Mahoning County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Mahoning County?

Public records in Mahoning County are defined according to the Ohio Public Records Act § 149.43, which designates public records as "records kept by any public office, including, but not limited to, state, county, city, village, township, and school district units." These records document the organization, functions, policies, decisions, procedures, operations, or other activities of public offices.

Mahoning County maintains numerous types of public records, including:

• Court records (civil, criminal, probate, family court proceedings)
• Property records (deeds, mortgages, liens, property assessments)
• Vital records (birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, divorce decrees)
• Business records (licenses, permits, fictitious business names)
• Tax records (property tax information, assessment records)
• Voting and election records (voter registrations, election results)
• Meeting minutes and agendas (county commission, boards, committees)
• Budget and financial documents (annual budgets, expenditure reports)
• Law enforcement records (arrest logs, incident reports where permitted by law)
• Land use and zoning records (permits, applications, zoning maps)

The Mahoning County Clerk of Courts maintains court-related documents, including Common Pleas Court records, Domestic Relations Court records, and Court of Appeals records. The Mahoning County Recorder's Office maintains property records, while vital records are primarily kept by the Mahoning County Health Department. Business records are maintained by both the Recorder's Office and the Ohio Secretary of State.

Election records are maintained by the Mahoning County Board of Elections, while tax and property assessment records are kept by the Mahoning County Auditor's Office. Law enforcement records are maintained by the respective agencies, including the Mahoning County Sheriff's Office.

Is Mahoning County an Open Records County?

Mahoning County adheres to the Ohio Public Records Act § 149.43, which establishes 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 statute creates a presumption of openness for government records in Ohio.

Under § 149.43(B)(1), the law specifically states: "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."

Mahoning County's compliance with state sunshine laws is reflected in the county's public records policies, which are designed to facilitate transparency and public access to government information. The Mahoning County Prosecutor's Office maintains a Public Records Request Policy that outlines procedures for requesting and obtaining public records from county offices.

The county's commitment to open records is further demonstrated through its online record search capabilities available through the Mahoning County official website, which provides access to various record databases.

How to Find Public Records in Mahoning County in 2026

Members of the public seeking records in Mahoning County may utilize several methods to access information:

1. Online Access: Many records are available through the Mahoning County Record Searches portal, which provides access to court records, property records, and other public documents.

2. In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit the appropriate county office during regular business hours to inspect records. No appointment is typically necessary for record inspection.

3. Written Requests: Submit a written public records request to the specific department that maintains the desired records. Requests should:

   • Identify the records sought with reasonable clarity
   • Provide contact information for response
   • Specify preferred delivery method (inspection, copies, electronic format)

4. Department-Specific Access:

   • Court Records: Access through the Clerk of Courts office or online case search
   • Property Records: Available through the County Recorder's Office
   • Vital Records: Request through the Mahoning County Health Department
   • Voter Records: Access through the Board of Elections
   • Inmate Information: Available through the Sheriff's Office Public Inmate Information system

5. Email Requests: Many departments accept public records requests via email. Contact information for specific departments is available on the Mahoning County website.

Pursuant to Ohio law, records custodians must respond to requests within a reasonable period. If a request is denied, the custodian must provide an explanation citing the specific legal authority for denial.

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

Mahoning County charges fees for public records in accordance with Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(B)(6), which permits public offices to charge "the actual cost of making copies and not the labor cost associated with making the copies."

Current standard fees for public records in Mahoning County include:

• Paper copies: $0.05 per page for standard letter/legal size documents
• Certified copies: Additional $1.00-$2.00 per document (varies by department)
• Electronic records: May be provided at no cost if records are already in electronic format
• Media costs: Actual cost of CD, DVD, or other media if electronic records are provided on physical media

Specific departmental fees include:

• Recorder's Office: $2.00 per page for recorded documents
• Vital Records: $25.00 for certified birth and death certificates
• Court Records: $1.00 per page for certified copies from the Clerk of Courts

Accepted payment methods include:

• Cash (in-person requests only)
• Check or money order (made payable to the specific county department)
• Credit/debit cards (available for some departments, may include processing fee)

Fee waivers may be available in certain circumstances, particularly when the request is determined to be in the public interest. Additionally, pursuant to state law, inspection of records in person is always free of charge.

Does Mahoning County Have Free Public Records?

Mahoning County provides free access to public records through several channels, in accordance with Ohio law which requires that public records be available for inspection at no cost during regular business hours.

Free record access options include:

• In-person inspection of any public record at the appropriate county office during regular business hours
• Online access to numerous record databases through the Mahoning County website
• Court case information available through the Clerk of Courts online portal
• Property record searches through the County Auditor and Recorder's online databases
• Voter registration verification through the Board of Elections website
• Inmate information through the Sheriff's Office online portal

While inspection is free, fees apply for copies of records as outlined in the previous section. The county does not charge for the time spent retrieving records or for electronic records that can be transmitted via email without the need for physical media.

Who Can Request Public Records in Mahoning County?

Under Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(B)(1), "any person" may request public records from Mahoning County offices. This broad eligibility includes:

• Ohio residents and non-residents alike
• Individuals and organizations (businesses, media, non-profits)
• Incarcerated persons (with certain limitations under § 149.43(B)(8))
• Minors (though some records may have age restrictions)

Requestors are not required to:

• Provide identification (except for certain restricted records)
• State the purpose of their request
• Submit requests in writing (though written requests are recommended for clarity)
• Disclose their identity (anonymous requests are permitted)

For most public records, the requester's identity and purpose are irrelevant to their right to access the information. However, certain record types have specific eligibility requirements:

• Vital records (birth, death certificates): Limited to the person named in the record, immediate family members, legal representatives, or those with a qualifying direct interest
• Certain law enforcement records: May have restrictions during ongoing investigations
• Records containing protected health information: Access limited by HIPAA regulations
• Personnel records: May have limited access for certain private information

The county may require verification of identity when a requester seeks records about themselves or when accessing records with statutory access restrictions.

What Records Are Confidential in Mahoning County?

Certain records in Mahoning County are exempt from public disclosure pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(A)(1), which enumerates specific categories of records that are not considered "public records." These confidential records include:

• Medical records: Protected health information covered by HIPAA
• Juvenile court records: Generally sealed from public view except in limited circumstances
• Adoption records: Confidential by state law with limited access provisions
• Child welfare and protective services records: Information regarding abuse investigations
• Records pertaining to ongoing criminal investigations: Temporary exemption while investigation is active
• Infrastructure and security records: Information that could compromise public safety
• Attorney-client privileged communications: Legal advice to government agencies
• Social Security numbers, financial account information, and other personal identifying information
• Peace officer, firefighter, EMT, and prosecutor residential and familial information
• Trade secrets and confidential business information submitted to government agencies
• Certain economic development records: During negotiation phases
• Records sealed by court order: Including expunged criminal records

Additionally, Ohio Revised Code § 149.45 requires redaction of personal information from records before public release, including:

• Social Security numbers
• Federal tax identification numbers
• Financial account numbers
• Driver's license numbers
• Credit card numbers

When a record contains both public and exempt information, Mahoning County offices will redact 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.

Mahoning County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Mahoning County Recorder's Office
120 Market Street, 1st Floor
Youngstown, OH 44503
(330) 740-2345
Mahoning County Recorder

Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays

The Mahoning County Recorder's Office maintains and preserves land records and other official documents for the county. Services provided include:

• Recording deeds, mortgages, liens, and other property documents
• Maintaining military discharge records (DD-214 forms)
• Processing notary public commissions
• Providing certified copies of recorded documents
• Maintaining historical records dating back to the county's formation

The office accepts document recordings in person, by mail, and electronically through approved e-recording vendors. Standard recording fees apply, with additional fees for multiple-page documents. Payment methods accepted include cash, check, and money order.

For research purposes, public access terminals are available during regular business hours at no charge. The Recorder's Office also maintains an online records search system accessible through the county website for records dating back to 1988, while older records may require in-person research.

Lookup Public Records in Mahoning County

Record Searches in Mahoning County

Mahoning County Sheriff's Office Inmate Information

Mahoning County Clerk of Courts Records

Mahoning County Board of Elections Information

Mahoning County Official Website

Mahoning County Prosecutor's Office