How Can I Get Ohio Arrest Records?

Instructions

1

Determine which kind of arrest you are searching for. Ohio has many searchable databases, from sex offenders to prisoners on death row to parking violations. Before you begin your search, you need to know the approximate nature of the crime you are searching for.
2

Determine which city or major metropolitan area you would like to search. Because Ohio divides many of its databases into specific areas, particularly by county, have some idea of the district you want to search.
3

Obtain proper permission from the person you are searching for. Certain databases, particularly those involving victims of crimes or crimes committed by minors, are sealed to the public unless you obtain specific, written permission from the party involved.
4

Search online databases. Many of Ohio's databases, such as those of Franklin County, are available online. Resources such as Public Records Info provide listings and links to these databases.
5

Search in person. For those databases not available online, you may have to go in person and file a written request form. Be prepared to pay a small administrative fee for this service.
6

Ohio criminal records are available in various free public-record forms, but in some cases, you will have to pay a small administrative fee to obtain criminal records. Law-enforcement agencies are often in charge of maintaining criminal-records databases, and these agencies share these records with the courts and, in some instances, individuals who request criminal-record checks. There are various criminal-records searches that are available through state agencies.