Cuyahoga County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Cuyahoga County?

Public records in Cuyahoga County are defined according to Ohio Revised Code § 149.43, which establishes that public records include any records kept by any public office, including state, county, city, village, township, and school district units. The Cuyahoga County Clerk of Courts defines public records as including any document, device, or item, regardless of physical form or characteristic, created or received by or coming under the jurisdiction of any public office, which serves to document the organization, functions, policies, decisions, procedures, operations, or other activities of the office.

Cuyahoga County maintains numerous types of public records, including:

Court Records: Civil, criminal, domestic relations, and appellate court cases maintained by the Cuyahoga County Clerk of Courts
Probate Records: Wills, estates, guardianships, and adoptions maintained by the Probate Court of Cuyahoga County
Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, and property transfers maintained by the Cuyahoga County Fiscal Officer
Vital Records: Birth and death certificates maintained by the Cuyahoga County Board of Health
Business Records: Vendor registrations, contracts, and business licenses
Tax Records: Property tax information, assessment records, and tax foreclosures
Voting and Election Records: Voter registrations and election results maintained by the Board of Elections
Meeting Minutes and Agendas: County Council and various boards and commissions
Budget and Financial Documents: County expenditures, budgets, and financial reports
Law Enforcement Records: Sheriff's reports and jail records (with statutory limitations)
Land Use and Zoning Records: Building permits, zoning applications, and property inspections

Each record type is maintained by specific county departments or offices, with the Cuyahoga County MyPlace portal serving as a centralized resource for accessing many public records online.

Is Cuyahoga County an Open Records County?

Cuyahoga County adheres to Ohio's open records laws as established in the Ohio Public Records Act § 149.43. This statute mandates that all public records shall be promptly prepared and made available for inspection to any person at all reasonable times during regular business hours. The law further requires that copies of public records must be made available at cost within a reasonable period of time.

The Cuyahoga County Public Records Policy explicitly states: "The Cuyahoga County Code and Ohio Revised Code gives the public the right to make requests for public records. 'Public record' includes any document, device, or item, regardless of physical form or characteristic, created or received by or coming under the jurisdiction of any public office of the state or its political subdivisions, which serves to document the organization, functions, policies, decisions, procedures, operations, or other activities of the office."

Cuyahoga County also complies with Ohio's Open Meetings Act (Sunshine Law) under Ohio Revised Code § 121.22, which requires public bodies to conduct all deliberations and official actions in meetings open to the public, with limited exceptions.

The county has established specific procedures for requesting and obtaining public records, with each department maintaining records custodians responsible for fulfilling public records requests in accordance with state law.

How to Find Public Records in Cuyahoga County in 2026

Members of the public seeking access to Cuyahoga County public records may utilize several methods to locate and obtain these documents:

Submit a Public Records Request: Individuals may submit formal requests through the Cuyahoga County Public Records Request portal. Requests should:
- Identify the specific records sought with reasonable clarity
- Provide contact information for response
- Indicate preferred delivery method (electronic or paper)
Visit Department Offices in Person: Records may be inspected during regular business hours at the appropriate county office:
- Court records at the Cuyahoga County Clerk of Courts
- Property records at the County Recorder's Office
- Vital records at the County Board of Health
Access Online Databases: Many records are available through dedicated online portals:
- Court case information through the Cuyahoga County Clerk of Courts Search System
- Property records through the Fiscal Officer's Recorded Documents database
- Probate records through the Probate Court Case Records Search System
Contact Records Custodians: Each department maintains designated records custodians who can assist with locating specific documents. The county's central information line can direct inquiries to appropriate departments.
Submit Written Requests: Written requests may be submitted via mail, email, or fax to the specific department holding the desired records.

Under current Ohio law, public agencies must respond to records requests within a reasonable time period, though there is no specific deadline mandated by statute. Requests that are overly broad may require clarification before processing.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Cuyahoga County?

Cuyahoga County charges fees for public records in accordance with Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(B)(1), which permits public offices to charge only the actual cost of making copies, not including labor costs associated with preparing the copies.

The current fee structure for public records in Cuyahoga County includes:

Paper Copies: $0.05 per page for standard letter/legal size documents
Certified Copies: Additional $1.00 per document for certification
Electronic Records: No charge when records are emailed or provided on requestor's storage device
Storage Media: Actual cost of USB drives, CDs, or DVDs if provided by the county
Postage: Actual cost if records are mailed

Specific departments may have statutorily authorized fee schedules that differ from these standard rates:

Clerk of Courts: $1.00 per page for certified court documents pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 2303.20
Recorder's Office: $2.00 per page for recorded documents
Vital Records: $25.00 for certified birth and death certificates

Payment methods accepted include cash, check, money order, and credit/debit cards at most county offices. Some online services may require credit card payment.

It is important to note that while fees may be charged for copies, inspection of public records in person is free of charge under Ohio law. Additionally, the county may waive fees when the request is deemed to primarily benefit the general public.

Does Cuyahoga County Have Free Public Records?

Cuyahoga County provides free access to public records through several channels, in accordance with Ohio's Public Records Act. The following free options are available to the public:

In-Person Inspection: Any person may inspect public records at no cost during regular business hours at the appropriate county office. This right is explicitly guaranteed under Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(B)(1).
Online Access: The county provides free online access to numerous public records through several official portals:
- The Cuyahoga County Clerk of Courts offers free online access to court dockets and case information
- The Probate Court Case Records Search System provides free access to probate case information
- The Cuyahoga County MyPlace portal offers free access to property information and other county records
- The Fiscal Officer's Recorded Documents database provides free access to property records
Electronic Delivery: When records exist in electronic format, the county typically provides these at no cost when delivered via email.
Public Access Terminals: Computer terminals are available at various county offices for free public use to access digital records, including:
- Clerk of Courts Office
- County Law Library
- Public libraries throughout the county

While inspection and many online resources are free, fees may still apply for obtaining physical or certified copies of records as detailed in the previous section.

Who Can Request Public Records in Cuyahoga County?

Under Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(B)(1), any person, regardless of residency status, may request public records from Cuyahoga County. The Cuyahoga County Public Records Policy affirms this right, stating that public records are available to anyone who requests them, with limited statutory exceptions.

Key eligibility considerations include:

No Residency Requirement: Ohio law does not restrict public records access to state or county residents
No Identification Requirement: Requestors are not legally required to provide identification or disclose their identity, though providing contact information is necessary for receiving requested records
No Purpose Requirement: Requestors are not required to explain why they want records or how they will use them
No Age Restriction: Minors have the same right to access public records as adults

Certain specialized records may have additional requirements:

Vital Records: Birth and death certificates may require proof of relationship or legal interest
Criminal Justice Records: Some law enforcement records may require identification to verify eligibility under privacy laws
Sealed or Expunged Records: These are accessible only to the subject of the record or by court order

For requests involving one's own confidential records, identification may be required to verify identity and prevent unauthorized disclosure of protected information. Government agencies, businesses, and organizations have the same rights as individuals to request public records.

The county cannot deny a request based on the requestor's intended use of the records, though commercial use may affect the prioritization of voluminous requests.

What Records Are Confidential in Cuyahoga County?

While Cuyahoga County maintains a presumption of openness for public records, Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(A)(1) establishes numerous categories of records that are exempt from disclosure. The following records are generally considered confidential in Cuyahoga County:

Medical Records: Personal health information protected under HIPAA and state medical privacy laws
Juvenile Court Records: Records pertaining to minors, except as specifically authorized by statute
Sealed or Expunged Records: Court records that have been officially sealed or expunged by judicial order
Adoption Records: Information regarding adoptions, except as authorized by specific court order
Social Security Numbers: Personal identifiers including SSNs, driver's license numbers, and financial account numbers
Law Enforcement Investigatory Records: Information that would disclose confidential sources, specific investigatory techniques, or endanger individuals
Attorney-Client Communications: Legal advice and communications between county officials and legal counsel
Infrastructure and Security Records: Information that could compromise security systems, computer networks, or public safety
Economic Development Records: Certain records related to ongoing economic development negotiations
Employee Personnel Records: Personal information in employee files, including medical information and personal contact details
Child Welfare Records: Information regarding child abuse investigations and children in protective custody
Grand Jury Records: Proceedings and testimony before grand juries
Trade Secrets: Proprietary business information submitted to the county

The county applies a balancing test when determining whether to release certain records, weighing the public interest in disclosure against privacy interests and potential harm from release. This test is applied in accordance with Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(A)(1)(v), which exempts records the release of which is prohibited by state or federal law.

When a record contains both public and exempt information, the county will redact the exempt information and provide the remainder of the record, as required by Ohio law.

Cuyahoga County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Cuyahoga County Fiscal Officer - Recorder's Division
2079 East 9th Street, 1st Floor
Cleveland, OH 44115
(216) 443-7010
Cuyahoga County Fiscal Officer

Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays

Services Provided:

Recording of deeds, mortgages, liens, and other property documents
Maintaining official land records
Providing copies of recorded documents
Veteran's discharge recording (DD-214 forms)
Notary public commissions

Additional Information:

Public access terminals are available for searching records during business hours
Online access to recorded documents is available 24/7 through the Recorded Documents portal
Standard recording fees apply as established by Ohio Revised Code
Certified copies of recorded documents are available for a fee
Staff is available to assist with records searches during regular business hours