Tuscarawas County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Tuscarawas County?

Public records in Tuscarawas County are defined according to the Ohio Public Records Act § 149.43 as "any record that is kept by any public office" including county offices, departments, boards, commissions, and other governmental entities. These records document the organization, functions, policies, decisions, procedures, operations, or other activities of public offices within the county.

Tuscarawas County maintains numerous types of public records, including:

• Court Records: Civil, criminal, domestic relations, probate, and juvenile court cases (with certain restrictions) maintained by the Tuscarawas County Clerk of Courts
• Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and property transfers recorded by the County Recorder's Office
• Vital Records: Birth and death certificates (from 1908 to present) maintained by the Tuscarawas County Health Department
• Marriage Records: Marriage licenses and certificates filed with the Probate Court
• Business Records: Vendor licenses, permits, and fictitious name registrations
• Tax Records: Property tax information, assessment records, and tax maps available through the County Auditor
• Voting and Election Records: Voter registration data, election results, and campaign finance reports maintained by the Board of Elections
• Meeting Minutes and Agendas: Records of County Commissioners, boards, and committees
• Budget and Financial Documents: County expenditures, contracts, and financial statements
• Law Enforcement Records: Arrest logs, incident reports (with certain exemptions), and jail records
• Land Use and Zoning Records: Planning documents, zoning maps, and building permits

Each type of record is maintained by specific county departments, with the Tuscarawas County Commissioners serving as the central governing body overseeing county operations pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 307.

Is Tuscarawas County an Open Records County?

Tuscarawas County fully complies with the Ohio Public Records Act § 149.43, which establishes the public's right to access government records. Under this state law, all records maintained by public offices are presumed to be public unless specifically exempted by statute.

The Ohio Public Records Act states that "upon request and subject to division (B)(8) of this section, all public records responsive to the request shall be promptly prepared and made available for inspection to any person at all reasonable times during regular business hours." This provision ensures that Tuscarawas County residents and non-residents alike have legal access to government information.

Tuscarawas County has adopted the state's open records framework without imposing additional restrictions beyond those permitted by state law. The county follows the Ohio Sunshine Laws, which include both the Public Records Act and Open Meetings Act, ensuring transparency in governmental operations.

The County Commissioners have established a records policy in accordance with state requirements that outlines procedures for requesting and obtaining public records. This policy affirms that public records shall be promptly prepared and made available for inspection during regular business hours, with copies provided within a reasonable period of time.

How to Find Public Records in Tuscarawas County in 2026

Accessing public records in Tuscarawas County involves several straightforward methods depending on the type of record sought:

1. In-Person Requests: Visit the appropriate county office during regular business hours. Records custodians are required to make records available for inspection promptly.

2. Online Access: Many records are available through the county's digital platforms:

   • Court records can be searched through the Tuscarawas County Clerk of Courts online portal
   • Property records are accessible via the County Auditor's and Recorder's websites
   • Meeting minutes and agendas are posted on the County Commissioners' website

3. Written Requests: Submit a written public records request to the appropriate department. While not required by law, written requests help ensure accuracy and create documentation of your request. Include:

   • Your name and contact information
   • A clear description of the records sought
   • Preferred format (paper copies, electronic files, etc.)

4. Email Requests: Most county departments accept public records requests via email. Direct your request to the specific department that maintains the records.

5. Telephone Requests: Simple requests may be handled by telephone, though complex requests are better submitted in writing.

For specialized records:

• Vital Records: Birth and death certificates are available from the Tuscarawas County Health Department
• Court Records: The New Philadelphia Municipal Court and Tuscarawas County Common Pleas Court maintain their respective case files
• Property Information: The County Recorder maintains land records, while the Auditor maintains property tax and valuation records

Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(B)(1), records custodians must provide records "promptly" upon request, though the law does not define a specific timeframe for all requests.

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

Tuscarawas County charges fees for public records in accordance with the Ohio Public Records Act § 149.43(B)(6), which permits agencies to charge "the actual cost of making copies." Current standard fees include:

• Paper Copies: $0.05 to $0.25 per page, depending on the department and document type
• Certified Copies: Additional $1.00-$2.00 certification fee per document
• Electronic Records: May be provided at no cost if records are already in electronic format and can be emailed
• Storage Media: Actual cost of USB drives, CDs, or other media if electronic records cannot be emailed

Specialized record fees are established by state law:

• Vital Records: $25.00 for birth and death certificates
• Marriage Licenses: $50.00 for marriage license applications
• Recorded Documents: $28.00 for the first two pages and $8.00 for each additional page
• Court Records: Vary by court and document type, typically $1.00-$5.00 per document

Accepted payment methods include:

• Cash (in-person only)
• Check or money order
• Credit/debit cards (in most offices, subject to processing fees)

The county cannot charge for:

• Staff time spent gathering or reviewing records
• Redaction of exempt information
• Inspection of records without requesting copies

Fee waivers may be available in cases of indigence or when the request is determined to primarily benefit the general public, though this is at the discretion of the records custodian.

Does Tuscarawas County Have Free Public Records?

Tuscarawas County provides free access to certain public records in compliance with Ohio law. The Ohio Public Records Act § 149.43(B)(1) guarantees that "all public records shall be promptly prepared and made available for inspection to any person at all reasonable times during regular business hours." This inspection right is provided at no cost to requestors.

Free public records services in Tuscarawas County include:

• In-Person Inspection: All public records may be viewed free of charge during regular business hours at the appropriate county office

• Online Access: Many records are available at no cost through county websites:

  • Property ownership and tax information through the County Auditor's website
  • Court docket information via the Clerk of Courts portal
  • County Commissioner meeting minutes and resolutions
  • Voter registration verification through the Board of Elections
  • County budget documents and financial reports

• Email Delivery: When records already exist in electronic format, many departments will email them at no charge

The Tuscarawas County Public Library system also provides free public computer access where residents can search online county records without charge.

While inspection is free, fees apply when requesting physical or certified copies of documents as outlined in the previous section. Additionally, commercial requests involving voluminous records may incur costs even when delivered electronically, based on actual expenses incurred by the county.

Who Can Request Public Records in Tuscarawas County?

Under the Ohio Public Records Act § 149.43(B)(1), "any person" may request public records from Tuscarawas County offices. This broad eligibility extends to:

• Ohio residents
• Non-Ohio residents
• Foreign nationals
• Corporations, organizations, and associations
• Incarcerated persons (with certain limitations under § 149.43(B)(8))
• Minors (though some records may require parental consent)
• Anonymous requestors

The law specifically states that public offices cannot:

• Require identification from the requestor
• Require the request to be in writing
• Require the requestor to disclose the intended use of the records
• Limit the number of records requested
• Deny a request because it is overbroad or ambiguous without seeking clarification

However, certain practical limitations apply:

• For vital records (birth, death certificates), requestors must provide identification in accordance with Ohio Revised Code § 3705.23
• Court records that have been sealed or expunged are not available to the general public
• Records containing protected health information may require proper authorization
• Certain law enforcement records may be restricted during ongoing investigations

When requesting records about oneself, providing identification may expedite the process and ensure accurate record retrieval. When requesting records about another individual, access may be limited based on privacy protections established in state and federal law.

Commercial data mining requests are subject to the same legal access rights, though voluminous requests may take longer to fulfill and incur higher copy fees.

What Records Are Confidential in Tuscarawas County?

Tuscarawas County maintains certain records as confidential in accordance with exemptions established under the Ohio Public Records Act § 149.43(A)(1). These exemptions protect privacy, security, and other important interests. Records not subject to public disclosure include:

• Personal Information:

  • Social Security numbers
  • Financial account information
  • Driver's license numbers
  • Medical records protected under HIPAA
  • Personal residential and email addresses of certain public employees

• Law Enforcement Records:

  • Confidential law enforcement investigatory records
  • Information that would endanger life or physical safety
  • Specific investigative techniques or procedures
  • Victim information in certain cases
  • Information compiled in reasonable anticipation of litigation

• Juvenile Records:

  • Most juvenile court proceedings and records
  • Child welfare and children services records
  • Adoption records (access governed by Ohio Revised Code § 3107.17)

• Court Records:

  • Records sealed by court order
  • Grand jury proceedings
  • Certain domestic relations matters
  • Mental health commitment proceedings

• Government Operations:

  • Infrastructure and security records
  • Attorney-client privileged communications
  • Trial preparation records
  • Competitive bidding information prior to bid opening
  • Economic development negotiations

• Other Protected Records:

  • Trade secrets and proprietary business information
  • Records prohibited from release by state or federal law
  • Peace officer residential and familial information
  • Records subject to attorney-client privilege

When a record contains both public and exempt information, the county will redact (remove) the exempt information and provide the remainder of the record. The county must cite the specific legal authority for any denial or redaction of records.

The Ohio Public Records Act requires public offices to apply a "public records exception" strictly against the public office and liberally in favor of disclosure. Any denial of records may be challenged through legal action in the Ohio Court of Claims or through mandamus action in the appropriate court.

Tuscarawas County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Tuscarawas County Recorder's Office
125 East High Avenue
New Philadelphia, OH 44663
(330) 365-3284
Tuscarawas County Recorder

Regular Office Hours:
Monday through Friday: 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays

Services Provided:

• Recording of deeds, mortgages, liens, and other land records
• Maintaining military discharge records (DD-214 forms)
• Issuing veteran identification cards
• Providing copies of recorded documents
• Maintaining historical land records

Current Recording Fees:

• First two pages: $28.00
• Each additional page: $8.00
• Additional fees may apply for certain document types

The Recorder's Office maintains land records dating back to the formation of Tuscarawas County in 1808. Many recent records (generally from 1987 forward) are available through the office's online search portal, while older records may require in-person research.

Lookup Public Records in Tuscarawas County

New Philadelphia Municipal Court