Washington County Public Records /Washington County Divorce Records

Washington County Divorce Records

How To Find a Divorce Record In Washington County in 2026

WashingtonOHRecords.us provides access to publicly available data related to divorce records in Washington County, Ohio. Members of the public may find case numbers, filing dates, party names, and final decrees through official court resources. Record categories available through official channels include dissolution of marriage filings, final judgments, parenting plans, property settlement agreements, and post-judgment modification orders.

Records may be searched through the Washington County Clerk of Courts, public access terminals at the courthouse, the Ohio Supreme Court's online case search portal, and the Ohio Department of Health's vital records office.

Online Searches

1. Clerk of Court Case Search

The Washington County Clerk of Courts maintains an online case search system that allows members of the public to search active and closed family court cases at no charge for basic information. Certified copies of documents require payment of applicable fees.

2. State Court System Portal

The Ohio Supreme Court's online docket search allows users to search across Ohio jurisdictions and access consolidated case data from common pleas courts statewide.

3. State Vital Records

Ohio does not issue divorce certificates through the vital records office in the same manner as birth or death certificates; however, the Ohio Department of Health maintains divorce record indexes and may provide verification letters for divorces granted in Ohio.

In-Person Searches

Clerk of Courts — Family Division:

Washington County Clerk of Courts
205 Putnam Street
Marietta, OH 45750
Phone: (740) 373-6623
Washington County Clerk of Courts

Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Services available in person:
- Search case files by party name or case number
- View documents at public access terminals
- Request certified copies of final decrees and orders
- Staff assistance for locating archived records

By Mail

Written Request:

Mail to: Washington County Clerk of Courts, 205 Putnam Street, Marietta, OH 45750
Include the following with each request:
- Full legal names of both parties
- Approximate date of divorce
- Case number, if known
- Requestor's full name and contact information
- Purpose of request, if required
- Payment for applicable copy fees
- Self-addressed stamped envelope for return of documents
Processing time: Requests are processed within approximately 1–2 weeks, depending on volume and whether records require retrieval from archives.

By Phone

Limited Information Available:

Clerk of Courts: (740) 373-6623
Staff may confirm:
- Whether a case exists in the system
- Case number and filing date
- Current case status
Staff cannot provide:
- Detailed document contents by phone
- Copies of filed documents
- Confidential or restricted information

Through Attorneys

An attorney licensed in Ohio may access court records on behalf of a client, request sealed documents upon a proper showing of cause, and obtain certified copies through professional channels. Members of the public seeking assistance with complex or sealed records may locate a qualified family law attorney through the Ohio State Bar Association's referral service.

Information Needed for Search

Essential Information:

Full legal names of both spouses at the time of filing
Maiden names, if applicable
Approximate date of divorce or filing year
Case number, if previously obtained

Helpful Information:

Date and location of marriage
Prior addresses in Washington County
Names of minor children, if applicable
Names of attorneys of record, if known

Search in Correct County

Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 3105.03, a divorce or dissolution of marriage action must be filed in the county where either spouse has been a resident for at least 90 days immediately preceding the filing. Members of the public who are uncertain where a divorce was filed may need to search multiple counties. A divorce is not filed in the county where the marriage ceremony occurred unless one of the parties also resided there at the time of filing.

Time Considerations

Recent divorces: Newly finalized cases may not appear in online systems immediately. Members of the public should allow several business days to weeks after the final hearing for records to be indexed and available.
Older divorces: Cases predating electronic filing may be stored in physical archives and require additional retrieval time. Records from the 1970s and earlier may not be digitized.

What If You Cannot Find a Record

Common reasons a record may not appear in a search include:

The divorce was filed in a different Ohio county
Name variations between married and maiden names
Spelling differences in party names
The case has not yet been finalized
The record is archived and not yet digitized
The case has been sealed by court order

Members of the public encountering these issues may contact the Clerk of Courts at (740) 373-6623, attempt alternate name spellings, search under both spouses' names, or consult the Ohio Department of Health's divorce index.

What Are Washington County Divorce Records?

Washington County divorce records are official court documents generated during and after dissolution of marriage proceedings filed in the Washington County Court of Common Pleas, Domestic Relations Division. These records are maintained by the Clerk of Courts and constitute part of the permanent public court file.

Types of Divorce Records

Court Case Files:

Petition for dissolution of marriage
Response or answer to the petition
Financial affidavits submitted by both parties
Parenting plans and timesharing schedules
Marital settlement agreements
Motions, responses, and court orders
Transcripts of court hearings
Final judgment of dissolution of marriage

Final Decree:

The final decree is the official court order that legally terminates the marriage. It serves as legal proof of divorce and establishes:

The date the marriage was dissolved
Division of marital property and debts
Alimony or spousal support terms, if any
Child custody and timesharing arrangements, if applicable
Child support orders, if applicable
Any court-ordered name restoration

Certified copies of the final decree are available through the Clerk of Courts upon payment of applicable fees.

Supporting Documents:

Original marriage certificate submitted as an exhibit
Financial disclosure statements
Real and personal property inventories
Post-judgment modification orders
Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (QDROs) for retirement account division

Purpose of Divorce Records

Legal Purposes:

Establishing proof of marital status for remarriage
Documenting name changes with government agencies
Supporting immigration proceedings and visa applications
Verifying eligibility for Social Security survivor or spousal benefits
Facilitating property transfers and title changes
Estate planning and beneficiary designations

Personal Purposes:

Genealogical and family history research
Personal recordkeeping and verification of divorce terms
Confirming custody or support obligations

Legal Framework

Dissolution of marriage proceedings in Ohio are governed by Ohio Revised Code § 3105.01, which establishes the grounds and procedures for divorce in the state. Public access to court records is governed by the Ohio Rules of Superintendence for the Courts of Ohio, which establish a presumption of public access to court documents while providing for the protection of sensitive personal information.

Are Washington County Divorce Records Public?

Divorce records filed in Washington County are public court records subject to Ohio's open records laws. As stated in the Ohio Rules of Superintendence, Rule 45, "court records are presumed open to the public." Members of the public may access basic case information, docket entries, and most filed documents without demonstrating a specific need or purpose.

What Is Public:

Case number and filing date
Names of the parties (petitioner and respondent)
Names of attorneys of record
Scheduled and completed hearing dates
Court orders and judgments, including the final decree
Property division orders
General case status and docket entries

What May Be Restricted:

Financial Information:

Social Security numbers are redacted from all public filings pursuant to Ohio Rule of Superintendence 45(E)
Bank account and credit card numbers are redacted
Detailed tax returns may be filed under seal or with restricted access
Certain income and asset disclosures may have limited public availability

Children's Information:

Residential addresses of minor children
Names of schools children attend
Medical and psychological evaluation records
Child custody evaluation reports, which may be sealed
Guardian ad litem reports, which are restricted in many cases

Sensitive Personal Information:

Domestic violence allegations and supporting evidence
Mental health and substance abuse treatment records
Medical records submitted as exhibits
Personal addresses in cases involving protective orders

Sealed Records

A court may seal divorce records upon a showing of good cause. Cases involving allegations of abuse, high-profile parties, or confidential settlement terms may be subject to sealing orders. Mediation communications are confidential under Ohio law and are not part of the public court record.

Who Can Access Records:

General public: May access most case information, view docket summaries, and obtain copies of public documents upon payment of fees. Photo identification may be required at the clerk's office.
Parties to the case: Have full access to their own case file, including documents that may be restricted from general public view.
Attorneys: May access case files on behalf of clients and may petition the court for access to sealed materials upon a proper showing.
Researchers and media: May access public portions of case files. Access to sealed records requires a court order. First Amendment protections apply to news reporting on matters of public concern.

Prohibited Uses:

Members of the public are prohibited from using divorce records for stalking, harassment, identity theft, fraudulent purposes, or any use that violates an existing protective order. Permitted uses include legal proceedings, background research, genealogical research, news reporting, and personal verification.

Obtaining Confidential Records

A party seeking access to sealed or restricted records must file a motion with the Washington County Court of Common Pleas demonstrating a legitimate legal need. The court applies a balancing test weighing the public interest in transparency against the privacy interests of the parties and any minor children involved.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Divorce Records in Washington County?

The Washington County Clerk of Courts charges standard fees for copies and certified documents in accordance with Ohio Revised Code § 2303.20, which governs fees that clerks of courts may collect.

Current Fee Schedule:

Service	Fee
Standard copy (per page)	$0.10 per page
Certified copy of document	$1.00 per certification + copy fees
Exemplified (triple-certified) copy	Additional certification fee applies
Online case search (basic information)	Free
Public access terminal use	Free

Inspection of records: Members of the public may inspect public court records at no charge during regular business hours at the Clerk of Courts office.
Electronic copies: Where available through the online case search portal, electronic access to basic docket information is provided at no charge. Fees apply for downloading or printing document images.
Certified copies: Certified copies of the final decree of divorce are the most commonly requested documents and require payment of the per-page copy fee plus the certification fee.
Payment methods: The Clerk of Courts accepts cash, check, and money order for in-person requests. Mail requests should include a check or money order payable to the Washington County Clerk of Courts.
Fee waivers: Parties who have been granted indigency status by the court in connection with their case may be eligible for reduced or waived fees. Members of the public seeking a fee waiver should inquire directly with the Clerk of Courts.

Basic case information, including case numbers, filing dates, party names, and case status, is available at no charge through the online case search system and at public access terminals in the courthouse.

What's Included in Divorce Records in Washington County

A complete Washington County divorce case file contains all documents filed with the Clerk of Courts from the initiation of the proceeding through final judgment and any post-judgment actions.

Basic Case Information:

Case caption including case number, court name, and division
Names of petitioner and respondent
Name of the assigned judge
Names and contact information of attorneys of record
Filing date, case type, and jurisdictional basis

Initial Pleadings:

The Petition for Dissolution of Marriage includes the petitioner's identifying information, the date and location of the marriage, the date of separation if applicable, grounds for divorce (Ohio recognizes incompatibility and other statutory grounds), information about minor children, claims regarding marital property, and the relief requested by the petitioner.

The Response or Answer sets forth the respondent's position, admissions or denials of the petition's allegations, any counterpetition, and the respondent's requested relief.

Financial Affidavits submitted by both parties disclose income from all sources, monthly expenses, assets including real property, vehicles, bank and investment accounts, and retirement accounts, as well as all liabilities including mortgages, loans, and credit card debt.

Discovery Documents:

Tax returns and pay stubs
Bank and investment account statements
Retirement account statements
Written interrogatories and answers under oath
Requests for production of documents and responses
Business financial statements, if applicable

Property-Related Documents:

Marital asset inventory with descriptions and estimated values
Debt inventory listing all marital liabilities
Real property appraisals and business valuations
Expert reports on asset values

Children-Related Documents (if applicable):

The Parenting Plan establishes legal custody (decision-making authority) and physical custody (primary residence), the regular timesharing schedule, holiday and summer schedules, transportation arrangements, and provisions governing relocation, communication between parents, and major decisions regarding education, healthcare, and extracurricular activities.

Child Support documents include the Ohio child support calculation worksheet, income information for both parties, the number of annual overnights with each parent, health insurance and childcare costs, the support amount ordered, and the payment schedule.

Custody evaluations ordered by the court, guardian ad litem reports, and home studies may be included in the file but are subject to restricted access.

Settlement Documents:

The Marital Settlement Agreement is a comprehensive written agreement resolving all issues in the case, including property division, debt allocation, spousal support terms, child-related provisions, tax treatment of transfers, and attorney fee allocation. It is signed by both parties and notarized before submission to the court.

Court Orders and Judgments:

Temporary orders governing custody, support, and use of property during the pendency of the case
Temporary restraining orders or injunctions, if issued
The Final Judgment of Dissolution, which is the court's definitive order ending the marriage, containing findings of fact, conclusions of law, all property and support orders, custody and timesharing provisions, and the judge's signature and court seal
Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (QDROs) directing retirement plan administrators to divide benefits

Post-Judgment Documents (if applicable):

Petitions to modify custody, timesharing, or support
Court orders on modification requests
Contempt motions and orders for non-compliance
Income deduction orders and enforcement actions

What Is Typically Confidential or Sealed:

Social Security numbers (redacted from all public documents)
Bank account and financial account numbers (redacted)
Residential addresses and school information for minor children
Domestic violence details, which may be sealed by court order
Mental health and substance abuse evaluation records
Mediation communications, which are confidential under Ohio law
Trade secrets contained in business valuations

How Information Is Organized:

Documents are filed in chronological order and indexed by the Clerk of Courts. Each document is assigned a filing date and document number. Recent cases are maintained in electronic format through the court's case management system. Older cases may exist in paper format or as scanned images. The case docket serves as the official index of all filed documents.

How to Get Proof of Divorce in Washington County?

Proof of divorce in Washington County is obtained through a certified copy of the Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage issued by the Washington County Clerk of Courts. A certified copy bears the clerk's official seal and signature, confirming it as a true and accurate reproduction of the original court record.

Steps to Obtain a Certified Copy:

Identify the case number by searching the Clerk of Courts' online case search system or by contacting the clerk's office directly at (740) 373-6623.
Submit a request in person at the Clerk of Courts office, by mail, or through any available online request portal.
Provide the full names of both parties, the approximate date of divorce, and the case number if known.
Pay the applicable certification and per-page copy fees as established under Ohio Revised Code § 2303.20.
Receive the certified copy in person or by mail, depending on the method of request.

Washington County Clerk of Courts
205 Putnam Street
Marietta, OH 45750
Phone: (740) 373-6623
Washington County Clerk of Courts

For purposes such as remarriage, name changes with the Social Security Administration or Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles, or immigration proceedings, a certified copy of the final decree is the standard accepted form of proof. The Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles and the Social Security Administration each maintain their own requirements regarding acceptable documentation for name change requests.

Members of the public who need to verify that a divorce occurred but do not require a full certified copy may request a case summary or docket printout from the Clerk of Courts, which reflects the case number, party names, filing date, and final disposition.

Can a Divorce Be Confidential in Washington County?

Divorce proceedings in Washington County are presumptively public under Ohio law; however, specific records or entire case files may be made confidential under defined circumstances.

Court-ordered sealing: A party may file a motion requesting that the court seal all or part of the case file. The court evaluates such requests on a case-by-case basis, applying a balancing test between the public interest in open court records and the privacy interests of the parties or minor children.
Domestic violence cases: Cases involving allegations of domestic violence or the issuance of civil protection orders may have certain identifying information, such as the protected party's address, withheld from public access pursuant to Ohio law.
Children's information: Information identifying the residential address, school, or medical providers of minor children is subject to restriction under the Ohio Rules of Superintendence.
Financial account numbers and Social Security numbers: These are redacted from all publicly accessible documents as a matter of standard court practice.
Mediation records: Communications made during court-ordered mediation are confidential and are not filed with the court or made part of the public record.
Mental health and substance abuse records: Records of this nature submitted as exhibits may be filed under seal upon motion of either party.

The Ohio Rules of Superintendence, Rule 45 governs the standards for restricting access to court records and sets forth the procedures for requesting confidential treatment of filed documents.

How Long Does Washington County Keep Divorce Records?

Washington County maintains divorce records in accordance with the retention schedules established by the Ohio Common Pleas Court Records Commission and the Ohio Historical Records Advisory Board.

Final judgments and decrees: Permanent retention. Final decrees of dissolution of marriage are retained indefinitely as part of the permanent court record and are never destroyed.
Complete case files: Ohio common pleas courts are required to retain complete dissolution of marriage case files for a minimum of 75 years from the date of final judgment, reflecting the long-term legal significance of these records for property rights, inheritance, and family law matters.
Temporary orders: Retained as part of the case file for the duration of the applicable retention period.
Financial affidavits and discovery documents: Retained as part of the case file for the applicable retention period, subject to any court orders regarding sealing or destruction of sensitive financial information.
Electronic records: Cases filed electronically are maintained in the court's case management system and are subject to the same retention requirements as paper records.
Archived records: Cases older than a specified number of years may be transferred to physical or digital archives. Retrieval of archived records may require additional processing time and should be requested directly through the Clerk of Courts.
Microfilm and paper records: Older records that predate electronic filing may be maintained on microfilm or in paper format in the court's records storage facility.

Members of the public seeking records from older cases should contact the Washington County Clerk of Courts directly to confirm availability and retrieval procedures.