Putnam County Criminal Court Records
Putnam County criminal court records are held at the Clerk of Courts office in Ottawa, Ohio. The Clerk serves as the official record keeper for the Putnam County Court of Common Pleas, which handles felony criminal cases, civil disputes, and domestic matters. You can visit the courthouse in person, call the office, or send a written request by mail to get access to case files. Ohio law makes most court records public, with some exceptions for sealed and expunged cases. If you are looking for information on a specific case or need certified copies of court documents, the Putnam County Clerk of Courts is the right place to go.
Putnam County Clerk of Courts Office
The Putnam County Clerk of Courts is located at the Putnam County Courthouse, 245 E. Main Street, Ottawa, Ohio 45875. The office handles all filing, docketing, and indexing for cases in the Court of Common Pleas. Hours run Monday through Friday during regular business hours. Staff can help with record requests, copies, and general questions about the court system.
Criminal case files in Putnam County include charging documents, bond information, plea entries, motions, court orders, trial records, and sentencing details. The General Division of the Common Pleas Court has jurisdiction over all felony offenses committed in the county. The Clerk's office also stores records for civil cases, domestic relations matters, and cases that get appealed. If you plan to visit, having a case number or the full name of the person you want to look up will speed things along.
Note: The office is closed on weekends and all legal holidays observed by the state.
How to Search Putnam County Criminal Records
Walk into the Clerk of Courts at 245 E. Main Street in Ottawa for the fastest access. Staff will help you find the file you need. You can inspect records on site and request copies. Standard copies cost $0.10 per page. Certified copies are about $1.00 per page with a certification fee. Payment by cash, check, or money order is standard at most Ohio clerk offices.
You can also send a mail request. Write to the Putnam County Clerk of Courts at the courthouse address. Include the case number or name, state what records you need, and include prepayment. The office will process the request and mail copies back to you. If you overpay, they will refund the difference. If they need more money, they will let you know.
Under ORC Section 149.43, you can request public records in Ohio without explaining your reason. The Clerk must provide records during normal hours. Exemptions include juvenile records, sealed files, expunged cases, and documents protected by attorney-client privilege or other legal shields.
Criminal Court Records in Putnam County
The Putnam County Court of Common Pleas General Division hears all felony cases in the county. Drug offenses, theft, assault, burglary, and other serious crimes are tried here. Each case creates a record that follows the case from start to finish. The Clerk of Courts stores all of these files and makes them available to the public as required by law.
The Putnam County Sheriff's Office keeps arrest records and jail inmate information separately. These records can help fill in gaps that court records may not cover, like details about an arrest before formal charges were filed. The Sheriff works with the courts to serve warrants and transport inmates. For arrest-related records, contact the Sheriff's Office directly.
The image above shows a resource for Putnam County that can help you start a search for criminal case records and other court documents in the area.
Types of Cases in Putnam County
The Common Pleas Court handles felonies under ORC Chapter 2301. Civil cases over $15,000 and domestic relations matters also go here. The Putnam County Municipal Court handles misdemeanors, traffic violations, and small civil claims under ORC Title 19.
Probate Court in Putnam County deals with estates, guardianships, and marriage licenses. Juvenile Court handles delinquency and child protection cases. Juvenile records are confidential and cannot be accessed through standard searches. Probate records are mostly public. Knowing which court has the record you need will save you time when searching for criminal court records in Putnam County.
Putnam County Court Fees
Fees follow Ohio law. Plain copies are $0.10 per page. Certified copies are $1.00 per page plus certification. Exemplified copies cost more. Cash, check, and money order are accepted at the Clerk's office. Credit card payments may be available with a convenience fee.
Viewing records in person is free. You only pay when you need physical copies or certified documents. For mail requests, always include prepayment to avoid delays.
Putnam County Legal Resources
Ohio Legal Help offers free guides on searching court records, sealing records, and finding a lawyer. The Ohio State Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service and publishes resources on Ohio's public records law. For statewide criminal background checks, the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation charges $22 for state-only and $34 for combined state and FBI checks.
The Ohio Department of Public Safety provides information on expungement and record sealing. If a records request gets turned down, the Ohio Court of Claims handles disputes over public records access.
Cities in Putnam County
Putnam County is home to Ottawa, Leipsic, Continental, and several smaller villages. None have populations over 100,000. All felony criminal court records for the county go through the Putnam County Clerk of Courts in Ottawa. The municipal court there covers misdemeanor and traffic cases for the area.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Putnam County, and each has its own Clerk of Courts and court system:
Each county keeps its own records. A case from Allen County will not appear in a Putnam County search. Check the right county for the records you need.