Franklin County, Ohio Divorce Records

Franklin County divorce records are government files regarding divorce events that occurred within the county. Such records are essential for a variety of reasons, including remarriage, name changes, and genealogy research.

Divorce records in Franklin County, Ohio, are generally accessible to the public. Public members can access most divorce information, except for that classified as private and confidential. Only the case parties, immediate family relations, and legal representatives can access confidential or private divorce records.

That being said, persons seeking to find divorce records in Franklin County may do so via official resources provided by government entities.

Franklin County, OH Divorce Rate: In 2022, Ohio's divorce rate was 6.7 per 1,000 residents, slightly lower than the national average of 7.1. Meanwhile, 22.3% of Franklin County's residents were divorced as of 2023.

Are Divorce Records Public in Franklin County?

Yes, most Franklin County divorce records are open to the public. Per the Ohio Public Records Act (ORC 149.43), public members can inspect or obtain copies of the documents from custodian entities. These entities are responsible for maintaining and providing access to the records.

Note that some divorce records are not publicly accessible. The state prevents public access to such records since they contain information that does not serve the public interest. Non-public divorce information in Franklin County includes the following:

• Information related to domestic violence, such as child abuse.
• Personal information concerning minors in the dissolved union.
• Personal financial data, such as bank accounts and social security numbers.

How to Find Divorce Records in Franklin County

You can find and look up divorce records in Franklin County via the Clerk of Court's Office. The clerk of courts maintains records of divorce case files and decrees. To obtain divorce records, you may conduct searches via the clerk's online search platform. Inquirers must input the case party name, case number, or date range to access divorce case files on the platform. The clerk of courts also offers an online request form for divorce documents. Inquirers may fill out the request form and pay the required fees to obtain the records. The clerk of the court typically reviews the submission and sends the requested documents to the inquirer.

Alternatively, you may request Franklin County court divorce documents by visiting the Court of Common Pleas at this location:

Overview of the Franklin County Court System

The Franklin County Court of Common Pleas oversees all divorce proceedings within the county. Public members can find the courthouse at this location:

The Court of Common Pleas also acts as a custodian of divorce case documents. Inquirers must make an in-person request to obtain records from the court.

In contrast, the clerk of courts allows online-based access to divorce records. Inquirers may either use the clerk's search portal or the online request form to obtain divorce information.

Online Access to Franklin County Divorce Records

You can find Franklin County divorce records online via the court clerk's searchable database. The database allows case searches by name, case number, date range, and court name.

At the same time, third-party search websites offer free lookup for divorce records in Franklin County. These sites are generally easy to navigate and may allow name- or location-based inquiries for court records. Some websites may offer free downloads in multiple formats. Nevertheless, third-party search websites are not verifiable sources for locating court information.

What's Typically Included in a Franklin County Divorce Record

You may find these details in a Franklin County divorce record:

• Case parties' names and residences as of the time of the divorce event.
• Divorce date and court location.
• Legal reasons for the device.
• Attorney's name
• Date and place of marriage.
• Bonds.
• Number of minor children during the marriage.
• Length and nature of the marriage.
• Court-related data, such as docket, magistrate's name, courtroom, divorce petitioner, case numbers, and transcripts.

Some divorce information is exempt from public access since it contains sensitive or confidential details. Case parties may also petition the court to redact specific information to protect their privacy.

How to Get Certified Copies of Franklin County Divorce Records

In Franklin County, you may obtain certified copies of divorce records from the Court of Common Pleas. Certified divorce records contain the court official's signature and are necessary for legal processes like remarriage and name changes. Unlike certified divorce records, informational copies do not bear a court seal but may be useful for genealogical research or personal uses.

You may order certified divorce decrees in Franklin County by making an in-person inquiry at the court of common pleas. The court attends to in-person requests during office hours at:

Why People Request Franklin County Divorce Records

There are different reasons to request divorce records in Franklin County, Ohio. The reasons include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Mortgage refinancing.
• Name changes.
• Genealogy research.
• Child custody disputes.
• Remarriage.

Franklin County Divorce Records Summary