Delaware, Ohio Public Records

In Ohio, the bond or bail process allows for the release of detainees under certain conditions, and information on posting bail can be obtained from the jail's administrative office. To find someone recently arrested in Delaware County, individuals can contact the jail directly or use the online inmate search tool.

Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. For felony criminal cases, major civil litigation, domestic relations (divorce, custody, child support), probate matters, and juvenile cases, residents must go to the Delaware County Court of Common Pleas, located at 91 N. Sandusky Street, Delaware, OH 43015 (phone: 740-833-2690). The Court of Common Pleas has general divisions handling different case types: General Division for felonies and civil cases over $15,000, Domestic Relations Division for divorces and family matters, Probate/Juvenile Division for estates, guardianships, adoptions, and juvenile delinquency. Each division maintains separate case files and procedures. Ohio residents can search court records online through the Ohio Supreme Court's public access system at supremecourt.ohio.gov, which provides free case search capabilities for many Ohio courts. Delaware County courts also offer online case search tools on their respective websites, allowing searches by name, case number, or attorney. Not all historical records are digitized, so older cases may require in-person research. Certified copies of court documents typically cost $1.00 per page plus a $1.00 certification fee per document. The clerk's office accepts cash, checks, and credit cards for copying services.

The database is updated regularly and includes residential, commercial, and agricultural properties throughout the city of Delaware and all of Delaware County. The site also provides access to tax maps and aerial photography. The Delaware County Recorder's Office, located at 140 N. Sandusky Street, Delaware, OH 43015 (phone: 740-833-2690, website: co.delaware.oh.us/recorder), maintains official records of all documents affecting real property ownership. This includes warranty deeds, quit claim deeds, mortgage documents, mortgage releases, liens, easements, rights-of-way, and other instruments. The Recorder's Office has digitized records dating back to 1808 when the county was formed, making Delaware County one of the more progressive Ohio counties for records accessibility. The public can search and view recorded documents free of charge through the Recorder's online search portal at co.delaware.oh.us/recorder. Images of actual recorded documents can be viewed and printed at no cost for personal use. Certified copies cost $2.00 for the first page and $0.25 for each additional page. Delaware County also maintains a GIS (Geographic Information System) parcel viewer accessible through the Auditor's website, providing interactive mapping tools that display property boundaries, zoning information, flood zones, and other geographic data layers. This tool is valuable for property research, real estate transactions, and understanding land use patterns in Delaware and throughout the county.

The Nationwide Children's Hospital Delaware campus provides healthcare services and employs hundreds of medical professionals. Other significant employers include the City of Delaware, Delaware City Schools, local residents County government, and numerous retail and service businesses along U.S. Route 23 and State Route 37. Delaware's economy is characterized by a mix of education, healthcare, professional services, manufacturing, and retail sectors. The city benefits from its proximity to Columbus, with many residents commuting to the state capital for employment while enjoying Delaware's smaller-town atmosphere and highly-rated school system. The median household income in Delaware is approximately $70,000-$80,000, significantly higher than the Ohio state average, reflecting the community's affluent suburban character. Delaware City Schools consistently rank among the top school districts in Ohio, attracting families and supporting property values. Recent economic development has focused on commercial growth along the U.S. 23 corridor, including retail centers, restaurants, and professional office parks. The city has invested in downtown revitalization, preserving historic buildings while attracting boutique shops, restaurants, and professional services to the central business district. Delaware County overall has been one of Ohio's fastest-growing counties, with population increases driving residential construction and commercial expansion. The city's location at the intersection of U.S. 23 and State Route 36/37 provides excellent transportation access, contributing to its attractiveness for business location and residential development. Delaware maintains a business-friendly environment while preserving its historic character and small-town appeal.

The Delaware Police Department serves the incorporated city of Delaware and is located at 91 N. Franklin Street, Delaware, OH 43015. The department can be reached at (740) 203-1111, and their website is delawareohio.net/police. Citizens can request police reports, crash reports, and incident records by visiting the department in person during business hours or by submitting a written request. Basic incident reports are typically available for a nominal copying fee, while some records may be redacted or withheld under exceptions to Ohio's public records law. The department maintains records of arrests, citations, traffic accidents, and calls for service within city limits.

The Delaware County Sheriff's Office, located at 140 N. Sandusky Street, Delaware, OH 43015 (phone: 740-833-2800, website: co.delaware.oh.us/sheriff), has jurisdiction over unincorporated areas of Delaware County and provides support services to municipal police departments. The Sheriff's Office operates the Delaware County Jail and maintains arrest records for incidents occurring outside city limits. Residents can search for current jail inmates and recent bookings through the Delaware County Sheriff's website inmate roster, which displays names, booking dates, charges, bond amounts, and mugshots for individuals currently detained. The roster is updated regularly and provides transparency into who is being held at the county facility.

All law enforcement records in Ohio are governed by Ohio Revised Code Section 149.43, the state's Public Records Act, which requires government agencies to make public records available for inspection and copying within a reasonable time. Certain records, such as ongoing investigation files, confidential informant information, and records that would endanger officer safety, may be exempt from disclosure. Requesters do not need to state a reason for seeking records, and agencies may charge reasonable copying costs but cannot charge for staff time to search or compile records in most cases.

Ohio law restricts access to birth and death records for 100 years from the date of the event; only authorized individuals such as the registrant (for births), immediate family members, legal representatives, or those with a court order can obtain certified copies. Processing time for mail requests is typically 4-6 weeks, though expedited service is available for an additional fee. Online ordering is available through the VitalChek service at vitalchek.com, which adds a convenience fee but speeds processing. The Delaware County Probate/Juvenile Court, located at 370 S. Sandusky Street, Delaware, OH 43015 (phone: 740-833-2690, website: probatect.co.delaware.oh.us), issues marriage licenses for couples planning to marry in the city County. The fee for a marriage license is $55.00 if both parties complete a premarital preparation course, or $80.00 without the course. Couples must apply in person at the Probate Court, and there is no waiting period in Ohio—licenses are effective immediately and valid for 60 days. Both parties must provide valid photo identification and Social Security numbers. The Probate Court maintains marriage records dating back to the county's founding in 1808, and certified copies of marriage licenses cost $5.00 each. Divorce records are maintained by the Domestic Relations Division of the Delaware County Common Pleas Court at 91 N. Sandusky Street, Delaware, OH 43015. Divorce decrees and dissolution records are considered court records and are generally public unless sealed by court order. Parties to a divorce or their legal representatives can obtain certified copies for $1.00 per page plus a certification fee. Ohio began statewide registration of vital records in December 1908, so records before that date may be incomplete or housed in local jurisdictions.

Home-based businesses typically do not require city permits unless they generate significant traffic or employ non-residents. Fictitious name registrations (Doing Business As or DBA names) in Ohio must be filed with the Delaware County Clerk of Courts at 91 N. Sandusky Street, Delaware, OH 43015 (phone: 740-833-2690). The filing fee is $35.00, and the registration must be renewed every five years. Businesses operating under a name other than the owner's legal name must file a trade name registration before conducting business. The Clerk of Courts maintains a public index of registered trade names that can be searched in person. For corporation and LLC formation, Ohio requires registration with the Ohio Secretary of State's Business Services Division. The state maintains a free, searchable online database at businesssearch.ohiosos.gov where anyone can look up business entity information including corporation names, LLC names, filing dates, registered agents, principal office addresses, and current status (active, dissolved, cancelled). The database includes all business entities registered in Ohio, whether based in Delaware or elsewhere in the state. Formation fees are $99 for LLCs and $125 for corporations, with annual report fees required to maintain good standing. UCC (Uniform Commercial Code) lien searches for secured transactions are also handled by the Ohio Secretary of State's office. UCC filings can be searched online at businesssearch.ohiosos.gov for a fee. These records show security interests in business assets, equipment, and inventory. For commercial property tax information in Delaware, the Delaware County Auditor's website (co.the area.oh.us/auditor) allows searches of commercial property assessments by address or parcel number, showing current valuations, tax amounts, and ownership details.

Delaware, Ohio voters are served by the Delaware County Board of Elections, located at 2079 U.S. Route 23 North, Delaware, OH 43015 (phone: 740-833-2080, website: boe.delaware.oh.us). The Board of Elections is responsible for voter registration, maintaining voter rolls, conducting elections, certifying results, and ensuring election integrity for all of Delaware County, including the city of Delaware. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with extended hours before elections.

Delaware residents can register to vote online at olvr.ohiosos.gov, the Ohio Secretary of State's Online Voter Registration system. Ohio requires voters to register at least 30 days before an election. To register, applicants must be U.S. citizens, Ohio residents for at least 30 days, at least 18 years old by election day, and not incarcerated for a felony conviction. The online system requires an Ohio driver's license or state ID number and the last four digits of the Social Security number. Paper registration forms are also available at the Board of Elections, public libraries, and the Ohio BMV.

The City of Delaware holds municipal elections for Mayor, City Council members, and various city officials. Delaware's Mayor serves a four-year term, and City Council consists of seven members serving staggered four-year terms. Municipal elections are held in odd-numbered years, with the next city elections scheduled for November 2025. Voters can find information about candidates, local ballot issues, and city government at the City of Delaware's website (delawareohio.net) and through the Board of Elections. Delaware operates under a council-manager form of government, with an appointed City Manager handling day-to-day operations.

Delaware County voters can look up their assigned polling place using the Board of Elections website polling place locator tool at boe.delaware.oh.us or by calling the Board of Elections office. Polling places are assigned based on residential address and precinct boundaries. Polls are open from 6:30 AM to 7:30 PM on election day.

Ohio provides extensive public access to election records. Voter registration lists are public records available for purchase from county boards of elections for legitimate purposes. Campaign finance reports for state and local candidates are available through the Ohio Secretary of State's website at ohiosos.gov. Candidate filing records, including petitions and statements of candidacy, are maintained by the Board of Elections and are public records. Precinct-level election results are published on the Board of Elections website following certification, providing detailed breakdowns of how Delaware voters cast ballots in each race.

In the November 2024 presidential election, Delaware County saw robust voter turnout of approximately 63-65% of registered voters, with the county casting over 110,000 ballots. Delaware County has trended increasingly Republican in recent elections while maintaining competitive races in certain precincts.

The November 3, 2026 general election will be significant for Delaware voters. Ohio will hold elections for Governor (the gubernatorial race is in 2026 with the current term expiring), all Ohio House of Representatives seats (99 districts, two-year terms), half of the Ohio Senate seats (17 of 33 districts, four-year staggered terms), and various county offices including Delaware County Commissioner, County Auditor, County Recorder, and other constitutional offices. No U.S. Senate seat from Ohio is up in 2026 (Ohio's Senate seats are up in 2024 and 2028). Delaware voters will also decide any local ballot issues, school levies, and municipal matters. The 2026 election cycle begins with primary elections in May 2026.

Ohio offers absentee voting by mail for any registered voter. Voters can request an absentee ballot application from the Delaware County Board of Elections online, by mail, or in person. Applications must be received by the Saturday before election day, and completed ballots must be postmarked by the day before election day and received within 10 days after the election, or deposited in the Board of Elections drop box by 7:30 PM on election day. Ohio also offers early in-person voting at the Board of Elections office beginning 29 days before election day, with expanded hours in the final week before the election.