About Tuscarawas County
Tuscarawas County is located in east-central Ohio, covering approximately 568 square miles of diverse terrain that includes rolling hills, farmland, and historic canal towns. The county seat is New Philadelphia, situated at 125 East High Avenue, which serves as the administrative center for county government. With a population of approximately 93,000 residents as of recent census estimates, Tuscarawas County is known for its rich industrial heritage, strong agricultural base, and significant historical landmarks.
The county was established on March 15, 1808, and derives its name from the Tuscarawas River, which flows through the region. Major municipalities include Dover, Uhrichsville, Dennison, Strasburg, and Sugarcreek, the latter being known as the 'Little Switzerland of Ohio' due to its significant Amish and Swiss-German population. Notable landmarks include the Dennison Railroad Depot Museum, Schoenbrunn Village State Memorial (Ohio's first Christian settlement), and Trumpet in the Land outdoor drama.
The county is home to portions of the historic Ohio and Erie Canal. Key county agencies include the Tuscarawas County Recorder at 125 East High Avenue, New Philadelphia, OH 44663; the Tuscarawas County Clerk of Courts at the same address; the Tuscarawas County Auditor who serves as the chief assessor; and the Tuscarawas County Treasurer. The county maintains a balanced economy of manufacturing, agriculture, tourism, and healthcare services, with strong community ties and preservation of Pennsylvania Dutch culture.
Sheriff, Police & Law Enforcement
Sheriff & Law Enforcement
The Tuscarawas County Sheriff's Office is responsible for maintaining law and order in the county's unincorporated areas. It operates the county jail, processes arrests, and maintains criminal records. The office is involved in various community programs and initiatives aimed at enhancing public safety and fostering community relations. Notable divisions within the sheriff's office include the patrol division, which ensures the safety of rural areas, and the investigations division, which handles complex criminal cases.
Police Departments
Tuscarawas County is served by several law enforcement agencies, including the Tuscarawas County Sheriff's Office and municipal police departments such as the New Philadelphia Police Department, Dover Police Department, and Uhrichsville Police Department. Each department has jurisdiction over its respective city, handling local law enforcement duties. The sheriff's office coordinates with these departments on major crimes and county-wide initiatives, ensuring comprehensive coverage and response to criminal activities across the county.
Law Enforcement & Arrests
The Tuscarawas County Sheriff's Office, located at 2295 Reiser Avenue SE, New Philadelphia, OH 44663, serves as the primary law enforcement agency for unincorporated areas and operates the Tuscarawas County Jail. The Sheriff's Office can be reached at (330) 339-2000 and maintains a website at www.co.tuscarawas.oh.us/sheriff. The jail roster and inmate lookup system is available online through the Sheriff's website, providing information on current inmates, booking dates, charges, and bond amounts.
- Citizens may request arrest records by contacting the arresting agency directly or submitting a public records request to the Sheriff's Office or municipal police department.
- Processing fees may apply for copies of records.
Municipal police departments operate independently in cities including New Philadelphia Police Department, Dover Police Department, Uhrichsville Police Department, Dennison Police Department, and Strasburg Police Department, each serving their respective jurisdictions. Arrest records in Tuscarawas County are public records under Ohio Revised Code Section 149.43, the Ohio Public Records Act, which requires government agencies to make records available for inspection and copying upon request. Mugshots and booking photos are typically available through the jail roster system on the Sheriff's website or by visiting the Sheriff's Records Division in person at 2295 Reiser Avenue SE.
The Tuscarawas County Sheriff's Office maintains professional standards divisions and participates in multi-agency task forces for drug enforcement and major crimes investigation. No tribal police jurisdictions exist in Tuscarawas County, as there are no federally recognized tribal lands within county boundaries.
Criminal, Arrest & Jail Records
Criminal Records
Criminal records in Tuscarawas County encompass felony, misdemeanor, traffic violations, and the sex offender registry. These records are maintained by the Tuscarawas County Sheriff's Office and the local police departments. Residents can conduct background checks through the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, which provides comprehensive criminal history reports. The bureau's services include fingerprint-based checks for more accurate results.
Arrest Records
Arrest records in Tuscarawas County are maintained by the Tuscarawas County Sheriff's Office and the local police departments. These records include details of the arrest, charges, and personal information of the arrestee. Residents and attorneys can request arrest records by contacting the sheriff's office directly. The Ohio Public Records Act governs the accessibility of these records, ensuring transparency and public access. Arrest records typically contain the date of arrest, charges, and the arresting agency's information.
Jail & Inmate Records
The Tuscarawas County Jail, located in New Philadelphia, is the primary detention facility for the county. The booking process involves fingerprinting, photographing, and recording personal information of the arrestees. Inmate lookup is available through the sheriff's office, allowing family members and attorneys to find information about current detainees. Visitation rules are specific to the facility, requiring visitors to schedule appointments in advance. The bond and bail process follows Ohio state guidelines, allowing for the release of detainees under certain conditions.
Mugshots & Booking Photos
Mugshots in Tuscarawas County are taken and retained by the Tuscarawas County Sheriff's Office during the booking process. These booking photos are part of the public record and can be accessed through the sheriff's office website or by request. Ohio does not have specific mugshot removal laws, but individuals may petition for removal under certain circumstances. The availability of mugshots online varies, with some accessible through third-party websites or directly from the sheriff's office.
Courts & Case Records
The Tuscarawas County Court of Common Pleas serves as the general trial court for the county, located at 101 East High Avenue, New Philadelphia, OH 44663, with phone number (330) 365-3243. This court has jurisdiction over felony criminal cases, civil cases exceeding $15,000, domestic relations matters including divorce and custody, juvenile cases, and probate matters. The court maintains separate divisions for general, domestic relations, juvenile, and probate matters.
- Tuscarawas County Municipal Court, located at 125 East High Avenue, New Philadelphia, OH 44663, phone (330) 365-3240, has jurisdiction over misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic violations, and civil cases up to $15,000.
- The Tuscarawas County Clerk of Courts maintains all Common Pleas Court records and provides public access to case information.
- Fees for copies of court documents include $1.00 per page for standard copies and $2.00 per page for certified copies, with a $1.00 certification fee.
- Docket sheets may be obtained for a minimal fee.
- Researchers can access case files in person at the Clerk's office or request copies by mail with prepayment.
Property & Public Records
The Tuscarawas County Recorder's Office, located at 125 East High Avenue, New Philadelphia, OH 44663, phone (330) 365-3289, maintains all land and property records for the county. The Recorder preserves and provides access to deeds, mortgages, liens, releases, military discharge records (DD-214s), easements, rights-of-way, plat maps, surveys, and other instruments affecting real property. The office has indexed records dating back to the county's founding in 1808.
- An online property search system is available through the Tuscarawas County website at www.co.tuscarawas.oh.us, allowing free searches of recorded documents by grantor, grantee, parcel number, or document number.
- Digital images of recorded documents are available online for recent years.
- Recording fees are established by Ohio Revised Code and include $34.00 for the first two pages and $8.00 for each additional page for most documents.
- Certified copies cost $2.00 per page plus a $1.00 certification fee.
- The Auditor provides a comprehensive online GIS parcel viewer and property search system showing parcel boundaries, tax valuations, sales history, and ownership data.
Vital Records
Vital records for Tuscarawas County are maintained by multiple agencies depending on the record type and date. The Tuscarawas County Health Department, located at 897 East Iron Avenue, Dover, OH 44622, phone (330) 343-5555, maintains birth and death certificates for events occurring in Tuscarawas County from December 20, 1908 to the present. Birth certificates cost $25.00 for the first certified copy and $5.00 for each additional copy ordered at the same time. Death certificates cost $25.00 for the first copy and $5.00 for additional copies.
- Processing time is typically same-day for in-person requests and 5-10 business days for mail requests.
- The fee for a marriage license is approximately $50.00, and there is no waiting period in Ohio.
- Online ordering of vital records is available through the Ohio Department of Health's VitalChek service at www.vitalchek.com, though additional service fees apply.
- All vital records requests are governed by Ohio Revised Code Chapter 3705.
Applicants must complete an application form and provide valid government-issued photo identification. Only eligible persons as defined by Ohio Revised Code Section 3705.24 may obtain certified copies, including the registrant, immediate family members, legal guardians, and authorized representatives with proper documentation. The Ohio Department of Health Vital Statistics, P.O.
Box 15098, Columbus, OH 43215-0098, phone 614-466-2531, serves as the state repository for all Ohio vital records and can provide certified copies of birth and death records statewide. Marriage licenses are issued by the Tuscarawas County Probate Court, 101 East High Avenue, New Philadelphia, OH 44663, phone (330) 365-3258. Divorce records are maintained by the Tuscarawas County Clerk of Courts, Domestic Relations Division.
Business & Licensing
Business licensing and registration in Tuscarawas County involves multiple agencies depending on the business type and activity. The Tuscarawas County Clerk of Courts does not maintain a DBA registry; instead, fictitious name registrations are filed with individual municipal corporations or township trustees where the business operates. The Ohio Secretary of State, Business Services Division, maintains the central registry for all business entity formations including corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), partnerships, and trade names.
- The Ohio Business Gateway at www.business.ohio.gov provides free online search capability for all registered business entities, professional licenses, and UCC filings.
Businesses can verify entity status, view annual reports, and check name availability through this portal. Professional and occupational licenses are issued by various state boards and commissions rather than county offices. Sales tax vendor licenses are issued by the Ohio Department of Taxation.
Building permits and zoning approvals in unincorporated areas are handled by the Tuscarawas County Regional Planning Commission and Building Department, located at 125 East High Avenue, New Philadelphia, phone (330) 308-6403. Individual municipalities issue their own building permits within city limits. The Tuscarawas County Planning Department maintains zoning maps, subdivision regulations, and comprehensive planning documents.
Business owners should also contact the Tuscarawas County Health Department for food service licenses, sewage permits, and other health-related permits. The Tuscarawas County Convention and Visitors Bureau and local chambers of commerce, including the New Philadelphia-Dover Chamber of Commerce at www.newphilachamber.com, provide business assistance, networking, and economic development resources for county entrepreneurs and established businesses.
Elections & Voter Records
The Tuscarawas County Board of Elections, located at 500 Court Street, New Philadelphia, OH 44663, phone (330) 364-8661, administers all federal, state, and local elections within the county. The office operates under the direction of four board members, two from each major political party, appointed according to Ohio election law.
- Registered voters can verify their registration status, find their polling location, and view sample ballots through the Board of Elections website or the Ohio Secretary of State's voter lookup portal.
- In the November 2024 general election, Tuscarawas County experienced approximately 64% voter turnout among registered voters, consistent with presidential election cycles in rural Ohio counties.
Voter registration in Tuscarawas County can be completed online through the Ohio Secretary of State's website at www.olvr.ohiosos.gov, by mail using a downloadable voter registration form, or in person at the Board of Elections office, Bureau of Motor Vehicles, or designated public assistance agencies. The voter registration deadline in Ohio is 30 days prior to any election. Polling places are assigned based on precinct residence, and voters receive notification by mail of their designated location.
Public election records in Tuscarawas County include voter registration lists (available for purchase for approved purposes under ORC 3503.26), campaign finance reports filed with the Board of Elections for local candidates and issues, candidate petition filings, precinct-level election results, and poll worker rosters. The next major election is scheduled for November 3, 2026, featuring U.S. House of Representatives races, potential U.S.
Senate contests, Ohio Governor, other statewide constitutional offices, Ohio General Assembly seats, county offices, and local issues. Absentee voting by mail is available to all Ohio voters without requiring an excuse. Absentee ballot applications can be submitted online, by mail, or in person at the Board of Elections beginning 90 days before an election, with completed applications due by noon on the Saturday before Election Day for mail delivery or until the close of polls on Election Day for in-person pickup.
Early in-person voting is conducted at the Board of Elections office beginning four weeks before Election Day. Under Ohio Revised Code Chapter 3501 and 3505, citizens may request copies of election records, precinct results, voter history, and campaign finance filings, subject to appropriate fees and privacy protections for certain personal information.
Economy & Demographics
Tuscarawas County's economy represents a diverse mix of manufacturing, agriculture, healthcare, tourism, and retail sectors. Historically rooted in steel production, coal mining, and clay products manufacturing, the county has successfully transitioned to advanced manufacturing, precision machining, and value-added agricultural products.
- The median household income in Tuscarawas County is approximately $52,000, slightly below the Ohio state average.
- Manufacturing remains the largest employment sector, accounting for approximately 25% of county jobs, with particular strength in metal fabrication, machinery, plastics, and food processing.
Major employers include Union Hospital (part of Trinity Health System), Kimble Company (glass container manufacturing), Republic Steel, Dover Chemical Corporation, Gradall Industries (excavation equipment), and Diebold Nixdorf (security and technology solutions). Agriculture continues as an important economic driver, with dairy farming, beef cattle, corn, soybeans, and specialty crops including produce for Amish and Mennonite farm markets. Tourism generates significant revenue through Amish Country attractions, particularly in the Sugarcreek and Walnut Creek areas, attracting visitors to cheese factories, craft shops, and restaurants.
The county benefits from its location along Interstate 77, providing north-south transportation access. Recent economic development initiatives include the expansion of the Tuscarawas Economic Development Corporation's business park facilities and downtown revitalization projects in New Philadelphia and Dover. The unemployment rate in Tuscarawas County typically tracks close to the Ohio state average, ranging from 4-5% in recent years.
The county faces demographic challenges including an aging population and youth out-migration, prompting workforce development initiatives through Kent State University Tuscarawas Campus and Buckeye Career Center.
Transparency Score
Court Records: ✅ Online | Property: ✅ Free Search | Arrest/Jail: ✅ Online Roster | Vital Records: ⚠️ In-Person/Mail Required | Business: ✅ Online (State) | Elections: ✅ Online | Overall Score: 8/10 — Tuscarawas County provides solid digital access to property, court, and jail records, with comprehensive GIS mapping and election information readily available online.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Cities & Towns in Tuscarawas County
Explore public records for 20 cities and communities in Tuscarawas County, Ohio.
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