Stark County, Ohio Divorce Records
Stark County divorce records are official documents that outline the dissolution of marriage process in the Family Division of the Stark County Court of Common Pleas. These documents provide accounts of divorce proceedings from the petition stage to the final decree. Divorce records serve several purposes. In addition to its functions as evidence of marriage termination and restoration of single status, owners of these documents can use them to manage property settlements, handle custody arrangements, or finalize personal records for legal or genealogical purposes.
Stark County Divorce Stats: According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in 2024, there were 37,574 divorced persons in Stark County, comprising 16,344 males and 21,230 females. Furthermore, 1,801 males and 2,149 females separated from their partners within this period. The statistics also showed a decrease in the number of divorced persons in Stark County, from 40,404 in 2023 to 37,574 in 2024.
Are Divorce Records Public in Stark County?
Yes, divorce records are presumed public in Stark County. The Ohio Open Records Law grants public access to most court records, including divorce decrees and dissolution records. However, access to court records is governed by Rules 45 through 47 of the Rules of the Superintendence for the Courts of Ohio.
A requester does not need to be an involved party or require an ID to access divorce records in Stark County. Furthermore, Ohio does not require individuals to state reasons before accessing divorce records. Although Stark County allows individuals to view divorce records for free, certified copies require identification and nominal fees.
Under Ohio law, divorce documents, such as divorce petitions, the final decree of divorce, and judgment entries, are public records. However, unauthorized persons cannot access sensitive details, such as:
- Financial disclosures
- Private medical information
- Details regarding custody arrangements.
Likewise, individuals cannot access details of private mediations intended to settle a divorce, or a divorce record sealed by a judicial order.
How to Find Divorce Records in Stark County
Individuals seeking online access to Stark County divorce records should:
- Visit the Stark County Clerk of Courts website.
- Click the “Online Case Docket Search” link to access the Stark County Criminal Justice Information System page.
- Create an account and use the credentials to log in to access the search tool, or "Continue as a Guest”.
- Enter the name of a party in the divorce into the search tool and click “Search”.
- Review the result and click the name of the individual to reveal the case details.
Interested parties can also find Stark County’s divorce records offline through its Clerk of Courts Office. For in-person or mail access to copies of Stark County arrest records, visit or mail the Stark County Clerk of Courts, Domestic Relations Division at:
110 Central Plaza South,
Canton,
OH 44702.
| Method | Where to Go | Info Needed | Cost | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online | Stark County Criminal Justice Information System | Name, case number | Free | Instant |
| In Person | Stark County Clerk of Courts, Domestic Relations Division | Name, valid government-issued photo ID | $0.10 per page, in addition to the certification fee | Same day |
| By Mail | Stark County Clerk of Courts, Domestic Relations Division | Request form, ID, payment | $0.10 per page, certification fees, and charges for mailing the copies | 1 to 3 weeks. |
Overview of the Stark County Court System
Stark County’s judiciary comprises the county's Court of Common Pleas, Municipal Courts, and Mayor's Courts. Each court presides over certain matters, with the Court of Common Pleas having original jurisdiction over civil and criminal trials, including divorce proceedings. Nonetheless, the Stark County Court of Common Pleas handles only cases beyond the authority of the Stark County Municipal and Mayor's Courts. Stark County municipal courts oversee certain types of civil, criminal, and quasi-criminal cases.
In Stark County, the Family Court Division of the county’s Court of Common Pleas handles divorce proceedings, while the clerk’s offices of the county’s courts process, index, and maintain the resulting case records. For additional information on how the judiciary works in Stark County, visit the Stark County Court of Common Pleas or the Canton Municipal Court at the following locations:
Stark County Court of Common Pleas (General Division & Court of Appeals)
Stark County Courthouse
115 Central Plaza North,
Canton,
OH 44702
Stark County Court of Common Pleas (Domestic Relations and Probate Divisions)
110 Central Plaza North,
Canton,
OH 44702
Canton Municipal Court
218 Cleveland Avenue SW,
Canton,
OH 44702
Phone: (330) 489-3203.
Interested parties can call (330) 451-7801 to access Stark family court divorce filings through the Stark County Clerk of Courts Office at the Stark County Courthouse.
Online Access to Stark County Divorce Records
Stark County provides an efficient centralized online system for individuals seeking free access to case records. For a Stark divorce records online search, log in to the Stark County Criminal Justice Information System. This official search tool permits free online divorce lookup of Stark County case records. Inquirers can use names or case numbers to search for case records, including details of divorce proceedings. Information seekers may also find Stark divorce records online through third-party websites. While these platforms may provide alternative routes for finding information, users should be aware that there are no guarantees of the accuracy on their content.
What’s Typically Included in a Stark Divorce Record
Stark County divorce records contain documents generated during proceedings within the Domestic Relations Division of the Stark County Court of Common Pleas. While the Ohio Open Records Law mandates access to government records, including court records, not all information is publicly disclosable. The details contained in a typical public-facing Stark County divorce record include:
- Full names of the divorced spouses
- Case number
- Dates of the filing and final divorce
- Initial pleadings
- Names of the attorneys of record
- Financial disclosures
- Parenting and support documents
- Docket entries
- Court orders and judgments
- The terms of their property and debt division
- Spousal support provision (if applicable).
However, according to Rule 45(D) of the Rules of the Superintendence for the Courts of Ohio, it is the responsibility of the filing party to omit or redact personal identifiers from any document submitted to the court. Consequently, unauthorized requesters cannot access:
- Social Security Numbers
- Financial account details
- Employer/employee ID numbers
- Sensitive medical information.
| Information | Available to the Public? |
|---|---|
| Names of spouses | Yes |
| Divorce date | Yes |
| Case number | Yes |
| Custody arrangements | Sometimes restricted |
| Financial disclosures | No |
| Social Security Number | No |
| Restricted/sealed records | Access is only possible through a court order. |
How to Get Certified Copies of Stark Divorce Records
There are two categories of documents issued by custodians of public records: these are certified and informational copies. A certified copy of a Stark County divorce record contains the official seal or stamp of the Stark County Clerk of Courts Office, which verifies the document as a true and accurate copy of the original court file, making it eligible for official and legal uses.
In contrast, an informational or verification copy of a Stark County divorce record is a photocopy that contains the same information but lacks the official court seal and cannot be used for official purposes.
For certified copies of Stark County’s divorce records, prepare a formal request and mail or submit in person to the Stark County Clerk of Courts at:
110 Central Plaza South,
Canton,
OH 44702.
A requester does not need special forms to request an official divorce record copy in Stark County. However, access to an official copy of a divorce record requires a valid government-issued photo ID. Additionally, the Stark County Clerk of Courts Office charges $0.10 per page of document and an additional $1.00 for certification. To confirm the costs for a certified divorce decree in Stark County, call the Clerk of Courts Office, Domestic Relations Division at (330) 451-7801.
| Type of Copy | Use Case | Who Can Request | Legally Valid? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Certified Copy | Remarriage, legal proceedings | Spouse, attorney, court | Yes |
| Informational Copy | Genealogy, general info | Anyone (if public) | No |
Stark Divorce Records Summary
| Custodian | Available Record Type | Access Method | Fees & Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stark County Clerk of Courts, Domestic Relations | Divorce decrees, case files | Mail or In person | The Stark County Clerk of Courts Office charges $0.10 per page of document, and additional $1.00 for certification. For inquiries, call the office at (330) 451-7801 |
| Stark County Criminal Justice Information System | Case dockets/information | Online | The CJIS is a searchable database for case details |
| Third-Party Websites | Compiled records | Paid online search | Costs and accuracy may vary across platforms. |