Search Canton Civil Court Records
Canton civil court records are kept by the Canton Municipal Court and the Stark County Clerk of Courts. You can search for civil case filings, small claims, eviction actions, and court judgments through online search tools or by visiting the courthouse in person. Canton is the county seat of Stark County, so both the municipal court and the Court of Common Pleas are located here. Whether you need to look up a debt collection case, a contract dispute, or a property damage claim, the records are available to the public under Ohio law.
Canton Court Records Overview
Canton Civil Court System
Canton's civil court records are split between two courts. The Canton Municipal Court handles civil cases where the claim is $15,000 or less. This covers most everyday disputes. Breach of contract, property damage, landlord-tenant issues, and debt collection cases all fall here. Small claims top out at $6,000 and are heard by a magistrate under Ohio Sup.R.4.
Bigger civil cases go to the Stark County Court of Common Pleas. The General Division takes civil matters where the amount exceeds $15,000. This includes personal injury lawsuits, foreclosures, and business litigation. The Stark County Clerk of Courts files and maintains all Common Pleas records. The Legal Division is at the Stark County Courthouse, 115 Central Plaza North, Suite 101, Canton, OH 44702. You can call them at (330) 451-7795. Fax filings go to (330) 451-7853.
| Municipal Court | Canton Municipal Court |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM |
| County Clerk Phone | (330) 451-7380 |
| Civil Division Phone | (330) 451-7795 |
Canton Municipal Court Civil Records
The Canton Municipal Court is one of three independent municipal courts in Stark County. Civil cases filed here include contract disputes, personal injury claims under $15,000, eviction proceedings, and small claims. The court uses electronic filing, so attorneys and parties can submit documents online. Remote hearings are available through ZOOM for some case types.
If you have a ZOOM hearing, you need to register at www.cantoncourt.org at least five business days before your hearing date. Any exhibits for virtual hearings must be submitted 72 hours ahead of time by email to courtexhibits@cantonohio.gov. These rules apply to civil cases heard remotely. Motions for relief from judgment go straight to the judge who entered the original judgment. If the other side objects, they have 14 days from service to file that objection.
Court costs took effect December 1, 2022. Filing a complaint or eviction costs $150.00. Small claims cost $93.00, which covers the legal aid fee, computer fee, and capital improvement fee. A jury demand requires a $600.00 advance deposit.
Search Canton Civil Records Online
The Stark County judicial system has a useful tool for searching civil court records. The Stark County Criminal Justice Information System merges data from all four courts of record in the county into one search. That means you can pull up records from the Court of Common Pleas and all three municipal courts with a single search. The CJIS covers Civil, Criminal, and Domestic Relations divisions of the Common Pleas Court.
The Stark County Clerk of Courts has electronic records going back to 1985. Older records from before that year are stored on the 6th floor of the County Office Building. If you need a pre-1985 case, you will have to visit in person or send a written request. For certified copies, the fee is $5.00 per case. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope with your request.
Note: The CJIS website merges records from four separate courts, so a single name search may return results from multiple jurisdictions within Stark County.
Getting Canton Court Record Copies
Certified copies from the Stark County Clerk cost $5.00 per case. You can request them in person at the courthouse or by mail. Mail requests need a self-addressed stamped envelope. Bring the case number if you have it. The Civil Division receives paperwork related to personal injury claims, foreclosures, and business disputes. They also record Ohio sales and income tax judgments for public record and issue Certificates of Judgment and subpoenas.
Under Ohio Revised Code Section 149.43, you do not need to give your name or explain why you want court records. The clerk must provide them within a reasonable time. If your request is denied, you can file a complaint with the Ohio Court of Claims for $25. The Fifth District Court of Appeals handles appeals from Stark County cases, covering 15 counties in all.
Civil Court Records and Appeals in Canton
The Fifth District Court of Appeals sits above the Stark County Common Pleas Court. It hears appeals from 15 Ohio counties. If a civil case from Canton is appealed, the appellate filing goes through the Stark County Clerk of Courts. The Appellate Division of the clerk's office receives all filings for the Fifth District. You can search appellate records through the same online tools used for trial court cases.
The Ohio Supreme Court opinions database has decisions from all 12 appellate districts going back to at least 2001. You can search by date, court, or WebCite number. The Ohio Trial Courts Directory lists every trial court in the state, including the Canton Municipal Court and Stark County Common Pleas. Each listing links to local rules that spell out filing requirements and records access policies.
Canton Civil Court Records Search Portals
The screenshot below shows the Canton Municipal Court website where you can find information about civil filings, court costs, and hearing schedules.
The Canton Municipal Court site provides case search options, e-filing access, and details about court costs that went into effect in late 2022.
Below is a view of the Stark County Clerk of Courts website, which handles all Common Pleas civil court records for Canton and the rest of Stark County.
The Stark County Clerk's site offers access to court records dating back to 1985 and provides information on filing procedures for civil cases in Common Pleas Court.
Stark County Court Records
Canton is the county seat of Stark County. The Stark County Clerk of Courts manages records for the Court of Common Pleas and the Fifth District Court of Appeals. The clerk's office handles five separate areas of filings: Civil Division, Court of Appeals, Criminal Division, Domestic Relations, and Juvenile. For broader county-level civil court records, visit the Stark County page.
Nearby Cities
Looking for civil court records in other cities near Canton? Check these pages for court information and search tools.