About Richland County
Area
497 square miles
County Seat
Mansfield
Established
1808
Sheriff, Police & Law Enforcement
Law Enforcement & Arrests
- Under Ohio Revised Code Section 149.43, the Ohio Public Records Act, arrest records are considered public records and must be made available for inspection upon request unless specifically exempted.
- Citizens can request arrest records from the arresting agency or the Sheriff's Office by submitting a written public records request.
- Most agencies provide request forms on their websites or accept email requests.
Criminal, Arrest & Jail Records
Mugshots & Booking Photos
Courts & Case Records
- Court records can be searched online through the Ohio Courts Network at www.richlandcountyohio.us/courts or in person at the Clerk of Courts office.
- Richland County Clerk of Courts maintains all court records and provides public access during business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
- Online case searches are available for free basic information, though certified copies and detailed documents require fees ranging from $1.00 per page for standard copies to $2.00 per page for certified copies.
50 Park Avenue East, Mansfield, OH 44902 • Phone: 419-755-9631
30 North Diamond Street, Mansfield, OH 44902
Property & Public Records
- Images of recorded documents from recent years are available for viewing and printing at no charge for informal use, though certified copies require a fee of $2.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page.
- Richland County Auditor's Office, also at 50 Park Avenue East (phone: 419-774-5501), maintains property tax records, current ownership information, assessed valuations, tax payment history, and exemption records.
- This system is free to use and provides detailed property sketches and land descriptions.
- All offices accept public records requests in person, by mail, or via email, with most records available immediately or within 1-3 business days for more complex searches.
50 Park Avenue East, Mansfield, OH 44902 • Phone: 419-774-5501
Vital Records
Vital records for this county include birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates issued under state vital statistics law.
- Death certificates are also available from the health department for deaths occurring in Richland County at the same fee structure.
- The state office can be contacted through the office’s website, and online ordering is available through VitalChek at www.odh.ohio.gov/vitalstatistics with additional service fees.
- The marriage license fee is approximately $50.00, and there is no waiting period in Ohio.
- Processing times for vital records are typically immediate for in-person requests and 2-4 weeks for mail requests.
555 Lexington Avenue, Mansfield, OH 44907 • Phone: 419-774-4700
Business & Licensing
Business records, licenses, and permits for this county are processed by the County Clerk and local government offices.
- The full Ohio Business Gateway at www.ohio.gov/business provides free online searching of all registered business entities in Ohio, including those based in Richland County.
- This database includes corporation names, LLC names, registered agents, formation dates, and status information.
50 Park Avenue East, Mansfield, OH 44902 • Phone: 419-774-5629
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I search for someone recently arrested in Richland County, Ohio?
To search for someone recently arrested in Richland County, Ohio, you can use the inmate lookup tool provided by the Richland County Jail. The facility is located at 73 East Second Street, Mansfield, Ohio. You can access their online inmate search portal through the Richland County Sheriff's Office website, which provides up-to-date information on current inmates, including booking details and charges.
Where can I find mugshots or booking photos in Richland County, Ohio?
Mugshots or booking photos in Richland County, Ohio, can be obtained through the Richland County Sheriff's Office. They maintain records of all individuals processed at the Richland Jail. You can request these records by visiting the Sheriff's Office in person or by accessing their online portal, which may provide digital copies of recent booking photos.
How do I get a criminal background check in Richland County, Ohio?
To obtain a criminal background check in Richland County, Ohio, you should contact the Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) in Ohio. Locally, you can initiate the process through the Richland County Sheriff's Office, which may require fingerprinting. The BCI provides background checks that include criminal history information across the state.
How can I look up sex offenders in Richland County, Ohio?
You can look up sex offenders in Richland County, Ohio, by accessing the Ohio Sex Offender Registry. This registry is maintained by the Ohio Attorney General's Office and provides detailed information about registered sex offenders, including their current address and offense details. The registry is searchable online, allowing you to find offenders by name, address, or proximity to a specific location.
How do I register to vote in Richland County, Ohio?
You can register to vote through the Richland County Board of Elections at 1495 West Longview Avenue, Suite 102, Mansfield, OH 44906, or online at olvr.ohiosos.gov. Registration must be completed at least 30 days before any election in which you wish to vote. Ohio offers online registration, same-day registration at BMV offices when obtaining or renewing a driver's license, and mail-in registration using the National Mail Voter Registration Form. Once registered, you can apply for absentee ballots for any election without providing an excuse, with applications available up to 90 days before Election Day.
How do I look up property records in Richland County, Ohio?
Property records in Richland County are maintained by both the Richland County Recorder's Office and the county Auditor's Office, both located at 50 Park Avenue East in Mansfield. The Recorder's office provides free online access to recorded deeds, mortgages, liens, and other land documents through their Laredo system at richlandcountyrecorder.com. The Auditor's office maintains a free online GIS mapping system at www.richlandcountyohio.us/auditor where you can search by address or parcel number to find property tax records, assessed values, ownership information, sales history, and interactive maps. Both systems are available 24/7 and provide document images and detailed property information without fees for basic searches.
How do I get a birth or death certificate in Richland County, Ohio?
Birth and death certificates for events occurring in Richland County are available from Richland Public Health at 555 Lexington Avenue, Mansfield, OH 44907, phone (419) 774-4700. The fee is $25.00 for the first certified copy and $10.00 for each additional copy ordered simultaneously. Walk-in service is available Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, with same-day processing for most requests. For records statewide or for older records, you can order through the Ohio Department of Health Vital Statistics office by mail, in person in Columbus, or online through VitalChek at www.odh.ohio.gov/vitalstatistics. You must provide valid photo ID and demonstrate a direct and tangible interest in the record as required by Ohio law.
How do I find business license records in Richland County, Ohio?
Fictitious name registrations (DBAs) for businesses operating in Richland County under assumed names can be searched through the Richland County Clerk of Courts at 50 Park Avenue East in Mansfield. For incorporated businesses, LLCs, and other formal entities, use the Ohio Secretary of State's free online business search at www.ohio.gov/business, which provides information on all registered Ohio businesses including formation dates, registered agents, and current status. Local business licenses and permits may be required by individual municipalities, so contact the city or village where the business operates, or the Richland County Building Inspection Department at (419) 774-5629 for unincorporated areas. Professional licenses are regulated by various Ohio state licensing boards accessible through the Ohio Department of Commerce website.