Highland County

Law Enforcement & Arrests

• Citizens may request arrest records by submitting a formal public records request to the Sheriff's Office or the respective municipal police department that made the arrest.
• Requests should be specific about the information sought and can be submitted in person, by mail, or sometimes by email.
• Processing times vary, but agencies must respond promptly under Ohio law.
• Mugshots and booking photos are generally considered public records and may be obtained through the same public records request process.
• Fees for copies may apply according to the agency's established fee schedule.

Mugshots & Booking Photos

• The Clerk of Courts office maintains an index of all court cases and provides public access to most court documents, with limited exceptions for sealed records, juvenile matters, and certain sensitive cases.
• Some basic case information is available online through the Ohio Court of Common Pleas case management system, though full document access often requires an in-person visit.
• Copy fees are established by Ohio statute, typically $0.10 per page for standard copies and higher fees for certified copies.
• Highland County Law Library, if available, provides legal research resources to attorneys and self-represented litigants.

• The Auditor's website at highlandcountyauditor.org provides free online access to property tax records and parcel information through a searchable database.
• Recording fees for documents are established by Ohio statute and vary based on document type and page count.
• Certified copies of recorded documents can be requested from the Recorder's Office for a statutory fee, typically around $2.00 for the first page and $0.25 for each additional page, plus a certification fee.
• Many historical records have been digitized and are searchable through the Auditor's online portal.

Vital records for this county include birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates issued under state vital statistics law.

• Processing time is typically 4-6 weeks for mail requests, or same-day service is available in person at the state office in Columbus.
• Online ordering is available through the VitalChek service at odh.ohio.gov/vitalstatistics, though additional convenience fees apply.
• Certified copies of divorce decrees can be obtained from the Clerk's office for the statutory fee.
• The Ohio Department of Health website provides detailed information about eligibility requirements and application procedures.

Business records, licenses, and permits for this county are processed by the County Clerk and local government offices.

• Alcohol licenses and permits are issued by the Ohio Division of Liquor Control but require local approval processes.