Not a government site. We do not sell records or host personal data. About us

County Records Guide
Menu

Ross County, Ohio public records

In Ross County, deeds are recorded by the Ross County Recorder; property values come from the Ross County Auditor; court files are split between the Ross County Clerk of Courts, Legal Department - Court of Common Pleas and Court of Appeals and the Ross County Court of Common Pleas, Probate-Juvenile Divisions.

Last checked against official sources on .

On this page
  1. Where to get each record
  2. Deeds and land records
  3. Property values, owners and tax bills
  4. Court records: which clerk keeps which case
  5. Marriage records
  6. Divorce records
  7. Birth certificates
  8. Death certificates
  9. Probate records and wills
  10. Voter records
  11. Historical records
  12. Good to know about Ross County records
  13. Office addresses, phones and hours
  14. Records that are not online: public records requests
  15. Questions people ask
  16. Official copies vs look-alike sites
  17. Sources

Where to get each record

RecordOfficeSearch onlineFee
Deeds and land recordsRoss County Recorder3Search deeds2Free searchAbout 10 cents a page (county page); statute sets $2.00 per page ($1 base + $1 housing trust fund) for photocopying2
Property values and ownersRoss County Auditor3Property search4—
Property tax billsRoss County Treasurer3Tax bill search4—
Court casesRoss County Clerk of Courts, Legal Department - Court of Common Pleas and Court of Appeals3
Ross County Court of Common Pleas, Probate-Juvenile Divisions3		Ross County Court of Common Pleas, General Division5
Ross County Court of Common Pleas, Probate Division6
Chillicothe Municipal Court7		Copies $.05 per page; certification $2.00 (Clerk of Courts Legal Division); civil complaint $280.00; divorce $400.00; dissolution $350.005
Marriage recordsRoss County Court of Common Pleas, Probate-Juvenile Divisions3—Certified copy $7.00; regular copy $0.05 per page8
Divorce recordsRoss County Clerk of Courts, Legal Department9—$.05 per page copies; $2.00 certification5
Birth certificatesRoss County Health District, Vital Statistics10—$30 per certified birth record10
Death certificatesRoss County Health District, Vital Statistics10—$30 per certified death record10
Probate and willsRoss County Court of Common Pleas, Probate-Juvenile Divisions3——
Business names (DBA)Statewide: Trade names and fictitious names registered with the Ohio Secretary of State (no county DBA filing)11——

Deeds and land records

Deeds, mortgages and other land documents for property in Ross County are recorded by the Ross County Recorder.3

Online search
countyfusion9.kofiletech.us/…2Free search
Cost
Free (records can be downloaded and copied free online)2
Who runs it
Kofile/GovOS CountyFusion12
Years online
Most records back to January 1, 1974, and some earlier2
Copy fee
About 10 cents a page (county page); statute sets $2.00 per page ($1 base + $1 housing trust fund) for photocopying2
Certified copy fee
$5.00 for the 1st page and $2.00 for each additional page2
How to order
In person at the Recorder's Office (staff assist while you wait); pay by cash, check or money order with photo ID; or download free online13
Recording fee
Set by the Ohio Legislature; see the Recorder's Recording Fees Chart PDF13
Electronic recording
Available since November 201613

How deeds work in Ohio

Property values, owners and tax bills

The Ross County Auditor sets property values3; the Ross County Treasurer bills and collects the tax3.

Parcel map (GIS)
Parcel viewer MAP on the Auditor site; GIS questions [email protected] or 740-772-4110 ext. 11814
Appealing a value
Complaint against valuation filed with the County Auditor (Board of Revision) by March 31 of the following tax year, or the first-half collection closing date if later (Ohio statute)15

How property tax works in Ohio

Court records: which clerk keeps which case

CourtCasesRecords kept byCase search
Ross County Court of Common Pleas, General Division (Courtrooms 1 and 2)All felony criminal cases and civil cases, including domestic matters such as divorce and child support, foreclosures, administrative appeals16Ross County Clerk of Courts, Legal Department - Court of Common Pleas and Court of Appealseaccess.co.ross.oh.us/…5
Ross County Court of Common Pleas, Probate DivisionEstates, guardianships, adoptions, trusts, mental illness proceedings, marriage licenses17Ross County Court of Common Pleas, Probate-Juvenile Divisionseaccess.co.ross.oh.us/eservices6
Ross County Court of Common Pleas, Juvenile DivisionDelinquency, unruly, truancy, juvenile traffic, dependency, neglect, abuse3Ross County Court of Common Pleas, Probate-Juvenile Divisions—
Chillicothe Municipal CourtTraffic and criminal tickets; civil and small claims (per the court site menu)7—public.chillicothemunicipalcourt.org/…7
Fees
Copies $.05 per page; certification $2.00 (Clerk of Courts Legal Division); civil complaint $280.00; divorce $400.00; dissolution $350.005

Criminal records and background checks

Overview
Felony cases: Common Pleas General Division (Clerk of Courts); misdemeanors: Chillicothe Municipal Court (per Supreme Court list); court records computerized back to November 19899

How Ohio courts keep their files

Marriage records

Kept by the Ross County Court of Common Pleas, Probate-Juvenile Divisions.3

Marriage license fee
$50.00, cash or credit card (no personal checks); by appointment only8
Fee
Certified copy $7.00; regular copy $0.05 per page8
Coverage
Marriage licenses issued in Ross County since 1798; registers 1798-present held by Probate Court/Archives19
How to order
Licenses within the last 60 days: front desk (740) 774-1177 ext 100; older: Archivist (740) 774-1177 ext. 1138

Ohio marriage records, statewide

Divorce records

Divorce records are kept by the Ross County Clerk of Courts, not the Probate-Juvenile Court19

Fee
$.05 per page copies; $2.00 certification5

Ohio divorce records: decree or state record

Birth certificates

Kept by the Ross County Health District, Vital Statistics.10

Fee
$30 per certified birth record10
Coverage
Health District holds Ross County birth and death records since 1907, a few back to 1888; 1867-1908 probate birth records (mainly township) at Probate Court10
Who may order
Any applicant (Ohio vital records are public records)20
How to order
In person or in writing; mailed requests processed in 1-2 business days; cash, credit card or money order (no personal checks)10

Ordering an Ohio birth certificate

Death certificates

Kept by the Ross County Health District, Vital Statistics.10

Fee
$30 per certified death record10
Coverage
Health District since 1907 (some from 1888); 1867-1908 probate death records (mainly township) at Probate Court Archives19

Ordering an Ohio death certificate

Probate records and wills

Estate records filed in the Probate Court since 1797; older records at the Probate Archives (searchable Laserfiche repository linked from the Archives page)19

Fees
Testate estate $114.00; intestate $99.00; file will for record only $54.00; will on deposit $25.00; summary release from administration $86.00 (effective 12/13/2023)21

Finding a will or probate case in Ohio

Voter records

Ross County Board of Elections, boe.ohio.gov/ross22

Historical records

Probate Archives: marriage registers 1798-1876, probate birth and death records 1867-1908, marriage affidavits (parental consent) from 1816, delayed birth and change-of-name indexes; open Tue & Thu19

Good to know about Ross County records

  • Chillicothe was the capital of the Northwest Territory from 1800 and Ohio's first state capital (1803-1816, except 1809-1812)23
  • Estate records filed locally from 1797 record values in both dollars and British pounds, shillings and pence19
  • Probate Archives is housed in the 1878 former Ross County jail, opened for public use in April 199619
  • Recorder warns of private companies charging $79.99-$99.99 for deed copies that are free or about 10 cents a page from the office2
  • Military discharges (DD214) recorded with the Recorder are not open public records until 75 years after recording13
  • No tract index and no Torrens (registered) land in Ross County; Recorder indexes by name only13
  • The Clerk of Courts also runs the Auto Title Department and is a passport acceptance office9

Office addresses, phones and hours

Ross County Recorder

Address
2 North Paint Street, Suite E, Chillicothe, Ohio 4560113
Mail
Ross County Recorder's Office, PO Box 6162, Chillicothe, OH 4560113

Ross County Auditor

Chief fiscal officer and property tax assessor

Address
2 N Paint St, Suite G, Chillicothe, OH 45601-318714
Hours
Mon-Fri 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM14

Ross County Treasurer

Address
Ross County Courthouse, 2 N. Paint Street, Suite F, Chillicothe, Ohio 456014
Phone
740-702-3080; fax 740-772-80294

Ross County Clerk of Courts, Legal Department - Court of Common Pleas and Court of Appeals

Address
Ross County Courthouse, 2 N. Paint St., Suite B, Chillicothe, OH 456019
Phone
(740) 702-3010; fax (740) 702-30189
Hours
Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.9

Ross County Clerk of Courts, Legal Department (civil and domestic cases of the Common Pleas General Division)

Address
2 N. Paint St., Suite B, Chillicothe, OH 456019
Hours
Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.9

Ross County Court of Common Pleas, Probate-Juvenile Divisions

Address
2 N. Paint St, Suite A, Chillicothe, OH 456016
Phone
(740) 774-1177 or (740) 774-1179; fax (740) 774-37116
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.; closed on all legal holidays6

Ross County Probate Court Archives (old 1878 jail)

Address
Building: 21 West Main Street, Chillicothe, OH 4560119
Mail
2 N. Paint Street, Suite A, Chillicothe, OH 4560119
Phone
(740) 774-1177 ext 113 or (740) 774-1179 ext. 11319
Hours
Tuesday & Thursday 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., closed noon-1 pm19

Ross County Health District, Vital Statistics

Address
150 E. Second Street, Chillicothe, OH 45601 (office and mailing)10
Mail
150 E. Second Street, Chillicothe, OH 4560110
Phone
(740) 779-9630; fax (740) 779-074410
Hours
Mon-Fri 8:00am-4:00pm (except holidays)10

Ross County Board of Elections

Ross County Sheriff

Address
28 North Paint Street, Chillicothe, OH 456013
Hours
Administrative office: Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., closed on federal holidays; 24-hour dispatch 740-773-118524

Records that are not online: public records requests

How to write a public records request

Questions people ask

How do I get a copy of a deed in Ross County?

The Ross County Recorder keeps deed records. To order copies: In person at the Recorder's Office (staff assist while you wait); pay by cash, check or money order with photo ID; or download free online. Plain copies: About 10 cents a page (county page); statute sets $2.00 per page ($1 base + $1 housing trust fund) for photocopying. Certified copies: $5.00 for the 1st page and $2.00 for each additional page.3132

Can I search Ross County land records online for free?

Yes. Free (records can be downloaded and copied free online). The official search: countyfusion9.kofiletech.us/…2

How much is a birth certificate in Ross County?

$30 per certified birth record.10

Where do I get a divorce decree in Ross County?

Divorce records are kept by the Ross County Clerk of Courts, not the Probate-Juvenile Court.19

How much does a marriage license cost in Ross County?

$50.00, cash or credit card (no personal checks); by appointment only.8

How do I look up who owns a property in Ross County?

Use the property search of the Ross County Auditor: auditor.rosscountyohio.gov/Search4

Official copies vs look-alike sites

A certified copy comes only from the office that holds the record; reports and "research copies" sold by commercial sites are not issued by any Ross County office. How to tell an official record source from a paid look-alike.

Other counties in Ohio with a full guide: Allen County, Ashland County, Ashtabula County, Athens County, Belmont County, Butler County, Clark County, Clermont County, Columbiana County, Cuyahoga County, Darke County, Delaware County, Erie County, Fairfield County, Franklin County, Greene County, Hamilton County, Hancock County, Huron County, Jefferson County, Knox County, Lake County, Lawrence County, Licking County, Lorain County, Lucas County, Mahoning County, Marion County, Medina County, Miami County, Montgomery County, Muskingum County, Pickaway County, Portage County, Richland County, Sandusky County, Scioto County, Seneca County, Stark County, Summit County, Trumbull County, Tuscarawas County, Union County, Warren County, Washington County, Wayne County, Wood County. Every county in the state: Ohio county list.

Sources

Every fact above links to the official page it comes from. Fees and rules change, so check the office's own page before you pay or travel.

  1. Government Units List 2026US Census Bureauchecked November 4, 2026
  2. Ross County Recorder - HomeRoss County Recorderchecked November 4, 2026
  3. Elected OfficialsRoss County Commissionerschecked November 4, 2026
  4. Ross County Treasurerchecked November 4, 2026
  5. Clerk of Courts - Public Records RequestRoss County Clerk of Courtschecked November 4, 2026
  6. Ross County Probate and Juvenile Court - HomeRoss County Court of Common Pleas, Probate-Juvenile Divisionschecked November 4, 2026
  7. Chillicothe Municipal Court home pagechecked November 6, 2026
  8. Marriage LicenseRoss County Probate Courtchecked November 4, 2026
  9. Ross County Clerk of Courts - HomeRoss County Clerk of Courtschecked November 4, 2026
  10. Vital StatisticsRoss County Health Districtchecked November 4, 2026
  11. Ohio Revised Code 1329.01 – Trade name registrationOhio Legislative Service Commission (codes.ohio.gov)checked November 4, 2026
  12. Ross County Recorder Online Services (CountyFusion)Kofile/GovOS for Ross County Recorderchecked November 4, 2026
  13. Ross County Recorder - FAQsRoss County Recorderchecked November 4, 2026
  14. Ross County Auditor home page (live, Chromium)checked November 6, 2026
  15. Ohio Revised Code 5715.19 - Complaints against valuationOhio Legislative Service Commissionchecked November 4, 2026
  16. Ross County Common Pleas CourtRoss County Court of Common Pleas, General Divisionchecked November 4, 2026
  17. Probate DivisionRoss County Probate Courtchecked November 4, 2026
  18. Ohio Trial Courts (courts by county)Supreme Court of Ohiochecked November 4, 2026
  19. ArchivesRoss County Probate Courtchecked November 4, 2026
  20. Ohio Revised Code 3705.23Ohio Legislative Service Commissionchecked November 4, 2026
  21. Court Filing FeesRoss County Probate Courtchecked November 4, 2026
  22. County DepartmentsRoss County Commissionerschecked November 4, 2026
  23. Ross County Ohio home (Census-listed domain co.ross.oh.us)Ross County Commissionerschecked November 4, 2026
  24. Ross County Sheriff home pagechecked November 6, 2026
  25. County population totals: Vintage 2025 (July 1, 2025)US Census Bureauchecked November 4, 2026