Brown County Divorce Records
How To Find a Divorce Record In Brown County in 2026
BrownOHRecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to divorce records in Brown County, Ohio. Members of the public seeking divorce decrees, case filings, dissolution orders, or related court documents may locate records through official county and state resources. Available record categories include final divorce decrees, case docket entries, settlement agreements, custody orders, and support determinations. Access and completeness of records may vary depending on the age of the case and applicable confidentiality provisions.
Records may be searched through the Brown County Clerk of Courts, public access terminals at the courthouse, the Ohio Supreme Court's online case management tools, and the Ohio Department of Health's vital records division. The following methods are available to members of the public at present.
Online Searches
1. Clerk of Court Case Search
The Brown County Clerk of Courts maintains records of all proceedings in the Brown County Common Pleas Court, including divorce and dissolution cases. Basic case information is available at no charge through the clerk's office portal. Copies of documents may require payment of applicable fees.
2. State Court System Portal
The Supreme Court of Ohio provides access to statewide court information and case management resources. Members of the public may use this portal to search across Ohio jurisdictions and locate consolidated case data.
3. State Vital Records
The Ohio Department of Health maintains divorce records filed after 1954. Members of the public may request a divorce verification letter through the Ohio Department of Health Vital Statistics office. Divorce certificates reflect limited information compared to full court case files and may carry applicable fees.
In-Person Searches
Clerk of Court — Common Pleas Court, Domestic Relations Division:
Brown County Clerk of Courts
101 South Main Street
Georgetown, OH 45121
Phone: (937) 378-3100
Brown County Clerk of Courts
- Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Services available in person:
- Search case files by party name or case number
- View filed documents at public access terminals
- Request certified copies of final decrees and orders
- Obtain staff assistance for locating archived records
By Mail
Written Request:
- Mail to: Brown County Clerk of Courts, 101 South Main Street, Georgetown, OH 45121
- Include the following with each request:
- Full legal names of both parties
- Approximate date of divorce or dissolution
- Case number, if known
- Requestor's name, mailing address, and contact information
- Payment for applicable copy fees
- Self-addressed stamped envelope for return of documents
- Processing time: Requests are processed within approximately one to two weeks, subject to volume and record availability.
By Phone
Limited Information Available:
- Clerk of Court: (937) 378-3100
- Staff may confirm:
- Whether a case exists in the system
- Case number and filing date
- Current case status
- Staff cannot provide:
- Detailed document contents by phone
- Copies of filed documents
- Confidential or restricted information
Through Attorneys
An attorney licensed in Ohio may access divorce case files on behalf of a client, request sealed documents upon a proper showing to the court, and assist with complex or historical record searches. Members of the public seeking legal representation may consult the Ohio State Bar Association's referral service for assistance locating qualified family law counsel.
Information Needed for Search
Essential Information:
- Full legal names of both spouses at the time of filing
- Maiden names, if applicable
- Approximate date of divorce or dissolution
- Case number, if known
Helpful Information:
- Date and location of marriage
- Previous addresses in Ohio
- Names of children, if applicable
- Names of attorneys of record, if known
Search in Correct County
Divorce proceedings in Ohio are filed in the county where either spouse resided at the time of filing. Members of the public who are uncertain of the filing county may need to search multiple counties. Under Ohio Revised Code § 3105.03, one spouse must have been a resident of Ohio for at least six months and a resident of the county where the action is filed for at least 90 days prior to filing.
Time Considerations
Recent Divorces:
- Records may not appear in online systems immediately following a final hearing
- Allow several business days to several weeks for processing after the final order is entered
- Certified copies are available once the judgment is journalized
Older Divorces:
- Cases predating electronic filing may be archived in paper format
- Retrieval of archived records may require additional processing time
- Some older records may not be digitized and must be retrieved manually
What If You Cannot Find a Record
Common Issues:
- Incorrect county of filing
- Name variations between married and maiden names
- Spelling differences in party names
- Case still pending and not yet finalized
- Very old records held in off-site storage
- Case sealed by court order
Next Steps:
- Contact the Clerk of Courts at (937) 378-3100
- Attempt alternate name spellings
- Search under both spouses' names
- Check Ohio Department of Health vital records for a divorce verification letter
- Consult a licensed Ohio attorney for assistance with sealed or complex cases
What Are Brown County Divorce Records?
Divorce records in Brown County are official court documents generated during the legal dissolution of a marriage in the Brown County Common Pleas Court. The Brown County Clerk of Courts serves as the primary custodian of these records and maintains complete case files indexed by party name and case number.
Types of Divorce Records:
Court Case Files:
- Petition for dissolution of marriage
- Response or answer to petition
- Financial affidavits submitted by both parties
- Parenting plans and custody agreements
- Marital settlement agreements
- Motions, responses, and court orders
- Transcripts of court hearings
- Final judgment of dissolution of marriage
Final Decree:
The final decree is the official court order terminating the marriage. It constitutes legal proof of divorce and establishes:
- The date of dissolution
- Division of marital property and debts
- Alimony or spousal support terms, if any
- Child custody and parenting time arrangements, if applicable
- Child support orders, if applicable
- Restoration of a former name, if requested
Certified copies of the final decree are available through the Clerk of Courts upon payment of applicable fees.
Supporting Documents:
- Marriage certificate submitted as evidence
- Financial disclosure statements
- Property inventories and appraisals
- Post-decree modification orders
Purpose of Divorce Records:
Legal Purposes:
- Proof of marital status for remarriage
- Documentation for name change proceedings
- Property transfer and title documentation
- Estate planning and beneficiary designations
- Immigration and naturalization proceedings
- Social Security benefit determinations
Personal Purposes:
- Genealogical and family history research
- Personal record-keeping
- Verification of divorce terms and obligations
Legal Framework:
Divorce proceedings in Ohio are governed by Ohio Revised Code § 3105.01, which establishes the grounds for divorce, and related provisions of the Ohio Revised Code addressing dissolution of marriage, property division, and support. Public access to court records is governed by the Ohio Public Records Act, Ohio Revised Code § 149.43, which establishes a presumption of public access to government records, including court filings.
Are Brown County Divorce Records Public?
Divorce records filed in Brown County Common Pleas Court are public court records subject to the Ohio Public Records Act. Members of the public may access basic case information, docket entries, and most filed documents. Certain categories of information are restricted or redacted pursuant to court rules and applicable state law.
What Is Public:
- Case number and filing date
- Names of parties to the proceeding
- Names of attorneys of record
- Court hearing dates and docket entries
- Court orders and judgments
- Final divorce decree
- Property division orders
- General case status
What May Be Restricted:
Financial Information:
- Social Security numbers (redacted from public filings)
- Bank account and credit card numbers (redacted)
- Detailed tax returns (may be filed under seal)
- Certain income and asset disclosures (subject to court order)
Children's Information:
- Residential addresses of minor children
- Schools attended by minor children
- Medical and psychological evaluations of children
- Child custody evaluation reports (may be sealed)
- Guardian ad litem reports (restricted access)
Sensitive Personal Information:
- Domestic violence allegations and supporting evidence
- Mental health and substance abuse records
- Medical records submitted as exhibits
- Personal addresses in cases involving protective orders
Sealed Records:
A court may seal divorce records upon a showing of good cause. Cases involving allegations of abuse, high-profile parties, or confidential settlement terms may be subject to sealing orders. Mediation communications are confidential under Ohio law and are not part of the public court record.
Who Can Access Records:
- General public: May access most case information, view docket summaries, and obtain copies of public documents upon payment of applicable fees. Photo identification may be required.
- Parties to the case: Entitled to full access to their own case file, including documents otherwise restricted from public view.
- Attorneys of record: Access to complete case files and, upon proper motion, sealed documents.
- Researchers and media: Access to public portions of case files; sealed records require a court order.
Prohibited Uses:
- Stalking, harassment, or intimidation of any party
- Identity theft or fraudulent purposes
- Violation of existing protective orders
Obtaining Confidential Records:
Members of the public seeking access to sealed or restricted records must file a motion with the Brown County Common Pleas Court demonstrating a legitimate legal basis for access. The court evaluates such requests on a case-by-case basis, balancing the public interest in transparency against the privacy interests of the parties.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Divorce Records in Brown County?
The Brown County Clerk of Courts charges standard fees for copies and certified copies of divorce records. Current fees are established pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 2303.20, which governs fees charged by clerks of courts of common pleas.
| Service | Current Fee |
|---|---|
| Standard copy (per page) | $0.10 per page |
| Certified copy of final decree | $1.00 per page + $1.00 certification fee |
| Exemplified (triple-certified) copy | Additional fee applies |
| Case file search (in-person) | No charge for basic search |
| Online case information | No charge for basic docket access |
Accepted Payment Methods:
- Cash
- Check or money order payable to Brown County Clerk of Courts
- Credit or debit card (availability subject to clerk's current policy)
Fee Waivers:
Parties who have been granted indigency status by the court may be eligible for a waiver of copy fees. Members of the public seeking a fee waiver must submit a written request to the Clerk of Courts with supporting documentation of financial hardship.
What Is Available at No Charge:
- In-person review of public case docket entries
- Basic case status information provided by phone
- Online access to case summary information through the clerk's portal
What's Included in Divorce Records in Brown County
A complete divorce case file maintained by the Brown County Clerk of Courts contains the following categories of documents.
Basic Case Information:
- Case caption, case number, and court division
- Names of petitioner and respondent
- Judge and magistrate assigned to the case
- Names of attorneys of record
- Filing date and case type designation
Initial Pleadings:
Petition for Dissolution of Marriage:
- Identifying information for both parties
- Date and location of marriage
- Date of separation, if applicable
- Grounds for divorce as specified under Ohio law
- Information regarding minor children, including names and dates of birth
- Claims regarding marital property and debts
- Requests for spousal support and child support
Response/Answer:
- Respondent's admissions or denials
- Counterpetition, if filed
- Respondent's requests for relief
Financial Affidavits:
- Income from all sources
- Monthly living expenses
- Marital and separate assets
- Marital and separate liabilities
Discovery Documents:
- Tax returns and pay stubs
- Bank and investment account statements
- Retirement account statements
- Interrogatories and answers under oath
- Requests for production of documents and responses
Property-Related Documents:
- Marital asset inventory with estimated values
- Debt inventory
- Real property appraisals
- Business valuations, if applicable
- Expert reports on asset values
Children-Related Documents (if applicable):
Parenting Plan:
- Legal custody designation (sole or shared)
- Physical custody and primary residence
- Regular, holiday, and summer parenting time schedules
- Transportation and communication arrangements
- Decision-making responsibilities for education, healthcare, and extracurricular activities
- Relocation restrictions
Child Support:
- Ohio Child Support Computation Worksheet
- Income information for both parties
- Number of overnight parenting time days
- Health insurance and childcare cost allocations
- Support amount ordered and payment schedule
Custody Evaluations (if ordered):
- Psychologist or evaluator reports
- Home study findings
- Best-interests recommendations
Support Documents:
Alimony/Spousal Support:
- Type, amount, and duration of support ordered
- Payment schedule and method
- Conditions for modification or termination
Settlement Documents:
Marital Settlement Agreement:
- Comprehensive resolution of all contested issues
- Real and personal property distribution
- Debt allocation between parties
- Spousal support terms
- Child-related provisions
- Attorney fee allocation
- Signatures and notarization
Court Orders and Judgments:
- Temporary orders entered during the pendency of the case
- Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage, including findings of fact and conclusions of law
- Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (QDROs) for division of retirement accounts
Post-Judgment Documents (if applicable):
- Petitions to modify custody or support
- Court orders on modification requests
- Contempt motions and enforcement orders
- Income deduction orders
What Is Typically Confidential or Sealed:
- Social Security numbers (redacted from all public filings)
- Bank account and financial account numbers (redacted)
- Residential addresses of minor children
- Mental health and substance abuse evaluation records
- Domestic violence evidence (may be sealed by court order)
- Mediation communications (confidential by statute)
- Settlement negotiation correspondence (not part of the court record)
How Documents Are Organized:
- Filed in chronological order as received by the clerk
- Each document assigned a filing date and document number
- Case docket serves as the index of all filed documents
- Recent cases maintained in electronic format; older cases may be in paper or hybrid format
How to Get Proof of Divorce in Brown County?
Proof of divorce in Brown County is obtained through the Brown County Clerk of Courts or, for limited verification purposes, through the Ohio Department of Health. The method selected depends on the level of detail required.
Certified Copy of Final Decree (Most Common Method):
A certified copy of the final judgment of dissolution of marriage is the standard form of proof of divorce accepted for legal, governmental, and personal purposes. Members of the public may obtain a certified copy by:
- Visiting the Brown County Clerk of Courts in person at 101 South Main Street, Georgetown, OH 45121, during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.)
- Submitting a written request by mail to the same address, including the names of both parties, the approximate date of divorce, the case number if known, and payment of applicable fees
- Contacting the clerk's office by phone at (937) 378-3100 to confirm case information prior to submitting a request
Brown County Clerk of Courts
101 South Main Street
Georgetown, OH 45121
Phone: (937) 378-3100
Brown County Clerk of Courts
Divorce Verification Letter (Limited Proof):
The Ohio Department of Health issues divorce verification letters for divorces granted in Ohio after 1954. A verification letter confirms that a divorce occurred but does not contain the full terms of the decree. This document is available through the Ohio Department of Health Vital Statistics office and carries a separate fee.
Brown County Probate/Juvenile Court (for related vital records matters):
The Brown County Probate/Juvenile Court handles matters including certified copies of death certificates and related vital records. Parties requiring a certified copy of a divorce decree in connection with probate proceedings should contact both the Clerk of Courts and the Probate Court as appropriate.
Brown County Probate/Juvenile Court
101 South Main Street
Georgetown, OH 45121
Phone: (937) 378-3165
Probate/Juvenile Court
Can a Divorce Be Confidential in Brown County?
Divorce proceedings in Brown County are presumptively public under the Ohio Public Records Act; however, specific records or entire case files may be made confidential under limited circumstances.
Circumstances Under Which Records May Be Sealed or Restricted:
- Domestic violence cases: Courts may restrict access to addresses, contact information, and evidence related to domestic violence allegations to protect the safety of victims.
- Cases involving minor children: Certain documents, including custody evaluations, guardian ad litem reports, and children's residential addresses, may be restricted from public access to protect the welfare of minors.
- Mental health and medical records: Records submitted as exhibits that contain protected health information may be filed under seal pursuant to HIPAA and applicable Ohio court rules.
- Mediation communications: Under Ohio law, communications made during court-ordered mediation are confidential and are not part of the public court record.
- Court-ordered sealing: A party may file a motion requesting that the court seal specific documents or the entire case file upon a demonstrated showing of good cause. The court balances the public interest in transparency against the privacy interests of the parties.
- Confidential settlement terms: Settlement agreements containing trade secrets or other sensitive business information may be filed under seal upon court approval.
Members of the public seeking access to sealed records must file a motion with the Brown County Common Pleas Court. The Supreme Court of Ohio provides guidance on court record access standards applicable statewide.
How Long Does Brown County Keep Divorce Records?
Brown County divorce records are retained for extended periods consistent with Ohio's records retention schedules for court records. Retention periods vary by document type.
Retention Periods for Divorce Records:
- Final judgments and decrees: Retained permanently. Final orders of the Common Pleas Court, including final judgments of dissolution of marriage, are maintained as permanent records of the court.
- Complete case files: Retained for a minimum of 75 years from the date of the final order, consistent with Ohio court records retention schedules applicable to domestic relations cases.
- Temporary orders and interlocutory filings: Retained as part of the complete case file for the duration of the applicable retention period.
- Financial affidavits and discovery documents: Retained as part of the case file; some financial exhibits may be returned to parties or destroyed after a specified period pursuant to court policy.
- Electronic records: Cases filed electronically are maintained in the court's case management system for the applicable retention period.
- Archived paper records: Older cases maintained in paper format may be stored off-site and require additional retrieval time.
Ohio court records retention schedules are established by the Ohio Supreme Court pursuant to its supervisory authority over Ohio courts. Members of the public seeking records from cases older than 20 years should contact the Brown County Clerk of Courts directly to confirm availability and retrieval procedures.
Brown County Clerk of Courts
101 South Main Street
Georgetown, OH 45121
Phone: (937) 378-3100
Brown County Clerk of Courts