Shelby County, OH Courts and Public Records
- Arrest Records
- Judgments
- Bankruptcies
- DUIs & DWIs
- Felonies
- Warrants
- Jail Records
- Lien Records
- Sex Offenses
- Misdemeanors
- Criminal Records
- Federal Dockets
The Court of Common Pleas of Shelby County is the county's general trial court. Its divisions cover general, domestic relations, probate and juvenile matters, depending on the county.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Court Name | Court of Common Pleas, Shelby County |
| Handles | Divisions for general matters, domestic relations, probate and juvenile cases, depending on the county |
| Does NOT Handle | Misdemeanors, traffic and smaller civil matters, which municipal and county courts generally handle; federal cases |
| Court Records | The Clerk of Courts of Shelby County keeps the Court of Common Pleas records |
| Federal Cases | Heard by the U.S. District Court for Ohio, not by this court |
| Official State Information | supremecourt.ohio.gov |
How to Search Shelby County Court Records
Have the full name, the case number if you know it, and approximate dates ready before you search. Common Pleas records for Shelby County are kept by the Clerk of Courts.
Online
Check the Clerk of Courts website for any online case search it offers.
Search by name or case number if the online search covers your case.
Review any fees the search or payment portal states before you pay.
Best for: Quick lookups of case status and parties
In Person
Go to the Shelby County Clerk of Courts office during its business hours.
Bring the case number and party names if you have them.
Ask the clerk which division handles your case type.
Best for: Records and copies not available online
By Phone
Call the Clerk of Courts to confirm which records it holds.
Ask which division handles your case type and how to request copies.
Confirm any fees and timing with the clerk before you ask.
Best for: Confirming a case's division or record availability
Search by Name on OhioCourts.org
Go to OhioCourts.org and enter a full name.
Search across record types without a case number.
Confirm results with the court, since they are not official court records.
Best for: Finding leads without a case number
Shelby County Court Statistics (CY 2025)
Shelby County's Court of Common Pleas received 1,835 filings in CY 2025 and ended 1,809 (dispositions), a clearance rate of 98.6%. Filings fell 6.3% from CY 2024.
1,835
Total filings in CY 2025
1,809
Total dispositions in CY 2025
~612
Filings per judicial position (3 estimated positions)
-6.3%
Change in total filings vs CY 2024
| Metric | CY 2025 | CY 2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Filings | 1,835 | 1,958 | -6.3% |
| Total Dispositions | 1,809 | 1,950 | -7.2% |
| Criminal Filings | 349 | 350 | -0.3% |
| Civil Filings | 296 | 331 | -10.6% |
| Family Law Filings | 226 | 332 | -31.9% |
| Probate Filings | ~194 | ~207 | ~-6.3% |
| Mental Health Filings | ~49 | ~52 | ~-6.3% |
| Juvenile Filings | 964 | 945 | +2.0% |
| Authorized Judicial Positions | ~3 | ~3 | ~+0.0% |
The largest movement was in family law filings (332 to 226); rows marked ~ are estimates, and the figures cover Common Pleas courts only.
How Have Court Filings Changed in Shelby County?
Filings in Shelby County's Court of Common Pleas fell 1.7% between CY 2021 and CY 2025, from 1,867 to 1,835. The highest year was CY 2024 (1,958) and the lowest was CY 2022 (1,826).
| Fiscal Year | Total Filings | Total Dispositions | YoY Filing Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| CY 2025 | 1,835 | 1,809 | -6.3% |
| CY 2024 | 1,958 | 1,950 | +4.7% |
| CY 2023 | 1,870 | 1,857 | +2.4% |
| CY 2022 | 1,826 | 1,867 | -2.2% |
| CY 2021 | 1,867 | 1,860 | ~+2.2% |
Total filings fell 1.7% over five years, from 1,867 in CY 2021 to 1,835 in CY 2025. The largest annual change was -6.3% in CY 2025. The latest change of -6.3% was driven by family law filings, and dispositions were 1,809 against 1,835 filings.
What Types of Cases Are Filed in Shelby County?
Juvenile cases are the largest category in Shelby County, at 46.4% of filings in CY 2025.
| Case Type | Filings CY 2025 | Share of Total | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal | 349 | 16.8% | -0.3% |
| Civil | 296 | 14.2% | -10.6% |
| Family law | 226 | 10.9% | -31.9% |
| Probate | ~194 | ~9.3% | ~-6.3% |
| Juvenile | 964 | 46.4% | +2.0% |
| Mental health | ~49 | ~2.4% | ~-6.3% |
Juvenile cases grew fastest (+2.0%) and family law cases fell fastest (-31.9%); rows marked ~ are estimates.
How Does Shelby County Compare With Ohio Overall?
Shelby County accounted for 0.39% of the 474,127 Common Pleas filings in Ohio in CY 2025, with 38.2 cases per 1,000 residents against 39.8 statewide.
| Metric | Shelby County | Ohio | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total filings | 1,835 | 474,127 | 0.39% of Ohio's total |
| YoY change in filings | -6.3% | -0.4% | Slower than the state |
| Filings per judicial position | ~612 | ~741 | Estimated using positions from earlier data |
| Dispositions per judicial position equivalent | ~603 | ~741 | Estimated using positions from earlier data |
| Criminal share of filings | 19.0% | 17.1% | Above the state share |
| Civil share of filings | 16.1% | 27.8% | Below the state share |
| Family law share of filings | 12.3% | 19.7% | Below the state share |
Shelby County files cases at a lower rate per resident than Ohio (38.2 against 39.8 per 1,000), and its filings fell 6.3% against -0.4% statewide. Its criminal share of filings is above the state's and its civil share is below it; rows marked ~ are estimates.
Shelby County Crime Statistics (2025)
These figures are Ohio statewide totals as reported to the FBI, not counts for Shelby County. Agency reporting may be incomplete, and county crime counts are not available here. Statewide violent and property crimes combined fell 10.8% from 2024 to 2025. In 2025, reporting agencies covered about 93.5% of Ohio's population, so year-over-year changes can partly reflect which agencies reported.
32,060
Violent crimes, Ohio statewide, 2025
163,774
Property crimes, Ohio statewide, 2025 (includes arson)
269.4
Violent crime rate per 100K, Ohio statewide, 2025 (population 11,900,510)
-10.8%
Change in total violent plus property crimes, Ohio statewide, 2025 vs 2024 (195,834 vs 219,526)
| Offense | 2025 | Rate per 100K | 2024 | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 550 | 4.6 | 617 | -10.9% |
| Rape | 5,299 | 44.5 | 5,839 | -9.2% |
| Robbery | 4,647 | 39.0 | 5,671 | -18.1% |
| Aggravated assault | 21,564 | 181.2 | 22,847 | -5.6% |
| Violent crimes total | 32,060 | 269.4 | 34,974 | -8.3% |
| Burglary | 21,661 | 182.0 | 24,274 | -10.8% |
| Larceny-theft | 120,054 | 1008.8 | 133,334 | -10.0% |
| Motor vehicle theft | 21,250 | 178.6 | 25,883 | -17.9% |
| Property crimes total | 163,774 | 1376.2 | 184,552 | -11.3% |
Rates use the Ohio 2025 population of 11,900,510. County-level rates are not published, so this section does not compare Shelby County with the state. The property crimes total includes arson, so it is larger than the sum of the property offenses listed above.
Shelby County Courthouse Locations
Shelby County court proceedings are held at the Shelby County Courthouse - Clerk of Courts. Check your notice or case paperwork to confirm the courthouse assigned to your case before you go.
| Courthouse | Address | Phone | Verified Services |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shelby County Courthouse - Clerk of Courts | 100 E. Court Street, Sidney, OH 45365 | (937) 498-7221 | See location page |
Addresses and phone numbers come from public directory listings and may change, so confirm them with the clerk before you visit.
Which Court Handles Your Case in Shelby County?
Ohio divides cases among the Court of Common Pleas, municipal and county courts, and other courts. The table below shows where common matters in Shelby County generally go.
| Your Situation | Go To | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic ticket | Municipal or county court | Traffic matters are heard in municipal or county courts, not in the Court of Common Pleas. |
| Parking ticket | The agency that issued the ticket | Parking tickets generally go to the issuing agency, not to the Court of Common Pleas. |
| Misdemeanor | Municipal or county court | Misdemeanors are handled by municipal and county courts, which have their own clerks. |
| Felony | Court of Common Pleas | Felony cases are heard in the Court of Common Pleas, the county's general trial court. |
| Civil lawsuit | Municipal or county court, or Court of Common Pleas | Smaller civil matters go to municipal and county courts, and other civil cases go to the Court of Common Pleas. |
| Divorce | Court of Common Pleas, domestic relations | Divorce cases are handled by the Court of Common Pleas, which has a domestic relations division in some counties. |
| Child custody or support | Court of Common Pleas, domestic relations | Custody and support matters go to the Court of Common Pleas, domestic relations division where one exists. |
| Probate or estate | Court of Common Pleas, probate | Probate and estate matters go to the probate division of the Court of Common Pleas. |
| Juvenile case | Court of Common Pleas, juvenile | Juvenile matters go to the juvenile division of the Court of Common Pleas. |
| Appeal | Ohio court of appeals | Appeals from trial courts go to the Ohio court of appeals for the district covering the county. |
| Federal case | U.S. District Court for Ohio | Federal cases are not heard in county or Common Pleas courts. |
Are Shelby County Court Records Public?
Yes, most Shelby County court records are public, with exceptions set by law. Ohio's Public Records Act (R.C. 149.43) and the Rules of Superintendence for the Courts of Ohio (Rules 44-47) govern court record access in general terms.
Public records
Most court records are open to the public under these rules, though access depends on the record type and the clerk's procedures.
Restricted or confidential records
Sealed, expunged, juvenile and other restricted records are not public.
Online access
Online access for these records is not described on this page. Check the Clerk of Courts website for any search tool it offers, and note that online results may not show every document.
In-person access
Visit the Shelby County Clerk of Courts office to view or request records, and call ahead to confirm which division holds your case.
Fees
No fee amounts are listed on this page. Ask the Clerk of Courts about copy fees before you request records.
How to Search Shelby County Court Records Online
Online case search options for Shelby County are not listed on this page, so check the Clerk of Courts website first and request anything not online from the clerk.
- Identify the case type, such as criminal, traffic, civil, small claims, family law, probate or juvenile.
- Check the Clerk of Courts website for any search tool it offers for that case type.
- Search by name or case number and note the case number from the results.
- Review the case details for status, parties and scheduled dates.
- Contact the clerk to request documents that are not available online.
| Case Type | Where to Search | What You'll Find | Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal | Clerk of Courts, Court of Common Pleas; municipal or county court for misdemeanors | Case records kept by the clerk | Sealed and restricted records are not public |
| Traffic | Municipal or county court | Case records kept by that court's clerk | Payment and record search may be separate |
| Civil | Clerk of Courts, Court of Common Pleas; municipal or county court for smaller matters | Case records kept by the clerk | Sealed or restricted filings are not public |
| Small claims | Municipal or county court | Case records kept by that court's clerk | Confirm with the clerk which records are available |
| Family law | Court of Common Pleas, domestic relations | Case records kept by the clerk | Confidential details are restricted |
| Probate | Court of Common Pleas, probate division | Estate and guardianship records kept by the clerk | Confirm access with the clerk |
| Juvenile | Court of Common Pleas, juvenile division | Case information only through the clerk | Juvenile proceedings are restricted and not public |
How to Pay Fines & Citations in Shelby County
Payment options for Shelby County are not listed on this page, so confirm each method with the court before you pay.
- In person: Pay at the court or clerk office during its business hours, after confirming which payment types it accepts.
- By phone: Call the Clerk of Courts to ask which payment methods it accepts and how to pay your case.
- Payment plans: Ask the court whether it offers a payment plan or an ability-to-pay review for fines and costs.
Parking tickets generally go to the agency that issued them, not to the Court of Common Pleas. Traffic citations and criminal fines are handled by the court that heard the case.
Shelby County Court Records FAQ
How do I search court records in Shelby County?
Ask the Clerk of Courts for Shelby County records, and check its website for any online case search it offers.
Are court records in Shelby County public?
Yes, most are, under Ohio's Public Records Act and the Rules of Superintendence, but sealed, expunged and juvenile records are restricted.
How do I find a criminal case?
Search by name or case number if the Clerk of Courts offers an online search, or contact the clerk for the Shelby County case.
How do I find a court date?
Check your ticket or notice, or contact the court or Clerk of Courts that is handling the case.
How do I pay a traffic ticket?
Confirm the payment methods with the court that issued the ticket, since payment options are not listed on this page.
How many cases are filed in Shelby County each year?
County filing counts are not published here. The county population was 48,065 in 2025.
What is the most common type of case?
Case-type counts for Shelby County are not published here, so no most-common type is identified.
Is crime rising or falling?
County crime counts are not available here. Statewide, reported violent crimes fell 8.3% to 32,060 in 2025 from 34,974 in 2024, and property crimes fell 11.3% to 163,774 from 184,552, as reported to the FBI. These are Ohio statewide figures, and reporting coverage changed between years.
Courts in the County
Shelby County Common Pleas CourtMore Info
| Address: | 100 E. Court St., Sidney, OH, 45365 |
| Phone Number: | 937-498-7230 |
| Fax: | 937-498-7824 |
| Website: | https://co.shelby.oh.us/common-pleas-court-judge/ |
Sidney Municipal CourtMore Info
| Address: | 201 W Poplar Street, Sidney, OH, 45365 |
| Phone Number: | 937-498-2335 |
| Website: | https://www.sidneyoh.com/329/Municipal-Court |
Useful Links
- Shelby County Courts - Official Government Website - Access online case files, court calendars, dockets, and official announcements from the Shelby County Court system.
- Shelby County Clerk of Courts - Comprehensive Services - Find court forms, filing instructions, and detailed information on services provided by Shelby County's Clerk of Courts.
- Supreme Court of Ohio - Judicial Branch Information - Offers resources, opinions, and case information from Ohio’s highest court to assist with statewide judicial processes.
- Ohio Legal Help - Free Legal Resources - Provides guidance on Ohio's court procedures, self-help forms, and connections to local legal aid services.
- Ohio Court of Claims - Filing and Case Information - Details on how to file claims against the state, access court records, and understand the court’s jurisdiction.
- Shelby County Bar Association - Member Directory - Search for qualified attorneys in Shelby County and access resources for legal professionals and the public.
- Ohio Department of Public Safety - Essential Legal Links - Explore links to legal resources and public safety information pertinent to Ohio residents and law enforcement.
- Ohio Revised Code - State Laws and Regulations - Provides access to Ohio's laws and regulations, which guide the legal and judicial decisions in Shelby County.
- Ohio Court Clerks Association - Support and Standards - Offers support and standardized practices for court clerks in Ohio, enhancing service delivery across counties.
- Probate and Juvenile Court - Mahoning County Official Website - Provides insights and resources focused on probate and juvenile courts, applicable to similar setups in Shelby County.
- Miami Valley Court Services - Alternative Programs - Offers programs and resources focused on mental health and drug rehabilitation within the court system in Ohio.
- Dayton Bar Association - Legal Community Gateway - Offers insights and services from a significant legal association, beneficial to legal contexts across the region.
- Understanding Ohio's Judicial System - Educational Insights - Provides an overview and educational resources about the structure and function of Ohio's judicial system.
- ADM Board of Summit County - Supportive Services - Lists mental health and support services potentially available through court systems within Ohio, aiding court clients.
- Disability Rights Ohio - Advocacy and Legal Support - Advocates for the rights of individuals with disabilities, providing legal resources related to court access and rights.
- The Glenn's Foundation - Advocacy and Resource Platform - Supports those dealing with substance issues within the Ohio court systems by providing advocacy and recovery guidance.
- Legal Aid Line - Free or Low-Cost Legal Help - Connects Ohio residents with legal aid services to support those needing legal assistance or representation in court.
- Montgomery County Court System - Information and Access - An informative resource that parallels court operations in Shelby County, offering similar services and contacts.
- Shelby County Public Defender's Office - Legal Defense - Provides legal defense services to those unable to afford private counsel, ensuring the right to equitable justice.
- Ohio Civil Rights Commission - Protecting Equal Rights - Aids in understanding civil rights within Ohio, providing information applicable to cases handled in Shelby County.
Table of Contents
- Shelby County, Courts and Public Records
- How to Search Shelby County Court Records
- Shelby County Court Statistics (CY 2025)
- How Have Court Filings Changed in Shelby County?
- What Types of Cases Are Filed in Shelby County?
- How Does Shelby County Compare With Ohio Overall?
- Shelby County Crime Statistics (2025)
- Shelby County Courthouse Locations
- Which Court Handles Your Case in Shelby County?
- Are Shelby County Court Records Public?
- How to Search Shelby County Court Records Online
- How to Pay Fines & Citations in Shelby County
- Shelby County Court Records FAQ
- Courts in the County
- Useful Links