shelby county ohio public records guide for residents and researchers

What to expect

Shelby County maintains a wide array of government documents to promote transparency while protecting sensitive details. Most requests are straightforward, but some materials may be limited by law or temporarily unavailable during processing. Expect courteous staff, reasonable timelines, and fees for copies or certification. When in doubt, ask for inspection first, then decide if you need printed or certified copies.

Where to look

Begin with the office that creates the record: the Clerk of Courts for case dockets, the Recorder for land records, the Auditor for property data, the Sheriff for incident logs, and county administration for minutes, budgets, and contracts. Online portals cover much, but in-person counters can clarify scope, hours, and any redactions.

• Court filings and dockets
• Deeds, mortgages, and plats
• Property values and tax maps
• Marriage and probate indexes
• Permits, bids, and resolutions
• Incident reports and jail rosters

1. Search online indexes.
2. Confirm record scope and dates.
3. Request copies or certification if needed.
4. Review fees and delivery options.

Be specific: include names, case or parcel numbers, and clear date ranges. That precision speeds retrieval and helps avoid broad requests that can delay results.