New Bremen, Ohio Public Records

For misdemeanor criminal offenses, traffic violations, and civil cases under $15,000, residents appear before the Wapakoneta Municipal Court at 125 South Blackhoof Street, Wapakoneta, OH 45895 (phone: 419-739-6725), which has jurisdiction over New Bremen and surrounding communities in Auglaize County. Small claims cases involving amounts up to $6,000 are also heard in Municipal Court. Ohio provides online access to court records through multiple systems: the Supreme Court of Ohio maintains a public case search portal at www.supremecourt.ohio.gov for Common Pleas cases in many counties, and individual courts may offer their own e-filing and case lookup systems. The Auglaize County Clerk of Courts (phone: 419-739-6770) can provide certified copies of court documents for a fee, typically $1.00 per page for copies plus $1.00 for certification. Fees vary by document type: marriage license copies are approximately $3.00, and court record searches may involve a small research fee depending on the complexity of the request.

The searchable GIS parcel viewer provides aerial maps and detailed parcel boundaries. The Auglaize County Recorder's Office, located at 209 South Blackhoof Street, Wapakoneta, OH 45895 (phone: 419-739-6715, website: www.auglaizerecorder.org), is responsible for recording and maintaining official documents affecting real property, including deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, right-of-way agreements, and military discharge papers (DD-214s). The Recorder's office provides free online access to digitized records through their website, allowing searches by name, date, instrument type, and parcel number. Documents can be viewed and printed at no cost, though certified copies require an in-person or mail request with applicable fees (typically $2.00 for the first page and $0.25 for each additional page). The online database generally includes records from the early 1980s forward, with older records available through in-person research at the Recorder's office.

Beyond Crown, New Bremen's economy includes agriculture (corn, soybeans, wheat, and livestock operations), small manufacturing, retail businesses serving the local community, and construction trades. The median household income in New Bremen is estimated at approximately $68,000-$75,000, significantly above state and national averages, reflecting the high-wage manufacturing jobs provided by Crown and associated industries. The village has experienced steady growth in recent decades with new residential subdivisions, downtown revitalization efforts along the historic canal district, and infrastructure improvements. New Bremen maintains exceptionally low unemployment, typically well below state and national rates. The local school system, New Bremen Local Schools, is another significant employer. The village's economy is notably stable and prosperous compared to many rural Ohio communities, largely due to Crown Equipment's continued success and commitment to the community. Tourism also contributes through Lake Loramie State Park, the Bicycle Museum of America, and heritage festivals attracting visitors regionally.

The New Bremen Police Department, located at 214 North Washington Street, New Bremen, OH 45869 (phone: 419-629-2321), provides primary law enforcement services to the village. The department maintains records of police reports, traffic accidents, incident logs, and offense reports. Residents can request copies of police reports by visiting the department in person during business hours or by submitting a written request. Non-confidential reports are generally available for a small copying fee, though active investigations and certain juvenile records may be exempt from disclosure. The Auglaize County Sheriff's Office, headquartered at 1051 Dearbaugh Avenue, Suite 1, Wapakoneta, OH 45895 (phone: 419-739-6565, website: www.auglaizesheriff.com), provides law enforcement services to unincorporated areas of the county and assists New Bremen Police when needed, and also operates the Auglaize County Jail. To search for current jail inmates and recent arrests in Auglaize County, the public can access the inmate roster on the Sheriff's Office website, which typically displays booking photos, charges, bond amounts, booking dates, and housing location. Under Ohio Revised Code Section 149.43, the state's Public Records Act, law enforcement agencies must make non-exempt public records available for inspection and copying within a reasonable time. Requesters do not need to provide a reason for seeking records, though agencies may require requests in writing and charge reasonable copying costs. Records related to ongoing criminal investigations, confidential informants, and certain victim information may be withheld under statutory exceptions.

Online ordering is available through VitalChek (www.vitalchek.com) with additional convenience fees. Death certificates cost $27.00 per certified copy. Only eligible persons can request vital records: the subject (if of legal age), parents, legal guardian, or spouse for birth certificates; and immediate family members, legal representatives, or individuals with a direct and tangible interest for death certificates. Valid photo identification is required. Marriage licenses are issued by the Auglaize County Probate Court, 201 South Blackhoof Street, Wapakoneta, OH 45895 (phone: 419-739-6770). The fee for a marriage license is approximately $55.00, and couples must apply in person with valid identification and Social Security numbers. Certified copies of marriage records can be obtained from the Probate Court for $3.00 per copy. Divorce records are maintained by the Auglaize County Clerk of Courts as part of the court case files and can be accessed through the Clerk's office. Ohio vital records vary in accessibility: birth records less than 100 years old are restricted to eligible applicants, while death records are generally public after a certain period.

For formal business entity registration, the Ohio Secretary of State, Business Services Division, handles all corporation, LLC, limited partnership, and trade name filings. The online business search portal at www.businesssearch.ohiosos.gov allows free searches of registered entities, showing business name, status (active/dissolved), registration date, registered agent, principal office address, and officers or members for LLCs. Filing fees vary: $99 for LLC formation, $125 for corporation formation, and $39 for trade name (DBA) registration. Annual reports may be required depending on entity type. Auglaize County does not maintain a separate DBA registry; trade names are filed with the Ohio Secretary of State. UCC (Unified Commercial Code) financing statements, which establish secured interests in business assets and equipment, are also filed with the Ohio Secretary of State and searchable online at www.ohiosos.gov. Property tax records for commercial properties in New Bremen can be searched through the Auglaize County Auditor's online database at www.auglaizeauditor.org, showing assessed values, tax amounts, and property characteristics for business real estate. Certain business types such as food service, health care, and liquor sales require additional licensing from the Ohio Department of Health, Ohio Department of Commerce, or other state agencies.

New Bremen voters are served by the Auglaize County Board of Elections, located at 507 Glynwood Road, Wapakoneta, OH 45895 (phone: 419-738-8100, website: www.auglaizeelections.gov). Ohio residents can register to vote online through the Ohio Secretary of State's website at www.olvr.ohiosos.gov, by mail using a National Mail Voter Registration Form, or in person at the Board of Elections or BMV offices. The voter registration deadline is 30 days before any election. Applicants must provide their Ohio driver's license number or the last four digits of their Social Security number. New Bremen, as an incorporated village, holds municipal elections in odd-numbered years for mayor, village council members, and other local offices. The next New Bremen municipal election is scheduled for November 2025, with the mayor and council positions elected to staggered four-year terms. Candidates file petitions with the Auglaize County Board of Elections according to statutory deadlines, typically in late winter or early spring before the November election. New Bremen residents can find their assigned polling location by using the polling place lookup tool on the Board of Elections website or by calling the office directly. In Ohio, voter registration lists are public records available for purchase for legitimate purposes, and campaign finance reports for local, state, and federal candidates are accessible through the Ohio Secretary of State's website. Precinct-level election results are published by the Board of Elections after each election and are available on their website. In the November 2024 presidential election, Auglaize County reported turnout of approximately 75-78%, reflecting high civic engagement typical of the county. On November 3, 2026, New Bremen and Auglaize County voters will decide several key races: Ohio Governor (incumbent Mike DeWine's term expires in 2027, so the gubernatorial election is in 2026), all Ohio House of Representatives seats, Ohio State Senate District 12 (if up in the cycle), various county offices including county commissioners, sheriff, auditor, recorder, treasurer, and engineer, along with any local school board positions or ballot issues. The U.S. Senate seat held by JD Vance is not up until 2028, and Ohio's other Senate seat held by Sherrod Brown was decided in 2024. To request an absentee ballot in Ohio, voters must submit an application to the Auglaize County Board of Elections by mail, online through the Secretary of State's website, or in person. The deadline is noon on the Saturday before Election Day for mail ballots, though earlier deadlines apply for military and overseas voters. Ohio offers early in-person voting at the Board of Elections office beginning approximately four weeks before Election Day.