Ohio Background Checks

Ohio Criminal Records

For public and private employers, Ohio criminal background checks are a must for newly hired individuals. The office of the Ohio Attorney General's Office's Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation (or BCI & I) conducts complete Ohio background checks for employers. All background investigations are completed utilizing a database of criminal fingerprints. The BCI & I maintains its goal of supporting local law enforcement agencies protecting the Ohio population. In addition to this goal, the BCI & I office strives to assist the local authorities in fighting cyber crime.

To aid in Ohio background checks, the BCI & I houses file fingerprints, photographs and data as it pertains to felons, as well as information regarding previous arrests and criminal convictions. The AFIS (Automated Fingerprint Identification System) is home to more than three million criminal records and matched fingerprints. BCI & I utilizes WebCheck, a civilian service that electronically transfers data and fingerprints to the requesting agency allowing for faster service. Not only does WebCheck conduct searches on a statewide level, but the service can be used for national background checks.

To access criminal records by mail do the following:

Step 1: Fill out the Ohio Background Check form. Click Here.
Step 2: Include processing payment of $8.
Step 3: Mail completed application and payment to the address indicated on the form.

For further information regarding accessing Ohio criminal records, contact the BCI & I office at the address below:

Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation
P.O. Box 365
London, OH 43140
(740) 845-2375 - Identification Dept. Inquiries
(740) 845-2113 - WebCheck Inquiries

Resource Links
Ohio Background Checks
Request Form

Ohio Court Records

For individuals needing court information, the Supreme Court of Ohio clerk's office offers an online database allowing web users the ability to search for court case records. Searches may be made based on Supreme Court case number, by party name, with prior case information, or by the attorney residing in the case. The database is also set to allow searches based on other information, such as the year of the case, the case type and even when the case was filed.

The information released through online Ohio court records includes the parties and attorneys involved with the case, docket items and the filing date, and status of the court case. Cases with documents filed with the Supreme Court after December 1, 2006 are scanned into the system and readily available within a business day of the original filing. Supreme Court orders that have an issue date after January 1, 2007 are also made available online in PDF format.

To search for court records online do the following:

Step 1: Visit the Ohio Supreme Court Cases Search webpage. Click Here.
Step 2: Select whether to search by case number, party name, prior case information, attorney or other and click “Go.”
Step 3: Fill out all required information fields and click “Search” to view all available results.

For further information regarding accessing Ohio court records, contact the clerk's office at the address below:

Clerk's Office
65 South Front Street, 8th Floor
Columbus, OH 43215-3431
(800) 826-9010
(614) 387-9530

Resource Links
Ohio Supreme Court Case Search

Ohio Jail Records

The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction Offender Search website contains data on individuals currently being detained within an Ohio prison or who are presently under the supervision of the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation. Searches can be made by name, county of commitment, county of residence, parole board hearing date, or by the offender's assigned number. The Ohio jail records form is available on the front page, and searches can be conducted expediently and conveniently.

There is no charge to conduct searches, and each result and will list a photo, full name, offender's number, date of birth, current status, and the offenses with which he or she has been charged. Additionally, the website offers a victim registration tool, which allows victims to be notified immediately if there are any changes to a criminal's information or status.

To search for jail records online do the following:

Step 1: Visit the Ohio Inmate Search webpage. Click Here.
Step 2: Fill out all required information fields.
Step 3: Click “Search” to view all results.

For further information regarding accessing Ohio jail records, contact the central office at the address below:

Department of Rehabilitation and Correction
770 Web Broad Street
Columbus, OH 43222
(614) 752-1159

Resource Links
Ohio Offender Search

Ohio Driving Records

The Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles allows for the request and receipt of individuals' driving records. To obtain a three year Ohio driving record listing any violations or accidents, there are two separate forms available online, depending upon who is requesting the information. For those inquiring on records that are not their own, the form needed will require consent and notarization.

Each inquiry costs $8.50 per each record requested. Records may be requested for the individuals themselves, others with consent, and for those individuals who are qualified to receive driving record information. The information provided covers a three year span and includes all violations and accidents during that time.

For further information regarding accessing Ohio driving records, contact the Ohio Department of Public Safety office at the address below:

Ohio Department of Public Safety
Charles D. Shipley Building
1970 West Broad Street
P.O. Box 182081
Columbus, OH 43218-2081
(614) 752-7500

Resource Links
Ohio Driving Record Information

Additional Resources

Ohio Sexual Offender Registry
Ohio Attorney General