Henry County Public Records
How to Find Public Records in Henry County in 2026
HenryOHRecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to public records maintained by government agencies in Henry County, Ohio. Members of the public may use this resource to locate data that may include court filings, property documents, vital statistics, and other records created or held by county offices. The availability and completeness of specific records may vary depending on the custodial office and the nature of the request.
Record categories that may be accessible through official channels include:
- Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and domestic relations)
- Property deeds, mortgages, and liens
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce)
- Tax and assessment records
- Business licenses and permits
- Voting and election records
- County commission meeting minutes and agendas
- Law enforcement incident reports (where permitted)
- Land use and zoning documents
Online Access: The Henry County Auditor maintains an online property search portal where members of the public may search parcel data, tax records, and assessment information without registration. The Henry County Clerk of Courts provides access to case information through the Ohio Courts Network, which allows users to search civil and criminal case records statewide.
In-Person Requests: Members of the public wishing to inspect records in person may visit the relevant custodial office during regular business hours. The Henry County Recorder's Office, located at 660 N. Perry Street, Napoleon, OH 43545, accepts walk-in requests Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Requestors should identify the record type and approximate date range to facilitate retrieval.
Written/Mail Requests: Written requests may be submitted by mail to the appropriate office. Requests should include the requestor's name, a description of the records sought, and a preferred format for delivery. Under Ohio Revised Code § 149.43, public offices are required to respond to public records requests within a reasonable period of time.
Phone/Email: The Henry County Recorder's Office may be reached by phone at (419) 592-1766. The Henry County Clerk of Courts may be contacted at (419) 592-5886.
What Are Public Records in Henry County?
Public records in Henry County are defined by Ohio state law as any record kept by a public office in the course of its official duties. Under § 149.43 of the Ohio Revised Code, a "'public record' means records kept by any public office, including, but not limited to, state, county, city, village, township, and school district units." This definition encompasses a broad range of documents maintained by Henry County offices.
The following record types are currently maintained by Henry County government offices:
| Record Type | Custodial Office |
|---|---|
| Civil and criminal court records | Henry County Clerk of Courts |
| Probate and estate records | Henry County Probate Court |
| Property deeds, mortgages, liens | Henry County Recorder |
| Property tax and assessment records | Henry County Auditor |
| Vital records (birth, death, marriage) | Henry County Probate Court / Ohio Department of Health |
| Business licenses and permits | Henry County Auditor / municipalities |
| Voting and election records | Henry County Board of Elections |
| Meeting minutes and agendas | Henry County Commissioners |
| Law enforcement records | Henry County Sheriff's Office |
| Land use and zoning records | Henry County Planning Commission |
The Henry County Recorder maintains land records including deeds, mortgages, and liens. The Henry County Auditor's office maintains property tax and assessment data. Vital records for events occurring in Henry County may be obtained through the Henry County Probate Court or the Ohio Department of Health Vital Statistics.
Is Henry County an Open Records County?
Henry County operates in full compliance with Ohio's statewide open records law. Under Ohio Revised Code § 149.43, all public offices in Ohio — including those in Henry County — are required to make public records available for inspection and copying upon request. The Ohio Attorney General's office notes that "records are a crucial component of the governing process," and the state's public records framework reflects a strong presumption in favor of disclosure.
Ohio's Public Records Act functions as the state's equivalent of a freedom of information law, establishing the right of any person to inspect and obtain copies of public records. The law does not require requestors to provide a reason for their request, nor does it limit access to Ohio residents. Henry County offices are bound by this statute and are required to adopt and post a public records policy pursuant to state law.
The Ohio Attorney General's office on public records access provides guidance to both public offices and members of the public regarding rights and obligations under the Act. Henry County offices are subject to periodic compliance review and may be required to complete certified public records training as mandated by state law.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Henry County?
The cost to obtain public records in Henry County depends on the type of record requested and the format in which copies are provided. Ohio law permits public offices to charge fees that do not exceed the actual cost of reproduction.
Standard Copy Fees:
- Paper copies: $0.05 per page (standard 8.5" x 11" black-and-white)
- Larger format copies: actual cost of reproduction
- Certified copies of court records: fees set by the Clerk of Courts (currently $1.00–$5.00 per document, depending on type)
- Certified copies of vital records: $25.00 per copy (Ohio Department of Health standard fee)
- Electronic records: actual cost of the medium used (e.g., USB drive, CD)
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 during regular business hours.
Certification fees: Fees for certified copies vary by office and record type. The Henry County Probate Court sets its own schedule for certified vital record copies.
Accepted payment methods at Henry County offices include cash, check, and money order. Some offices may accept credit or debit cards; requestors should confirm accepted methods with the specific office prior to submitting payment.
Fee waivers are not broadly mandated under Ohio law, though individual offices may exercise discretion in certain circumstances. Fees for electronic records may be waived if the office is able to transmit records via email at no additional cost.
Does Henry County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available at Henry County government offices during regular business hours. Ohio law requires that public offices permit any person to inspect public records at no charge. The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while inspection carries no fee, obtaining physical or electronic copies may involve reproduction costs as described above.
The following resources currently provide free access to certain Henry County records:
- Henry County Auditor's online portal: Property search, parcel data, and tax assessment records are available at no cost through the Henry County Auditor
- Ohio Courts Network: Case index information for Henry County courts is searchable at no cost through the Ohio Courts Network
- Henry County Board of Elections: Voter registration and election results information is available at no cost through the Henry County Board of Elections
- In-person inspection: Any member of the public may inspect records at the relevant county office without charge during posted business hours
Who Can Request Public Records in Henry County?
Any person may request public records in Henry County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. Ohio's public records law does not restrict access to Ohio residents, and requestors are not required to identify themselves or explain the reason for their request in most circumstances.
Specific eligibility provisions under current law include:
- Residency: Not required. Non-residents have the same right of access as Ohio residents.
- Identification: Not required for most public records requests, though some offices may ask for identification as a matter of administrative practice.
- Purpose: Requestors are not required to state a purpose for most public records requests under Ohio law.
- Age: No minimum age is specified by statute for public records requests.
Certain record types carry additional access restrictions. For example, access to sealed court records, juvenile records, and adoption records is limited by statute regardless of who is making the request. Individuals requesting their own records — such as personal criminal history or court filings — follow the same process as any other requestor, though additional identity verification may be required for records containing sensitive personal information.
Members of the public who believe their right of access has been improperly denied may file a complaint through the Ohio Court of Claims public records complaint process, which provides a formal mechanism for resolving disputes between requestors and public offices.
What Records Are Confidential in Henry County?
Not all records maintained by Henry County offices are subject to public disclosure. Ohio law identifies specific categories of records that are exempt from the public records requirement. The following categories are currently exempt from disclosure under Ohio Revised Code § 149.43 and related statutes:
- 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
- Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and similar data are redacted from otherwise public records
- Medical and health records: Protected under both Ohio law and federal HIPAA regulations
- Adoption records: Sealed by statute; access is governed by separate provisions of Ohio law
- Child welfare and protective services records: Confidential under Ohio law
- Personnel records: Certain employee information is exempt, with exceptions for name, position, and compensation of public employees
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Exempt where disclosure would cause competitive harm
- Security and infrastructure plans: Records detailing security systems or critical infrastructure are exempt to protect public safety
Where a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, the custodial office is required to redact the exempt portions and provide the remainder. The Ohio Attorney General's office provides guidance on applying the balancing test between disclosure and exemption in ambiguous cases, available through the Ohio Attorney General's public records guidance.
Henry County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Henry County Recorder's Office
660 N. Perry Street, Suite 103
Napoleon, OH 43545
Phone: (419) 592-1766
Henry County Recorder
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays
Henry County Clerk of Courts
660 N. Perry Street
Napoleon, OH 43545
Phone: (419) 592-5886
Henry County Clerk of Courts
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Henry County Auditor's Office
660 N. Perry Street
Napoleon, OH 43545
Phone: (419) 592-1956
Henry County Auditor
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Henry County Probate Court
660 N. Perry Street
Napoleon, OH 43545
Phone: (419) 592-4876
Henry County Probate Court
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Henry County Board of Elections
104 E. Washington Street
Napoleon, OH 43545
Phone: (419) 592-9030
Henry County Board of Elections
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Henry County Sheriff's Office
1094 S. Main Street
Napoleon, OH 43545
Phone: (419) 592-2211
Henry County Sheriff's Office
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM (administrative); dispatch available 24 hours