Trumbull County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Trumbull County?

Public records in Trumbull 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 these offices.

Trumbull County maintains numerous types of public records, including:

• Court Records: Civil, criminal, domestic relations, probate, and juvenile court cases (with restrictions)
• Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and property transfers
• Vital Records: Birth certificates (1908-present), death certificates (1908-present), marriage licenses (1803-present)
• Business Records: Vendor licenses, permits, fictitious name registrations
• Tax Records: Property tax information, assessment records, tax maps
• Voting and Election Records: Voter registration data, election results, campaign finance reports
• Meeting Minutes and Agendas: County commissioners, zoning boards, other public bodies
• Budget and Financial Documents: Annual budgets, expenditure reports, audits
• Law Enforcement Records: Incident reports, arrest logs (with certain exemptions)
• Land Use and Zoning Records: Zoning maps, variance applications, building permits

The Trumbull County Clerk of Courts maintains court records, while the Trumbull County Recorder's Office is responsible for property records, deeds, and mortgages. Vital records are maintained by the Trumbull County Health Department, and tax records are available through the Trumbull County Auditor's Office.

Is Trumbull County an Open Records County?

Trumbull County fully complies with 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 state law governs access to public records throughout Ohio, including Trumbull County.

Under Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(B)(1), "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."

Trumbull County has adopted a comprehensive public records policy in accordance with state requirements. This policy affirms the county's commitment to transparency and outlines procedures for requesting and obtaining public records. The county also complies with Ohio's Open Meetings Act, often called the "Sunshine Law," which requires public bodies to conduct their meetings openly.

The Trumbull County Commissioners have established policies to ensure compliance with these laws, and each county department maintains specific procedures for handling public records requests in accordance with state statutes.

How to Find Public Records in Trumbull County in 2026

Members of the public seeking records in Trumbull County may follow these procedures to access information:

1. Identify the appropriate office: Determine which county department maintains the records you seek. The Trumbull County website provides a directory of departments and their responsibilities.

2. Submit a request: Requests may be made in person, by mail, email, or fax. While verbal requests are permitted under Ohio law, written requests help ensure accuracy and create documentation of your request.

3. Be specific: Clearly identify the records you seek. Overly broad requests may be denied or require clarification.

4. For court records: Visit the Trumbull County Clerk of Courts in person or use their online case search system.

   Trumbull County Clerk of Courts
   161 High Street NW
   Warren, OH 44481
   (330) 675-2557
   Trumbull County Clerk of Courts

5. For property records: Contact the Recorder's Office or use their online search portal.

   Trumbull County Recorder
   160 High Street NW
   Warren, OH 44481
   (330) 675-2401
   Trumbull County Recorder

6. For vital records: Submit requests to the Trumbull County Health Department.

   Trumbull County Health Department
   176 Chestnut Avenue NE
   Warren, OH 44483
   (330) 675-2489
   Trumbull County Health Department

7. For tax and property assessment records: Contact the County Auditor's Office.

   Trumbull County Auditor
   160 High Street NW, Suite 4
   Warren, OH 44481
   (330) 675-2420
   Trumbull County Auditor

8. For traffic accident reports: These can be obtained through the Ohio Department of Public Safety's Crash Retrieval System or from the law enforcement agency that investigated the incident.

9. Track your request: County offices are required to acknowledge requests and provide an estimated timeframe for fulfillment.

10. Review records: You may inspect records in person during regular business hours at no cost or request copies for a fee.

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

Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(B)(6), Trumbull County may charge "the actual cost of making copies" but not labor costs for responding to public records requests. Current standard fees for public records in Trumbull County include:

• Paper copies: $0.05 per page for standard letter/legal size (8.5" x 11" or 8.5" x 14")
• Larger format copies (maps, plats, etc.): $2.00-$5.00 per page depending on size
• Electronic copies to CD/DVD: $1.00 per disc
• Certified copies: Additional $1.00-$2.00 per document
• Postage: Actual cost if records are mailed

Specific departments may have different fee structures based on statutory authority:

• Recorder's Office:

  • First page of recorded document: $28.00
  • Each additional page: $8.00
  • Certified copies: $2.00 per page
  • Uncertified copies: $1.00 per page

• Clerk of Courts:

  • Case document copies: $0.10 per page
  • Certified copies: $1.00 per document plus copy costs

• Health Department (Vital Records):

  • Birth certificates: $25.00 per certified copy
  • Death certificates: $25.00 for first certified copy, $10.00 for each additional copy ordered at the same time

Accepted payment methods include cash, check, money order, and credit/debit cards in most offices (a processing fee may apply for card payments).

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 record custodian.

Does Trumbull County Have Free Public Records?

Trumbull County provides free inspection of public records during regular business hours in accordance with Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(B)(1). Members of the public may view records at no cost, with fees applying only when copies are requested.

Several Trumbull County departments offer free online access to certain public records:

• The Trumbull County Auditor's Office provides free online access to property records, tax information, and GIS mapping.

• The Trumbull County Clerk of Courts offers a free online docket search system for court cases.

• The Trumbull County Recorder's Office provides limited free online access to property records indexes, though obtaining copies may require payment.

• The Trumbull County Board of Elections offers free access to voter registration verification and election results.

• Trumbull County Commissioners provide free access to meeting minutes, agendas, and certain county reports.

• The Trumbull County Treasurer's Office offers free online property tax payment verification.

These resources allow members of the public to access many commonly requested records without incurring costs, though fees may apply for certified copies or more extensive research.

Who Can Request Public Records in Trumbull County?

Under Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(B)(1), "all public records shall be promptly prepared and made available for inspection to any person." This means that in Trumbull County:

• Any individual, regardless of citizenship or residency status, may request public records
• Requestors are not required to identify themselves
• Requestors do not need to provide a reason for their request
• Requestors do not need to submit requests in writing (though written requests are recommended)
• Corporate entities, organizations, and government agencies may also request records

For most public records, the county cannot:

• Require identification
• Ask about the purpose of the request
• Deny a request based on the intended use of the records
• Limit access to Ohio residents only

However, certain exceptions apply to specific record types:

• Vital Records: Birth and death certificates may require proof of identity and relationship to the subject of the record, in accordance with Ohio Revised Code § 3705.23.

• Court Records: While most court records are public, access to certain case types (juvenile, adoption, mental health) is restricted to parties with a direct interest in the case.

• Commercial Requests: While commercial entities may request records, bulk commercial requests may be subject to special procedures or limitations.

• Incarcerated Persons: Under Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(B)(8), inmates' rights to public records may be limited and require approval from a judge.

When requesting your own records versus those of others, different standards may apply depending on the record type, particularly for confidential or protected records.

What Records Are Confidential in Trumbull County?

While Trumbull County strives for transparency, certain records are exempt from disclosure under Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(A)(1). These confidential records include:

• Medical records: Personal health information protected under HIPAA and state law
• Juvenile court records: Most records involving minors, except as specifically authorized by statute
• Adoption records: Sealed by court order and accessible only through court procedures
• Social Security numbers: Redacted from public documents
• Personal financial information: Banking details, credit card numbers, etc.
• Active criminal investigations: Records that would impede an ongoing investigation
• Attorney-client privileged communications: Legal advice to county officials
• Infrastructure and security records: Details that could compromise public safety
• Child welfare records: Information about child abuse investigations and foster care
• Certain personnel records: Including medical information, personal contact details, and some disciplinary matters
• Records protected by federal law: Including education records (FERPA), health information (HIPAA)
• Trade secrets and confidential business information: When submitted to county agencies
• Peace officer residential and familial information: To protect law enforcement personnel
• Records sealed by court order: Including expunged criminal records

The county applies a balancing test when records contain both public and exempt information. In such cases, the exempt information is redacted, and the remainder is released. This process is governed by Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(B)(1), which states that "if a public record contains information that is exempt from the duty to permit public inspection or to copy the public record, the public office or the person responsible for the public record shall make available all of the information within the public record that is not exempt."

Denials of records requests must include an explanation citing the specific legal authority for withholding the record.

Trumbull County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Trumbull County Recorder's Office
160 High Street NW
Warren, OH 44481
(330) 675-2401
Trumbull County Recorder

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

The Trumbull County Recorder's Office maintains and provides access to real estate records, including deeds, mortgages, liens, leases, powers of attorney, plats, and military discharge documents (DD-214). The office serves as the official repository for these documents, ensuring their preservation and accessibility to the public.

Services available at the Recorder's Office include:

• Recording of property documents
• Providing certified copies of recorded documents
• Searching property records
• Accessing the online records database (subscription may be required for full access)
• Notary public registrations
• Filing of military discharge documents (confidential)

The office accepts document recording by mail or in person. Recording fees vary by document type and length, with standard fees established by Ohio law.

Lookup Public Records in Trumbull County

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