MontgomeryCourt.org allows you to search for publicly available information on court cases in Montgomery County, Ohio. In addition to this resource, records can be found through the official county court portals, the Clerk of Courts office, as well as through public terminals installed directly in court buildings. Below is a practical guide to the county court system, hearing calendar, obtaining document copies, and fees.
Montgomery Court System & Jurisdictions
Montgomery County has several court instances, each handling specific categories of cases.
Common Pleas Court — General Division
This is a court of general jurisdiction. It handles serious criminal cases (felonies), large civil lawsuits, and appeals from municipal courts. The official court website publishes dockets, local rules, and jury information.
Common Pleas Court — Domestic Relations Division
Divorces, division of marital property, child custody, and alimony are all handled by the Domestic Relations division. Cases are conducted separately from the general division.
Common Pleas Court — Juvenile Division
Cases involving minors: offenses, status offenses (truancy, running away), as well as dependency and neglect issues.
Common Pleas Court — Probate Division
The probate court handles inheritance cases, guardian appointments, name changes, and adoptions. Some probate court records have restricted access.
Dayton Municipal Court
The Dayton Municipal Court serves the city of Dayton and part of the surrounding areas. It handles:
- Misdemeanors (minor criminal offenses)
- Traffic and parking violations
- Civil claims up to $15,000
- Small Claims cases up to $6,000
Dayton Municipal Court case search allows filtering by type: enforcement, parking, traffic, criminal, civil, and docket.
Area Municipal Courts
Several other municipal courts serve the rest of the county — Miamisburg, Vandalia-Butler, Kettering. Each has its own clerk and case search system.
Second District Court of Appeals
The Montgomery County Clerk of Courts also maintains records of appeals filed with the Second District Court of Appeals of Ohio.
Montgomery Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
To find out the schedule of hearings for today, tomorrow, or the current week, use one of the following methods:
- Common Pleas Court Docket. On the court's main page, there is a "Docket" section where current hearing schedules for the General Division are published.
- Public Records Online (PRO) Portal. Through Quick Links on the court's website, you can access the PRO system, where you can search by case number or party name and view scheduled dates.
- Dayton Municipal Court. The Dayton Municipal Court docket is available through the clerk's portal — select the type of case and view the schedule.
- In-person visit or phone call. Call 937-225-6000 or visit the court building.
Note: Schedules for Juvenile and Probate Division hearings usually need to be requested separately, as they are not always published in the same docket as the General Division.
How to Get a Copy of a Montgomery Court Document
Copies of court documents come in two types: uncertified and certified. A certified copy has the clerk's seal and confirms the document's authenticity — it is usually required by other courts, government agencies, and employers.
Online Request
Submit a request through the Court Records Request page on the clerk's website. You can also send a request via email to recordssection@mcohio.org.
In-person Visit
Visit the Clerk of Courts office:
Additional locations for obtaining copies:
Mail Request
Send a written request specifying the case number, party names, and type of document to the main office of the clerk (41 N Perry St, Room 104, Dayton, OH 45422). Include payment in the form of a check or money order payable to Clerk of Courts.
What You Will Need for a Request
- Case number or full party name
- Approximate date of filing or hearing
- Type of court (Common Pleas, Municipal, Probate, etc.)
Some records — such as juvenile cases or sealed cases — are not available to the public. If you are unsure whether a document is public, ask the clerk.
Montgomery Court Records Fees & Payment
According to Ohio's public records law, the clerk's office is entitled to charge fees for copying and certifying documents. Below are approximate rates applicable to the Montgomery County Clerk of Courts office. Always confirm the exact amount directly with the office, as fees may change.
| Service | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Uncertified copy (per page) | $0.05 – $0.10 |
| Certified copy (certification fee) | $1.00 per document (plus copying cost) |
| Record search by clerk | A separate fee may be charged depending on the search volume |
| Online download via PRO | Viewing — free; a fee may be charged for downloading or printing |
Payment Methods
- In-person: cash, check, money order
- By mail: check or money order payable to Clerk of Courts
- Online: via the Bill Pay portal (link available on the Quick Links page)
Electronic correspondence sent to the clerk's office is considered a public record under Ohio's public records law. Keep this in mind when sending requests via email.