Union County

The county was established on January 10, 1820, formed from portions of Delaware, Franklin, Logan, and Madison counties, and was named Union to signify the harmony among these contributing territories. Major landmarks include the Honda of America Manufacturing plant in Marysville, one of the largest employers in the region, and the scenic Scioto River that flows through the western portion of the county. The Union County Courthouse, located at 215 West Fifth Street in Marysville, houses several key government offices including the County Recorder at 233 West Sixth Street, Suite 200, the Clerk of Courts at 215 West Fifth Street, and the County Auditor who serves similar functions to an Assessor.

The Union County Government Complex provides centralized access to many public services, and the county maintains a balance between preserving its agricultural roots—with significant corn and soybean production—and embracing economic development through advanced manufacturing and logistics operations.

The Union County Jail, located at the same address, houses inmates awaiting trial and those serving short-term sentences; inmate lookup services are available through the Sheriff's Office website or by calling the jail directly at (937) 645-4110. Municipal law enforcement is provided by the Marysville Police Department serving the county seat, the Richwood Police Department in the northern part of the county, and the Plain City Police Department in the southern region. Mugshots and booking photos are typically available through the Sheriff's Office as part of booking records, and recent arrests may be posted on the office's website or social media channels.

No tribal police agencies operate within Union County, as there are no federally recognized tribal lands in this jurisdiction.

The Marysville Municipal Court, with jurisdiction at 123 East Sixth Street, Marysville, Ohio 43040, handles misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic violations, and civil matters up to $15,000 for cases arising within its territorial jurisdiction, which includes Marysville and surrounding townships. Court records are accessible through the Ohio Court System's online portal at www.supremecourt.ohio.gov, though Union County also maintains local case search capabilities through the Clerk of Courts office. Under Ohio Revised Code Section 2303.20 and the Supreme Court of Ohio Rules of Superintendence, court records are presumptively public unless specifically sealed by court order or protected by statute.

Online case searches may be conducted through the county's e-filing system or in person at the Clerk's office during business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The Probate/Juvenile Division of the Common Pleas Court handles estate administration, guardianships, adoptions, name changes, and juvenile delinquency matters, with records access governed by specific confidentiality provisions for juvenile and mental health cases. Remote access to some court documents is available through Ohio's electronic filing system, though some sensitive records require in-person inspection.

Most land records from the 1820s to present are available for searching, with recent years fully digitized and available for remote access. The Union County Auditor's Office, located at 233 West Sixth Street, Suite 100, Marysville, Ohio 43040, phone (937) 645-3001, maintains property tax records, assessments, ownership information, and parcel data. The Auditor provides a free online property search tool through www.unioncountyohio.gov/auditor where users can search by owner name, parcel number, or address to view current valuations, tax amounts, payment history, and property characteristics.

The county's Geographic Information System (GIS) portal offers interactive mapping with parcel boundaries, aerial imagery, zoning overlays, and infrastructure layers accessible at no charge. Property owners and title researchers can obtain tax duplicate information, transfer values, and exemption status through the Auditor's office. The Union County Treasurer, at 233 West Sixth Street, Suite 101, phone (937) 645-3002, collects property taxes and maintains payment records.

All three offices work collaboratively to ensure accurate property records, with the Recorder handling document recording, the Auditor managing assessments and ownership data, and the Treasurer processing tax collections.

Applicants must provide valid photo identification and proof of relationship or legal entitlement, as Ohio Revised Code Section 3705.24 restricts vital records access to the registrant (if of legal age), parents listed on the record, legal guardians, or individuals with a tangible interest as defined by law. Marriage licenses are issued by the Union County Probate Court at 215 West Fifth Street, Marysville, Ohio 43040, phone (937) 645-3015. Marriage records and certified copies of marriage certificates are available from the Probate Court.

Divorce records and dissolutions are maintained by the Union County Clerk of Courts as part of domestic relations case files, accessible at 215 West Fifth Street. For vital records dating back to 1908, the Ohio Department of Health in Columbus serves as the central repository and can be contacted at (614) 466-2531. Birth records less than 100 years old and death records less than 50 years old have restricted access under Ohio law.

Local business licensing requirements vary by county; the City of Marysville requires business registration through its Income Tax Division at (937) 645-7350, while other Union County municipalities have their own processes. The Union County Building Department at 233 West Sixth Street, Marysville, phone (937) 645-3004, issues building permits, conducts inspections, and maintains records of construction permits and certificates of occupancy. Zoning regulations are administered at the township level for unincorporated areas and by municipal planning departments within city limits.

The Union County Planning Commission can be reached through the county administrative offices for information on comprehensive plans and development regulations. Professional licenses including contractors, healthcare providers, and cosmetologists are issued by respective Ohio state licensing boards, not at the county level. The Union County Chamber of Commerce, located at 227 East Fifth Street, Marysville, serves as a resource for business development and networking; their website at www.unioncountyohiochamber.com provides member directories and economic development information.

Sales tax permits are obtained through the Ohio Department of Taxation, not county offices.

Voter registration in Union County is available through multiple methods: online at www.olvr.ohiosos.gov (Ohio's Online Voter Registration system), by mail using the National Mail Voter Registration Form, or in person at the Board of Elections office, the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles, or designated public agencies. Voters can verify their registration status, find their polling place, and view sample ballots through the Ohio Secretary of State's website at www.voterlookup.ohiosos.gov or by contacting the Union County Board of Elections. Election records that are public include voter registration lists (excluding certain personal identifiers like driver's license numbers and dates of birth per Ohio Revised Code Section 3503.15), campaign finance reports filed with the Board of Elections for local candidates and issues, candidate petitions and filings, and official election results by precinct.

Union County has demonstrated strong voter participation, with the November 2024 general election seeing turnout of approximately 72% of registered voters, consistent with typical Ohio county performance in presidential election years. The next major election is scheduled for November 3, 2026, featuring U.S. House and Senate races, Ohio constitutional offices including Governor and Attorney General, state legislative seats, and county offices.

Absentee ballot applications must be received by noon on 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 hand-delivered to the Board of Elections by 7:30 PM on Election Day. Early in-person voting is available at the Board of Elections office beginning 29 days before Election Day, including evening and weekend hours closer to Election Day. The Union County Board of Elections consists of four members, two from each major political party, appointed by the Ohio Secretary of State based on recommendations from county party organizations, ensuring bipartisan oversight of election administration.

Census data, the median household income in Union County was approximately $73,500 as of recent estimates, substantially higher than the Ohio state median, reflecting the strong wage base provided by manufacturing employment. Agriculture remains economically significant, with the county's 650-plus farms producing corn, soybeans, wheat, and livestock on approximately 260,000 acres of farmland. The county's strategic location along U.S.

Route 33 between Columbus and northwestern Ohio has attracted logistics and distribution operations. Major employers beyond Honda include Scotts Miracle-Gro Company's production facilities, Veyance Technologies, and Nestlé Purina PetCare. The healthcare and education sectors also contribute substantially, with Memorial Health Marysville Hospital and the Marysville Exempted Village School District among significant employers.

Recent economic development initiatives have focused on the U.S. 33 Innovation Corridor, leveraging proximity to Columbus and Honda's presence to attract technology companies and advanced manufacturing. The Union County unemployment rate has historically tracked below state and national averages, typically in the 3-4% range, reflecting strong labor demand.

Retail and service sectors have grown steadily in Marysville to serve the expanding population, with commercial development along State Route 31 and U.S. 33. The Union County Economic Development Partnership works to retain and attract businesses through incentive programs and workforce development initiatives.