Frequently Asked Questions

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Yes, you will need to file a 23A Form. Call 419-424-7213 for information.

Yes, please send a self-addressed, stamped envelope along with the entire tax bill and payment.

Possibly, this is called the Homestead Exemption. For more information call the Auditor's office at 419-424-7015.

Yes, in some cases. Call the Treasure Office at 419-424-7213 for more details.

Only through Official Payment Corporation (OP) payment by Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover.

Click here for more information.

Not at this time. We are reviewing this program.

Two factors establish the amount of taxes you pay: 

1^st - The primary factor is the market value of your property. The County Auditor assesses your property according to market value not, historical cost. Every six years your property will be re-appraised.

2^nd - The second factor is the levies or additional taxes that the voters choose to pay in order to receive additional benefit or service.

Per the Ohio Revised Code 323.12, any mailing address changes for property tax bills must be made in writing to Hancock County Treasurer, 300 S. Main St. Findlay, OH 45840.

Please see the following document for an address change form. 

Address Change Form

Call 419-424-7213.

You have the right to file a complaint with the Board of Revision by March 31^st. Complaints are handled through the Auditor's Office. Call 419-424-7015 for information.

Legal name changes are handled through the Auditor's Office at 419-424-7015.

Call 419-424-7014 or go to Tax Rate Sheet.

Special Assessments come in many forms. Your current tax bill will list the assessments on the left hand side of the bill. Call 419-424-7015 for more details.

Call 419-424-7015 or go to Auditors website.

Hancock County Probate Court
Dorney Plaza
Findlay, OH 45840 (Located directly behind the Courthouse)

Phone: 419-424-7079

Hancock County Recorder’s Office
Hancock County Courthouse
300 South Main Street
Findlay, OH 45840

Phone: 419-424-7091

Hancock County Recorder’s Office
Hancock County Courthouse
300 South Main Street
Findlay, OH 45840

Phone: 419-424-7091

Clerk of Courts
Findlay Municipal Court
Municipal Building
Room 206 Findlay, OH 45840

Phone: 419-424-7141

Hancock Public Health
2225 Keith Parkway
Findlay, OH 45840

Phone: 419-424-7106

Email the Hancock Public Health Department

Hancock County Recorder's Office
Courthouse, 2nd Floor
Findlay, OH 45840

Phone: 419-424-7091

The Recorder’s office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm; daily recordings stop at 4:00 pm. Just bring the document(s) and the appropriate recording fee along with a self-addressed stamped envelope (if mailing bank) in and we will get it recorded. Mail-in documents are accepted too. Just mail all items needed to be recorded, including payment, self-addressed envelope, Conveyance forms (if document needs transferred), and recording instructions if needed. We work hand-in-hand with the Hancock County Auditor’s office to make sure all documents are transferred and recorded correctly.

The Hancock County Recorder’s office does accept electronic documents. At this time, we do only accept documents that do not require conveyance or required to be seen by the County Auditor’s office (i.e. Deeds). There are four services that we use to accept electronic documents:

• CSC (Corporation Service Company)
• ePN (eRecording Partners Network)
• Simplifile
• INDECOMM

To search for real estate documents that have been recorded since 1985, visit our online search. You will need the name of the property owner and address. A search cannot be done with a parcel number in the Recorder’s office. If you do not know who owns the property or the property’s legal description, you may want to start your search on the Hancock County Auditor’s page to gather that information.

The Recorder’s office has plat records on file that consist of subdivision lots and condominiums. Our staff will gladly help you to obtain a copy of the plat and lot you are looking for. For property with acreage, our office does not record surveys. However, there are instances where documents are recorded with a survey attached used as the document legal description. For additional information about tax maps or surveys, please visit the Hancock County Engineer.

Property taxes are paid to the Hancock County Treasurer. For additional information, visit the Hancock County Treasurer page.

The Hancock Public Health maintains and issues birth and death certificates on file from 1909 to the present. For additional information, visit Hancock Public Health.

The Hancock County Clerk of Courts maintains court records pertaining to Domestic Relations. If you need to obtain a copy of your divorce decree, please visit the Clerk of Courts page.

For Marriage License records, visit Hancock County Juvenile Court page.

Child Abuse is defined as an action against a child, an act of commission. The three types of abuse are: physical, sexual, and emotional/verbal.

• Physical Abuse: A non-accidental injury involving a child as a result of excessive discipline or inappropriate behaviors of a parent including kicking, punching, burning, biting, shaking, or throwing.
• Excessive Discipline: Discipline that results in physical injury that is inconsistent and inappropriate to the age of the child. Also, the caretaker normally loses control during discipline and the punishment is due to unreasonable expectations or demands and is not designed to educate but instill fear in the child.
• Sexual Abuse: The inappropriate use of using a child for sexual gratification. This abuse does not only include sexual intercourse, but can also pertain to the fondling of the child or making the child touch an adult's genitals. Also, the use of children in pornographic films or as prostitution is considered sexual abuse.
• Emotional/Verbal Abuse: This is the hardest type of abuse to define and prove. It includes the lack of praise, nurture, love, and security from a parent or guardian. Usually, emotional abuse occurs with another type of abuse or neglect.

Neglect can be defined as a failure to act on a child's behalf. There are three categories: physical, emotional, and educational.

• Physical Neglect: Failure to meet the basic requirements of a child including supervision, housing, proper nutrition, and medical treatment.
• Emotional Neglect: Failure to provide support and appropriate attention that is necessary for the child's development both psychologically and socially.

Dependency can be defined as the lack of appropriate parenting and nurturing at no fault of the parent or guardian. This includes children who are homeless or destitute. Also, a child can be dependent because of a parent who has a mental or physical condition that prevents them from caring for the child.

A child who has been abused can have physical bruises or marks. But usually, the signs of abuse are not as clear-cut. Other signs of abuse include reluctance to change clothes in front of others, unexplained absences to either school or other activities, alienation from peers, acts hyper or has excessive behavior, complains of pain or injury without any explainable cause, acts out sexually, and has medical needs that are not treated.

Mandated reporters are any person required by law to report suspected child abuse and neglect.

These Persons Include:

• Attorneys / Lawyers
• Clergy
• Counselors / Social Workers
• Daycare Professionals
• Doctors / Hospital Staff
• School Employees

Mandated reporters who fail to report suspected abuse or neglect, can face a possible misdemeanor of the fourth-degree criminal charge and civil damages

To make a report, Monday through Friday between 8 and 4:30, call 419-424-7022 and ask for a children's services intake worker. For after-hours emergencies, call 419-422-2424 ask for a Children Services Worker to be paged.

• Report any suspected abuse or neglect
• Learn nurturing and positive ways to raise your child and influence the children around you
• Become a Foster or Adoptive Parent

Volunteer in an organization dedicated to children and teens

If you need more information about child abuse and neglect, try these sites

• Child Welfare Information Gateway
• Public Children Services Information of Ohio
• Ohio Department of Job and Family Services

You can file a Motion to Waive Filing Fee (PDF) with any complaint or motion. You will be required to show that you cannot pay.

You can file the Consent Child Support Motion (PDF) along with the Consent Child Support Judgment Entry (PDF).

You must serve the other party. If you cannot immediately locate them, you must make diligent efforts to find them. If you still cannot locate them, you can file a Request for Service by Publication by clicking here. You will be required to file an additional $100.

A court cannot grant shared parenting in a custody case unless one or both of the parties file a shared parenting plan. A sample one can be found here: Shared Parenting Plan (PDF).

A probate estate is a legal proceeding provided for by Ohio law to determine the assets of a deceased person who was an Ohio resident at the time of death, the value of those assets, and the distribution of those assets to the persons entitled to them by law.

A probate estate is necessary to protect and conserve the assets of the decedent for the heirs, creditors, and other persons interested in the estate. The probate estate will provide for the payment of outstanding debts, the payment of taxes, and the distribution of the remaining assets to the persons entitled to receive them under the decedent's will or by law. This process is known as the administration of a decedent's estate.

An estate is opened by any interested person filing an application to administer the estate. The application is filed in the county in which the decedent resided. The Court appoints an estate representative, called a fiduciary, and issues Letters of Authority. The fiduciary is appointed according to the decedent's will or statutory guidelines. If appointed by will, the fiduciary is an executor. If there is no will, the fiduciary is an administrator. It is the responsibility of the fiduciary to administer the decedent's estate and to account to the Court for that administration. A fiduciary who fails to perform their statutory duties is subject to removal by the Court. A bond may be required of the fiduciary to protect the beneficiaries and creditors of the estate and to ensure proper administration.

Pursuant to the statutes and local Court rules, the basic steps of administration are as follows:

• Application for authority to administer the estate and to admit the will to probate if one exists
• Appointment of fiduciary
• Gathering of assets and obtaining appraisals as required
• Filing the inventory in a timely manner
• Payment of estate debts
• Filing of estate and income tax returns and payment of taxes, if any
• Distribution of remaining assets to the beneficiary(s)
• Closing the estate by filing a final account or certificate of termination in a timely manner.

Due to the complexity of the law and the legal problems that are involved in estate administration, the Court strongly recommends that all fiduciaries seek legal counsel. Good legal advice and guidance can expedite the probate process, prevent costly errors, and protect against the fiduciary being sued.

Any ordained or licensed minister of any religious society or congregation within this state licensed to perform marriages, a judge of a county court of his county, an authorized judge of a municipal court, the mayor of a municipal corporation in any county in which such municipal corporation wholly or partly lies, the superintendent of the state school for the deaf, or any religious society, in conformity with the rules and regulations of its church, may perform a marriage within this state if, prior to the ceremony, that individual is also licensed by the State of Ohio to perform marriages. You can check who is licensed on the Ohio Secretary of State's website.

A marriage license must be used within 60 days of issuance or it becomes void.

A certified copy of your marriage license is not automatically sent. It must be requested. The copy can be obtained upon payment of $5 and only if requested. The request can be in person, by telephone, by email, or by mail.

The Hancock County Adult Probation Department supervises approximately 800 offenders in various programs in a variety of stages in the criminal justice system.

The main difference between the two is that probation (or Community Control) is a court sanction of community supervision in lieu of a prison sentence. Parole (or Post-Release Control) is granted after an offender has served a set prison term and is then released under certain guidelines.

In order to determine an offender's Probation Officer, you must call the Probation Department at 419-424-7085 during regular business hours. It is necessary that you know the complete and proper spelling of the offender's name.

Beginning 5/27/2025, The Hancock County Adult Probation Department's normal business hours are Monday through Thursday, 8:00 am to 4:45 pm, Friday 8:00 am - 12:30 pm. The department is closed for business on the following 2026 dates:

• New Year's Day, January 1st, 2026
• Martin Luther King Jr. Day, January 19th, 2026
• Presidents' Day, February 16th, 2026
• Memorial Day, May 25th, 2026
• Juneteenth, June 19th, 2026
• Independence Day, July 3rd, 2026
• Labor Day, September 7th, 2026
• Columbus Day, October 12th, 2026
• Veterans' Day, November 11th, 2026
• Thanksgiving Day, November 26th, 2026
• Day after Thanksgiving, November 27th, 2026
• Christmas Eve, December 24th, 2026
• Christmas Day, December 25th, 2026
• New Year's Eve, December 31st, 2026
• New Year's Day, January 1st, 2026

The Hancock County Adult Probation Department is located at 209 West Main Cross Street Findlay, Ohio.

View Sealing and Expungement Directions.

View Sealing and Expungement Directions (PDF).

The Domestic Relations Division hears divorces, dissolutions of marriage, and any matters regarding minor children that relate to those terminations of marriage. The Court maintains "continuing jurisdiction" over all matters concerning minor children of terminated marriages, which means that the Court can modify the orders regarding children. The Domestic Relations Division also hears all the requests for civil protection orders (CPOs), whether based on domestic violence, stalking, or a sexually oriented offense.

You have several options. The Court cannot appoint lawyers for divorces, dissolutions, or related cases, except in some situations when the other party claims you are in "contempt" for violating a court order. You may represent yourself, which is referred to as acting "pro se" or for yourself. You have a right to represent yourself, but this can be challenging because of the legal rules that affect your rights and obligations. You may also contact the Findlay/Hancock County Bar Association for the names of lawyers who handle cases in the area of domestic relations. You may also contact Legal Aid of Western Ohio at 888-534-1432 to see if you are eligible for their services.

The Court does have some forms and instructions to assist people who want to represent themselves. Those are available on this website, and the same forms and information are available at the Hancock County Law Library on the 4th Floor of the Hancock County Courthouse. The Court does not have a complete packet of everything you might need, as each divorce case is unique.

The easiest way is to contact an attorney to help you. There are many papers that must be completed and legal requirements that must be met. In addition, an attorney can give you advice about your options and the best decisions to make and can speak for you when in court. This process is more thoroughly explained on the Domestic Relations page on Terminating Your Marriage and on the Domestic Relations Forms section on Instructions.

No. You can only file for divorce in Ohio if you have been a resident of Ohio for at least six months immediately before you file for divorce. If you now reside in another State, you need to check the laws of that State.

Most people have to terminate their marriages through divorce rather than annulment. Annulments can only be granted under very limited circumstances related to the validity of the original marriage (for example, if one spouse is a bigamist, is incompetent, or forced the other to marry). If the spouses have cohabited or consummated the marriage, annulment is generally not available.

You can live separately without legal proceedings, or you can request a court order of legal separation. The process is similar to a divorce, except that you will remain legally married to one another. The Court can make orders regarding your property and any minor children. You should talk to an attorney about the benefits, if any, in your circumstances of getting a decree of legal separation rather than a divorce.

If you have an attorney, any notices of hearing would have been sent to the attorney. If you represent yourself, the Court will send the notice of hearing directly to you at the address the Court has in its records. You may also contact the Clerk of Courts or the Domestic Relations Court. It is helpful if you have a case number when you call.

A Magistrate acts for the Judge in cases assigned to the Magistrate. The Judges hire experienced attorneys to hear certain kinds of cases and to issue decisions. That process lets your case be heard more quickly because the Judge also hears criminal cases and other civil lawsuits. The Judges are elected and make the final decisions in all cases in the Court. The rules regarding magistrates, their decisions and orders, and the process of objection are all found in Rule 53 of the Ohio Rules of Civil Procedure.

Certified or other copies of your divorce decree or judgment entry may be obtained through the office of the Hancock County Clerk of Courts, located on the 3rd Floor of the Hancock County Courthouse.

You can file a motion for a continuance, and you should file it as early as possible so the Court has time to review it and notify others if the hearing is going to be continued. You need to write out the reason for your request to re-schedule the hearing, file the request with the Clerk of Courts, and send a copy to the other party or attorney. Do not assume the hearing is continued just because you ask. You need to check with the Court and see if the continuance was granted. If it was not granted, you must come to the hearing or the hearing may be held without you. If there is an emergency situation that does not allow you to file a written request, telephone the Court right away to find out whether the Court will continue the hearing.

If you have filed for divorce or legal separation, you can request temporary orders that include a child support payment. If you have not filed for divorce or legal separation but are living apart, you may contact the Hancock County Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA) at 419-424-1365 or at 7814 County Road 140, Findlay, Ohio.

You can contact the Hancock County Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA) at 419-424-1365 to speak with your caseworker. You may also contact the Ohio Child Support Payment Central at 800-860-2555. There may be payments made that have not been properly processed. If payments are not being made as ordered, you may file a motion with the Court to find the obligor (the one who owes support) in contempt for failing to pay as ordered. Forms and instructions for that process are available on this website at "Domestic Relations Forms."

You may begin making payments as soon as you have a SETS (State Enforcement Tracking System) number, which you can get from the Hancock County Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA) at 7814 County Road 140, Findlay, Ohio, telephone 419-424-1365. You can then send payments directly to Ohio Child Support Payment Central, P.O. Box 182372, Columbus, Ohio 43218 until payments are withheld from your wages. All payments should include your name, your social security number, and your SETS number for that case.

No. Ohio law requires that all child support payments be made through the Ohio Child Support Payment Central and administered by the CSEA.

If you have an order that specifies how the medical bills are to be paid and your former spouse is not following that order, you can file a motion to show cause or to find your former spouse in contempt for violating the court order. Before filing the motion, you must have provided your former spouse with copies of the bills in a timely manner and shown what amounts were due to you. You will have to prove to the Court what amounts are due based on the court order.

If you have an order that grants you parenting time and the children's other parent refuses to allow you to see the children or interferes with that parenting time, you can file a motion to show cause or to find your former spouse in contempt for violating the order. The motion should specify the times and dates when you were denied parenting time. Forms and instructions for this process are available on this website at "Domestic Relations Forms."

You have two options. You can contact the Hancock County Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA) at 7814 County Road 140, Findlay, Ohio, telephone 419-424-1365, and ask that the agency review your case for a modification of the order, or you can file a motion to modify child support directly with the Court. Both parents will have to provide documents to verify incomes and other financial information so that the support may be recalculated to determine if the court order should be changed. Forms and instructions for filing directly with the Court are available on this website at "Domestic Relations Forms."

When the child should no longer receive support, the person who receives child support is required to notify the Hancock County Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA). Unfortunately, that person does not always immediately notify the CSEA, so you may notify the CSEA. When the CSEA receives notice from either of you, it will investigate the case and recommend to the Court about holding funds until the support can be properly adjusted or other orders made. Alternatively, you may file a motion directly with the Court to terminate the support and to hold or suspend all or some of the payment for the child who is an adult. Forms and instructions for this process (modification of child support) are available on this website at "Domestic Relations Forms."

You may file a motion to change the residential parent and to terminate or suspend the payment of child support until the Court can make some final decisions. Only the Court, either by approving any agreement you have with your former spouse or by issuing its own orders, can change the designation of residential parent and modify the child support.

Yes. Ohio law requires that the residential parent or custodian of a minor child under a court order notify the Court and other party upon relocation. You may obtain a Notice of Intent to Relocate form and file it with the Hancock County Clerk of Courts. See "Domestic Relations Forms" on this website.

A QDRO is a Qualified Domestic Relations Order that is governed by federal law and relates to certain pension plans. It divides the pension or retirement benefits. These orders have very specific and technical requirements, and they must be approved by the pension plan administrators. The parties or attorneys are responsible for preparing the QDRO and getting it approved by the pension plan administrator.

If you have an order that requires your former spouse to do certain things, and the former spouse does not comply, you can file a motion to show cause or to find your former spouse in contempt for violating the order. The motion should specify the circumstances that you say violate the order and what part of the prior order you say was violated. Forms and instructions for this process are available on this website at "Domestic Relations Forms."

The first step is to get to a safe place. Domestic violence and certain threatening behavior is a criminal offense, so you may contact your local law enforcement agency. You may also file a petition for a civil protection order (CPO). The petition forms are available at the Domestic Relations Court, Ground Floor, Hancock County Courthouse, or from the Hancock County Clerk of Courts, and you may contact the Open Arms Domestic Violence Shelter at 419-422-4766, for the assistance of a victim advocate. If there is a pending divorce case, you may also file for additional orders related to the children, contact, or possession of the home. See "Domestic Relations Division - General Information - III. Civil Protection Orders" for a general explanation of civil protection orders.

In Hancock County persons are selected at random for jury service from the list of registered voters with the Board of Elections and Secretary of State.

If you have received a summons for a deceased relative, please note their date of death, sign the summons, and return it to the court. Our staff will attempt to not send a further summons, but if the name of a deceased person remains on the source list, you may receive an additional summons. However, the only way to ensure that this does not continue is to contact the Board of Elections and have the name removed from their list.

To serve on a jury, you must be a resident of Hancock County and must be at least 18 years of age. Additionally, you must not have lost their right to serve on a jury by having been convicted of certain types of crimes. Beyond that, everyone is eligible to be a juror.

Petit Jury

If you are selected to serve on a "Petit Jury," you will hear a case which is criminal or civil. The law requires twelve (12) jurors to be seated in a criminal case and only eight jurors are required in a civil case. In a criminal trial, the jury must find a defendant "guilty" or "not guilty" by a unanimous vote. In civil cases, the law requires a vote of at least three-fourths of the jury to reach a verdict. Most jury trials will seat at least one " alternate juror(s)" in the event that sickness or unforeseen circumstances arise in which one of the regular jurors are unable to complete their jury service. The "alternative juror" hears the trial in its entirety but does not participate in jury deliberations unless directed by the Court.

Grand Jury

A "Grand Jury" hears evidence about crimes and decides whether or not a person should be indicted and tried for committing a crime. The grand jury does not decide guilt or innocence. If you are summoned for service on a grand jury your term of service will be for 4 months, although you may only be required to appear a few times.

In Hancock County, your service consists of only one week or one entire trial. The average jury trial is approximately two to three consecutive days. However, a more complex trial that involves many witnesses may last longer. Prospective jurors are advised of the expected length of the trial before they are actually selected.

A typical jury day is from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm At the end of each day jurors are dismissed to return to their homes and then return to the court the next day until the trial is over. Sometimes this schedule is modified by the Court. Jurors will be notified of the schedule by the Court.

When you arrive at the Courthouse, you will be directed to a particular courtroom or to a juror assembly area. The Hancock County Common Pleas Court provides a brief orientation video to help acquaint you with the system.

All prospective jurors take an oath or affirm that they will answer truthfully questions posed to them by the judge and the attorneys during the selection process. The purpose of this questioning is to find out if there is some reason why it might be difficult for you to be fair and impartial in this particular case. As a prospective juror, you are introduced to the parties and the attorneys in the case and often given a list of probable witnesses. If you have some relationship to one of these persons, it might be difficult for you to consider the case impartially and might be excused from jury service.

You are also made aware of the type of case to be presented and some of the facts of the case so that the court can determine if you have any past experiences that might make it hard for you to be fair and impartial to all of the parties. You will also have an opportunity to tell the court about other matters that might impact your ability to sit as a juror.

Generally, each side in a case has the right to ask that a certain limited number of jurors be excused without giving a reason. This is called a "peremptory challenge". Each side can also make an unlimited number of challenges "for cause". When attorneys make these "challenges," it is not their intent to personally attack potential jurors, but only to ensure that they select jurors who can evaluate the case as fairly and impartially.

Yes. The parties involved in a case usually try to settle their differences and avoid the time and expense of a trial. Sometimes a case is settled only minutes before the trial begins. Therefore, even though a trial may be scheduled, some cases will not actually go to trial, so those cases will not need juries. Your time spent waiting to serve is not wasted; your presence encourages settlement.

After the jury has been selected, the jurors must stand and take an oath or affirm that they will "well and truly" try the particular case for which they have been chosen, that they will wait until all the evidence has been heard before making up their minds, and that they will follow all of the judge's instructions.

Jurors must pay attention throughout the trial and do their best to determine the credibility of each witness. Jurors are not permitted to discuss the case among themselves or with anyone else until all the evidence has been presented, the attorneys have made their closing arguments, and the judge has instructed the jurors about the law that applies to the case. Jurors may not do any independent investigation of the matters involved in the case, and they may not discuss the case with anyone outside the courtroom until after they have deliberated in the jury room and arrived at a verdict. Even then, they don't have to discuss the case with anyone, although they are permitted to do so after the case has been decided.

After the attorneys have presented their evidence and made their closing statements, the judge instructs the jurors about the laws that apply to the case. Jurors must decide cases based on the laws as they are and not as the jurors might like them to be.

Following this instruction, the jury goes to the deliberation room to consider the case and reach a verdict. The jury first elects a foreperson that sees to it that discussions are conducted in a sensible and orderly fashion, that all issues are fully and fairly discussed, and that every juror is given an equal chance to participate. If the jurors have a question during their deliberation, they may write it down and ask the bailiff to deliver it to the judge.

When a verdict has been reached, the jurors agreeing to the verdict sign a form and notify the bailiff. The bailiff reads the verdict and the judge dismisses the jurors.

The type of case determines the number of jurors who must agree on a verdict.

A civil case is usually between two or more parties that have a dispute concerning money or property. The party that files the lawsuit is called the "plaintiff." The party being sued is called the "defendant." In civil cases, at least six jurors of the eight jurors must agree on a verdict.

In a criminal case, the "defendant" is the person charged with a crime. A crime is a violation of the law enacted by the legislature. Because crimes are considered acts against the state, and because the state is responsible for enforcing the laws of the State, the State of Ohio prosecutes these cases as the "plaintiff." In a criminal case, twelve (12) jurors determine if an accused person is guilty or not guilty of a charge and the verdict must be unanimous.

It is understandable that someone may be apprehensive about being called for jury duty. They may fear that their time will be wasted or that the experience will be negative. However, most jurors find that the experience is a positive one. They have the opportunity to learn a great deal about the legal system and about the particular subject matter of the lawsuit. They also may make some new friends during the course of their service.

Court officials always work to treat jurors courteously and professionally. They know how important jurors are to the task of achieving fair and just results for those who come before the court. The benefits to individuals who serve as jurors are significant, but there are also significant benefits from jury service to the entire community.

Yes, you can serve on a jury with a felony conviction, if you have had your rights fully restored.

Your personal information is protected by law in the petition process. The Clerk and Court will take all necessary steps to protect your Social Security number and other confidential information. Matters that are already public record will stay that way in the petition process.

No. The Clerk cannot give you legal advice. The Clerk can only provide you with a blank cover sheet to be filled out, and accept your completed paperwork for filing.

A Certificate for Qualification of Employment (CQE) is a document issued by the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections (ODRC) after court approval. A CQE may remove certain barriers to employment for people who have committed felonies or misdemeanors and are finding it hard to get a government-issued occupational license or a job with an employer. A CQE does not guarantee a license or a job, but it may help make the process easier.

Any person who has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to a felony or misdemeanor and lives in Hancock County may file a petition for a CQE. Someone guilty of a felony must wait one year after the end of their sentence or the end of community control or supervision. Someone guilty of a misdemeanor must wait six months after the end of their sentence or the end of community control or supervision.

No. Certain employment barriers (called collateral sanctions) cannot be removed. These include restrictions on sex offenders, some driver's license limitations, limits on who can become a law enforcement officer, and limits on who can be a health care professional or an employee of a pain clinic. The complete list is in Ohio Revised Code section 2953.25(C)(5).

The CQE process is based on where you live currently. If you reside in Hancock County, you would file for a CQE here, no matter where the prior convictions or guilty pleas occurred.

Anyone seeking a CQE must start by filling out a petition application online at the ODRC website. At that site, you can fill out the application form online, get an email account if you do not already have one, and submit your petition application for review by the ODRC. The ODRC will review your application to make sure it is legally complete with all the needed information. The ODRC does not make a decision on the application; they just make sure nothing legally required is left out. This will help you start the process correctly.

Once the ODRC has finished its review and your application is complete, they will notify you by email that it is ready for filing with the Common Pleas Court. You will then print the completed petition and go to the Clerk of Court's Office, located at 300 South Main Street, Findlay, Ohio. The Clerk will provide you with a blank cover sheet to fill out with your contact information. You attach your printed complete petition from the ODRC and the paperwork is ready to be filed.

Yes. The Clerk will require a $100 court cost deposit. There is no fee for the online application with the ODRC. If you cannot afford the filing fee, you may request that the Court approve your filing as an indigent litigant.

Once the CQE petition is filed, the Court gathers information about you from the court(s) where you were convicted or plead guilty, gets the input of the Prosecuting Attorney, checks your criminal record, and gets any other information about you that the Court considers important. If needed, the Court may ask you directly for additional information.

No. The CQE process is based on your history and your need for relief from collateral sanctions. There is no retrial or appeal of your past offenses. The Court may conduct a hearing on the petition if it feels that is necessary, but those hearings should be rare.

No. You do not need an attorney to petition for a CQE. You may have an attorney represent you at your expense if you want, but it is not required. Because a CQE petition is a civil case, there is no right to a court-appointed attorney.

The law requires the Court to make a decision within sixty (60) days after your case file is complete. Please remember that there will be some time after you file for your petition while the Court gathers information about you from several sources. The sixty (60) day limit does not start until the Court has all the data it needs.

You will be notified by regular mail of any decision of the Court. If the CQE is granted, the actual certificate will come from the ODRC, and can be downloaded and printed out. If the CQE is denied, you will be notified of the reasons. The Court may impose certain conditions (waiting a certain time, additional efforts at rehabilitation, etc.) on you refiling another petition after a denial.

The denial of a CQE is a final order and can be appealed to the Third District Court of Appeals.

No. A CQE only deals with employment or getting a government license for an occupation. If you were guilty of a felony, you still have important limits on your rights to have a gun, vote, or hold public office. A CQE does not change any legal requirements or penalties that come from your original conviction or plea of guilty.

No. Once you have been granted a CQE, you still need to apply to the Board or Agency that grants the government license. That Board or Agency will make a separate decision based on the law, their rules, your license application, and any standards that apply.

This publication is for information only and is not intended as legal advice. You may review the law in Ohio Revised Code section 2953.25 and/or consult with the legal counsel of your choice.

Sales tax is a "trust" tax that is collected by all retailers when taxable retail sales are made. It is called a "trust" tax because the consumer has entrusted this tax to retailers with the understanding that it will be reported and paid to the State of Ohio in a timely manner.

Every Ohio retailer (vendor) making taxable retail sales must obtain a vendor's license, collect sales tax, file tax returns with payment of tax collected, and maintain complete records of transactions.

Yes, all vendors must obtain one or more of the following licenses depending on the nature of the business.

Regular Vendor's License - Issued by the County Auditor to vendors with a fixed place of business in Ohio. Vendors must have one regular vendor's license for each sales location.

• Application Fee $50
• No Annual Renewal Fee

Transient Vendor's License - Issued by the Department of Taxation to vendors who transport stocks of goods to temporary places of business in order to make sales.

• Application Fee $50
• No Annual Renewal Fee

There must be an active regular vendor's license for each fixed place of business from which taxable retail sales are made.

A regular vendor's license, which is issued by the County Auditor to cover a fixed place of business, may be transferred from one existing business location to another when an existing business is moved to a new location within the same county. If the business location is being moved to a different county, a new regular vendor's license must be obtained from the County Auditor of the different county. A vendor, who is moving an existing business to a new location within the same county and wishes to transfer the existing regular vendor's license, must submit a transfer application to the Department of Taxation requesting the transfer of the license to the new location. If approved, the Department of Taxation will update its file, issue a transfer license, and advise the County Auditor. There is no fee for transferring a regular vendor's license from one location to another within the same county. Contact the Auditor's Office, or call 800-282-1782, or visit the State of Ohio Tax website to get FORM ST-3TL for the transfer application form.

• Any change in ownership (sole proprietor to partnership, partnership to corporation, corporation to sole proprietor, partnership to sole proprietor, etc.) requires a new license.
• A change in mailing address does not require a new license.
• If a new vendor's license is required to be obtained due to a change in ownership or location, a final return must be filed within fifteen days of the last day of business under the original vendor's license.

If there are any questions regarding the transfer of an existing license or the requirement to obtain a new vendor's license, please call Registration at 888-405-4089.

The current State tax rate is 5.75%. (Effective September 1, 2013)

Counties and regional transit authorities may each levy sales tax in multiples of.25% up to 1.5%. The total combined rate - state, county, and transit authority - may not exceed 8.75%. Hancock County's rate is currently 1% over the State rate for a total of 6.75%.

• Suspension: A vendor's license may be suspended if there is a failure to file sales tax returns when due or there is a failure to pay the tax due thereon. If the vendor's license is suspended, no retail sales may be made until the license is reinstated. To have a suspended license reinstated, it would be required to file complete and correct returns for all periods and pay the full amount of tax, penalties, and other charges due on those returns. It may also be required to furnish security in an amount equal to the average tax liability for one year.
• Revocation: Your vendor's license may be revoked if the Tax Commissioner ascertains that you have no need for the license because you are not engaged in making taxable retail sales.

If a vendor stops making taxable retail sales, a final return must be filed and all taxes must be paid within 15 days of the final sale. Vendors must indicate the last day of business, on the space provided on the final return.

The Ohio Farm Bureau Federation was instrumental in the construction of this law which can help landowners deal with water and sewer assessments, nuisance lawsuits, and the powers of eminent domain. The Farm Bureau worked with leading legislators and in 1982, the Ohio General Assembly forged this new law.

The law permits an owner of farmland to create an Agricultural District, provided certain requirements are met.

Owners of land in an Agricultural District receive:

1. A deferment of any new assessments for such improvements as water or sewer systems as long as the land continues to be farmed;
2. Legal protection for any generally accepted agricultural practice in the event of a nuisance lawsuit filed against the farming operation;
3. Limited protection against the use of eminent domain power of government. (A governmental entity may only appropriate 10% or 10 acres of land within an Agricultural District.)

An Agricultural District also protects farm market operators from certain zoning regulations and requires the power siting commission to consider the impact of new power facilities on land in an Agricultural District.

1. The land must be devoted exclusively to agriculture or to an improved federal government land retirement or conservation program.
2. The land must be composed of tracts, lots, or parcels that total not less than ten acres or, if less than ten acres, have an average annual gross income of $2,500 from agricultural production during the previous three years, or can provide evidence that this level of income will be achieved at the time of application.

1. Any owner of land used in agricultural production, who meets the necessary qualifications, can place land in any agricultural district by filing an application with the Hancock County Auditor's Office.
2. If the land is located within the boundaries of a municipal corporation, an additional application must be made to the city or village.

The initial application to place land in an Agricultural District may be made at any time. There is no cost or fee for filing the application.

1. In the case of land outside a municipality, the County Auditor will determine if the land meets the minimum requirements and will provide written notice to the landowner.
2. In the case of land within municipal boundaries, the city or village must approve, modify, or reject the application within thirty (30) days of a public hearing. If the municipality fails to take any action, the application is approved. Modifications may include the limiting of assessment benefits, nuisance protection, and duration of district, but is not necessarily limited to those areas.

If the land becomes annexed by a municipality after it is already in the program, then the municipality does not have the power to review the application providing the land was not sold or transferred to another person (except within the immediate family), the owner that established the district did not sign the annexation petition, and the owner did not vote in favor of annexation.

If approved, the Agricultural District will be in effect for five years from the date of application. Renewal may be made anytime after the first Monday of January during the fifth year. If not renewed by the first Monday of March of the fifth year, landowners will be notified that failure to renew by the first Monday in April will cause the land to be removed from the Agricultural District. Converting the land to another use after the five-year period carries no penalty and there is no obligation to sign up again.

It is important that owners considering placing their land in an Agricultural District realize that they are making a commitment for five years and that conversion of the land to other than agricultural use prior to the end of that period carries an expensive penalty.

If the land is also included in the CAUV program, early withdrawal from an Agricultural District requires collection of the amount of taxes saved for up to three years and a penalty based on the current average bank prime rate of that tax savings amount.

If the land was not included in the tax savings program, then conversion of the land from agricultural use will subject the owner to a penalty based on the current average bank prime rate of that tax savings amount, if it had been in such a program for the period of time the land was included in an Agricultural District.

Early withdrawal will also require that assessments, deferred during the period land was included in an Agricultural District, are immediately collectible.

Land transferred to a new owner shall continue in an Agricultural District if the new owner advises the Auditor in writing that it is the intent to continue to use the land for agricultural purposes. Failure to do so is considered a withdrawal and would be subject to penalties.

The qualifications for the formation of an Agricultural District are the same as those for the Current Agricultural Use Value (CAUV) program in real estate taxation. The same land can be in either program or both, but making an application for one program does not automatically include the landowner in the other. A separate application is needed for each program.

If a public entity anticipates using eminent domain powers for more than 10 acres, or 10% of the Agricultural District, additional review procedures would be required.

This law is an outgrowth of the Constitutional Amendment passed by the voters of the State of Ohio to save Open spaces, and to protect the farmer from paying unnecessarily high property taxes for farmland.

1. Any tract of commercial agricultural land of 10 tillable acres or more that has been in agricultural use for the last three years is eligible. A smaller tract may be included under this section if the tract produced an average gross income of $2,500 or more from sales of agricultural products during the previous three years or if there is an expected gross income of such amount.
2. Must be land devoted exclusively to commercial agricultural use.

All applications are to be filed with the Hancock County Auditor's Office. There are trained personnel ready to assist individuals in completing the CAUV applications.

Yes, there is. The State Legislature has mandated a $25 per application initial filing fee. This fee stays in the County Real Estate Assessment Fund for use in financing the program. There is no charge for annual renewal.

The CAUV application must be filed each year. Hancock County has devised a very simplified renewal procedure requiring only a simple form notification from year to year.

If the renewal application for Current Agricultural Use Valuation is not returned, then the Auditor is required to value the property at its true market or current market value and to recoup the taxes for the current tax year and the three years immediately preceding.

There are two general causes for recoupment. First, the failure to return the Current Agricultural Use Value renewal application, and second, if a change in use in the parcel occurs, so that the land is not used exclusively for commercial agricultural purposes. At that point, the Auditor will notify the owner and recalculate the taxes.

As noted in Section 5713.34 of the Ohio Revised Code, "Upon the conversion of all or any portion of a tract, lot, or parcel of land devoted exclusively to agricultural use a portion of the tax savings upon such converted land shall be recouped as provided for by Section 36, Article II, Ohio Constitution by levying a charge on such land in an amount equal to the amount of the tax savings on the converted land during the three tax years immediately preceding the year in which the conversion occurs. The charge shall constitute a lien of the state upon such converted land as of the first day of January of the tax year in which the charge is levied and shall continue until discharged as provided by law."

The actual reductions are dependent on the Current Agricultural Use Value (CAUV) which is placed upon the land. Major factors affecting the value are soil type, soil region, and land capability class. Agricultural commodity prices and production costs also enter into the CAUV value. The resulting CAUV value replaces the appraised value and the tax value is set at 35% of the CAUV value. The CAUV values are readjusted on a three-year cycle by the State Tax Commission to account for changing agricultural production costs and commodity prices.

At any time after the first Monday in January and prior to the first Monday in March of any year.

The fair market value normally depends upon establishing the value for the farm based on comparing it to recent sales of similarly situated farms. The CAUV system depends upon capitalizing on the expected net income received from farming.

1. Provides tax relief on agricultural land that is 10-tillable acres or more or has a gross annual income of at least $2500.
2. If the qualifying tract of land contains woodland as well as cropland, the CAUV Law will often provide a greater tax relief than the Ohio Forest Tax Law because that law applies only to forest land acreage.

1. Owner must renew applications annually.
2. There is a recoupment penalty equal to the tax savings for the past three years if land use changes to non-agricultural use or there is a failure to return the renewal application.
3. Tracts under 10 tillable acres do not qualify unless gross annual income from sales of agricultural products is $2,500 or more

As a minimum, the forms required for transfer are a Conveyance Form (DTE Form 100, "Real Property Conveyance Fee Statement of Value and Receipt" or a DTE Form 100(EX), "Statement of Reason for Exemption from Real Property Conveyance Fee") and a Notarized Deed. View more information on completing these forms (DTE Form 100 and DTE Form 100(EX). Additional supporting documentation is required for CAUV or Homestead Exemption.

Typically, real estate transfers are subject to two types of fees at the Auditor's Office: the Conveyance Fee and the Transfer Fee.

• Conveyance Fee: The conveyance fee for Hancock County is $3 per thousand dollars conveyed (round to the nearest $.10). For example, if the sale amount is $100,000, the conveyance fee would be determined by multiplying $100,000 by $.003 ($100,000 x.003 = $300). Make checks payable to the Hancock County Auditor. Certain property transfers are exempt from conveyance fees, learn more about Exemptions from Conveyance Fees.
• Transfer Fee: The transfer fee is $.50 per parcel transferred. For example, if 3 parcels are transferred in a deed, $1.50 will be charged as a transfer fee. Make checks payable to the Hancock County Auditor.

The Real Estate Division is located in room 21 on the 2nd floor of the Hancock County Courthouse, 300 S Main Street, Findlay.

Any owner may file a petition with the Clerk of the Board of County Commissioners of the County in which is located a part of the land that is averred to be benefitted by the construction of a proposed improvement. The petition shall state that the construction of the improvement is necessary, will and may ask to locate, clean, remove obstructions from, construct, reconstruct, straighten, deepen, widen, alter, box, tile, fill, wall, or arch any ditch, drain, watercourse, floodway, creek, run, or river or to change the course, location, or terminus thereof, or may ask to construct a levee, wall, embankment, jetty, dike, dam, sluice, revetment, reservoir, holding basin, control gate, breakwater, or other structure for control of water (Per Sec. 6131 O.R.C.)

"Benefit" or "benefits" includes any or all of the following factors: Elimination or reduction of damage from flood; removal of water conditions that jeopardize public health, safety, or welfare; increased value of land resulting from the improvement; use of water for irrigation, storage, regulation of stream flow, soil conservation, water supply, or any other purpose incidental thereto; providing an outlet for the accelerated runoff from artificial drainage whenever the stream, watercourse, channel, or ditch under improvement is called upon to discharge functions for which it was not designed by nature; it being the legislative intent that uplands that have been removed from their natural state by deforestation, cultivation, artificial drainage, urban development, or other man-made causes shall be considered as benefitted by an improvement required to dispose of the accelerated flow of water from the uplands (Per Sec. 6131 O.R.C.)

Because you own a piece of property that is to be benefitted (as described above) by this proposed improvement, which also means that this property lies, all or in part, within the boundaries of the Watershed (Watershed is the term used to describe the ground surface area that "sheds" water off, either directly or indirectly, into a drainage system). Any and all state, county, and township owned property in the watershed is also assessed.

The notice of tentative assessment that you received is a one-time assessment for the construction of the project. A portion of the assessment is also used to establish the maintenance fund for the ditch. Property owners are only assessed in the future for a maintenance assessment on an as needed basis. As long as the maintenance fund is adequate enough to maintain the ditch for the upcoming year, then no assessment is needed. Each ditch on maintenance has its own maintenance fund that is used only for that ditch. All maintenance fund records are kept at the Hancock County Courthouse and are always available to the public.

Prior to 1957, any drainage project that was constructed or reconstructed through the petition process was not required to be maintained by the County Commissioners. In 1957 the Ohio Revised Code was changed by the addition of Sec. 6137. This section states that any project, which is constructed through the petition process, must be placed on a permanent maintenance program under the direct control of the County Commissioners. This means that if "this" project is approved and constructed through the petition process, a maintenance fund would be established for this project and this fund would be used to maintain this project forever. The annual maintenance would prevent the project from returning to its deteriorated state. Instead, the project would be kept free of sediment and debris, suck holes, logjams, trash, etc.