Butler County Court Records
The term "court records" refers to a compilation of judicial documents about a legal proceeding held within a particular jurisdiction. In Butler County, these documents are referred to as the Butler County court records or Butler County court case records, and they include a variety of documentation, such as motions, pleadings, and judgments.
One core function of court records in Butler County is to foster public transparency and judicial accountability. These records are maintained by the courts (specifically, clerk’s offices), and as they encompass all filings in a legal case, they may also include public records preserved by separate government agencies. For example, vital records (e.g., birth and death certificates), which often appear in court files, may be relied on during court proceedings to assert a right or establish a fact.
Are Butler County Court Records Public?
Yes. Rule 45 of the Rules of Superintendence for the Courts of Ohio (Sup. R. 45) allows for the public inspection or duplication of Butler County court records. While the state’s Public Records Act affects the judiciary, in that the branch of government is identified as a "public office," Rule 45 primarily governs access. Under this regulation, court records are open to the public unless otherwise protected by law.
Records exempt from public disclosure include
- Personal identifiers, such as social security numbers, debit or credit card numbers, and a juvenile’s complete name in an abuse, neglect, or dependency case
- Domestic violence risk assessments
- Guardian ad litem reports
- Health care documents
What Information is Available in Butler County Court Records?
The information or documents that court (case) records feature or contain vary on a case-by-case basis. However, these items are typically included as part of such records:
- Petitions
- Complaints
- Motions
- Dockets
- Exhibits
- Orders
- Judgments
- Affidavits
- Transcripts
Butler County Court Records Search
The first recommended step when beginning a court records search in Butler County is to identify the court that presided over the legal matter. As each court maintains its own records, this ensures that requests are submitted to the correct office. The following section outlines the available methods for looking up Butler County court records.
- Online Access: As Ohio Sup. R. 45 (C) allows a court or clerk of the court’s office to offer online (remote) access to court records. As a result, members of the public may access official portals maintained online by courts to look up court cases. However, portal availability should be verified with the presiding court; some courts do not provide electronic access to court records.
For instance, in Butler County, individuals can access case records from the local Common Pleas Court’s General and Domestic Relations Divisions through the Butler County Clerk of Courts’ Court Records Search portal. The clerk serves as the primary custodian of case records from these courts, as well as records from 12th District Court of Appeals cases originating within Butler County.
On the other hand, electronic access to case records from the local Area Courts is available through the courts’ CaseLook system.
To locate Butler County case records online, researchers typically need specific details, such as a case party’s name or the case number. Accessing these records for inspection online is generally provided at no cost.
- In-Person Access: In situations where online access is not feasible for court records access or certified/confidential records are needed, one may seek access at the courthouse where a trial was held (see the local directory below). Importantly, one should visit the court during normal business hours. The name of a case party or case number is often required by the clerk’s office staff to locate desired records, and a small fee may apply to obtain copies of documents.
Older case records may be accessible at the Butler County Records Center.
- Mail and Phone Requests: The procedure for submitting mail requests for court records in Butler County generally varies by court. As such, it is best to confirm procedures with the appropriate court or clerk’s office.
For example, the Butler County Clerk of Courts provides a Public Record Request Form that parties can complete and mail to the Government Services Center, 315 High Street, Suite 550, Hamilton, Ohio. More information can be obtained from the Clerk at (513) 887-3278.
Note: Phone requests for court records are not generally processed by the courts in Butler County, but interested individuals can call the relevant clerk’s office or court for inquiries about case records access procedures.
Fees for Court Records in Butler County
The fees charged for obtaining copies of court records in Butler County differ by court. Record inspections (i.e., reviewing documents from a case without making a copy) are generally free, but fees apply to photocopy, certify, or exemplify/authenticate a court record.
For example, for records maintained by the Butler County Clerk of Courts, the photocopy rate is 50 cents per page, certified copies are priced at $2 per document, and exemplification costs $6 per document.
Meanwhile, the Butler County Probate Court issues copies of court records for 10 cents per page (photocopy) and $2 per document (certified copy).
Note: The clerk’s office does not keep or issue records of marriage licenses. Those seeking that information can contact the Butler County Probate Court or Butler County Records Center (the center holds marriage records from 1803 - present). Other Butler County vital records (birth/death certificates) can be ordered through the local health department.
Butler County Courthouse Locations
Legal matters originating in Butler County, Ohio, are handled by various courts within the Ohio Judicial System, collectively known as the Butler County courts. These courts are vested with civil and criminal jurisdiction as defined by state law. Further details on the Structure of the Ohio Judicial System are available on the state judiciary’s official website. The county’s court directory is as follows:
Butler County Court of Common Pleas, General Division
315 High Street
Third Floor
Hamilton, OH 45011
Phone: (513) 785-6550
Butler County Court of Common Pleas, Domestic Relations Division (or Butler County Domestic Relations Court)
315 High Street
2nd Floor
Hamilton, OH 45011
Phone: (513) 887-3100 ext 2
Fax: (513) 887-3560
Butler County Court of Common Pleas, Juvenile Division (or Butler County Juvenile Court)
280 North Fair Avenue
Hamilton, OH 45011
Phone: (513) 887-3317 or (513) 887-3318
Fax: (513) 887-3698
Butler County Court of Common Pleas, Probate Division (or Butler County Probate Court)
101 High Street
Hamilton, OH 45011
Phone: (513) 887-3294
Butler County Area Courts I, II, and III
Area I:
118 West High Street
Oxford, OH 45056
Phone: (513) 523-4748
Area II:
101 High Street
Hamilton, OH 45011
Phone: (513) 887-3459
Area III:
9577 Beckett Road
Suite 300
West Chester, OH 45069
Phone: (513) 867-5070
Municipal Courts in Butler County
675 Nilles Road
Fairfield, OH 45014
Phone: (513) 867-6002
Fax: (513) 867-6001
700 Hanover Street
Hamilton, OH 45011
Phone: (513) 785-7300
Fax: (513) 785-7315
One Donham Plaza
Middletown, Ohio 45042-1932
Phone: (513) 425-7802
Note: The Court of Common Pleas is the only trial court within the county.
Criminal Records Access in Butler County
To access criminal case records in Butler County, Ohio, it is essential to determine the specific court where the case was filed. These cases can be heard in the Court of Common Pleas (either the General or Juvenile Division), Area Courts, or Municipal Courts. Because each court manages its own files, the procedures for obtaining criminal court records differ and should be verified directly with the relevant court or clerk’s office. However, requesting parties will need to possess at least a case party’s name or case number to find matching documents.
Another way to access criminal records in Butler County is to request an Ohio criminal records check (BCI Report) from the Ohio State Attorney General’s Office. This government office maintains statewide criminal record information through its Bureau of Criminal Identification (BCI) unit and provides checks to eligible entities, such as the subject of the record.
The preceding sections exclusively detail access to criminal records via two specific public entities-courts and law enforcement. It is crucial to understand that a criminal record is not a singular, standardized document held by a single authority. Therefore, additional types of criminal record checks may be available. For more comprehensive information on these other checks, one can consult the Ohio Justice & Policy Center’s Criminal Records Manual.
Butler County Probate Records
The Probate Division of the Butler County Court of Common Pleas holds jurisdiction over all probate matters originating within Butler County. This court also maintains the "probate records" that stem from such proceedings. Cases heard by the court include wills, estates, trusts, guardianships, adoptions, wrongful death, and name changes.
To obtain probate records in Butler, including wills and other probate filings, one can inquire at the Butler County Probate Court during regular office hours. Copies cost 10 cents per page for photocopies and $2 per document for certification.
The court also provides two online case search tools for remote access:
- Probate Record Search : This portal can be used to obtain probate case information.
- Wills on Deposit Search : This web application reveals wills deposited with the Butler County Probate Court. Searches are conducted by a person’s last name.
Certain probate case records, such as those related to adoptions, are considered confidential. Consequently, these records are only disclosed to parties who are legally authorized to access them.
Butler County Family Court Records
Family court records refer to the case information and documents produced because of family cases. In Butler County, the Domestic Relations Division of the Butler County Court of Common Pleas oversees family cases-such as termination of marriage, domestic/dating violence, and child custody/support-and keeps the Butler County family court records.
Online access to Butler County, Ohio, family court records is provided through the Clerk of Courts’ Court Records Search portal. However, this online platform does not allow users to print or request copies of family court records. Additionally, confidential case records, such as Domestic Violence Protection Orders, are not available for disclosure on the site.
To obtain copies of Butler County family court records, including confidential case types, one may fill out the Butler County Clerk of Courts’ Public Record Request Form and mail it to Government Services Center, 315 High Street, Suite 550, Hamilton, Ohio. Each photocopy costs 50 cents per page, while certified copies cost $2 per document. The clerk’s office is also open during regular business hours for record inquiries.
Federal Court Records in Butler County
Federal court records in Butler County are preserved by the United States District Court, Southern District of Ohio (OHSD), the federal court that exercises jurisdiction over federal cases emanating from Butler County. Below is the court’s Cincinnati Division’s contact information; this division serves Butler County.
Potter Stewart U.S. Courthouse
Room 103
100 East Fifth Street
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
Phone: (513) 564-7500
Court records from the Cincinnati Division can be obtained via PACER. PACER is a fee-based service that can be used to look up federal cases across the nation, including those filed within the Southern District of Ohio. The costs for accessing PACER include a 10-cent charge per page accessed and a $2.40 fee per audio file. However, PACER is free to use in certain instances.
Federal court records can also be viewed at public access terminals located in the Potter Stewart U.S. Courthouse. To determine the exact charges for printing copies of federal cases, one can contact the federal court clerk’s office by calling (513) 564-7500 or by emailing Clerks_Office@ohsd.uscourts.gov.
