is intended for public record information, but the online information is a copy and does not replace the official court record.
- Open Case Information Online.
- Read and accept the conditions of use and privacy terms.
- Search for the case information available through the Clerk of Courts system.
- If accuracy is in question, consult the official record in the original court file at the courthouse unless the record is exempt from disclosure.
Important: Case Information Online is not intended for bulk downloads or large-scale record mining.
Franklin County Municipal Court case search
Use the Franklin County Municipal Court Clerk case search for Municipal Court records. The search page allows users to begin with a case number, ticket number, name, or company name.
Not every field is required. The Municipal Court Clerk notes that the required search criteria must include one of these options:
- Case number
- Ticket number
- Last name and first name
- Company name
For faster results, search by case number or ticket number when available. If searching by name, include both first and last name. Additional fields can help narrow a broad result set.
- Date of birth must be entered as MM/DD/YYYY when used.
- Case year must be entered as YYYY when used.
- Ticket numbers should include any letters printed on the ticket.
- A closed case status does not necessarily mean the case is completed or adjudicated.
Choosing the right Franklin County court record tool
Franklin County uses different official tools depending on the court involved. Common Pleas General Division, Domestic Relations Division, and 10th District Court of Appeals case information routes through Case Information Online. Municipal Court records route through the Municipal Court Clerk case search.
| User need | Official path | Record coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Common Pleas criminal or civil case information | Case Information Online | General Division of the Court of Common Pleas |
| Domestic relations case information | Case Information Online | Domestic Relations Division of the Court of Common Pleas |
| Appeals case information | Case Information Online | 10th District Court of Appeals |
| Municipal Court case information | Municipal Court Clerk case search | Municipal Court records, including searches by case number, ticket number, name, or company name |
Online record limits and official records
Case Information Online provides docket entries that match the official court docket in the respective courts, but the online information is not the official record. It is considered a copy.
If an online entry is unclear, incomplete, or disputed, use the official record in the original court file at the courthouse as the controlling record, unless the record is exempt by law from disclosure.
Case Information Online may also be unavailable during scheduled or unscheduled maintenance. The Clerk of Courts does not commit to restoring access within a specific time period during an outage.
Municipal Court forms, rules, and filing resources
Municipal Court users may also need forms or local rule information after finding a case. The Franklin County Municipal Court Clerk provides a forms index with categories for Attorney, Civil, Criminal / Traffic, Mayor's Court, Small Claims, and Miscellaneous forms.
The Municipal Court Clerk also lists local rules, including rules for criminal practice, traffic practice, civil practice, small claims practices, forms and abbreviations, and parking violation appeal procedures.
For electronic filing, Franklin County uses eFlex. Users filing documents are responsible for redacting personal identifiers and confidential information from filings, attachments, and exhibits.
Franklin County court records contacts
For record questions that cannot be resolved through the online tools, use the contact that matches the court or case type.
- Franklin County Clerk of Courts — case information for Common Pleas Court and the 10th District Court of Appeals; Phone: (614) 525-3600
- Franklin Court of Common Pleas — 345 South High Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215; Phone: (614) 525-3453; Fax: (614) 525-4480
- Franklin County Municipal Court Clerk — 375 South High Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215; Criminal/Traffic Information and Assistance: (614) 645-8186; Civil Information and Assistance: (614) 645-7220
- Franklin County Municipal Court — 375 S. High St., Columbus, Ohio 43215; Phone: (614) 645-8214
- Municipal Court records sealing or expungement — Phone: (614) 645-1706
- Municipal Court traffic violations information line — Phone: (614) 645-8166
Common questions
Where can I search Franklin County Common Pleas court records online?
Use Case Information Online for public case information from the General Division and Domestic Relations Division of the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas, as well as the 10th District Court of Appeals.
Where can I search Franklin County Municipal Court records?
Use the Municipal Court Clerk search page. You can search with a case number, ticket number, first and last name, or company name.
Is the online Common Pleas case information the official court record?
No. Case Information Online provides a copy of case information. If accuracy is questioned, consult the official record in the original court file at the courthouse unless the record is exempt from disclosure.
What is the fastest way to search a Municipal Court case?
The Municipal Court Clerk states that searching by case number or ticket number is the most efficient method. Without either number, use both first name and last name.
Who should I call about Municipal Court civil case information?
For Municipal Court civil information and assistance, call (614) 645-7220.
Who should I call about Municipal Court criminal or traffic case information?
For Municipal Court criminal or traffic information and assistance, call (614) 645-8186.