Brown County Public Records
How to Find Public Records in Brown County in 2026
BrownOHRecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to public records maintained by government agencies in Brown County, Ohio. Members of the public seeking court filings, property documents, vital records, or other official documents may find relevant data through this resource. The categories of records that may be accessible include:
- Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and juvenile proceedings)
- Property and real estate records (deeds, mortgages, liens)
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce)
- Tax and assessment records
- Business licenses and permits
- Voting and election records
- Law enforcement records (where permitted by law)
- County commission meeting minutes and agendas
Records in Brown County can be searched through official court resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools.
Online Access:
- The Brown County Clerk of Courts maintains records of all proceedings in the county Common Pleas Court and provides information through the county government portal.
- The Brown County Recorder's office portal offers access to real estate and legal documents recorded in the county.
- No universal registration is required to inspect public records, though certain online databases may require account creation for full access.
In-Person Requests: Members of the public may visit the Brown County Courthouse, located at 101 South Main Street, Georgetown, OH 45121, to inspect records at the relevant office. Requestors should identify the specific record type needed, present a written or verbal request to the appropriate office, and allow staff to retrieve the document. Public access terminals are available at the courthouse for on-site record review.
Written/Mail Requests: Written requests should be directed to the specific office maintaining the record. The request must identify the record with sufficient detail to allow staff to locate it. Under Ohio Revised Code § 149.43, public offices are required to respond to public records requests within a reasonable period of time.
Phone/Email:
- Brown County Clerk of Courts: (937) 378-3100
- Brown County Recorder: (937) 378-6716
What Are Public Records in Brown County?
Public records in Brown County are defined by Ohio state law as any record kept by a public office in the course of its official duties. Under Ohio Revised Code § 149.43, a "public record" means records kept by any public office, including state, county, city, village, township, and school district units. The following record types are maintained by Brown County offices:
| Record Type | Maintaining Office |
|---|---|
| Civil and criminal court records | Clerk of Courts |
| Probate and juvenile court records | Probate/Juvenile Court |
| Property deeds, mortgages, liens | County Recorder |
| Vital records (birth, death, marriage) | Probate Court / Ohio Dept. of Health |
| Tax and assessment records | County Auditor / Treasurer |
| Business licenses and permits | County offices / State agencies |
| Voting and election records | Board of Elections |
| Meeting minutes and agendas | County Commissioners |
| Law enforcement records | Sheriff's Office |
| Land use and zoning records | County Engineer / Planning |
The Brown County Recorder serves as the county's official record keeper for legal documents, with a primary focus on real estate instruments. Court records, including filings from the Common Pleas Court and Court of Appeals, are maintained by the Clerk of Courts. Probate and juvenile matters are overseen by the Brown County Probate/Juvenile Court, currently presided over by Judge Val Lewis II.
Is Brown County an Open Records County?
Brown County fully complies with Ohio's open records laws, which mandate broad public access to government documents. Under Ohio Revised Code § 149.43, all public offices in Ohio — including county agencies — are required to make public records available for inspection and copying upon request. The Ohio Attorney General's office affirms that "records are a crucial component of the governing process," and the Ohio Attorney General's public records guidance provides detailed information on the rights of requestors and the obligations of public offices.
Ohio's Sunshine Laws extend these protections further. As stated by the Ohio Auditor of State's Open Government Unit, "Ohio's Sunshine Laws give all citizens the right to broad access to government records and meetings." Brown County offices are bound by these provisions and may not require requestors to state a reason for their request or demonstrate a particular interest in the records sought. No county-specific ordinance narrows the access rights established under state law.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Brown County?
The fee structure for public records in Brown County is governed by Ohio state law, which limits charges to the actual cost of document reproduction. The following fees apply at present:
- Inspection: No charge for in-person inspection of public records
- Standard copies: $0.05 per page (black and white, letter or legal size) — the standard rate permitted under Ohio law
- Certification fees: Vary by office; certified copies of court records and recorded documents carry additional fees set by statute
- Electronic copies: Fees are limited to the actual cost of the medium used (e.g., USB drive, CD)
- Search fees: Ohio law does not permit public offices to charge a search fee separate from reproduction costs
Accepted payment methods at Brown County offices include cash, check, and money order. Some offices may accept credit or debit cards; requestors should confirm accepted methods with the specific office prior to submitting a request. Fee waivers are not broadly mandated under Ohio law, though individual offices retain discretion in certain circumstances.
Does Brown County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available at Brown County government offices. Ohio law requires that public offices permit members of the public to inspect records at no charge during regular business hours. The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while viewing records in person carries no fee, obtaining physical or electronic copies is subject to the reproduction costs described above.
The following resources provide free access to certain records:
- Brown County Recorder's online portal — property records and real estate documents may be searched at no cost through the county's official website
- Brown County Clerk of Courts — court case information is accessible through the county portal without charge
- Public access terminals at the Brown County Courthouse — available during business hours for on-site record review at no cost
Members of the public seeking their own vital records (such as birth or death certificates) should contact the Brown County Probate Court or the Ohio Department of Health, as fees for certified copies of vital records are set separately by state statute.
Who Can Request Public Records in Brown County?
Any person may request public records in Brown County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. Ohio law does not require requestors to be Ohio residents, to provide identification, or to explain why they are seeking a particular record. This broad eligibility reflects the state's commitment to government transparency as codified in Ohio's open records statutes.
Specific considerations include:
- Identification: Not required for most public records requests; however, certain offices may ask for identification when releasing records that contain sensitive personal information about the requestor
- Purpose: Requestors are not required to state a reason for their request under Ohio law
- Non-residents: Entitled to the same access rights as Ohio residents
- Requesting your own records vs. others' records: Individuals requesting their own records (e.g., personal court filings, property records) follow the same process as any other requestor; records containing another individual's protected personal information may be subject to redaction
Restrictions apply to specific record categories, including juvenile records, sealed court records, and records subject to statutory exemptions. The Ohio Attorney General's public records guidance provides a comprehensive overview of requestor rights and office obligations under state law.
What Records Are Confidential in Brown County?
Certain records maintained by Brown County offices are exempt from public disclosure under Ohio law. The following categories are currently withheld from public access, in whole or in part:
- Sealed court records — records sealed by court order are not available for public inspection
- Juvenile records — proceedings and records involving minors are confidential under Ohio law
- Ongoing criminal investigation records — law enforcement records related to active investigations are exempt
- Personal identifying information — Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar identifiers are redacted from disclosed records
- Medical records — protected under both Ohio law and federal HIPAA regulations
- Adoption records — sealed by statute and accessible only under specific legal circumstances
- Child welfare and protective services records — confidential under Ohio's child protection statutes
- Personnel records — certain employee records are exempt, with limited exceptions for public employees
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information — exempt where disclosure would cause competitive harm
- Security plans and critical infrastructure details — withheld to protect public safety
Ohio Revised Code § 149.43 enumerates the specific exemptions applicable to public records requests statewide. Where a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, the public office is required to redact the exempt portions and release the remainder. The Ohio Auditor of State's Open Government Unit provides additional guidance on the application of these exemptions.
Brown County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Brown County Recorder
101 South Main Street, Georgetown, OH 45121
(937) 378-6716
Brown County Recorder
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Closed on federal and state holidays
Brown County Clerk of Courts
101 South Main Street, Georgetown, OH 45121
(937) 378-3100
Brown County Clerk of Courts
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Closed on federal and state holidays
Brown County Probate/Juvenile Court
101 South Main Street, Georgetown, OH 45121
Brown County Probate/Juvenile Court
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Closed on federal and state holidays
Lookup Public Records in Brown County
- Brown County Clerk of Courts – court records and proceedings
- Brown County Recorder – property and legal documents
- Brown County Probate/Juvenile Court – judge and court officials
- Ohio Attorney General – public records access rights
- Ohio Revised Code § 149.43 – public records law
- Ohio Auditor of State – Open Government Unit