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How to Find Public Records in Perry County in 2026

Members of the public seeking government documents in Ohio can access a broad range of publicly available information through PerryRecords.us and official county offices. Perry County maintains records across multiple departments, and the availability of specific documents depends on the type of record, the custodial office, and applicable state law. Records that may be accessible include court filings, property documents, vital records, tax assessments, and meeting minutes, among others.

Online Access: Members of the public may search certain records through the Perry County official website, which provides access to land records maintained by the Recorder's Office and court documents through the Clerk of Courts portal. The county's online tools allow users to search recorded instruments such as deeds and mortgages without visiting a physical office. Some databases may require the user to know the name of a party, a parcel number, or a case number to retrieve results.

In-Person Requests: Members of the public may visit the Perry County Recorder's Office or the Clerk of Courts to inspect records in person. Staff at the public counter can assist with locating documents. Visitors are advised to bring identifying information relevant to the record sought, such as a property address, case number, or party name.

Written/Mail Requests: Written requests may be submitted by mail to the appropriate custodial office. A written request should identify the record sought with sufficient specificity to allow staff to locate it. Under Ohio Revised Code § 149.43, a public office must respond to a public records request within a reasonable period of time.

Phone/Email:

Perry County Recorder's Office: (740) 342-2045
Perry County Clerk of Courts: (740) 342-1022

What Are Public Records in Perry County?

Public records in Perry County are defined under Ohio Revised Code § 149.43 as any record kept by a public office, including documents, devices, or items created or received by a government entity in the course of its official duties. The following record types are maintained by county offices:

Court records — civil, criminal, probate, and family court filings are processed by the Perry County Clerk of Courts, which handles Common Pleas Court documents including protection orders, criminal filings, divorces, and dissolutions
Property records — deeds, mortgages, liens, and easements are recorded and maintained by the Perry County Recorder's Office
Vital records — birth and death certificates are issued by the Ohio Department of Health; marriage and divorce records are maintained at the county level through the Probate Court and Clerk of Courts
Tax records — property tax and assessment records are maintained by the Perry County Auditor's Office
Business records — fictitious name registrations and certain business filings are handled through the Ohio Secretary of State
Voting and election records — maintained by the Perry County Board of Elections
Meeting minutes and agendas — county commission and board records are available through the Perry County Commissioners' Office
Budget and financial documents — maintained by the Perry County Auditor
Law enforcement records — arrest logs and incident reports, where permitted by law, are available through the Perry County Sheriff's Office
Land use and zoning records — maintained by the Perry County Engineer's Office and applicable municipal offices

The Perry County land records portal provides organized access to recorded instruments maintained by the Recorder's Office.

Is Perry County an Open Records County?

Perry County operates in full compliance with Ohio's open records law. Under Ohio Revised Code § 149.43, all public records maintained by Ohio governmental entities are presumed open to inspection by any member of the public unless a specific exemption applies. Ohio's Public Records Act is among the more expansive open records frameworks in the United States.

As stated by the Ohio Attorney General's Office, "Ohio's Public Records Act requires that government records be promptly prepared and made available for inspection to any person at all reasonable times during regular business hours." The law does not require a requester to provide a reason for seeking records, and no formal written request form is mandated, though written requests are recommended for clarity and documentation purposes.

Perry County offices are subject to Ohio's Sunshine Laws, which govern both public records access and open meetings requirements. The Ohio Attorney General's office publishes annual guidance on compliance with these statutes, and county offices are expected to adhere to those standards.

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

The fee structure for public records in Perry County is governed by Ohio law and varies by record type and custodial office. Under Ohio Revised Code § 149.43, fees charged for public records must be limited to the actual cost of making copies.

Record Type	Standard Fee
Paper copies (standard size)	$0.05–$0.10 per page (actual cost)
Certified copies of court documents	Varies by document type
Recorded instrument copies (Recorder's Office)	$2.00 per page
Deed certification	Additional fee applies
Electronic copies	Actual cost of reproduction

Inspection fees: No fee is charged for inspecting public records in person
Copy fees: Charged at actual cost per page for standard reproductions
Certification fees: Certified copies of recorded instruments carry a per-page fee set by the Recorder's Office
Electronic format fees: Fees for electronic copies are limited to the actual cost of the medium used
Search fees: Ohio law does not permit public offices to charge a search fee for locating records

Accepted payment methods at county offices include cash, check, and money order. Members of the public should confirm current accepted payment methods with the specific office prior to submitting a request.

Does Perry County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available at Perry County government offices during regular business hours. Ohio law requires that public records be made available for inspection at no charge; fees apply only when copies are requested.

The following resources provide free access to certain records:

The Perry County Recorder's Office online portal allows members of the public to search and view land records at no cost
The Perry County Auditor's website provides free access to property tax and assessment data
The Perry County Board of Elections provides free access to voter registration and election records
Court case information may be searched at no cost through the Clerk of Courts public access terminals located at the courthouse

The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: members of the public have the right to inspect any non-exempt public record without charge, but reproduction of those records is subject to the fee schedule described above.

Who Can Request Public Records in Perry County?

Any person may request public records in Perry County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. Ohio's Public Records Act does not restrict access based on the identity or location of the requester. As affirmed by the Ohio Attorney General's Public Records Manual, "Any person may inspect or receive copies of public records."

Key eligibility provisions under current law include:

Residency: Not required; non-residents have equal access rights
Identification: Not required for most public records requests, though offices may ask for identification when processing certain sensitive records
Stated purpose: Not required for standard public records requests
Age: No minimum age is specified under Ohio law for public records requests

Certain record types carry additional access restrictions. For example, records containing personal identifying information, sealed court records, or records subject to specific statutory exemptions may require the requester to demonstrate a legal basis for access. Individuals requesting their own records may be asked to provide identification to verify identity and protect against unauthorized disclosure.

What Records Are Confidential in Perry County?

Not all government records in Perry County are subject to public disclosure. Ohio Revised Code § 149.43 enumerates specific categories of records that are exempt from the general public records disclosure requirement. The following record types are currently withheld from public access in whole or in part:

Sealed court records — records sealed by court order are not available for public inspection
Juvenile records — records pertaining to juvenile proceedings are confidential under Ohio law
Ongoing investigation records — records compiled in connection with a law enforcement investigation that could reasonably be expected to interfere with enforcement proceedings
Personal identifying information — Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and similar data are redacted from disclosed records
Medical records — protected under both Ohio law and federal HIPAA regulations
Adoption records — sealed by statute and accessible only under specific legal circumstances
Child welfare and protective services records — confidential under Ohio Department of Job and Family Services regulations
Personnel records — certain employee records are exempt, with exceptions for records relating to public officials' conduct in office
Trade secrets and proprietary business information — exempt where disclosure would cause competitive harm
Security plans and infrastructure details — records describing security arrangements for public facilities are withheld to protect public safety

When a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, the custodial office is required to redact the exempt portions and release the remainder. The Ohio Attorney General's office provides guidance on applying the balancing test between disclosure and exemption in cases where the public interest in access must be weighed against potential harm from disclosure.

Perry County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Perry County Recorder's Office
121 West Brown Street, New Lexington, OH 43764
(740) 342-2045
Perry County Recorder's Office

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays

Perry County Clerk of Courts
105 North Main Street, New Lexington, OH 43764
(740) 342-1022
Perry County Clerk of Courts