Hocking County Public Records
How to Find Public Records in Hocking County in 2026
Members of the public seeking government documents may access publicly available information through HockingRecords.us as well as through official county and state government offices. Hocking County maintains a range of government-generated documents that are available for public inspection under Ohio's open records framework. The types of records that may be found through official channels include:
- Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and domestic relations)
- Property deeds, mortgages, and land records
- Vital records such as marriage licenses and divorce decrees
- Tax and assessment records
- Business licenses and permits
- County commission meeting minutes and agendas
- Law enforcement incident reports (where permitted by law)
- Zoning and land use documents
Records can be searched through official court resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools maintained by county agencies.
Online Access:
- The Hocking County Clerk of Courts provides an online case search portal; cases in the public records database have a beginning date noted on the office's official website.
- The Hocking County Recorder's Office offers online search access to land and property records dating back to 1818.
- The Hocking County Common Pleas Court maintains court records accessible through the county's official web portal.
- No registration is required to conduct basic online searches through the county's public portals.
In-Person Requests: Members of the public may visit the relevant county office in person. The Clerk of Courts and Recorder's Office are located at the Hocking County Courthouse, 1 East Main Street, Logan, Ohio 43138. Requestors should identify the record type sought, provide relevant identifying information (such as a name, case number, or parcel number), and submit the request to the appropriate counter staff.
Written/Mail Requests: Written requests may be submitted by mail to the applicable office. Requestors should include the full name of the subject, the type of record sought, the approximate date range, and a return mailing address. Under § 149.43 of the Ohio Revised Code, public offices are required to respond to public records requests within a reasonable period of time.
Phone/Email:
- Clerk of Courts: (740) 385-2616
- Hocking County Municipal Court: (740) 385-2250
- Hocking County Recorder's Office: contact information is available on the official county website.
What Are Public Records in Hocking County?
Public records in Hocking 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 specific county offices:
| Record Type | Maintaining Office |
|---|---|
| Civil and criminal court records | Clerk of Courts |
| Common Pleas case records | Common Pleas Court |
| Municipal court records | Municipal Court |
| Deeds, mortgages, liens | Recorder's Office |
| Marriage licenses, divorce decrees | Clerk of Courts |
| Property tax and assessment records | County Auditor |
| Business licenses and permits | County offices and State of Ohio |
| Meeting minutes and agendas | County Commissioners |
| Zoning and land use records | County Planning and Zoning |
| Law enforcement records | Sheriff's Office (where permitted) |
The Hocking County Recorder's Office maintains property records dating back to 1818, making it one of the county's most historically comprehensive record repositories.
Is Hocking County an Open Records County?
Hocking County fully complies with Ohio's statewide open records law, which mandates public access to government documents. Under Ohio Revised Code § 149.43, all public offices in Ohio — including county-level agencies — are required to make public records available for inspection and copying upon request. Ohio's open records statute is among the most comprehensive in the nation and applies uniformly to all 88 counties, including Hocking County.
The Ohio Attorney General's Office, which oversees public records compliance statewide, states that "records are a crucial component of the governing process" and that access to government records supports transparency and accountability. The Ohio Attorney General's Public Records Access page provides guidance to both requestors and public offices on rights and obligations under state law.
Ohio's open records law operates as a "sunshine law," meaning that the default presumption is in favor of disclosure. Public offices bear the burden of demonstrating that a specific exemption applies before withholding any record. No county-specific ordinance in Hocking County restricts access beyond what is permitted under state law.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Hocking County?
The cost to obtain public records in Hocking County depends on the type of record requested and the format in which it is provided. Under Ohio law, public offices may charge fees that are limited to the actual cost of providing the record.
| Fee Type | Standard Amount |
|---|---|
| Paper copies (standard size) | $0.05–$0.10 per page (actual cost) |
| Certified copies (court records) | Varies by document type |
| Electronic copies | Actual cost of the medium used |
| Inspection of records | No charge |
| Search fees | Not permitted under Ohio law |
Key provisions regarding fees include:
- Inspection fees: Ohio law does not permit public offices to charge a fee solely for inspecting records. Members of the public may inspect records at no cost.
- Copy fees: Fees for paper copies are limited to the actual cost of reproduction. The Clerk of Courts and Recorder's Office each maintain their own fee schedules for certified copies.
- Certification fees: Certified copies of court documents and recorded instruments carry additional fees set by statute.
- Electronic format fees: When records are provided in electronic format, the fee is limited to the actual cost of the electronic medium (e.g., a USB drive or CD).
- Fee waivers: Ohio law does not mandate a blanket fee waiver provision, but individual offices may exercise discretion in certain circumstances.
Accepted payment methods at Hocking County offices include cash, check, and money order. Members of the public are advised to confirm current fee schedules directly with the relevant office prior to submitting a request.
Does Hocking County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available at Hocking County government offices. Ohio law requires that members of the public be permitted to inspect any non-exempt public record at no charge during regular business hours. The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while inspection carries no fee, obtaining physical or certified copies does involve charges as described above.
The following resources provide free access to public records:
- The Hocking County Recorder's Office provides free online search access to property and land records through its official web portal, with records available from 1818 to the present.
- The Hocking County Clerk of Courts offers free online case record searches through the county's public access system.
- The Hocking County Common Pleas Court maintains publicly accessible case information through the county's online portal at no charge.
- Public access terminals are available at county offices for in-person record inspection at no cost.
Who Can Request Public Records in Hocking County?
Any person may request public records in Hocking County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. Ohio's open records law does not restrict access to Ohio residents; non-residents retain the same rights to inspect and obtain copies of public records as residents of the state.
Specific eligibility provisions include:
- Residency: Requestors are not required to be Ohio residents or Hocking County residents.
- Identification: Public offices may not require a requestor to provide identification as a condition of accessing public records, except in limited circumstances involving records that contain personal information about the requestor.
- Purpose: Requestors are not required to state the purpose of their request. The Ohio Attorney General's guidance confirms that public offices may not demand a reason for a records request as a precondition to fulfillment.
- Restrictions for specific record types: Certain records — such as those involving juveniles, sealed cases, or protected personal information — are subject to access restrictions regardless of who is requesting them.
- Requesting your own records: Individuals seeking records about themselves may be entitled to access certain records that are otherwise restricted, such as some law enforcement records, subject to applicable statutory procedures.
What Records Are Confidential in Hocking County?
Not all government records in Hocking County are subject to public disclosure. Ohio law identifies specific categories of records that are exempt from the general public access requirement. The following records are confidential under state law:
- Sealed court records: Records sealed by court order are not available for public inspection.
- Juvenile records: Records pertaining to juvenile proceedings are confidential under Ohio law.
- Ongoing criminal investigation records: Records compiled in connection with a pending law enforcement investigation are exempt from disclosure while the investigation is active.
- Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and similar personal identifiers are redacted from public records prior to release.
- Medical records: Records protected under HIPAA and Ohio medical privacy statutes are not subject to public disclosure.
- Adoption records: Adoption proceedings and related records are sealed under Ohio law.
- Child welfare and protective services records: Records maintained by children's services agencies are confidential.
- Personnel records: Certain employee records are exempt, with exceptions for information such as name, position, and compensation of public employees.
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Records containing trade secrets submitted to a public office in confidence are exempt.
- Security and infrastructure plans: Records detailing security arrangements for public facilities are withheld to protect public safety.
The Ohio Attorney General's Office notes that "like other important government resources, records and the information they contain must be managed carefully." The balancing of public access rights against legitimate privacy and security interests is governed by the exemptions set forth in Ohio Revised Code § 149.43 and related statutes.
Hocking County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Hocking County Recorder's Office
1 East Main Street
Logan, Ohio 43138
Hocking County Recorder
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Closed on weekends and official county holidays.
Additional Offices:
Hocking County Clerk of Courts
1 East Main Street, Logan, Ohio 43138
(740) 385-2616
Clerk of Courts
Hocking County Common Pleas Court
1 East Main Street (Courthouse) / 93 West Hunter Street (Annex), Logan, Ohio 43138
Common Pleas Court
Hocking County Municipal Court
105 West Hunter Street, P.O. Box 950, Logan, Ohio 43138
(740) 385-2250
Municipal Court