Access Lima Civil Court Records
Lima civil court records are filed through the Lima Municipal Court and the Allen County Court of Common Pleas. The Lima Municipal Court serves all of Allen County, not just the city. It processes roughly 2,534 civil cases each year along with about 13,073 traffic and criminal cases. The Allen County Clerk of Courts handles records for the Common Pleas level. Both courts make records available online. You can search by name, case number, or case type to find docket entries, hearing schedules, and judgments. This page walks you through the search tools, fees, and procedures for getting Lima civil court records.
Lima Civil Court Records Overview
Allen County Courts Serving Lima
Civil court records for Lima go through Allen County. The Allen County Clerk of Courts serves statutory duties related to filing, preservation, retrieval, and public access for all documents in the Common Pleas Court, Domestic Relations Division, and Third District Court of Appeals. The office is at 419 North Elizabeth Street, Lima, Ohio. E-filing is available through the Public Records portal. The clerk follows Ohio Public Records Act compliance and records retention schedules under the Ohio Supreme Court's Superintendence Rules 26 to 26.05.
The Allen County Clerk of Courts maintains records accessible online, in person, by mail, or by email. The online portal is searchable by name, case number, case type, action code, or attorney. The address for the clerk's office is 301 North Main Street, Suite 209, Lima, OH 45801. Phone: (419) 223-8513. Fax: (419) 222-8427. Email: recordsrequest@allencountyohio.com. Certified copies cost $1 per page.
Lima Municipal Court Details
| Court | Lima Municipal Court |
|---|---|
| Judge | Tammie K. Hursh, Presiding and Administrative Judge |
| Municipal Clerk Address | 109 North Union Street, Lima, OH 45801 |
| Municipal Clerk Phone | (419) 221-5275 |
| Fax | (419) 998-5517 |
| Civil Jurisdiction | Up to $15,000 |
| Small Claims | Up to $6,000 |
Lima Municipal Court hears civil cases including breaches of contracts, tortious activity, and forcible entry and detainer (eviction) cases. The Small Claims Division hears contract and tort cases up to $6,000. The court also handles appeals from Bureau of Motor Vehicles actions in Allen County. Treatment Courts and Veterans Court are available for qualifying cases.
The court processes a high volume of cases each year. About 2,534 civil cases come through along with roughly 13,073 traffic and criminal cases. Judge Tammie K. Hursh serves as both Presiding and Administrative Judge.
Searching Lima Civil Court Records Online
The Allen County Clerk of Courts website provides court records search and e-filing for Common Pleas cases.
This is the main portal for Allen County court records, covering civil filings, criminal cases, and domestic relations matters for Lima and the rest of the county.
The Allen County Clerk of Courts also started processing passports and photographs in November 2024 and now issues boat registrations. While not related to civil court records, this shows the range of services at the same office. The Title Department is in the same building if you need vehicle title services.
Note: Case information from the online system is generated from computerized records and may have a delay of at least 24 hours between filings and posting.
Getting Copies of Lima Court Records
Certified copies from the Allen County Clerk cost $1 per page. Standard copies run $0.25 per page. You can request them in person at 301 North Main Street, Suite 209, or by mail or email. The email address is recordsrequest@allencountyohio.com. Include the case number in your request. The Lima Municipal Clerk of Court at 109 North Union Street also provides copies of municipal court records.
Civil court records in Lima are public under Ohio Revised Code Section 149.43. Anyone can ask for records without stating a reason. Juvenile records, sealed cases, medical records, and attorney-client privileged documents are exempt. The clerk redacts exempt portions and provides the rest. If an office denies your request, file a complaint with the Ohio Court of Claims. The fee is $25 and the process starts with mediation at no additional cost.
Lima Civil Records and Ohio Court Rules
Court records in Lima follow the Rules of Superintendence for Ohio Courts. Rule 26 covers records management. Dockets must include party names, attorney details, a chronological list of all pleadings and motions, and a record of all hearings. The Allen County Clerk of Courts follows records retention schedules under Superintendence Rules 26 to 26.05. Courts can keep records on paper, electronic media, or microfilm. Local rules can extend retention periods but cannot shorten them.
Rule 45 governs public access to court records. It requires clerks to provide prompt access while protecting confidential information. Under Ohio Revised Code 149.43, if a public office fails to comply with a records request, statutory damages of $100 per business day can be awarded up to $1,000.
Lima Civil Records and State Resources
The Ohio Supreme Court ECMS covers cases from 1985 forward. The Third District Court of Appeals covers Allen County. The opinions database has decisions from all appellate districts. The Ohio Clerk of Courts Association keeps a directory of all 88 county clerks.
The eFileOH system supports electronic filing in participating courts statewide. It runs 24/7 and lets you file from anywhere with internet access. The Ohio Court of Claims in Columbus handles public records disputes and claims against state agencies.
Allen County Court Records
Lima sits in Allen County. All civil court records for the city go through the Allen County court system. For a full guide to court records in the county, visit the Allen County civil court records page.
View Allen County Court RecordsNearby Ohio Cities
These cities are near Lima and also have civil court records pages: