Access to criminal records in the state of Ohio can be obtained from different law enforcement agencies.
You can begin the search for a particular person's criminal record from the website of the Ohio Department of Public Safety. In the Resources section, you can find the links to Ohio AMBER alert and Ohio Habitual Offenders Registry. The search can be run by just entering the name of the individual in question, along with his/her county and zip code.
One of the most useful websites that can help you in searching for a criminal background information check is that of the Ohio Attorney General, a portal to access Background Check in the Services for Business. The Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation or BCI, the registry of all the criminal cases in the state of Ohio, is under the Attorney General's jurisdiction. Most of the people who utilize this website are employers, either public or private, who are required to check for any criminal record history information on new employees and individuals applying for professional licenses. The BCI gains access to such records by comparing the submitted fingerprints against the database of criminal fingerprints.
The BCI Civilian Background Check is initiated by submitting the electronic fingerprint form. Next, a fingerprint of the individual in question should be submitted to the BCI via WebCheck or fingerprint live scan. In the Frequently Asked Questions section, you can find the different names and contact details of agencies authorized by the BCI and Federal Bureau of Investigation or FBI to perform such live scans. The fingerprint scans are sent to the BCI electronically. For the WebCheck, there is also a listing of WebCheck locations, their address, contact number, and time and date of availability. Another important note is to fill out the Reason Fingerprinted field as appropriate. The information on the fingerprint card should be complete and accurate in order to avoid delays in processing.
The State will charge $22 for a single BCI background check. This can be paid in the form of a money order, cashiers check, or company check payable to the Treasurer of the State of Ohio.
The In the Publications area, there is also a link which will lead you to the Request for Civilian Background Check Procedures. This contains the full details on how to access criminal records information about the individual in question.
In addition, there is also a separate Sex Offenders registry on the Ohio Attorney General's website. This is known as the Electronic Sex Offender Registration and Notification or eSORN. This is used to allow the concerned public access to the whereabouts and other information about sex offenders within the State. In the Menu, you can click on the Sex Offender search button and enter the name of the sex offender. You can also run a search of the list of sex offenders located within a one-mile radius from a specified address.
Should you wish to access Ohio background checks and criminal records, take the following measures:
Step 1.
Download the Ohio Background Check Request Form.
Step 2.
Fill out the request for copy form and make sure to fill in the reason you were last fingerprinted or your request will be denied.
Step 3.
Insert a certified check or money order for $8 and mail to Ohio BCI.
For additional information, contact the Ohio BCI, whose contact details are listed below:
Ohio Attorney General
Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation
PO Box 365
London, OH 43140
(740) 845-2000
If you would like information about inmates currently in or under the supervision of the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, then you can contact the Department for Ohio arrest records. The Department also maintains an online database of Ohio arrest records to make searches easier.
To search online, you will need to do the following:
Step 1.
Go to the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction's website and use the Ohio Offender Search.
Step 2.
Complete the fields with the information you would like to use to narrow your search.
Step 3.
Results will then be displayed. You can click on the offender's number to see the full report.
For more information on accessing Ohio arrest records or for assistance, you can contact the Department using the information found below:
Ohio Department of Corrections
770 West Broad Street
Columbus, OH 43222
(614) 752-1159
Where to Access Ohio Criminal Records
The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation (BCI) maintains a repository of Ohio criminal records. The BCI releases copies of Ohio background checks performed for the purpose of employment with a request form and certified check or money order for $8.
Who Can Legally View Ohio Criminal Records?
Only authorized criminal justice and law enforcement agencies and employers may request Ohio background checks. Individuals may request a copy of a background check performed by a prospective employer.
Obtain Criminal Records for Non-Criminal Justice Purposes
The BCI advises authorized employers and agencies who need to request an Ohio background check for non-criminal justice purposes to use an outside vendor to perform the search.
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