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Belmont County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Belmont County?

Public records in Belmont County are defined under Ohio Revised Code § 149.43 as any record kept by a public office, including documents, devices, or items created or received by a government entity in the course of its official duties. Members of the public may inspect and obtain copies of these records upon request, subject to specific statutory exemptions.

The following categories of records are currently maintained by various Belmont County offices:

  • Court records — Civil, criminal, probate, and family court filings are maintained by the Belmont County Clerk of Courts
  • Property records — Deeds, mortgages, liens, and property transfers are recorded and maintained by the Belmont County Recorder's Office
  • Vital records — Birth and death certificates are issued through the Belmont County Health Department; marriage licenses are filed with the Probate Court
  • Business records — Trade name registrations, vendor licenses, and fictitious name filings are handled by the Belmont County Clerk of Courts and the Ohio Secretary of State
  • Tax records — Property tax assessments and payment histories are maintained by the Belmont County Auditor and Treasurer
  • Voting and election records — Voter registration data and election results are maintained by the Belmont County Board of Elections
  • Meeting minutes and agendas — Records of the Belmont County Board of Commissioners and other public boards are available through the Commissioner's Office
  • Budget and financial documents — Annual budgets, expenditure reports, and audit findings are available through the Belmont County Auditor; Belmont County has qualified for the Auditor of State Award with Distinction, reflecting its commitment to financial transparency
  • Law enforcement records — Arrest logs, incident reports, and copies of reports are available through the Belmont County Sheriff's Office where permitted by law
  • Land use and zoning records — Zoning maps, variance applications, and land use permits are maintained by the Belmont County Regional Planning Commission

Is Belmont County an Open Records County?

Belmont County fully complies with Ohio's statewide open records framework, which applies uniformly to all counties. Under Ohio Revised Code § 149.43, commonly referred to as the Ohio Public Records Act, all public offices are required to make public records available for inspection during regular business hours and to provide copies upon request within a reasonable period of time. The statute further provides that any person may request records without stating a reason or purpose, and that public offices must organize and maintain records in a manner that facilitates public access.

Belmont County offices adhere to the Ohio Sunshine Laws, which encompass both the Public Records Act and the Open Meetings Act. The 2025 Ohio Sunshine Laws Manual is currently referenced by the Belmont County Sheriff's Office as a guiding document for records request procedures. Each county office maintains its own procedural outline consistent with state law, and no county-specific ordinance currently restricts access beyond the exemptions enumerated in state statute.

How to Find Public Records in Belmont County in 2026

Members of the public may obtain Belmont County public records through several channels, depending on the record type sought.

  • In person — Visit the relevant county office during public counter hours and submit a verbal or written request to the records custodian on duty
  • By mail — Submit a written request describing the records sought with sufficient specificity to allow the office to identify and locate them; include a return mailing address and, if copies are needed, a check or money order for applicable fees
  • Online — Several offices provide electronic access or online request submission; the Belmont County Sheriff's Office public records portal offers a printable request form, a procedural outline, and the records retention schedule
  • Traffic crash reports — Members of the public may retrieve crash reports involving Belmont County through the Ohio Crash Retrieval System, maintained by the Ohio Department of Public Safety; the investigating agency remains the official record keeper
  • Federal court records — Bankruptcy filings and related federal court documents for residents of Belmont County are accessible through the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Ohio
  • Requests must be specific — Requestors should identify the record by type, date range, subject matter, or other identifying information; blanket or overly broad requests may be returned for clarification

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

Current fees for public records in Belmont County are governed by Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(B)(1), which permits public offices to charge the actual cost of providing copies, not to exceed a standard rate established by the office. Standard fees currently applicable across principal Belmont County offices include:

  • Paper copies — Typically $0.05 to $0.10 per page for standard black-and-white reproductions, depending on the office
  • Certified copies — Vital records and court documents requiring certification carry additional fees, generally ranging from $2.00 to $5.00 per certified copy
  • Electronic records — Where records are transmitted electronically, offices may charge for the actual cost of the medium used (e.g., USB drive or CD)
  • Extensive requests — If fulfilling a request requires more than one hour of staff time, some offices may charge for the actual cost of the employee's time beyond the first hour, consistent with state guidance

Accepted payment methods vary by office but generally include cash, personal check, money order, and, in some locations, credit or debit card. Fee waiver provisions are not broadly codified under Ohio law; however, members of the public who are indigent or who are requesting records pertaining solely to themselves may inquire with the relevant office regarding any applicable accommodations.

Does Belmont County Have Free Public Records?

Ohio law guarantees the right to inspect public records at no charge. Members of the public may review records in person at the custodial office without incurring any fee, provided they do not request physical copies. The following government resources currently provide free access to Belmont County records:

  • In-person inspection — All Belmont County public offices are required by statute to permit free on-site inspection of non-exempt records during regular business hours
  • Online crash reports — The Ohio Crash Retrieval System provides access to traffic crash reports at no cost for eligible requestors
  • Sheriff's Office records — The Belmont County Sheriff's Office makes certain records available online and provides a printable request form at no charge
  • Federal court records — Basic case information through the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Ohio may be accessed without charge through the court's public terminals

Who Can Request Public Records in Belmont County?

Any person may request public records in Belmont County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or organizational affiliation. Ohio Revised Code § 149.43 does not require a requestor to be an Ohio resident, to provide identification, or to state the purpose of the request. The following conditions apply under current law:

  • Residency — Not required; non-residents retain full rights to request and receive public records
  • Identification — Generally not required for standard public records requests; certain sensitive record types may require proof of identity or legal standing
  • Purpose — Requestors are not obligated to explain why they seek a record; public offices may not condition access on disclosure of purpose
  • Requesting your own records — Individuals seeking records pertaining to themselves, such as arrest records or tax documents, follow the same process as any other requestor; additional verification may be required for records containing sensitive personal information
  • Restrictions by record type — Certain categories, including juvenile records, adoption files, and sealed court documents, are accessible only to parties with a demonstrated legal interest or court authorization

What Records Are Confidential in Belmont County?

Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(A)(1) enumerates specific categories of records that are exempt from public disclosure. Belmont County offices apply these exemptions consistently across all departments. Records currently exempt from public access include:

  • Sealed court records — Documents sealed by judicial order are not available for public inspection
  • Juvenile records — Records pertaining to minors involved in delinquency or dependency proceedings are confidential under Ohio law
  • Ongoing investigation records — Law enforcement records compiled in connection with an active criminal investigation are exempt until the investigation is closed or charges are filed
  • Personal identifying information — Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar identifiers are redacted prior to disclosure
  • Medical records — Protected under both Ohio law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
  • Adoption records — Sealed by statute and accessible only through a court order or the Ohio Adoption Registry
  • Child welfare and protective services records — Maintained as confidential by the Belmont County Job and Family Services office
  • Personnel records — Employee performance evaluations and disciplinary records are generally exempt, with limited exceptions for final disciplinary actions
  • Trade secrets and proprietary business information — Submitted to public offices in confidence and protected from disclosure
  • Security plans and infrastructure details — Records describing the security arrangements of public facilities are exempt to protect public safety

Where a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, the custodial office is required to redact the exempt portions and release the remainder, consistent with the balancing principles recognized under Ohio public records law.

Belmont County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The Belmont County Recorder's Office serves as the primary repository for property-related records, including deeds, mortgages, liens, and easements. Members of the public may inspect these records in person during regular business hours or submit written requests by mail.

Belmont County Recorder's Office 101 West Main Street, St. Clairsville, OH 43950 (740) 695-2121 Belmont County Recorder's Office

Public counter hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Belmont County Sheriff's Office 68821 Hammond Road, St. Clairsville, OH 43950 (740) 695-7933 Belmont County Sheriff's Office

Public counter hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Belmont County Clerk of Courts 101 West Main Street, St. Clairsville, OH 43950 (740) 695-2121 Belmont County Clerk of Courts

Public counter hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Belmont County Auditor's Office 101 West Main Street, St. Clairsville, OH 43950 (740) 695-2121 Belmont County Auditor's Office

Public counter hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Belmont County Health Department 68805 Bannock Road, St. Clairsville, OH 43950 (740) 695-1202 Belmont County Health Department

Public counter hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

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