Licking County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Licking County?

Public records in Licking County are defined according to the Ohio Public Records Act § 149.43, which states that public records include "any record that is kept by any public office" that documents the organization, functions, policies, decisions, procedures, operations, or other activities of the office. These records are maintained by various county departments and are generally accessible to the public upon request.

Licking County maintains a comprehensive collection of public records, including:

Court records: Civil, criminal, domestic relations, and probate cases maintained by the Licking County Clerk of Courts
Property records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and property transfers recorded by the Licking County Recorder's Office
Vital records: Birth and death certificates (1908-present), marriage licenses (1808-present), and divorce decrees
Business records: Vendor licenses, permits, and fictitious name registrations
Tax records: Property tax information, assessment records, and tax maps
Voting and election records: Voter registration data and election results
Meeting minutes and agendas: County commission meetings, board proceedings, and public hearings
Budget and financial documents: County expenditures, financial reports, and audits
Law enforcement records: Jail inmate information, incident reports (with statutory exceptions), and arrest logs
Land use and zoning records: Building permits, zoning applications, and land use plans

The Licking County Records and Archives Department serves as the central repository for many historical records dating back to the county's formation in 1808. Current records are typically maintained by the specific department responsible for creating them, such as the Recorder's Office for property records or the Clerk of Courts for court documents.

Is Licking County an Open Records County?

Licking County fully adheres to the Ohio Public Records Act § 149.43, which establishes the public's right to access government records. Under this statute, all records maintained by public offices are presumed to be public unless specifically exempted by law.

The Ohio Public Records Act states that "upon request and subject to division (B)(8) of this section, 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." This provision ensures that Licking County residents and non-residents alike have legal access to public information.

Licking County has implemented specific policies to facilitate public records access in compliance with state law. The county maintains a public records policy that outlines procedures for requesting records, applicable fees, and response timeframes. This policy affirms the county's commitment to transparency and open government.

Additionally, Licking County complies with Ohio's Open Meetings Law (§ 121.22), often called the "Sunshine Law," which requires public bodies to conduct their meetings in open sessions that citizens may attend and observe. Meeting notices, agendas, and minutes are made available to the public as required by law.

How to Find Public Records in Licking County in 2026

Members of the public seeking records in Licking County may utilize several methods to locate and obtain the information they need:

Online Access: Many records are available through the county's digital platforms:
- Court records can be searched through the Common Pleas Case Records Search system
- Property records are accessible via the Licking County Recorder's website
- Probate court records can be found through the Licking County Probate Court Record Search
- Property tax and parcel information is available through the Licking County Tax Parcel Viewer
- Current jail inmate information can be viewed on the Licking County Jail Active Inmate Listing
In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit the appropriate county office during regular business hours to inspect records:
- For court records: Visit the Clerk of Courts office at the Licking County Courthouse
- For property records: Visit the Recorder's Office at the Licking County Administration Building
- For historical records: Schedule an appointment with the Records and Archives Department
Written Requests: Submit a written public records request to the specific department that maintains the desired records. Requests should:
- Clearly identify the records being sought
- Provide contact information for response
- Be specific enough to allow the office to identify the records
Electronic Requests: Many departments accept requests via email or through online forms available on the county website.

When making a request, requestors are not required to identify themselves or state the purpose of their request, except in specific circumstances outlined in § 149.43(B)(8) of the Ohio Revised Code.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Licking County?

Pursuant to the Ohio Public Records Act § 149.43(B)(6), Licking County may charge only the actual cost of making copies, not including employee time spent preparing the copies. Current fee structures for public records in Licking County are as follows:

Standard paper copies: $0.05 per page for black and white; $0.10 per page for color
Certified copies: $1.00 per document plus copy costs
Electronic records provided on CD/DVD: $1.00 per disc
Electronic records sent via email: No charge (if records already exist in electronic format)
Large format documents (maps, blueprints): Actual cost of reproduction
Postage: Actual cost if records are mailed

Specific departments may have statutorily authorized fees that differ from the standard rates:

Recorder's Office: $2.00 per page for recorded documents as authorized by Ohio Revised Code § 317.32
Vital Records: $25.00 for certified birth and death certificates
Court Records: $1.00 per page for certified copies of court documents

Payment methods accepted by most county offices include cash, check, and money order. Some departments may accept credit or debit cards, though convenience fees may apply.

The county cannot charge for the time spent gathering records, reviewing them for exempt material, or redacting information. Additionally, if a request is deemed overly broad or ambiguous, the county must provide the requester an opportunity to revise the request rather than denying it outright.

Does Licking County Have Free Public Records?

In accordance with Ohio Public Records Act § 149.43(B)(1), Licking County provides free inspection of public records during regular business hours. Any person may examine public records in person without charge, provided they do not remove the records from the premises.

Several free online resources are available to access Licking County public records:

The Licking County Clerk of Courts provides free online access to court dockets and case information
The Licking County Recorder's Office offers free online searches of property records, though downloading documents may incur fees
Probate Court records can be searched at no cost
The Licking County Tax Parcel Viewer provides free access to property tax information and parcel maps
County Commission meeting minutes and agendas are freely available on the county website

Additionally, public access computers are available at the following locations for individuals who need to access online records but do not have internet access:

Licking County Courthouse
Licking County Administration Building
Licking County Public Library branches

While inspection is free, fees may apply for copies of records as detailed in the previous section.

Who Can Request Public Records in Licking County?

Under the Ohio Public Records Act § 149.43, any person, regardless of citizenship or residency status, may request public records from Licking County offices. The statute defines "person" broadly to include individuals, corporations, business trusts, estates, trusts, partnerships, and associations.

Key points regarding eligibility to request public records in Licking County:

Requestors are not required to identify themselves when making a request
Requestors do not need to provide a reason for their request
Requestors do not need to submit requests in writing (though written requests may help ensure accuracy)
Non-residents have the same rights to access public records as Ohio residents
Incarcerated persons have limited rights to request records under § 149.43(B)(8)

For most public records, identification is not required. However, certain records may have specific statutory requirements:

Vital records (birth and death certificates) require proper identification to obtain copies
Some court records may require identification if they contain sensitive information
Records pertaining to oneself (such as personnel files) may require identity verification

Commercial use of public records is permitted, and the county cannot limit access based on intended use of the records. However, the county may ask about intended use if it helps to identify the specific records being sought or to facilitate the request.

What Records Are Confidential in Licking County?

While Licking County strives for transparency, certain records are exempt from disclosure under Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(A)(1). These exemptions protect privacy, security, and other important interests. Records that are confidential or have restricted access include:

Medical records protected under HIPAA
Records pertaining to ongoing law enforcement investigations
Juvenile court records (with limited exceptions)
Adoption records (access restricted by § 3107.17)
Child abuse and neglect reports (protected under § 2151.421)
Social Security numbers, financial account information, and other personal identifying information
Attorney-client privileged communications
Infrastructure and security records that could pose a security risk
Peace officer residential and familial information
Records protected by federal law or state statutes
Sealed or expunged criminal records
Certain personnel records, including medical information about employees
Trade secrets and confidential business information
Records subject to attorney-client privilege or trial preparation records
Confidential law enforcement investigatory records

When a record contains both public and exempt information, Licking County will redact the exempt information and provide the remainder of the record. The county must cite the specific legal authority for any denial or redaction of records.

In some cases, a balancing test may be applied to determine if the public interest in disclosure outweighs the interest protected by an exemption. This analysis is conducted on a case-by-case basis in accordance with Ohio law and relevant court decisions.

Licking County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Licking County Recorder's Office
65 East Main Street, 1st Floor
Newark, OH 43055
(740) 670-5300
Licking County Recorder

Hours of Operation:
Monday through Friday: 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays

The Licking County Recorder's Office is responsible for recording, indexing, and maintaining land records and other official documents. Services provided include:

Recording deeds, mortgages, liens, and other property documents
Maintaining military discharge records (DD-214 forms)
Recording living wills and powers of attorney
Providing certified copies of recorded documents
Maintaining historical records dating back to 1808

The Recorder's Office accepts documents for recording in person, by mail, and electronically through approved e-recording vendors. Recording fees vary by document type and are established by Ohio Revised Code § 317.32.

Public access terminals are available in the office for searching records at no cost. Staff members are available to assist with searches during regular business hours.