Search Stark County Civil Court Records
Stark County civil court records are maintained by the Clerk of Courts at the courthouse in Canton. The Civil Division of the Court of Common Pleas handles a wide range of case types including personal injury claims, foreclosures, and business disputes. You can search for civil case filings and court documents through the CJIS system, which merges data from all Stark County courts of record into one database. The clerk's office also processes tax judgments and issues Certificates of Judgment. If you need to look up a case or get copies of court documents, the online search tools and the clerk's office both offer ways to access Stark County civil court records.
Stark County Civil Court Records Overview
Stark County Clerk of Courts
The Stark County Clerk of Courts operates the Civil Division at the county courthouse in Canton. This office is the main point of contact for civil court records in Stark County. Staff handle the filing, docketing, and indexing of all civil case documents. The Civil Division covers personal injury suits, foreclosure actions, business disputes, and other civil matters brought before the Court of Common Pleas. The office also records tax judgments and issues Certificates of Judgment for cases that result in a money award. If you are looking for a specific civil case filing or need certified copies, the Civil Division is where you start.
| Office | Stark County Clerk of Courts - Civil Division |
|---|---|
| Address | 115 Central Plaza North, Suite 101, Canton, OH 44702 |
| Phone | (330) 451-7795 |
| Fax | (330) 451-7853 |
You can reach the Civil Division by phone or fax during regular business hours. Walk-in visits are also welcome at the Canton courthouse. The staff can help you locate case files, request copies, or file new civil actions. If you plan to visit, bring any case numbers or party names you have to speed up your search.
Note: The clerk's office is closed on weekends and state holidays.
Searching Stark County Court Records Online
Stark County offers one of the more useful online search tools in Ohio. The CJIS system merges data from all courts of record in Stark County into a single database. This means you can search civil cases, criminal cases, and other court records all from one portal. The system pulls data from the Court of Common Pleas, municipal courts, and county court filings. You can search by name, case number, or date range. The CJIS tool is free to use and does not require an account to run basic searches.
Keep in mind that online records may lag behind what the clerk's office has on file. There can be a delay of at least 24 hours between when a document gets filed and when it shows up in the system. For the most current case information, call the Civil Division at (330) 451-7795 or visit in person. The CJIS portal is still a good first step for most searches, and it covers a large portion of Stark County civil court records going back several years.
The Stark County government website provides details about the clerk's office and its Civil Division services.
This page on the county site shows how the clerk's office handles civil case filings and what services the Civil Division provides to the public.
Public Records in Stark County
Civil court records in Stark County are public under Ohio Revised Code § 149.43, the Ohio Public Records Act. This law gives any person the right to request and inspect public records. You do not need to explain why you want the records. The clerk's office must respond to your request within a reasonable time during business hours. Copies are available at cost. Standard fees apply for both paper and certified copies.
Some records have restricted access. Sealed or expunged cases, juvenile records, and documents protected by attorney-client privilege are not available to the public. Medical records attached to civil filings may also be redacted. If a record contains both public and exempt portions, the clerk will provide what is available and redact what is protected by law. You will be told if any part of your request is denied or redacted.
There are several ways to get Stark County civil court records. You can search online through the CJIS system, visit the courthouse in Canton, send a written request by mail, or call the Civil Division. For bulk records requests or complex searches, visiting in person is often the fastest option. The clerk's staff can pull case files and make copies while you wait in most situations.
Note: Certified copies cost more than standard copies, so ask about fees before placing your order.
Stark County Court System
The Stark County Court of Common Pleas is the trial court with general jurisdiction. It handles civil cases, criminal cases, domestic relations matters, and juvenile cases. The General Division is where most civil court records originate. This includes lawsuits for money damages, contract disputes, property foreclosures, and administrative appeals. The court also has a Domestic Relations Division for divorce, custody, and support cases, along with a Juvenile Division for matters involving minors.
Stark County is part of the 5th Appellate District Court of Appeals, which covers 15 counties in northeast and central Ohio. If a party disagrees with a ruling from the Common Pleas Court, they can appeal to the 5th District. The Ohio Supreme Court's ECMS portal provides case information for appellate and Supreme Court filings going back to 1985. You can search by case number, party name, or date to find appellate decisions from Stark County cases.
The Ohio Supreme Court trial courts directory lists all courts in Stark County with links to local rules and contact information. Under Ohio's Rules of Superintendence, each court must file its current local rules with the Supreme Court. This directory is a good way to confirm court addresses, phone numbers, and filing requirements for any court in the county.
Civil Court Records and Ohio Law
Ohio's public records law covers all records kept by public offices in the state. Under ORC § 149.43, court records are considered public records unless they fall under a specific exemption. The law requires public offices to organize and maintain records so they can be made available for inspection or copying. Courts must also keep a current records retention schedule at a location the public can access. This applies to all divisions of the Stark County Court of Common Pleas.
If a public office fails to provide records or denies your request improperly, you have legal options. You can file a complaint with the Ohio Court of Claims or bring a mandamus action in common pleas court. The Court of Claims process starts with mediation. Filing costs $25. Under the statute, a court may award $100 per business day of noncompliance, up to $1,000. Records retention in Ohio courts follows Rule 26 of the Rules of Superintendence. Courts can keep records on paper, electronic media, or microfilm. If a record is more than ten years old or was created before 1960, the court must notify the Ohio Historical Society 60 days before destroying it.
Statewide Resources for Stark County
Several statewide tools can help you find civil court records in Stark County. 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 to find decisions from the 5th District that may relate to Stark County cases. The Ohio Clerk of Courts Association maintains a directory of all 88 county clerks with contact information.
The eFileOH system allows electronic filing in participating Ohio courts. This system runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Filers can submit documents, pay fees, and track case progress from any web browser. It does not require special software. While not all courts use it yet, it is available for Court of Claims filings and some other case types. Check with the Stark County Clerk of Courts to see if your case type qualifies for electronic filing.
Cities in Stark County
The following major city is located in Stark County:
Canton is the county seat and the largest city in Stark County. Civil cases involving Canton residents are typically filed with the Stark County Court of Common Pleas.
Nearby Counties
If you need civil court records from counties near Stark County, these neighboring counties may be helpful: