The Portage County Clerk of Courts keeps court records for several courts in Portage County, Ohio. The office handles Common Pleas, Domestic Relations and Municipal Court records. It also supports the Eleventh District Court of Appeals and operates the county’s Auto Title division. Readers usually contact the Clerk to find civil or criminal cases, review domestic relations matters, check traffic or municipal cases, obtain copies, or confirm where an older file is kept. Portage County provides an online court-record system with case information dating from 1992. Property deeds and mortgages are not part of that system. Those records belong to the County Recorder. This guide explains the current contacts, search process, copy fees and the difference between court and land records.
Portage County Clerk of Courts Quick Overview
| Detail | Information |
| Office | Portage County Clerk of Courts |
| Common Pleas office | 203 W. Main Street, Ravenna, OH 44266 |
| Common Pleas phone | 330-297-3644 |
| Courthouse hours | Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. |
| Online court records | Common Pleas, Domestic Relations, Probate and Municipal records from 1992 |
| Domestic Relations phone | 330-297-3475 |
| Ravenna Municipal Civil | 330-297-3635 |
| Kent Municipal Civil | 330-678-9170 |
| Official website | portagecounty-oh.gov |
Portage County Clerk of Court Address and Phone Number
The Common Pleas General Division Clerk office is at 203 W. Main Street, Ravenna, OH 44266. The mailing address is P.O. Box 1035, Ravenna, OH 44266-1035. The Common Pleas phone number is 330-297-3644. Courthouse hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Portage County uses different contacts for different court divisions. Domestic Relations can be reached at 330-297-3475. Ravenna Municipal Civil uses 330-297-3635. Ravenna Traffic/Criminal uses 330-297-3639. Kent Civil uses 330-678-9170. Kent Traffic/Criminal uses 330-678-9100. Calling the right division usually saves time.
Portage County Clerk of Courts Locations
| Location | Address | Main services |
| Common Pleas Court | 203 W. Main St., Ravenna, OH 44266 | Civil, criminal and Court of Appeals filings |
| Domestic Relations | 203 W. Main St., Ravenna, OH 44266 | Divorce, dissolution and related family matters |
| Ravenna Municipal Court | Ravenna, OH 44266 | Municipal civil and traffic/criminal matters |
| Kent Municipal Court | 303 E. Main St., Kent, OH 44240 | Municipal civil and traffic/criminal matters |
How to Search Portage County Court Records and Cases
Portage County provides online court access for Common Pleas General and Domestic Relations cases, Probate Court cases and the Ravenna and Kent Municipal Court divisions. The county states that the searchable system contains case information from 1992 to the present. This makes the portal useful for most current and recent cases, but older records may require direct help from the Clerk or the court that created the record.
- Open the Portage County Clerk of Courts page and choose Search Court Records.
- Select the court or division that matches the case. Use a case number when available.
- For a name search, try the full party or business name. Then confirm the court, case type and filing information before relying on the result.
- If the case predates 1992 or a document is not available online, contact the correct Clerk division and request the record directly.
The online system is a public-access tool. It does not make sealed or legally restricted records available. A case may also have information in the index without every filed document being viewable online. The Clerk’s public-record policy says records are open unless a specific Ohio law or court rule exempts them. Redactions may be used when protected information appears in an otherwise public record.
How to Request Copies of Court Records
A useful copy request should identify the record clearly. Include:
- Case number and court division, if known.
- Full names of the parties or business.
- Approximate filing year and case type.
- Exact document needed and whether the copy must be certified.
| Request method | Best used for |
| Online | Finding the case and checking recent docket information before ordering |
| In person | Viewing available records and obtaining copies from the responsible division |
| Written / public-record request | Older records or documents that are not available through online access |
The Portage County Clerk’s public-record policy lists ordinary printed copies at $0.10 per page. Certified copies are listed at $1 per page. The office says records will be provided within a reasonable time, subject to the size and complexity of the request. For a large or older request, contact the correct division first so staff can identify the file and confirm any applicable cost.
Other Services Available Through the Clerk
The Clerk handles Common Pleas civil and criminal records, Domestic Relations records and Municipal Court civil and traffic/criminal work. It also serves court-of-appeals functions and operates Auto Title services. Online tools include court-record searches, payments, court schedules and eNotice registration. The Clerk can provide procedural information and records. It cannot advise a person which claim to file or what legal position to take.
Court Records vs. Property Records
Court records and real-estate records are kept by different Portage County offices. The Clerk of Courts keeps judicial case records. The Portage County Recorder keeps deeds, mortgages, liens, easements and other land documents. The Recorder is at 449 S. Meridian Street, 4th Floor, Ravenna, OH 44266. Its online search reaches back to 1979. Documents recorded from 2001 forward are generally viewable and printable online. If you need a lawsuit or criminal docket, use the Clerk. If you need a deed or mortgage, use the Recorder.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How far back does the Portage County online court search go?
The county states that the online court system contains case information from 1992 to the present. Older records may require direct contact with the Clerk or court.
Q. Why should I avoid third-party payment sites?
The Clerk specifically warns users not to rely on third-party payment applications. Use the payment link provided from the official Portage County Clerk page.
Q. Can I get a certified court record from the Clerk?
Yes. The Clerk’s public-record policy lists certified copies at $1 per page. Contact the division holding the case before ordering a large or older record.
Q. Where do I search for a Portage County deed?
Use the Portage County Recorder’s record search. Deeds and mortgages are land records, not Clerk of Courts case records.
Q. Does the Clerk’s search include municipal cases?
Yes. Portage County provides access to Ravenna and Kent Municipal Court records along with Common Pleas and other listed court records.
