Butler County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Butler County?

Public records in Butler County, Ohio are defined as any document, device, or item created or received by a public office that serves to document the organization, functions, policies, decisions, procedures, operations, or other activities of the office, pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 149.43. These records are maintained by various county offices and are generally available for public inspection and copying.

Butler County maintains several categories of public records:

Official Records - Deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and other property-related documents maintained by the Butler County Recorder's Office
Court Records - Civil, criminal, domestic relations, probate, and traffic cases processed through the Butler County Court system
Property Records - Ownership information, tax records, property valuations, and exemption data
Vital Records - Birth and death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees
Business Records - Business licenses, permits, and registrations
Government Records - Meeting minutes, resolutions, ordinances, and financial records

Butler County provides several online search systems for accessing these records. The Butler County Recorder's Office offers a real estate records search for property documents. Court records can be accessed through the Butler County Clerk of Courts website and the Area Courts Record Search system.

Is Butler County an Open Records County?

Butler County adheres to Ohio's Public Records Law, which establishes the public's right to access government records. The Ohio Revised Code Chapter 149 governs public records access, with § 149.43 specifically outlining requirements for public records availability. Additionally, Article I, Section 16 of the Ohio Constitution guarantees that "all courts shall be open" to every person.

The core requirements for record access in Butler County include:

Records must be promptly prepared and made available for inspection during regular business hours
Copies of records must be provided within a reasonable period
Public offices must organize records to facilitate access
Denial of records must be accompanied by an explanation citing legal authority

The Butler County Board of Commissioners serves as the primary custodian of county records, with individual departments maintaining their specific records. The Butler County Public Records Request page provides information on submitting requests to various county offices.

How Do I Find Public Records in Butler County in 2026

Online Access:

Butler County offers several online search systems for accessing public records:

Real Estate Records Search - Search property records, deeds, mortgages, and liens
Court Records Search - Access civil, criminal, and domestic relations cases
Area Courts Record Search - Search records from Butler County Area Courts
Property Records Search - View property information, tax data, and valuations
Marriage License Search - Search marriage records

Most online searches are free, though downloading certified copies may incur fees.

In-Person Access:

Butler County Clerk of Courts 315 High Street, 5th Floor Hamilton, OH 45011 Phone: (513) 887-3278 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Butler County Recorder's Office 130 High Street, 2nd Floor Hamilton, OH 45011 Phone: (513) 887-3192 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

By Mail:

Requests may be submitted by mail to the appropriate office address listed above.

By Email:

Public records requests can be submitted via email to the specific department. For general county records, email: commissioners@bcohio.gov

Tips for Finding Records:

Provide specific information when requesting records (names, dates, case numbers)
Contact the specific department that maintains the records you seek
Check online resources first, as many records are available electronically
For complex searches, consider calling ahead to determine the best approach
Be aware that some older records may not be available electronically

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Butler County?

Butler County charges reasonable fees for copying public records in accordance with Ohio law. Standard fees include:

Paper copies: $0.05 per page for black and white, $0.10 per page for color
Certified copies: $1.00 per document plus copy fees
Recording fees: $28 for the first two pages, $8 for each additional page
Marriage license copies: $2.00 per certified copy
Birth/Death certificates: $25.00 per certified copy

Special service charges may apply for requests requiring extensive staff time or specialized equipment. These charges reflect the actual cost of labor and materials needed to fulfill the request.

Payment methods accepted vary by department but generally include:

Cash (in-person only)
Check or money order
Credit/debit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Discover)
Electronic payment for certain online services

The Butler County Recorder's Office accepts credit card payments with a convenience fee of 2.5% of the total transaction. Checks should be made payable to the specific office handling the request.

Does Butler County Have Free Public Records?

Free Online Access:

Butler County provides several free online resources for accessing public records:

Butler County Clerk of Courts - Free access to court case information
Butler County Recorder's Office - Free searches of property records
Butler County Auditor - Free property information and tax data
Butler County Board of Elections - Free voter registration information
Butler County Commissioners - Free access to meeting minutes and resolutions

While searching these databases is free, downloading or obtaining certified copies may incur fees.

Free In-Person Inspection:

Members of the public have the right to inspect public records at no cost during regular business hours. This includes viewing documents, taking notes, and using personal devices to photograph records. Agencies must provide reasonable facilities for inspection.

Agencies Providing Free Records:

Butler County Auditor's Office - Property records and tax information
Butler County Board of Elections - Voter registration and election results
Butler County Commissioners - Meeting minutes and resolutions
Butler County Public Library - Historical records and local history resources

Important Notes:

While inspection is free, copying services incur reasonable fees
Some specialized searches requiring staff assistance may involve charges
Electronic records may be provided free of charge if easily accessible
Voluminous requests may incur costs for staff time and resources

Who Can Request Public Records in Butler County?

Universal Access:

Any person, regardless of citizenship or residency status, may request public records in Butler County. Ohio law does not restrict access based on:

Residency or citizenship
Age or identification
Purpose or intended use of records
Corporate or individual status

Requesters may include individuals, businesses, media organizations, non-profit groups, and out-of-state entities. Anonymous requests are permitted, and requesters are not required to provide identification or explain why they want the records.

How to Make a Request:

Public records requests in Butler County may be submitted:

In person at the appropriate county office
By mail to the relevant department
By email or online form where available
By telephone for simple requests

While verbal requests are acceptable, written requests help ensure accuracy and create a record of the request. Requesters may use their own format or the county's public records request form.

Rights of Requesters:

Individuals requesting public records in Butler County have the right to:

Inspect records during regular business hours
Receive copies in the format of their choice, if available
Receive a response within a reasonable timeframe
Appeal denials through administrative or judicial channels
Remain anonymous when making requests

No Discrimination:

Butler County offices may not deny or delay access to records based on the identity of the requester or the purpose of the request. All requests must be treated equally under the law.

What Records Are Confidential in Butler County?

While Ohio's Public Records Law favors disclosure, certain records are exempt from public access under Ohio Revised Code § 149.43 and other statutes. These exemptions protect privacy, security, and other important interests.

Personal Information Exemptions:

Social Security numbers
Financial account information
Medical and health records
Personal contact information of certain public employees
Driver's license and state ID numbers

Law Enforcement Records:

Active investigation materials
Confidential informant identities
Victim information in certain cases
Law enforcement residential and familial information
Security and infrastructure records

Health and Medical Records:

Patient medical records
EMS and ambulance run sheets containing medical information
Mental health evaluations and treatment records
Substance abuse treatment information

Juvenile Records:

Juvenile court proceedings
School records protected by FERPA
Child welfare investigations
Adoption records

Other Confidential Records:

Attorney-client privileged communications
Trade secrets and proprietary business information
Sealed court records
Certain economic development information
Records protected by federal law

Categories of Protected Individuals:

Certain individuals may request additional protection of their personal information, including:

Law enforcement officers
Judges and magistrates
Prosecutors
Corrections officers
Victims of domestic violence, stalking, or sexual assault

Redaction Process:

When records contain both public and exempt information, Butler County agencies will redact (remove) the exempt information and provide the remainder. Requesters will be notified of any redactions and the legal basis for them.

Butler County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Butler County Recorder's Office
130 High Street, 2nd Floor
Hamilton, OH 45011
Phone: (513) 887-3192
Fax: (513) 887-3198
https://recorder.bcohio.gov/

Public Counter Hours:
Monday - Friday: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays

Services Provided:

Recording of deeds, mortgages, and other property documents
Issuance of veteran discharge records (DD-214)
Copies of recorded documents
Records search assistance
Notary public registrations

Butler County Clerk of Courts
315 High Street, 5th Floor
Hamilton, OH 45011
Phone: (513) 887-3278
https://clerkofcourts.bcohio.gov/

Public Records Requests:
Email: commissioners@bcohio.gov
Mail: Butler County Commissioners
315 High Street, 6th Floor
Hamilton, OH 45011

Butler County Auditor's Office
130 High Street, 4th Floor
Hamilton, OH 45011
Phone: (513) 887-3154
Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
https://www.butlercountyauditor.org/

Butler County Treasurer's Office
315 High Street, 4th Floor
Hamilton, OH 45011
Phone: (513) 887-3181
Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
https://treasurer.bcohio.gov/

Parking Information:

Metered street parking available on High Street and surrounding areas
County Administration Parking Garage at 315 High Street
Court Street Parking Garage at 105 Court Street

Payment Methods Accepted:

Cash (in-person only)
Personal checks (with proper identification)
Business checks
Money orders
Credit/debit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Discover) with 2.5% convenience fee
Electronic payments for certain online services