Ohio Background Check
Ohio background check records are kept by county sheriff offices and the Bureau of Criminal Investigation. You can search for criminal history through the state's WebCheck system. You can also visit a local sheriff's office to get fingerprinted in person. Ohio has 88 counties, and each one offers background check services through the Attorney General's BCI program. BCI scans your fingerprints and runs them against a criminal database. It looks for past charges and convictions. An FBI check adds a national search. Court records and public records sit with clerk of courts offices in each Ohio county. This page covers how to find and get an Ohio background check.
Ohio Background Check Overview
How Ohio Background Checks Work
The Ohio Attorney General's Bureau of Criminal Investigation is the main agency that handles background checks across the state. BCI runs a program called WebCheck. It is a fingerprint-based system. You go to an Ohio WebCheck location, get your prints scanned, and the data goes straight to BCI in London, Ohio. BCI then compares your prints against a statewide criminal database. If there is a match, the Ohio background check report will show the arrest record. If there is no match, the report comes back clean. Results are sent to the agency that asked for the check, not to you directly in most cases.
The Ohio Attorney General's BCI WebCheck page is the starting point for anyone who needs an Ohio background check.
BCI processes about a million Ohio background checks each year through this program.
Two levels of checks exist in Ohio. A BCI check covers Ohio criminal records only. An FBI check adds a search through national federal databases. Under Ohio Revised Code 109.572, the Bureau of Criminal Investigation has the authority to run both types. All fingerprints must go through WebCheck unless you have an approved exemption from BCI. The law also sets up appeal procedures for anyone in Ohio who disputes the accuracy of their criminal records after a background check.
The Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities explains when both BCI and FBI background checks are needed.
If you have lived in Ohio for fewer than five years, both state and federal checks may be required.
Note: Ohio BCI background check results can take 4 to 5 business days if no record is found, or up to 6 weeks if a criminal history exists.
Find Ohio WebCheck Locations
Ohio WebCheck locations are spread across all 88 counties. Sheriff offices are the most common spots. Many Ohio police departments and BMV offices also offer the service. Private vendors like Fast Fingerprints and Accurate Investigative Services run locations in bigger Ohio cities too. Not every location does both BCI and FBI checks. Make sure the one you pick handles the type of Ohio background check you need before you go.
The Ohio Department of Insurance keeps a full list of approved national WebCheck vendors in the state.
Vendors like PSI Services, Crimcheck, and National Background Check Inc. operate across Ohio with walk-in and appointment options.
Bring a state-issued photo ID when you go. A valid Ohio driver's license works best. You also need the Ohio Revised Code reason for your background check. The WebCheck location will ask for this code. Some Ohio locations take walk-ins during set hours. Others need an appointment. Call ahead. Payment is usually cash only at sheriff offices, though some Ohio vendors take cards with a fee.
The Ohio CSWMFT Board outlines how BCI and FBI background check results move through the WebCheck system.
Direct Copy is the fastest method for Ohio background check results, taking about 4 to 5 business days when no criminal record exists.
Ohio Background Check Fees
What you pay for an Ohio background check depends on the type of check and where you go. BCI charges $22 for a state check when you use the ePayment system with mailed fingerprint cards. At local Ohio sheriff offices, the cost runs higher because they add a service fee on top. FBI checks cost more than BCI-only checks. A combined Ohio BCI and FBI background check is the most common request and costs the most.
Here is a general range for Ohio background check fees across the state:
- BCI state check only: $22 to $37
- FBI national check only: $24 to $50
- BCI and FBI combined: $46 to $91
- Local county record check: free to $5
- Ink fingerprint cards: $5 to $10 extra
Most Ohio WebCheck locations take cash or money orders. Some accept checks. Credit cards may come with a 2 to 3 percent convenience fee at certain Ohio locations. Always call and confirm before you show up for your background check.
The Ohio Department of Aging provides detailed BCI and FBI background check instructions and processing timelines.
Out-of-state Ohio background checks submitted by mail can take 4 to 6 weeks to process through BCI.
The Ohio Veterinary Medical Licensing Board notes that electronic background check results through WebCheck arrive in 7 to 10 business days.
Mailed fingerprint cards can take several months to process, so electronic submission is always the faster choice for Ohio residents.
Note: Ohio background check fees change over time, so contact the specific WebCheck location for current prices before your visit.
Access Ohio Public Records
Ohio has strong public records laws that make many government records available to anyone. The Ohio Public Records Act under ORC 149.43 says all public records must be made available for inspection at reasonable times during regular business hours. You do not need to give your name. You do not need to say why you want the records. Any person can ask for Ohio public records. This is important for anyone running an Ohio background check through court records or other public sources.
The Ohio Attorney General's Sunshine Laws page explains the state's open government rules for public records access.
Ohio's Sunshine Laws are among the most comprehensive open government laws in the country.
Public records in Ohio include court filings, incident reports, and many other government documents. Copies are available at cost. Paper copies run about five to ten cents per page at most Ohio offices. Electronic copies may be free. Each public office in Ohio sets its own schedule for copy fees. The Ohio Facilities Construction Commission, for example, charges just five cents per page for paper and nothing for digital records.
Not all Ohio records are open to the public. Law enforcement investigatory records may be exempt from a background check request. Sealed records, medical records, and personal data like Social Security numbers are protected under Ohio law. When any Ohio public office denies a records request, it must explain why and cite the specific legal authority.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol accepts public records requests for crash reports and investigation records through an online portal.
Ohio public records requests can be made online, by phone, by mail, or in person at state and county offices.
Ohio Background Check Laws
Two main Ohio statutes govern how background checks work in the state. ORC 109.572 gives the Bureau of Criminal Investigation the power to run criminal records checks in Ohio. It establishes the WebCheck system. It defines who must get an Ohio background check and when. The law lists specific situations where both BCI and FBI checks are needed. It also covers when sealed records in Ohio can be opened during a background check under certain conditions set by the legislature.
The Ohio Revised Code Section 109.572 is the legal foundation for criminal records checks across the state.
This Ohio statute also sets appeal procedures for disputing the accuracy of criminal background check records.
The second key Ohio law is ORC 149.43, the Public Records Act. It requires all Ohio public offices to make records available. Exemptions exist for trade secrets, confidential business data, and certain law enforcement records. When Ohio officials withhold records during a background check request, they must give you a written explanation and cite the law that allows it. The Attorney General's Sunshine Laws manual covers all of these Ohio rules in detail.
The Ohio Facilities Construction Commission follows ORC 149.43 strictly and provides Ohio public records at minimal cost.
Electronic records from Ohio state agencies like OFCC are provided free of charge.
Browse Ohio Background Checks by County
Each of Ohio's 88 counties has a sheriff's office that offers background check and fingerprinting services. Pick a county below to find local WebCheck info, fees, and contact details for that area.
Background Checks in Major Ohio Cities
Ohio city residents get background checks through their county sheriff's office or at local WebCheck locations. Select a city below to find where to go for a background check in that area.