Logan County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Logan County?

Public records in Logan County, Ohio, 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. Under current law, the vast majority of government-generated records are presumed open and available to any member of the public upon request.

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

Court records — civil, criminal, probate, and family court filings are maintained by the Logan County Clerk of Courts, located in the Logan County Courthouse
Property records — deeds, mortgages, liens, and land transfers are recorded and maintained by the Logan County Recorder's Office
Vital records — birth and death certificates are issued through the Logan County Health District; marriage licenses and divorce decrees are filed with the Clerk of Courts and the Domestic Relations Division of the Family Court
Business records — fictitious name registrations, trade name filings, and certain business licenses are maintained by the Ohio Secretary of State and the Logan County Auditor
Tax records — property tax assessments and payment histories are held by the Logan County Auditor and Treasurer
Voting and election records — maintained by the Logan County Board of Elections
Meeting minutes and agendas — county commission proceedings, board minutes, and public meeting agendas are available through the Logan County Board of Commissioners
Budget and financial documents — annual budgets, expenditure reports, and audit records are maintained by the Logan County Auditor
Law enforcement records — arrest logs and incident reports, where permitted by law, are available through the Logan County Sheriff's Office
Land use and zoning records — zoning maps, variance applications, and land use permits are maintained by the Logan County Regional Planning Commission

Is Logan County an Open Records County?

Logan County fully operates under Ohio's statewide open records framework, which is among the most comprehensive public access laws in the nation. 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 establishes that any person may inspect or receive copies of public records, and no statement of purpose is required.

Key provisions of the Ohio Public Records Act include:

Public offices must respond to records requests promptly and within a reasonable time
Denial of access must be accompanied by a written explanation citing the specific legal exemption
Requestors who are wrongfully denied access may seek a writ of mandamus in the Ohio Court of Appeals
The law applies to all county offices, boards, commissions, and agencies operating within Logan County

The Logan County, Ohio official government portal provides access to county department contacts and resources consistent with the state's open records obligations. No separate county ordinance restricts or expands upon the baseline requirements established by state law.

How to Find Public Records in Logan County in 2026

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

Step 1 — Identify the custodial office. Determine which county department maintains the record. Court filings are held by the Clerk of Courts; property records by the Recorder; law enforcement records by the Sheriff's Office.

Step 2 — Submit a request in person, by mail, or electronically. Ohio law does not require a written request, but submitting one in writing creates a clear record of the transaction. Many offices accept requests by email, mail, or in-person visit during regular business hours.

Step 3 — Provide sufficient identifying information. Requestors should include the name of the subject, approximate date range, case number (if known), and any other details that assist the office in locating the record. Identification of the requestor is generally not required under Ohio law.

Step 4 — Pay applicable fees. Upon notification that records are available, requestors must remit any applicable copying or transmission fees before receiving documents.

Step 5 — Inspect or receive copies. Records may be inspected at no charge during office hours, or copies may be provided in paper or electronic format depending on availability.

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

Current fees for public records in Logan 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. Standard fees applicable across most Logan County offices are as follows:

Paper copies: Typically $0.05 to $0.10 per page for standard black-and-white copies
Certified copies: Fees vary by record type; certified court documents generally range from $1.00 to $5.00 per document
Electronic records: Transmission costs may apply if records are delivered via physical media such as a USB drive or CD
Deed and property record copies: The Recorder's Office charges per-page fees consistent with state schedule

Accepted payment methods vary by office but commonly include cash, check, and money order. Some offices accept credit or debit card payments. Fee waivers are not broadly established by county policy, though indigent requestors in certain court proceedings may petition for waiver of court-related fees. Fees for inspection of records — as opposed to copying — are not permitted under current Ohio law.

Does Logan County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available at all Logan County public offices during regular business hours, as required by the Ohio Public Records Act. Members of the public are entitled to review original records on-site without incurring any charge.

The following free resources are currently available:

In-person inspection at the Clerk of Courts, Recorder's Office, Sheriff's Office, Auditor's Office, and other county departments — no fee is charged for viewing records
Online court records — the Logan County Clerk of Courts provides access to case information through the Ohio Courts Network
Property search tools — the Logan County Auditor's website offers free online access to property ownership data, tax assessment records, and parcel information
Sheriff's Office public information — general public safety information and certain law enforcement records are accessible through the Logan County Sheriff's Office without charge
County government documents — meeting agendas, minutes, and budget documents are posted on the Logan County government website at no cost

Who Can Request Public Records in Logan County?

Under the Ohio Public Records Act, any person may request public records maintained by Logan County offices, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. Ohio law does not restrict access to residents of the state, nor does it require requestors to identify themselves or explain the reason for their request in most circumstances.

Specific eligibility considerations include:

Residency: Not required. Non-residents of Ohio and Logan County retain full rights to request public records
Identification: Generally not required for standard public records requests; however, certain sensitive record types may require proof of identity or legal standing
Purpose: Requestors are not obligated to state a purpose under Ohio Revised Code § 149.43, and public offices may not condition access on disclosure of the requestor's intent
Requesting your own records: Individuals seeking records pertaining to themselves — such as their own criminal history or court filings — follow the same process as any other request, though additional verification may be required for sealed or restricted records
Requesting records about others: Permitted for all non-exempt records; restrictions apply to records involving minors, sealed proceedings, or protected personal information

Certain specialized records, such as adoption files or juvenile court records, require a court order or demonstration of legal standing before access is granted.

What Records Are Confidential in Logan County?

Ohio law establishes specific categories of records that are exempt from public disclosure. Under Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(A)(1), the following record types are currently exempt from mandatory disclosure in Logan County:

Sealed court records — records sealed by judicial order are not available to the general public
Juvenile records — proceedings and records involving minors are confidential under Ohio Juvenile Court rules
Ongoing criminal investigation records — records compiled in connection with a law enforcement investigation that could reasonably be expected to interfere with enforcement proceedings
Personal identifying information — Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar identifiers are redacted from public records prior to release
Medical and health 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 court petition
Child welfare and protective services records — maintained as confidential by the Logan County Children Services agency
Personnel records — certain employee records, including medical information and preliminary evaluations, are exempt, though basic employment information remains public
Trade secrets and proprietary business information — submitted to government offices under confidentiality protections
Security and infrastructure plans — records detailing vulnerabilities of public facilities or critical infrastructure are withheld in the interest of public safety

When a public office withholds a record or portion of a record, it is required to provide written notification identifying the specific statutory exemption relied upon. Ohio courts apply a balancing standard in disputed cases, weighing the public interest in disclosure against the harm that release may cause.

Logan County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The Logan County Recorder's Office is the primary custodian of real property records in the county, including deeds, mortgages, easements, and liens. Pursuant to Ohio law, the Logan County Recorder maintains an official index of all instruments affecting real estate ownership within the county.

Logan County Recorder's Office 101 South Main Street, Room 14, Bellefontaine, OH 43311 (937) 599-7209 Logan County Recorder

Public counter hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., excluding state and federal holidays. Members of the public may inspect recorded instruments in person during these hours or submit written requests for certified copies by mail. The office maintains records in both physical and digital formats, and online search tools are available through the county's property records portal for basic parcel and deed lookups.

Logan County Clerk of Courts 101 South Main Street, Bellefontaine, OH 43311 (937) 599-7275 Clerk of Courts – Logan County

Logan County Sheriff's Office 312 South Main Street, Bellefontaine, OH 43311 (937) 599-7111 Logan County Sheriff's Office

Logan County Domestic Relations Division 101 South Main Street, Bellefontaine, OH 43311 (937) 599-7275 Domestic Relations Division – Logan County