Putnam County Dissolution Of Marriage Records

Putnam County dissolution of marriage records are on file at the Clerk of Courts office in Ottawa, Ohio. The Domestic Relations Division of the Court of Common Pleas handles every dissolution case in the county. If you need to search for a dissolution filing or get a copy of a decree, you can visit the courthouse, call the clerk, or send a request by mail. Putnam County also offers some online access to public court records through its case search portal. This page covers the details of how to find and obtain dissolution of marriage records in Putnam County.

Putnam County Dissolution Of Marriage Sources

The Putnam County Clerk of Courts is the official custodian of dissolution of marriage records. The office is at 245 E. Main Street, Suite 301, Ottawa, OH 45875. The phone number is (419) 523-3110, and the fax is (419) 523-5284. You can also email Kim Redman at kim.redman@putnamcountyohio.gov with questions about records. Office hours run Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Putnam County has court and divorce records going back to 1834. That is a long run of records for a rural Ohio county. The Domestic Relations Division handles divorces, dissolutions, and custody disputes. Public records requests can be made by phone, fax, email, or in person. The Putnam County Courts page has links to the different court divisions and their contact information.

The Putnam County Probate and Juvenile Court is in a separate suite at 245 E. Main Street, Suite 201. You can reach them at (419) 523-3012. The Probate Court handles marriage licenses, not dissolution of marriage records. If you need a marriage license, go to Probate. If you need a dissolution decree, go to the Clerk of Courts.

Search Putnam County Dissolution Records

Putnam County provides online access to some court records through its public access website. You can search by name or case number. The daily docket is also posted online so you can see what cases are scheduled. The case search shows basic information about each filing, including party names, case type, and status. For full documents, you may need to visit the clerk's office or request copies by mail.

DR forms for filing dissolution of marriage cases are available at www.courts.putnamcountyohio.gov. Instructions for filing are provided in a PDF that the court posts on its site. If you cannot afford the filing fees, a Poverty Affidavit is available for fee waivers. As of January 1, 2026, e-filing is required for all attorneys filing in Putnam County courts. Pro se filers can still submit paper documents.

The Ohio Bureau of Vital Statistics maintains a statewide abstract index of dissolution records from 1954 forward.

The abstract has limited information. For the actual dissolution decree and separation agreement from Putnam County, you need to contact the Clerk of Courts in Ottawa.

Dissolution Of Marriage Process in Putnam County

Under Ohio Revised Code Section 3105.63, dissolution of marriage requires both spouses to file together. They submit a joint petition and a separation agreement that covers every issue. Property, debts, support, and custody all have to be settled before the petition goes to the court. At least one spouse must have lived in Ohio for six months before filing. There is no extra county residency rule for dissolution.

After the Putnam County Clerk of Courts receives the petition, the court sets a hearing date between 30 and 90 days out. Both spouses appear and confirm under oath that they agree to the terms. If the judge approves the agreement, the dissolution is granted. The decree becomes a permanent record stored by the Clerk of Courts. Most court hearings in Putnam County have been converted to telephonic hearings, so check with the court about how your hearing will be conducted.

Putnam County Dissolution Fees and Copies

Filing fees for dissolution of marriage cases and copy fees for existing records vary. Contact the Putnam County Clerk of Courts at (419) 523-3110 for the current fee schedule. Ohio counties typically charge $0.10 per page for uncertified copies and around $1.00 to $2.00 per page for certified copies. You can pay at the clerk's office when you pick up your copies.

Certified copies have the court seal and clerk signature. You need these for legal purposes like changing your name, getting remarried, or showing proof of your marital status to a government office. Plain copies are fine for personal records. The Putnam County Health Department at 256 E. Main Street, Ottawa, OH 45875, phone (419) 523-5608, handles birth and death records but does not keep dissolution of marriage records.

Putnam County Legal Resources

Legal Aid of Western Ohio provides pro se divorce and dissolution clinics in Putnam County. To sign up, call 888-534-2432 or visit legalaidline.org. These clinics help people who plan to file without a lawyer understand the forms and the process. The Ohio State Bar Association also offers a referral service if you want to hire an attorney for your dissolution case.

Dissolution of marriage records in Putnam County are public under the Ohio Public Records Act, Ohio Revised Code Section 149.43. Anyone can request access. Financial source documents and sealed records may be restricted, but the petition, separation agreement, and final decree are generally available to any member of the public.

Nearby Counties

If the dissolution was filed in a neighboring county, reach out to that county's Clerk of Courts for records.