Perry County Public Records /Perry County Divorce Records

Perry County Divorce Records

How To Find a Divorce Record In Perry County in 2026

PerryRecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to divorce records in Perry County, Ohio. Members of the public may find case numbers, filing dates, party names, final decrees, and related court documents. Available records may include dissolution of marriage filings, settlement agreements, custody orders, and support determinations. Access and completeness vary depending on the age of the case and applicable confidentiality provisions.

Divorce records in Perry County may be searched through official resources, including the Clerk of Courts office, public access terminals at the courthouse, and online case management tools. The following methods are available to members of the public seeking these records.

Online Searches

1. Clerk of Court Case Search

The Perry County Clerk of Courts maintains court case records accessible through the Ohio Courts Network, which provides basic case information at no charge. Copies of documents retrieved electronically may require a fee.

2. State Court System Portal

The Ohio Supreme Court's online case information system allows members of the public to search across jurisdictions and locate consolidated case data from Common Pleas Courts statewide.

3. Ohio Vital Records

Ohio does not issue divorce certificates through the Ohio Department of Health in the same manner as birth or death certificates; however, the Ohio Department of Health Vital Statistics office maintains divorce data for statistical purposes. Certified proof of divorce is obtained directly from the Clerk of Courts in the county where the case was filed.

In-Person Searches

Clerk of Courts — Family Division:

Perry County Clerk of Courts
121 West Brown Street
New Lexington, OH 43764
Phone: (740) 342-1022
Clerk of Courts

Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Services available in person include:

Searching case files by party name or case number
Viewing filed documents at public access terminals
Requesting certified copies of final decrees and orders
Staff assistance with locating archived records

By Mail

Written Request:

Mail requests to the Perry County Clerk of Courts at 121 West Brown Street, New Lexington, OH 43764. Each written request should include:

Full names of both parties
Approximate date of divorce or dissolution
Case number, if known
Requestor's contact information
Payment for applicable copy fees
A self-addressed stamped envelope for return correspondence

Processing time for mail requests is typically one to two weeks, depending on case volume and whether records require retrieval from archive storage.

By Phone

Limited Information:

Clerk of Courts: (740) 342-1022
Staff may confirm whether a case exists, provide the case number, case status, and filing date
Staff cannot provide detailed document contents, copies of filings, or confidential information by telephone

Through Attorneys

An attorney licensed in Ohio may access court records on behalf of a client, request sealed documents upon a proper showing, and obtain certified copies through professional channels. The Ohio State Bar Association's lawyer referral service assists members of the public in locating qualified family law counsel.

Information Needed for Search

Essential Information:

Full legal names of both spouses
Maiden names, if applicable
Approximate date of divorce or dissolution
Case number, if known

Helpful Information:

Date and location of marriage
Prior addresses in Perry County
Names of children, if applicable
Names of attorneys of record, if known

Search in Correct County

Under Ohio Revised Code § 3105.03, a divorce or dissolution action must be filed in the county where either spouse has been a resident for at least 90 days immediately preceding the filing. Members of the public who cannot locate a record in Perry County may need to search adjacent counties if residency requirements were met elsewhere. Records are not maintained in the county where the marriage occurred unless that county was also the county of residence at the time of filing.

Time Considerations

Recent Divorces:

Records may not appear in online systems immediately following a final hearing
Allow several business days to weeks for processing after the final judgment is entered
Clerks' offices update dockets as documents are processed

Older Divorces:

Cases predating electronic filing may be stored in paper archives
Retrieval of archived records may require additional processing time
Some older records have not been digitized and must be reviewed in person

What If You Cannot Find a Record

Common Issues:

The case was filed in a different county
Name variations between married and maiden names
Spelling differences in party names
The case remains pending and has not been finalized
Very old records stored in off-site archives
The case has been sealed by court order

Next Steps:

Contact the Clerk of Courts at (740) 342-1022
Attempt alternate name spellings
Search under both spouses' names
Verify the county of residence at the time of filing
Consult the Ohio Department of Health for statistical divorce data

What Are Perry County Divorce Records?

Perry County divorce records are official court documents generated during dissolution of marriage proceedings filed in the Perry County Court of Common Pleas. These records are maintained by the Perry County Clerk of Courts and constitute part of the permanent family law case file. Under Ohio Revised Code § 3105.01, Ohio courts have jurisdiction over divorce and dissolution actions, and all filings become part of the official court record upon submission.

Types of Divorce Records:

Court Case Files include the petition for dissolution of marriage, the respondent's answer or counterpetition, financial affidavits, parenting plans, settlement agreements, motions, court orders, and transcripts of hearings. These documents collectively form the complete case file maintained by the Clerk of Courts.

Final Decree of Divorce or Dissolution is the official court order terminating the marriage. It establishes the date of dissolution, the division of marital property, any spousal support obligations, child custody and visitation arrangements, child support orders, and any court-approved name changes. Certified copies of the final decree serve as legal proof of divorce for purposes of remarriage, name changes, estate planning, immigration proceedings, and Social Security benefit determinations.

Supporting Documents may include the original marriage certificate submitted as an exhibit, financial disclosure statements, property inventories, parenting plan attachments, and any post-decree modification orders entered after the final judgment.

Who Maintains Divorce Records:

The Perry County Clerk of Courts serves as the primary custodian of all divorce and dissolution records filed in the county. The Clerk indexes records by the names of both parties and provides certified copies upon request. The Perry County Court of Common Pleas retains jurisdiction over all family law matters, including post-decree modifications and enforcement actions.

Are Perry County Divorce Records Public?

Divorce records filed in Perry County are public court records subject to the Ohio Public Records Act, codified at Ohio Revised Code § 149.43, which establishes a presumption of public access to government records. Members of the public may access basic case information, docket entries, court orders, and final judgments without demonstrating a specific need or purpose.

What Is Public:

Case number and filing date
Names of both parties
Names of attorneys of record
Court hearing dates and outcomes
Final divorce decree and property division orders
General case status and docket entries
Motions and court orders entered in the case

What May Be Restricted:

Financial Information:

Social Security numbers are redacted from all public filings pursuant to Ohio court rules
Bank account numbers and credit card numbers are redacted
Detailed tax returns may be filed under seal or with restricted access

Children's Information:

Names and addresses of minor children may be partially redacted
Schools attended by children are not disclosed in public records
Custody evaluations and guardian ad litem reports may be sealed by court order
Psychological evaluations of children are restricted

Sensitive Personal Information:

Domestic violence allegations and supporting evidence may be sealed
Mental health and substance abuse treatment records are restricted
Personal addresses of domestic violence victims are protected under Ohio law

Who Can Access Records:

General Public: May access most case information, view docket summaries, and obtain copies of public documents upon payment of applicable fees
Parties to the Case: Have full access to their own case file, including documents that may be restricted from general public view
Attorneys: May access case files on behalf of clients and may petition the court for access to sealed materials upon a proper showing
Researchers and Media: May access public portions of case files; access to sealed records requires a court order

Prohibited Uses:

Using records to stalk, harass, or threaten any individual
Identity theft or fraudulent purposes
Violation of any protective order issued in connection with the case

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

The Perry County Clerk of Courts charges standard fees for copies and certifications of court records. Current fees are established pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 2303.20, which governs fees charged by Clerks of Courts in Ohio.

Standard Copy and Certification Fees:

Service	Current Fee
Plain paper copies	$0.10 per page
Certified copy of final decree	$1.00 per page + $1.00 certification fee
Exemplified (triple-certified) copy	Additional fee per document
Electronic copies (where available)	Varies by document

Additional Fee Information:

Inspection of public records at the courthouse is available at no charge
Members of the public may view case files on public access terminals without a copying fee
Certified copies suitable for legal purposes, such as remarriage or name change proceedings, require the certification fee in addition to per-page charges
Payment is accepted by cash, check, or money order made payable to the Perry County Clerk of Courts; members of the public should confirm current accepted payment methods directly with the office
Fee waivers are not routinely available for divorce record requests; indigent parties to an active case may petition the court for a fee waiver under applicable Ohio court rules

What Is Available at No Cost:

In-person inspection of public case files
Viewing docket entries and case status information online through the Ohio Courts Network
Verbal confirmation of case existence and basic case information by telephone

What's Included in Divorce Records in Perry County

A complete divorce case file maintained by the Perry County Clerk of Courts contains documents generated at every stage of the proceeding. The scope of the file depends on whether the case was contested or uncontested and whether children or significant assets were involved.

Basic Case Information:

Case caption identifying the court, division, case number, and names of petitioner and respondent
Name of the assigned judge
Names and contact information of attorneys of record
Filing date, case type, and jurisdictional basis

Initial Pleadings:

The Petition for Dissolution of Marriage identifies both parties, states the date and location of the marriage, provides the grounds for divorce under Ohio law, identifies any minor children, and sets forth the relief requested including property division, support, and custody. The Response or Answer states the respondent's position and may include a counterpetition. Financial Affidavits submitted by both parties disclose income from all sources, monthly expenses, assets including real property, vehicles, bank and investment accounts, and retirement accounts, as well as all liabilities.

Discovery and Financial Disclosure Documents:

These may include recent tax returns, pay stubs, bank and investment account statements, retirement account statements, credit card statements, loan documents, and business financial records where a party owns or operates a business. Interrogatories and responses, requests for production of documents, and property inventories are also part of the case file.

Children-Related Documents:

Where minor children are involved, the file contains a Parenting Plan specifying legal and physical custody, the regular timesharing schedule, holiday and vacation provisions, transportation arrangements, and decision-making responsibilities for education, healthcare, and extracurricular activities. A Child Support Calculation Worksheet reflects both parties' incomes, the number of overnight stays, health insurance costs, and childcare expenses. Court-ordered custody evaluations and guardian ad litem reports, where applicable, may be sealed or have restricted access.

Settlement and Final Judgment Documents:

The Marital Settlement Agreement is a comprehensive document resolving all issues including property division, debt allocation, spousal support terms, and child-related provisions. The Final Judgment of Dissolution is the court's official order terminating the marriage, containing findings of fact, conclusions of law, and all orders regarding property, support, and custody. Where retirement accounts are divided, a separate Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO) instructs the plan administrator on the division of benefits.

Post-Judgment Documents:

The case file may also contain petitions to modify custody or support, court orders on modification requests, contempt motions and orders, income deduction orders, and enforcement actions filed after the final judgment.

What Is Typically Confidential or Sealed:

Social Security numbers and financial account numbers (redacted from all public filings)
Children's residential addresses and school information
Domestic violence details and supporting evidence (may be sealed by court order)
Mental health and substance abuse evaluations
Mediation communications (confidential by statute)
Settlement negotiations not incorporated into filed documents

How to Get Proof of Divorce in Perry County?

Proof of divorce in Perry County is obtained through a certified copy of the Final Judgment of Dissolution issued by the Perry County Clerk of Courts. A certified copy bears the court's official seal and the Clerk's certification, making it acceptable for legal purposes including remarriage applications, name change proceedings, passport applications, and Social Security or immigration matters.

Steps to Obtain a Certified Copy:

Identify the case by locating the case number through the Ohio Courts Network or by contacting the Clerk of Courts at (740) 342-1022.
Submit a request in person at the Clerk of Courts office, 121 West Brown Street, New Lexington, OH 43764, or by mail to the same address.
Provide the full names of both parties, the approximate date of the final judgment, and the case number if known.
Pay the applicable certification fee as established under Ohio Revised Code § 2303.20.
Receive the certified copy in person or by mail with a self-addressed stamped envelope.

Perry County Clerk of Courts
121 West Brown Street
New Lexington, OH 43764
Phone: (740) 342-1022
Clerk of Courts

For cases where the divorce occurred in Ohio but the county is uncertain, the Ohio Department of Health Vital Statistics maintains statewide divorce data that may assist in identifying the county of filing.

Can a Divorce Be Confidential in Perry County?

Divorce proceedings in Perry County are presumptively public under Ohio law; however, certain records or entire cases may be sealed or restricted under specific circumstances.

Circumstances Under Which Records May Be Confidential:

Domestic violence cases: Where a party has obtained a civil protection order or where domestic violence allegations are central to the case, the court may seal portions of the record to protect the safety of the victim, consistent with Ohio's domestic violence statutes.
Children's information: Courts routinely restrict public access to information identifying the residential addresses, schools, and medical or psychological records of minor children.
Sealed financial records: Tax returns, detailed financial statements, and account numbers are either redacted or filed under seal to prevent identity theft and financial harm.
Court-ordered sealing: A party may file a motion requesting that the court seal specific documents or the entire case file upon a showing of good cause. The court applies a balancing test weighing the public interest in transparency against the private interest in confidentiality.
Mediation records: Communications made during court-ordered mediation are confidential by statute and are not part of the public case file.
Mental health and substance abuse records: These are protected under both state and federal law, including HIPAA, and are not accessible to the general public.

Members of the public seeking access to sealed records must file a motion with the Perry County Court of Common Pleas and demonstrate a legitimate legal basis for access.

How Long Does Perry County Keep Divorce Records?

Perry County divorce records are retained for extended periods consistent with Ohio's records retention schedules for court documents.

Retention Periods:

Final judgments and decrees: Retained permanently as part of the official court record. These documents are never destroyed and remain accessible indefinitely.
Complete case files (contested divorces): Retained for a minimum of 75 years under Ohio's court records retention schedule, reflecting the long-term legal significance of family law judgments.
Dissolution of marriage files (uncontested): Retained for a minimum of 75 years.
Post-decree modification orders: Retained as part of the original case file for the same period as the underlying case.
Financial affidavits and discovery documents: Retained as part of the case file for the applicable retention period, though some supporting exhibits may be returned to parties or destroyed after a shorter period at the court's discretion.
Archived paper records: Older cases predating electronic filing are maintained in paper or microfilm format and may require additional retrieval time.
Electronic records: Cases filed electronically are maintained in the court's case management system and are accessible through the Ohio Courts Network.

Ohio's court records retention requirements are established by the Ohio Supreme Court's records retention schedule, which governs all Common Pleas Courts in the state.