Washington County Public Records
How to Find Public Records in Washington County in 2026
Members of the public seeking government documents in Washington County, Ohio, may access a broad range of publicly available information through official county offices, court systems, and online portals. WashingtonOHRecords.us provides a directory of resources that may assist individuals in locating publicly available records maintained by Washington County agencies. The records available through official channels may include court filings, property documents, vital records, tax assessments, and meeting minutes, though the completeness and availability of specific records depend on the maintaining agency and applicable state law.
Online Access:
- The Washington County Auditor's website provides online property search tools, including parcel data, tax records, and assessment information.
- The Ohio Courts Network offers case information through the Ohio Supreme Court's online case search, which includes Washington County Court of Common Pleas records where available.
- No registration is required to search most publicly accessible online databases maintained by Washington County offices.
In-Person Requests: Members of the public may visit the Washington County Recorder's Office or the Clerk of Courts to inspect records in person. Requestors should present a written or verbal description of the records sought. Staff are available to assist in locating documents during regular business hours.
Written/Mail Requests: Written requests should include the requestor's name, a description of the records sought, and a preferred method of delivery. Under Ohio Revised Code § 149.43, public offices must respond to records requests within a reasonable period of time.
Phone/Email:
- Washington County Recorder: (740) 373-6623
- Washington County Clerk of Courts: (740) 373-6623 (main county line)
What Are Public Records in Washington County?
Public records in Washington County are defined under Ohio Revised Code § 149.43 as any document, device, or item created or received by a public office that serves to document the organization, functions, policies, decisions, procedures, operations, or other activities of the office. The following record types are currently maintained by Washington County agencies:
- Court records — civil, criminal, probate, and domestic relations filings maintained by the Washington County Clerk of Courts
- Property records — deeds, mortgages, liens, and easements maintained by the Washington County Recorder's Office
- Tax and assessment records — property valuations and tax histories maintained by the Washington County Auditor
- Vital records — birth and death certificates maintained by the Ohio Department of Health; marriage and divorce records maintained by the Probate Court and Clerk of Courts
- Business records — fictitious name registrations and trade name filings maintained by the Ohio Secretary of State
- Voting and election records — maintained by the Washington County Board of Elections
- Meeting minutes and agendas — maintained by the Washington County Board of Commissioners
- Budget and financial documents — maintained by the Washington County Auditor
- Law enforcement records — arrest logs and incident reports maintained by the Washington County Sheriff's Office, subject to applicable exemptions
- Land use and zoning records — maintained by the Washington County Engineer's Office and applicable municipal planning departments
The City of Marietta maintains its own set of municipal public records, including city council meeting minutes, adopted legislation, and municipal court documents, accessible through the city's official government portal.
Is Washington County an Open Records County?
Washington County fully complies with Ohio's open records law, which mandates public access to government documents. Under Ohio Revised Code § 149.43, all public offices in Ohio — including those in Washington County — are required to make public records available for inspection and copying upon request.
As stated in the official guidance from Washington Township's public records policy, "The Public Records Act evolved from the principle that Ohio's citizens are entitled to access the records of their government." This principle applies uniformly across all public offices in Washington County, from the county commissioners to municipal courts.
The Ohio Attorney General's Office provides additional guidance on open records compliance through its Sunshine Laws resources, which outlines the obligations of public offices and the rights of requestors. Washington County offices are subject to these statewide standards and do not impose additional local restrictions beyond those permitted by statute. The Ohio Sunshine Laws encompass both the Public Records Act and the Open Meetings Act, ensuring transparency in both document access and governmental deliberations.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Washington County?
The cost to obtain public records in Washington County varies by record type and the office maintaining the records. Under Ohio law, fees for public records must be limited to the actual cost of reproduction.
| Record Type | Standard Fee |
|---|---|
| Standard paper copies | $0.05–$0.10 per page (black and white) |
| Certified copies (Recorder) | $2.00 per page (first page); $1.00 each additional |
| Vital records (birth/death) | Set by the Ohio Department of Health |
| Electronic copies | Actual cost of the medium used |
| Inspection of records | No charge |
- Inspection of public records is provided at no cost at the maintaining office.
- Certification fees apply when an official seal or attestation is required.
- The Washington County Recorder charges fees established under Ohio Revised Code for recording and copying instruments.
- Accepted payment methods at county offices include cash, check, and money order; some offices accept credit cards.
- Fee waivers are not broadly established by statute for general public records requests, though indigent requestors may inquire with individual offices regarding available accommodations.
Does Washington County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available at Washington County government offices during regular business hours. Ohio law does not permit public offices to charge for the inspection of records — only for reproduction. Members of the public may review documents in person at the relevant office without incurring any cost.
The following resources provide free access to Washington County records online:
- The Washington County Auditor's property search portal allows free online access to parcel data, ownership history, and tax assessment information.
- The Ohio Supreme Court's case search tool provides free access to available court case information for Washington County courts.
- The Washington County Board of Elections provides free access to voter registration data and election results through its official office.
- The Ohio Secretary of State's business search provides free access to business entity filings, including those registered in Washington County.
Free inspection differs from free copies: while inspection carries no charge, reproduction of records is subject to the fee schedule described above.
Who Can Request Public Records in Washington County?
Any person may request public records in Washington County, Ohio. Under Ohio's open records law, requestors are not required to be Ohio residents, to provide identification, or to state the purpose of their request. The right of access extends to individuals, organizations, businesses, and members of the press equally.
Specific considerations include:
- Residency: Not required. Non-residents retain the same rights as Ohio residents under state law.
- Identification: Not required for most public records requests, though some offices may ask for identification as a matter of administrative practice when processing requests.
- Purpose: Requestors are not obligated to explain why they are seeking records. Public offices may not condition access on the disclosure of purpose.
- Requesting your own records: Individuals seeking records about themselves follow the same process as any other requestor. For certain sensitive records, such as sealed court documents or expunged records, additional legal procedures may apply.
- Restrictions for specific record types: Certain records, such as juvenile court records or adoption files, are restricted by statute regardless of who is requesting them.
The Ohio Attorney General's Sunshine Laws Manual provides a comprehensive overview of requestor rights and public office obligations under current Ohio law.
What Records Are Confidential in Washington County?
Not all government records in Washington County are subject to public disclosure. Ohio Revised Code § 149.43 and related statutes identify numerous categories of records that are exempt from public access. The following records are currently withheld from public inspection:
- Sealed court records — records sealed by judicial order, including expunged criminal records
- Juvenile records — records pertaining to juvenile court proceedings, protected under Ohio Revised Code Chapter 2152
- Ongoing investigation records — law enforcement records that, if disclosed, would interfere with an active investigation or endanger individuals
- Personal identifying information — Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and similar data are redacted from otherwise public documents
- Medical records — protected under both state law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
- Adoption records — sealed by statute and accessible only through specific legal processes
- Child welfare and protective services records — maintained as confidential under Ohio law
- Personnel records — certain employee records are exempt, with exceptions for records relating to public officials' conduct in office
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information — submitted to government agencies under confidentiality protections
- Security and infrastructure plans — records that could compromise public safety if disclosed
When a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, the public office is required to redact the exempt portions and provide access to the remainder. This balancing approach reflects the Ohio legislature's intent to maximize transparency while protecting legitimate privacy and safety interests.
Washington County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Washington County Recorder's Office
205 Putnam Street
Marietta, OH 45750
(740) 373-6623
Washington County Recorder
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays
Washington County Auditor's Office
205 Putnam Street
Marietta, OH 45750
(740) 373-6623
Washington County Auditor
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Washington County Clerk of Courts
205 Putnam Street, Courthouse
Marietta, OH 45750
(740) 373-6623
Washington County Clerk of Courts
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Washington County Probate Court
205 Putnam Street
Marietta, OH 45750
(740) 373-6623
Washington County Probate Court
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Washington County Board of Elections
308 Monroe Street
Marietta, OH 45750
(740) 373-6623
Washington County Board of Elections
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM