Scioto County Public Records
What Are Public Records in Scioto County?
Public records in Scioto County are defined according to Ohio Revised Code § 149.43 as "records kept by any public office, including, but not limited to, state, county, city, village, township, and school district units." These records document government activities and are generally available for public inspection and copying.
Scioto County maintains numerous types of public records, including:
- Court Records: Civil, criminal, probate, and family court cases are maintained by the Scioto County Clerk of Courts
- Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, and property assessments are available through the Scioto County Recorder's Office
- Vital Records: Birth certificates (from 1908), death certificates (from 1908), marriage licenses (from 1803), and divorce decrees are maintained by various county offices
- Business Records: Business licenses, permits, and fictitious name registrations
- Tax Records: Property tax information and assessment records through the Scioto County Auditor
- Voting and Election Records: Voter registration data and election results maintained by the Scioto County Board of Elections
- Meeting Minutes and Agendas: Records of county commission meetings, board proceedings, and other public bodies
- Budget and Financial Documents: County financial statements, budgets, and expenditure reports
- Law Enforcement Records: Arrest logs, incident reports (with certain restrictions), and jail records
- Land Use and Zoning Records: Planning documents, zoning maps, and building permits
Each record type is maintained by a specific county department. The Scioto County Recorder's Office maintains property records, while the Clerk of Courts handles court documents. Vital records are primarily managed by the Scioto County Health Department, though older vital records may be found at the Probate Court.
Is Scioto County an Open Records County?
Scioto County fully complies with Ohio's open records laws as established in the Ohio Public Records Act. Under Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(B)(1), "all public records responsive to the request shall be promptly prepared and made available for inspection to any person at all reasonable times during regular business hours."
The statute further specifies that "upon request, a public office or person responsible for public records shall make copies of the requested public record available at cost and within a reasonable period of time." This provision ensures that Scioto County residents have legal access to government information.
Scioto County has adopted the state's sunshine laws regarding open meetings, which require public bodies to conduct their business in open sessions with proper notice. The county follows the Ohio Open Meetings Act, which mandates that "all meetings of any public body are declared to be public meetings open to the public at all times."
The Scioto County Commissioners have established a public records policy that aligns with state requirements. This policy outlines procedures for requesting records, applicable fees, and response timeframes. The county's commitment to transparency is reflected in its efforts to make many records available online through various departmental websites.
How to Find Public Records in Scioto County in 2026
Members of the public seeking records in Scioto County may follow these steps to obtain the information they need:
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Identify the appropriate department: Determine which county office maintains the records you seek. The Scioto County website provides a directory of departments and their responsibilities.
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Submit a written request: While verbal requests are permitted under Ohio law, written requests help ensure accuracy. Include:
- Your name and contact information
- Specific description of records sought
- Preferred format (paper copies, electronic files, inspection only)
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Visit in person: Many records can be accessed by visiting the appropriate office during regular business hours:
Scioto County Courthouse
602 7th Street
Portsmouth, OH 45662
(740) 355-8300
Scioto County Government
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Use online resources: Several record types are available through the county's online portals:
- Court records via the Scioto County Clerk of Courts
- Property records through the Scioto County Auditor
- Marriage records via the Scioto County Probate Court
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Submit specialized requests: For law enforcement records, contact the Scioto County Sheriff's Office directly. For crash reports, use the Ohio Department of Public Safety's online system.
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Follow up: If your request is denied or delayed, you may contact the county prosecutor's office for assistance in resolving public records disputes.
The county is required to respond to requests promptly, typically within a reasonable timeframe as specified in Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(B)(1).
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Scioto County?
Scioto County charges fees for public records in accordance with Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(B)(6), which permits public offices to require reimbursement for "actual costs" involved in making copies. Current standard fees include:
- Paper copies: $0.05 per page for standard letter/legal size (8.5" x 11" or 8.5" x 14")
- Larger format copies (maps, plats): $2.00-$5.00 per page depending on size
- Electronic records provided on CD/DVD: $1.00 per disc
- Certified copies of vital records: $25.00 per certificate
- Court records: $1.00 per page for certified copies
- Recorded documents (deeds, mortgages): $2.00 per page for certified copies
The county accepts the following payment methods:
- Cash (in-person requests only)
- Personal checks (made payable to the specific county office)
- Money orders
- Credit/debit cards (in some departments, with a processing fee)
Under Ohio law, public offices may not charge for:
- Staff time spent retrieving records
- Electronic records sent via email
- Inspection of records in person
Fee waivers may be available in certain circumstances, particularly when the request serves the public interest. The county may reduce or waive fees if the requestor demonstrates financial hardship or if the information will be used for educational or non-commercial purposes.
For large or complex requests that may incur substantial costs, county offices typically provide a cost estimate before proceeding with the request.
Does Scioto County Have Free Public Records?
Scioto County provides free access to certain public records in compliance with Ohio law. Members of the public may inspect records at no cost during regular business hours at the appropriate county office. As specified in Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(B)(1), "all public records shall be promptly prepared and made available for inspection to any person at all reasonable times during regular business hours."
Free public records resources in Scioto County include:
- In-person inspection of any non-exempt public record
- Online access to the following databases:
- Scioto County Auditor's property records
- Scioto County Clerk of Courts case information
- Scioto County Board of Elections voter information
- County Commissioner meeting minutes and agendas
- County budget documents and financial reports
The Scioto County Law Library, located in the courthouse, also provides free public access to legal resources and certain county records. Additionally, the Portsmouth Public Library offers free computer access where residents can search many of the county's online record systems.
While inspection is free, requestors seeking copies of records will incur the standard copying fees outlined in the previous section. Electronic records transmitted via email are typically provided at no cost, though some larger electronic files may require a nominal fee for the storage medium.
Who Can Request Public Records in Scioto County?
Under Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(B)(1), "any person" may request public records from Scioto County offices. This broad eligibility extends to:
- Ohio residents
- Out-of-state residents
- Foreign nationals
- Organizations, businesses, and associations
- Media representatives
- Incarcerated individuals (with certain limitations)
Requestors are not required to:
- Provide identification (except for certain restricted records)
- Disclose the purpose of their request
- Submit requests in writing (though written requests are recommended)
- Use a specific form (though some departments offer standard request forms)
For most public records, the county cannot legally consider the requestor's identity or intended use of the records when determining whether to fulfill a request. However, certain exceptions apply:
- Requests for voter registration records may require identification
- Access to certain law enforcement records may be restricted based on the requestor's relationship to the case
- Commercial requests for bulk data may be subject to additional requirements
When requesting your own records that contain personal information, identification is typically required to verify your identity. This applies particularly to:
- Medical records
- Personnel files
- Background check information
- Certain court records with personal identifiers
Journalists have the same rights as other requestors but may receive expedited processing for time-sensitive requests related to news reporting, as recognized in Ohio court precedents interpreting the Public Records Act.
What Records Are Confidential in Scioto County?
Certain records maintained by Scioto County are exempt from public disclosure under Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(A)(1), which enumerates specific categories of protected information. These confidential records include:
- Sealed court records: Cases that have been expunged or sealed by judicial order
- Juvenile records: Court proceedings involving minors, except in limited circumstances
- Law enforcement investigatory records: Information that would interfere with active investigations or prosecutions
- Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and driver's license numbers
- Medical records: Health information protected under HIPAA and state medical privacy laws
- Adoption records: Files related to adoption proceedings and birth records of adopted individuals
- Child welfare records: Child abuse investigations and children's services case files
- Personnel records: Certain employment information, including medical information and personal contact details of public employees
- Infrastructure and security records: Information that could compromise public safety or security systems
- Attorney-client privileged communications: Legal advice provided to county agencies
- Trade secrets: Proprietary business information submitted to county agencies
- Preliminary drafts and notes: Records that are not final documents and reflect pre-decisional deliberations
The county applies a balancing test when determining whether to release certain records, weighing the public interest in disclosure against privacy interests and potential harm from release. This test is particularly relevant for law enforcement records where privacy concerns must be balanced against transparency.
Records containing both exempt and non-exempt information are typically provided with the confidential information redacted, as required by Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(B)(1), which states that "if a public record contains information that is exempt... the public office or the person responsible for the public record shall make available all of the information within the public record that is not exempt."
Scioto County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Scioto County Recorder's Office
602 7th Street, Room 102
Portsmouth, OH 45662
(740) 355-8304
Scioto County Recorder
Regular Office Hours:
Monday - Friday: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Saturday & Sunday: Closed
County Holidays: Closed
The Recorder's Office maintains and provides access to:
- Property deeds and transfers
- Mortgages and liens
- Military discharge records (DD-214)
- Plat maps and surveys
- Mechanic's liens
- Federal tax liens
- Partnership agreements
- Power of attorney documents
Records dating back to 1803 are available, with many recent documents accessible through the office's online search system. The Recorder's Office staff can assist with locating specific documents and providing certified copies for official purposes.
For research assistance or complex requests, it is recommended to call ahead to ensure staff availability. The office provides public computer terminals for in-person searches of digitized records.