Ohio gained its statehood on March 1st, 1803 becoming the 17th state to join the union. The state ranks 7th in population with 11.5 million residents and 34th in size with nearly 45 thousand square miles. There are eighty-three counties and over 900 cities and villages in the state of Ohio. Localized governments serve people of the state with local duties such as law enforcement, prosecutor, clerk of courts, auditor, engineer, coroner and treasurer.
The Ohio codes regarding open records laws set guidelines for state and local agencies in efforts to create a transparent and accessible government. The state open records laws were initially enacted in 1963, three years prior to the Federal Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Open record laws apply to all agencies and government operations. Citizen watch groups, members of the media, and private residents request information from their government for personal reasons as well as oversight of abuses and corruption.
Free access to Ohio public records is essential in many everyday business and personal affairs. Companies in Ohio screening for new employees may need to order a background check. Residents of Ohio looking for employment may want to see what others can obtain about their background and history. Sheriff departments perform background checks of persons residing in their county. A web based service is also available to anyone from the attorney general’s Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation (BCI&I). Civil case search of Ohio’s courts will reveal divorces, active cases, criminal trials, judgments and proceedings.
Information of Ohio assets such as real estate property, business and corporate affiliations are compiled of public filings and recordings. County recorders across Ohio offer parcel searches that reveal value and ownership of property. Official recorded document searches of UCC filings, leases and mortgages are also accessible with the same site database. Conduct a name search for businesses owned by anyone that has filed with the Ohio Secretary of State. View details of the filing, status, data of incorporator and official images of business records. Search bankruptcy filings from Southern and Northern districts look for listing assets and liabilities, debtor and case details.
Instant free searches can be found in various Ohio department web sites. For public safety issues, the state offers free access to their databases to look for inmates sentenced to serve in Ohio correctional facilities. Check a residential neighborhood for registered offenders prior to relocating. Licensed Ohio professionals can be searched and verified online as a free service from the state to look up the status of everyone from accountants to veterinary medical staff. The state’s department of health shows five different ways of obtaining vital records. Find out how to order and receive same day records and official state certificates of marriages, divorces, births and deaths.
Investigating a complete background search or just looking for a single record can begin with the advantage of viewing a list of current and best online search sources. Public record directories index quality sites that are free or require minimal cost with easy to follow instructions and forms. Researchers familiar as well as unfamiliar with Ohio agencies often find helpful sources that were not previously discovered.
