Access Union County Divorce Records

Union County divorce records are filed and stored at the Clerk of Courts office in Marysville, Ohio. The Court of Common Pleas, Domestic Relations Division handles all divorce and dissolution cases for Union County. You can search for case records through the county's online record indexes or visit the courthouse on West 5th Street. Union County has a unique archive that goes back to 1820, making it one of the more complete collections of domestic relations case files in the state. Whether you need a copy of a decree or want to look up a past filing, the Union County clerk's office is the place to start.

Union County Clerk of Courts Office

The Union County Clerk of Courts maintains all divorce records filed after 2004. For records before 2005, you need to contact the Union County Records Center and Archives at 128 South Main Street in Marysville. The Clerk of Courts handles filing, storage, and retrieval of current court documents for the Court of Common Pleas. Staff can help you find a case by name, case number, or year.

The Union County Court of Common Pleas, General and Domestic Relations Divisions is at 215 West 5th Street, Marysville, OH 43040. Phone is (937) 645-3006. Walk in during business hours and ask for help at the front desk. Bring a valid ID. If you know the case number, the search goes much faster. Union County is a mid-size county, so staff can usually pull records for you without a long wait. In 1913, a domestic relations court was set up in Union County to hear cases of divorce, alimony, and related matters. Before that, domestic relations cases were filed with the general civil cases.

The Union County Domestic Relations Case File Index is a standout resource. Here is a view of their online archive.

This index covers 6,783 records from 1820 to 1977 and is searchable by surname, case number, or year. It is one of the most thorough local divorce record archives available online in Ohio.

Search Union County Divorce Records Online

The Union County Domestic Relations Case File Index lets you search historical divorce records going back to 1820. Each record in the index contains the original complaint showing the plaintiff, defendant, grounds for divorce, date and place of marriage, names and ages of children, and goods owned by both parties. The files also have copies of separation agreements that cover custody, medical expenses, support, education of minor children, insurance, visitation rights, division of real and personal property, and settlement of debts.

This search covers current Union County court cases. For records before 2005, use the archives index or contact the Union County Records Center and Archives at 128 South Main Street, Marysville, OH 43040. The Union County Ohio Record Indexes main page also has links to other record types you can search. The Ohio Courts website links to all trial courts in the state. For very old records, the Ohio History Connection Archives may have more.

Filing for Divorce in Union County

To file for divorce in Union County, you must meet Ohio's residency rules. You need to have lived in Ohio for at least six months. You also need 90 days of residence in Union County before you can file here. These rules come from Ohio Revised Code Section 3105. The Domestic Relations Division handles all divorce and dissolution cases.

Ohio has both fault and no-fault grounds for divorce. Incompatibility is the most common no-fault ground. Fault grounds include adultery, extreme cruelty, and habitual drunkenness. For a dissolution, both spouses must agree on all terms before filing. The Supreme Court standardized domestic relations forms are used in Union County and every other Ohio county. These forms are free to download. In 1978, all domestic relations case files in Union County began being filed and docketed separately from civil filings, which makes searching for modern records easier.

If you cannot afford a lawyer, Ohio Legal Help has a free form assistant for dissolution cases. The Supreme Court Domestic Relations Resource Guide also has info on mediation services.

Public Access to Union County Divorce Records

Divorce records in Union County are public. Ohio's Public Records Act under Section 149.43 of the Ohio Revised Code makes court records open to anyone. You do not have to be a party in the case. You don't need to give a reason for your request.

Some parts of a divorce file may be restricted. Financial documents like tax returns can have limited access. Social security numbers and bank account info get redacted from public copies. A judge can seal certain records, but only with a specific court order that gives detailed reasons. The Ohio Supreme Court has ruled that courts cannot seal entire divorce files without showing why less restrictive options like redaction would not work. The Ohio Rules of Court set the standards for what can be sealed and what must stay open. Most people request the final decree, the court order that formally ends the marriage. Ohio Revised Code Section 2303.20 sets the authority for copy fees and certifications.

Nearby Counties

Union County borders several other Ohio counties. If you are not sure which county handled a divorce, check these nearby areas.