Lookup Belmont County public records to gain insight on anyone’s past or see what’s on your own record.
A free public records search–whether online or in person–can uncover information about someone’s marriage, divorce, warrants, arrests, criminal history, court cases, or property. Probation and prisoner information is accessible as well, either through background check reports or individual record lookups.
These documents and more are publicly available under the federal Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Ohio’s Open Records Law.1 A cornerstone of American democracy is a citizen’s right to access public records and a government agency’s transparency with its constituents.
This resource assists assist interested persons who wish to check public records in Belmont County, Ohio, to do so quickly and seamlessly.
How To Access Arrest Logs, Mugshots & the Reason for Detainment in Belmont County
If you are looking to find someone’s mugshot, jail records, or the reason they may be detained, there are two Belmont County resources that will help you get this information.
Generally, inquirers will check with a county jail, either online or by phone to get information on detainees. Like most counties across the country, the jail in Belmont is maintained and operated by its Sheriff’s Office.2 Contacting the Sheriff’s Office is the primary resource to use when looking up Belmont County bookings.
Another great county resource to use is the Belmont County case search maintained by the Clerk of Courts. When a person is arrested in Belmont County and placed in jail, a criminal case is generated and filed with the county court. A record of the case is uploaded to the public record search system made available to anyone.
Lastly, inquirers can also check with local law enforcement agencies where the arrest or incident took place. Police departments are required to keep records of arrests, and citizens should be granted access to them by making an Open Records Law request.
Find Out if Someone Is in the Belmont County Jail via the Inmate Roster
The Belmont County Jail is the holding facility for persons arrested for committing a crime in the county. This means that anyone, regardless of what law enforcement agency conducted the arrest, accused of committing a crime in Belmont County will be detained in jail for some period of time.
The Belmont County Jail compiles an inmate roster that displays persons detained. This online directory is split in half, with male detainees in the upper half and female detainees in the lower. The roster displays a lot of information about the detainees, including:
- Name
- Mugshot
- Charges
- Court
- Booking Date
- Arresting Agency
- Bail Amount
If you believe someone you know has been arrested and booked in the Belmont County Jail and cannot locate them on the inmate roster, it’s possible that the roster has simply not been updated. It’s common for jail rosters only to be updated once every 24 hours.
You may also call the Belmont County Jail at 740.695.5124 ext. 118 or 119 for more information concerning current inmates.
Belmont County Jail
68137 Hammond Rd.
St. Clairsville, Ohio
View Arrests & Obtain Public Police Reports via Law Enforcement Agencies in Belmont County
The Belmont County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) makes arrests and produces police reports as a result. Belmont County arrest records and police reports are public unless a statutory exemption applies.4
The BCSO makes requesting incident reports simple by offering an online method.5 Interested persons do not need to supply their name. They first need to check whether they want the incident report with or without photographs.
Then check how they wish to receive the report, as there are differing fees for each method:
- Email is free
- Black & white copies are $0.10 per page
- Color copies are $0.20 per page
- CD or DVD is $1 per disc
- Flash drive fee depends on the size of the report
- Mailed copies contain an additional postage fee
Interested persons should be sure to provide the best way for the BCSO to contact them. Record requests are generally responded to within three business days.
Police report requests may also be mailed or submitted in person by completing a request form. The form must be mailed or delivered in person to:
Belmont County Sheriff’s Office
68137 Hammond Road
St. Clairsville, Ohio 43950
Payment by cash, check, or money order must be submitted before requests are processed. Contact the BCSO at 740.695.7933 for more information.
In addition to the BCSO, Belmont County has two official cities that each have their own police department. The Martins Ferry Police Department (MFPD) does not provide citizens with a clear method for requesting police records.7
The Martins Ferry city government, which houses the Police Department, provides an online contact form that interested parties can use to inquire about police reports. Call the non-emergency phone line at 740.633.2121 to learn more about how to obtain police reports generated by the MFPD.
Martins Ferry Police Department
Martins Ferry City Hall
35 South Fifth Street
Martins Ferry, OH 43935
The other official city in Belmont County is St. Clairsville. The St. Clairsville Police Department also does not supply the public with a method for requesting police records.8 Contact the Administrative Office Manager at 740.695.0123, or submit an online message to the city government.9
St. Clairsville Police Department
100 North Market Street
St. Clairsville, Ohio 43950
There are several communities and villages in Belmont County that provide their citizens with their own local police departments. These departments will maintain their own police and arrest reports. If the Sheriff’s Office or one of the major police departments in the county do not have the information you need, contact the local department where the incident took place.
Simply search “[community name] Ohio arrest records” to locate the contact information to the local police department. Inform them of the name of the defendant and the date of the incident or arrest, and they should be able to assist you further.
How To Run a Belmont County Criminal Record Search
Broadly speaking, criminal records refer to warrants, charges, background check reports, probation, sex offender registries, and more. Interested parties should begin their search by reviewing county-level resources like the Clerk of Courts.10
If you are looking for an expanded view of someone’s criminal record history, you can then search state and federal-level agencies. Oftentimes, these resources will not only include Belmont County records but also additional records from other counties within Ohio or other states.
By accessing criminal records, you can learn about a person’s past run-ins with the law. You can also find out if they are currently facing criminal charges.
Find out how to access Belmont County public records surrounding criminal history information below.
Search Criminal Records & Cases via the Belmont County Clerk of Courts
The Belmont County Clerk of Courts is the record custodian for criminal court records. Interested parties can review anyone’s free criminal record check through the online case search.
Once users are in the system, they may search for Belmont County court records by name. They must include both first and last names, and be sure to select criminal under case type. Once the search yields results, a list will display that shows everyone who shares the same name and has faced criminal charges in Belmont County.
Click on the case number for more information. When you do, the results will show you:
- Defendant Name
- Aliases
- Charges
- Attorneys
- Sentencing
- Offense Date
- Court Date
- Court History
- Docket Information
- Disposition
Furthermore, users can print the case information.
The search does not compile every case under a defendant’s name. It displays each individual criminal case independently. So you must review all the cases in the list if you want to properly look up someone’s criminal record in Belmont County.
Contact the Clerk of Court at 740.699.2169 or [email protected] for more information.
Belmont County Clerk of Court
101 W. Main St.
St. Clairsville, Ohio 43950
How To Conduct a Belmont County Ohio Warrant Search
The Belmont County Sheriff’s Office (BSCO) provides a wanted list that displays individuals with warrants.12 Warrants are typically served on persons accused of committing crimes subsequent to an arrest. There are instances in which the serving of the warrant is interrupted or otherwise prevented.
Outstanding warrants are those that have not been served, and many law enforcement agencies post wanted lists to inform the public of fugitives.
For information concerning Belmont County warrants, contact the BCSO at 740.695.7933 and inquire. Otherwise, contact one of the other local law enforcement agencies in Belmont County.
How To Perform a Belmont County Probation Record Lookup
Those convicted of committing a criminal offense in Belmont County and placed on supervision are required to check in with the Probation Department. This department also maintains house arrest, community service, and pre-trial supervision of defendants.
The Belmont County Adult Probation Department does not provide the public with an online public records repository of offenders in the program. It’s unclear whether staff will confirm with any member of the public whether someone is on probation. For more information, contact the office at 740.695.3917.
Belmont County Probation Department
101 W. Main Street
St. Clairsville, Ohio 43950
Additionally, the county search tool will show users if probation was included in a defendant’s sentence. After searching the name of an individual and locating a case, under the docket information heading, look for “Sentencing”, and the probation type, start, and end date will be displayed.
How To Execute a Criminal Background Check in Belmont County Ohio
Citizens can perform personal background checks on another person for any reason that is not illegal or unlawful. Personal background checks can be conducted by searching through local, state, or federal agencies or using third-party providers.
This is because consent is not a requirement to obtain records that are already public. An interested party need only provide the name of an individual to conduct a personal background check.
It’s important to note that although anyone can get a background check done on another person, the information learned should never be used to harass, intimidate, or stalk them. Those who engage in such behaviors expose themselves to criminal liability.
As mentioned in previous sections, the Belmont County Clerk of Courts maintains a public records search of all court cases filed with the County Court. This includes criminal cases. Use the free search to find potential current or past criminal case information on a person of interest.
The other type of background check is a professional one, done for employment, licensing, firearms, housing, insurance, volunteer positions, daycare centers, health care facilities, and others. Professional background checks in Ohio require a person’s consent to supply fingerprints.
There are several legal constraints that employers and agencies must follow concerning background checks.
For example, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) requires employers to provide written notice to applicants when they intend to conduct employment background checks. Moreover, under Ohio’s ban-the-box law, employers are barred from asking about a candidate’s criminal record on job applications.
If an employer has violated federal or state law with respect to employment, contact the EEOC and file a complaint. If an employer or agency conducted a background check without consent, report it as fraud with the FTC.
The Ohio Attorney General’s Office processes most fingerprint-based background checks in the state.13 They compare a subject’s fingerprints against criminal databases to find out if the subject has a criminal record. Those databases are the Bureau of Criminal Investigations (BCI), and the FBI.
They provide the public with a web check of locations the Office endorses to take fingerprints for the purpose of professional background checks. Belmont County has three such locations:
| Location | Hours | Phone Number |
| Belmont County Sheriff’s Office 68137 Hammond Rd. St. Clairsville, Ohio 43950 |
Monday – Friday 8:00 am – 4:00 pm By appointment only |
740.695.7933 |
| McKeen Security, Inc 69100 Bayberry Dr., Ste 200 St. Clairsville, Ohio 43950 |
Monday – Friday 9:00 am – 12:00 pm; 1:00 pm – 4:30 pm | 740.699.1301 |
| St. Clairsville Police Department 100 North Market Street St. Clairsville, Ohio 43950 |
Monday – Friday 8:30 am – 4:30 pm | 740.695.6629 |
If you have questions, contact the Attorney General’s Office Bureau of Criminal Investigations at 877.224.0043.
The East Central Ohio Education Service Center also conducts fingerprint-based background checks independent of the Attorney General’s Office.14 Interested parties in Belmont County must schedule an appointment by calling 740.695.9773, or selecting a date at the bottom of the home page.
Citizens must bring a valid photo ID, payment of $32 for BCI checks and $36 for FBI checks, and employer authorization if the background check is for employment. The Belmont branch is located at:
ECOESC
67400 Betty Lee Way
St. Clairsville, OH 43950
How To Access State & Federal Resources To Find Ohio Criminal Cases
Belmont County public records can be found by researching county and municipal agencies or departments; however, by expanding to state and federal resources, interested parties may find additional criminal information through a more comprehensive search.
Use the resources below to expand a criminal search beyond Belmont County:
The Ohio State Highway Patrol conducts criminal investigations. Their Central Records Unit maintains these records that are accessible to the public through the online submission platform.
The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation & Correction offers the public a free offender search that displays information on those currently incarcerated in prison and those who have been released.
The Ohio Attorney General’s Office provides the public with a free sex offender registry search that shows offenders located within a one-mile radius of a given address anywhere throughout the state. The Office also allows individuals to request their own criminal records.
The Federal Bureau of Prisons maintains an inmate locator for those incarcerated in federal prison, either formerly or currently.
The U.S. Department of Justice provides a sex offender registry search for individuals convicted of federal sexual crimes; offenders can be found by either name or location.
How To Complete a Belmont County Ohio Court Case Lookup
When researching Belmont County judicial records, it’s important to understand the court system. Almost all court cases are heard by the state-level trial courts, which are called Common Pleas Court and Magistrate Court.
The Magistrate Court is the lowest level court, and it has jurisdiction over traffic cases, most criminal misdemeanors, city ordinance violations, small claims, etc. The Common Pleas Court has jurisdiction over almost every other case, including:
- Criminal Felonies
- Civil Lawsuits
- Contracts
- Property
- Business Transactions
- Divorce
- Alimony
- Child Support
- Juvenile
Both courts are located at the Belmont County Common Pleas Court. As mentioned previously, the Belmont County Clerk of Courts maintains all of these records and compiles them into a free public index. This tool allows members of the public to easily locate court case information.
If you cannot find the court case information you are looking for through the search tool, contact one of the Courts using the information below:
Belmont County Magistrate Court: 740.695.2121 ext. 1082
Belmont County Common Pleas Court: 740.695.2121
In addition to criminal and civil courts, the Belmont County Probate Court is also housed in the Court of Common Pleas.18 The Probate Court handles matters pertaining to adoption, getting married, legal guardianship, and wills. The court does not allow invested parties to view court case information online, and they should call 740-699-2144 or email [email protected].
When cases from the Belmont County Common Pleas Court are appealed, they are heard by the Ohio Seventh District Court of Appeals. The Court of Appeals instructs interested persons who want court case information to contact the Clerk of Court in their respective county. This means that those who want information on appeals from Belmont County courts should contact the County Clerk of Court.
If you have questions concerning the Appeals Court, contact them at 330.740.2180 or [email protected].
Seventh District Court of Appeals
131 W. Federal St.
Youngstown, OH 44503
When cases from the Appeals Court are appealed, they are heard by the Ohio Supreme Court. Both Appeals Court and Supreme Court decisions can be found using the free opinion search. Users may navigate the source drop-down to select Appeals Court or Supreme Court opinions.
For more information, contact the Supreme Court at 614.387.9000.
Ohio Supreme Court
65 South Front St.
Columbus, Ohio 43215
If you or someone you know has been prosecuted for federal crimes in Belmont County, that means the case was heard by the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio. To access court case information from this court, they provide the public with an online case locator.
This feature is not free and costs $0.10 per page to access information. The fees are capped at $3 per document.
For more information on federal court case records, contact the federal Clerk of Court at [email protected].
U.S. District Court
Joseph P. Kinneary U.S. Courthouse, Rm 121
85 Marconi Blvd.
Columbus, OH 43215
How To View Belmont County Vital Records (Marriage, Divorce, Birth & Death)
Vital records are official records kept by government agencies that pertain to a certificate of birth, death certificate, marriage and divorce record, and more.
Vital records can help you find out if someone is married or help you obtain a family member’s birth certificate when researching genealogy. They can also assist people who want a name change or choose to adopt a child.
In Ohio, all vital records are public, and anyone can obtain them for any reason that’s not unlawful. The Belmont County Clerk of Court is the resource that will help you with marital records. The Ohio Department of Health is the resource that will help you with birth and death records.
Search Belmont County Marital Records (Marriage, Divorce & Dissolution of Marriage) Through the Clerk of Court
If you want to check if someone is married in Belmont County, you must contact the Clerk of Court. Belmont County marriage records are filed with the Court of Common Pleas, which means they can be reviewed using the court case search.
Interested persons should type in the first and last name of the person they are interested in researching and highlight “Marriage License” under case type. Once the search yields results, click on the case number that corresponds to the name of the person you are researching. This will provide inquirers with marriage license information, including:
- Names and aliases of both parties
- Addresses of both parties
- Docket information
- Date of filing
- Date of competition
- Disposition (if applicable)
Similarly, Belmont County divorce records may be reviewed in a similar manner. In Ohio, divorces are called dissolutions. Interested persons should highlight “Dissolutions” under case type to discover if the person they are researching has been divorced in Belmont County.
Marriage certificates and dissolutions can only be found in the county where the event was recorded. Interested parties must find out where the event took place in order to review the records.
Retrieve Belmont County Ohio Birth & Death Certificates via the Department of Health
Birth certificates and death certificates are maintained by the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) and are not maintained by Belmont County. Certified birth and death records are $21.50 and can be obtained in three different ways – online, by mail, or in person.
Citizens interested in obtaining a birth certificate online must be in possession of the following information:
- Legal name of the child
- Date of birth
- Mother’s maiden name
- City or county of birth
- Valid credit card for payment
The ODH only keeps birth records from 1908 to the present. Newborn birth records are not updated in the system until 12 weeks after the date of birth.
Citizens interested in obtaining a certificate of death online must be in possession of the following information:
- Legal name of the decedent
- Date of birth
- Gender
- City or county of death
- Mothers first, last, and maiden name
- Valid credit card for payment
Death certificates are only available from decedents who passed away from 1971 to the present. For death certificates older than 1971, contact the local health district where the certificate was recorded. Furthermore, the death certificates of the recently deceased are not available until 12 weeks after the event occurred.
Interested parties can make requests by mail by completing an application for certified copies and mailing it to the Bureau of Vital Statistics:
Ohio Department of Health
Bureau of Vital Statistics
P.O. Box 15098
Columbus, OH 43215
Fees can only be paid via check or money order.
Interested parties can also make requests in person at the Bureau of Vital Statistics between the hours of 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Monday – Friday at the following location:
Bureau of Vital Statistics
4200 Surface Rd.
Columbus, Ohio
For more convenient service, inquirers can visit one of the local health districts (linked above). Those seeking birth and death records in Belmont County can visit the local health district at the address below:
Belmont County General Health District
68501 Bannock Rd., St.
Clairsville, Ohio 43950
For questions and concerns about obtaining vital records through the ODH, contact the office at 614.466.3543.
How To Review Property Records & Taxes in Belmont County Ohio for Free via the Auditor or Recorder
Like most Belmont County public records, property and tax documents can be found by researching one of the county government agencies; the best way to look up property records for free is through the Belmont County Auditor.
This county agency provides a simple land records search that allows members of the general public to locate properties by owner, location, parcel number, sales, or by listed or deeded name.
If researchers elect to look up properties by owner or name, they must capitalize both the first and last name for the search to yield results. Once the search yields results, click on the property number for additional information, including:
- Owner Name
- Address
- Tax Information
- Date of Sale
- Sale Amount
- Payment History
- Land Use
- Transfer History
Interested parties may contact the County Auditor’s Office for more information on how to use the system or look up property records by calling 740.699.2130. They may also visit the office between 8:30 am – 4:30 pm Monday – Friday at:
Belmont County Auditor’s Office
101 W. Main St.
St. Clairsville, OH 43950
All land records in Belmont County are recorded with the County Recorder. The Belmont County Recorder makes land records available online for anyone to review. Additionally, the Recorder’s Office is able to assist those who wish to search land records in person at the office.
They are located at the address below:
Belmont County Recorder
101 W. Main St., 2nd Floor
St. Clairsville, OH 43950
The office is open 8:30 am – 4:30 pm Monday – Friday.
Lastly, for individuals who are tech-savvy, the Belmont County Recorder’s Office makes available an interactive map, where inquirers can type in an address in the search bar or freelance zoom onto a parcel. Once a parcel is highlighted, a text block will appear that offers information, including the owner’s name, parcel pin, acreage, and links to the auditor record, tax map, and transfer card.
For questions concerning how to locate land records and ownership information through the Belmont County Recorder, contact the office at 740.699.2140 or [email protected].
Your Rights & Responsible Use of Belmont County Public Records
People conducting public records research for personal use can do it for any reason that is not criminal in nature. Because Ohio public records can be obtained by anyone, researchers must always ensure that the rights of the person they are researching are not being violated.
Obtaining public records on another person does not give the one researching immunity from criminal liability simply because they do not like what they found. If they decide to stalk, harass, intimidate, or blackmail another person, they will most likely find themselves being prosecuted.
Consent is not required for personal use of public records. It can be a great way to screen neighbors, family members, potential dates and more.
Citizens can obtain these records thanks to Ohio’s Open Records Law. Government agencies must comply with the requests unless an exception applies, like when a police report contains information concerning a confidential informant.
But generally, requests must be complied with. If they are not complied with, citizens can file a complaint with the Ohio Court of Claims.
When employers and other agencies run background checks for professional purposes, they must abide by federal and state laws. For example, Ohio’s ban-the-box law requires employers to conduct an individualized assessment of a candidate before taking any adverse action based on information found in a background check.22
With respect to federal law, the EEOC prohibits employers from discriminating against anyone on a protected basis. For example, it is a violation for an employer only to check the criminal history of applicants of a certain race.
Additionally, the Fair Credit Reporting Act gives consumers the right to be informed when information from a background check is being used to make decisions that negatively affect them.
If an employee or applicant believes their rights have been violated, they should file a complaint with the local EEOC.23 If a consumer believes their rights have been violated, they should file a complaint with the FTC.24
Having access to public records is a benefit enjoyed by citizens of the United States. By using this resource for guidance, anyone can learn how to review or obtain various Belmont County public records for free.
References
1Sunshine Laws. Ohio Attorney General’s Office. (n.d.). Retrieved October 17, 2023, from <https://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/legal/sunshine-laws>
2Belmont County Jail. Belmont County Sheriff’s Office. (2021). Retrieved October 17, 2023, from <https://www.belmontsheriff.com/jail/>
3Jail Roster. Belmont County Sheriff’s Office. (2023). Retrieved October 17, 2023, from <https://www.belmontsheriff.com/bcsojailroster/index.html>
4Section 149.43. Ohio Laws & Administrative Rules. (n.d.). Retrieved October 17, 2023, from <https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-149.43>
5Public Records. Belmont County Sheriff’s Office. (2021). Retrieved October 17, 2023, from <https://www.belmontsheriff.com/public-records/>
6Public Records Request Form. Belmont County Sheriff’s Office. (n.d.). Retrieved October 17, 2023, from <https://www.belmontsheriff.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/records_request_form_on_line_07_03_23.pdf>
7Police Department. City of Martins Ferry. (2023). Retrieved October 17, 2023, from <https://martinsferry.org/safety/police-department/>
8Police Department. City of St. Clairsville. (2023). Retrieved October 17, 2023, from <https://stclairsville.com/city-government/departments/police-department/>
9Contact Us. City of St. Clairsville. (2023). Retrieved October 17, 2023, from <https://stclairsville.com/contact-us/>
10Public Record Search. Belmont County Clerk of Courts. (2023). Retrieved October 17, 2023, from <https://belmontcountycoc.org/statewide-records-search>
11Case Details. CourtView. (2023). Retrieved October 17, 2023, from <https://eservices.belmontcountycourts.com/eservices/searchresults.page?x=lWoPtCoFi79UjXuNQzrt2iVJ0Vh6stA1Ap0MITUhR0s4B9rnKbOLqgpy8ivEpX9SUvV9yIEA-pzvhg8oRwQwcQ>
12Belmont County Sheriff’s Wanted List. Belmont County Sheriff’s Office. (2021). Retrieved October 17, 2023, from <https://www.belmontsheriff.com/information/wanted/>
13Webcheck Locations. Ohio Attorney General’s Office. (n.d.). Retrieved October 17, 2023, from <https://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/Business/Services-for-Business/WebCheck/Webcheck-Community-Listing>
14Background Checks. East Central Ohio ESC. (2023). Retrieved October 17, 2023, from <https://www.ecoesc.org/background-checks/>
15Offender Details. Ohio Department of Rehabilitation & Correction. (2023). Retrieved October 17, 2023, from <https://appgateway.drc.ohio.gov/OffenderSearch/Search/Details/A680054>
16Offender Details. Ohio Attorney General’s Office. (n.d.). Retrieved October 17, 2023, from <https://www.icrimewatch.net/offenderdetails.php?OfndrID=2063960&AgencyID=55149>
17Inmate Locator. Federal Bureau of Prisons. (n.d.). Retrieved October 17, 2023, from <https://www.bop.gov/inmateloc/>
18Probate Court. Belmont County Courts. (2023). Retrieved October 17, 2023, from <https://www.belmontcountyohiocourts.com/probate-court/>
19Ohio’s Online Certificate Application. Ohio Department of Health. (n.d.). Retrieved October 17, 2023, from <https://odhgateway.odh.ohio.gov/OrderBirthCertificates/OrderBirthCertificate.aspx>
20Real Estate Search. Belmont County Auditor. (n.d.). Retrieved October 17, 2023, from <https://belmontcountyauditor.org/RealEstate/Summary?property_Id=6231&rowNumber=7>
21Interactive Map. Belmont County Recorder. (n.d.). Retrieved October 17, 2023, from <https://gis.belcogis.com/portal/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=a301ef5c48204d43a13851d112f4757a>
22Section 9.73. Ohio Laws & Administrative Rules. (n.d.). Retrieved October 17, 2023, from <https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-9.73>
23How to File A Complaint. U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. (n.d.). Retrieved October 17, 2023, from <https://www.eeoc.gov/youth/how-file-complaint>
24Report Fraud. Federal Trade Commission. (n.d.). Retrieved October 17, 2023, from <https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/#/>