Licking County Dissolution Of Marriage
Licking County dissolution of marriage records are held at the Clerk of Courts office in Newark. The Domestic Relations Division of the Court of Common Pleas keeps every filing tied to a dissolution case, from the joint petition to the final decree. If you want to search for a dissolution of marriage record in Licking County, you can use the online case search tool or visit the courthouse on East Main Street. The county rolled out a new case management system in June 2025, which changed how records are stored and searched. Older records from before 1992 are kept at the Licking County Records and Archives Center on East Main Street.
Licking County Quick Facts
Licking County Clerk of Courts Records
The Licking County Clerk of Courts runs the Domestic Relations Division from their office at 75 East Main Street in Newark, OH 43055. You can reach them by phone at (740) 670-5400. The fax line is (740) 670-5398. Office hours run Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. This is where you go for certified copies of a dissolution decree or any other document from a domestic relations case.
The General Division of the Clerk of Courts sits at a different spot: 1 Courthouse Square, Newark, OH 43055, with a phone number of (740) 670-5700. Dissolution of marriage cases go through the Domestic Division, not the General Division. Make sure you call the right office. Staff at either location can point you in the right direction if you are not sure where to start.
In Licking County, the Clerk of Courts also handles e-filing for attorneys and provides access to electronic records through their electronic records portal. The system allows searches by name, case number, and filing date. Docket entries, pleading filings, rulings, and service records are all visible online. Full certified copies still require an in-person visit or a mail request.
Dissolution Of Marriage Records in Licking County
Getting a dissolution of marriage record in Licking County is straightforward. Walk into the Domestic Division office during business hours and ask at the counter. Bring a valid photo ID. Give the staff the names of both parties and, if you have it, the case number or approximate year. For recent cases, you can often get copies the same day you ask.
You can also make a request by mail. Send a letter to the Licking County Clerk of Courts, Domestic Division, 75 East Main Street, Newark, OH 43055. Include the names of both spouses, the approximate date of the dissolution, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Enclose a check or money order for the copy fees. Mail requests usually take a few business days to process once the office gets them.
Under Ohio Revised Code Chapter 3105, dissolution of marriage records are public court records. Anyone can ask for basic case information. Certified copies may have some restrictions, but general docket data is open to the public. The Clerk's office follows the public records rules set out in ORC Section 149.43.
Note: Pre-1992 dissolution records in Licking County are stored at the Records and Archives Center at 61 East Main Street, Newark, OH 43055, phone 740-670-5121.
Filing for Dissolution in Licking County
A dissolution of marriage in Ohio is the no-fault path to ending a marriage. Both spouses must agree on all terms before they file. Under ORC Section 3105.63, the couple submits a joint petition along with a separation agreement that covers property, debt, spousal support, and child custody if there are kids. At least one spouse must have lived in Ohio for six months straight before filing. There is no separate county residency rule for dissolution like there is for divorce.
After the petition is filed with the Licking County Clerk of Courts, the court sets a hearing between 30 and 90 days out. Both spouses must attend. They confirm under oath that they entered the agreement freely. The judge reviews the terms and, if everything is in order, grants the dissolution. The decree becomes final that day. Under ORC Section 3105.64, the court can approve the agreement and enter a decree of dissolution if both parties are satisfied with the terms.
Search Licking County Dissolution Records Online
Licking County implemented a new case management system in June 2025. The electronic records portal lets you search dockets, pleadings, rulings, and other case activity. You can pull up dissolution of marriage cases by party name or case number. The system is free to use and available during and outside of business hours.
Keep in mind that the online system shows docket entries and basic case info. It does not replace a certified copy. If you need an official document for legal purposes, you still need to contact the Clerk's office. The Ohio Clerk of Courts Association provides a directory of all 88 county clerks if you need to reach another county's office.
Licking County Dissolution Record Fees
Copy fees in Licking County follow standard Ohio rates. Contact the Domestic Division at (740) 670-5400 for the current fee schedule. Most Ohio counties charge around $1.00 per page for certified copies. Certification fees are usually $1.00 per document on top of the page charges. Payment methods vary, so call ahead to confirm what the office accepts.
Filing fees for a new dissolution case range from $300 to $400 depending on whether children are part of the case. The Ohio State Bar Association has resources on typical court costs and what to expect when filing a domestic relations case.
Licking County Historical Dissolution Records
Licking County has court records going back to the early 1800s. Dissolution and divorce records from before 1992 are stored at the Licking County Records and Archives Center at 61 East Main Street, Newark, Ohio 43055. You can reach them at 740-670-5121 or email recordsarchives@lickingcounty.gov. Certified copies from any time period must be obtained through the Clerk of Courts Domestic Relations office, even if the original record lives at the archives.
A courthouse fire in 1875 destroyed many early birth and death records, but most court records from the 1800s survived. Marriage records from 1809 to 1879 are available as transcribed records at the archives. For dissolution records specifically, the Clerk's office is the primary custodian regardless of age.
The Ohio Department of Health Bureau of Vital Statistics keeps abstract indexes of divorces and dissolutions from 1954 onward. An abstract is not the full decree. It only lists names, dates, and the county. For the actual court documents, you need the Licking County Clerk of Courts.
Dissolution Of Marriage in Licking County Cities
The largest city in Licking County is Newark, which serves as the county seat. All dissolution of marriage cases for residents of Newark and surrounding communities are filed through the Licking County Court of Common Pleas. Other towns in the county such as Heath, Pataskala, and Granville also fall under Licking County's jurisdiction for domestic relations matters. There is no separate city court for dissolution cases. Everything goes through the county system.
Nearby County Dissolution Records
If you need dissolution of marriage records from a neighboring county, here are the ones that border Licking County: