Lakewood Background Check Lookup
Lakewood background check records are handled by the Lakewood Police Department and Cuyahoga County services. One thing to know right away is that the Lakewood Police Department does not offer fingerprinting. If you need a WebCheck fingerprint scan for a BCI or FBI check, you will have to visit a Cuyahoga County location or an approved private vendor. The police department does process local records requests at their Detroit Avenue office. This page covers how to search for a background check in Lakewood and where to go for each type of check.
Lakewood Background Check Overview
Lakewood Police Department Records
The Lakewood Police Department is at 12650 Detroit Avenue, Lakewood, OH 44107. The non-emergency number is (216) 521-6773. Police reports can be requested by email at police.records@lakewoodoh.gov. You can also mail a request to the Detroit Avenue address, fax it to (216) 521-7727, or call (216) 529-6785. Reports are available at the front counter from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Police reports generally take three days from the date information is received by the reporting officer. If you need a report right away, it may not be in the system yet. Plan accordingly. Walk up to the front counter during business hours for the fastest service on reports that are already on file.
Lakewood police records cover incidents within city limits only. They do not include records from other cities or counties.
Lakewood Background Check Fingerprinting
The Lakewood Police Department does not offer fingerprinting. This is an important detail. If you need a WebCheck fingerprint scan for a BCI or FBI background check, you must go elsewhere. The Ohio Attorney General's WebCheck page lists approved fingerprinting locations. The Cuyahoga County Sheriff's Office and private vendors in the area both offer this service.
The Cuyahoga County Sheriff's Office at 1215 W 3rd St, Cleveland, OH 44113 provides background checks and WebCheck fingerprinting for Lakewood residents. Phone is (216) 443-6000. They have multiple WebCheck locations throughout Cuyahoga County. Your prints get scanned and sent to BCI in London, Ohio. BCI checks against the state criminal database. FBI checks add a national search. Clean results come back in 4 to 5 business days. Matches can take 4 to 6 weeks.
Background Check Fees for Lakewood
A BCI-only check costs $22 through the ePayment system. Local WebCheck sites charge $27 to $37 for a state check. FBI checks run $24 to $50. Combined BCI and FBI checks cost $46 to $91. You pay at the location where you get fingerprinted. Cash and money orders are typical at government offices, though some private vendors take credit cards.
You need a valid reason code under ORC 109.572. This law sets out the authorized purposes for criminal records checks in Ohio. Many licensing boards and agencies require specific check types. The fingerprinting location will not pick a code for you, so figure it out before you go.
Note: Since Lakewood Police does not fingerprint, confirm your chosen WebCheck location's hours and payment methods before visiting.
Public Records in Lakewood
Under ORC 149.43, you can request public records from any Ohio public office. You do not need to provide your name or state a reason. The Lakewood Police Department handles records requests during regular hours. Email is the easiest way to make a request. The Cuyahoga County Clerk of Courts keeps Common Pleas Court records, which include criminal, civil, and domestic cases.
If a background check shows an arrest in Lakewood but you need to know the court outcome, the clerk's office has that information. Court records are separate from police records and often tell a different story. The Ohio Sunshine Laws page covers your full rights under the Public Records Act. Public offices must respond to requests within a reasonable time frame.
Getting a Lakewood Background Check
Since Lakewood PD does not fingerprint, your steps look a bit different from other cities. First, figure out what check you need. Local records are available through the police department. For BCI and FBI checks, find a WebCheck location in Cuyahoga County.
Bring the following to your fingerprinting appointment:
- Valid state-issued photo ID
- ORC reason code for your check
- Cash or money order for payment
- Social Security number and date of birth
- Mailing address for results delivery
Results go to the requesting agency. For questions about a Lakewood background check at the state level, call BCI's Civilian Unit at 877-224-0043 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on weekdays. You can also reach out to Cuyahoga County directly for questions about local processing.
Below is the Lakewood Police Department website where you can find records request details and contact information.
Lakewood Police Department provides records and public safety services for city residents.
The site includes contact numbers, email addresses, and hours for the Lakewood Police records office.
Lakewood County Information
Lakewood is in Cuyahoga County. County-level background check services, including WebCheck fingerprinting and court records, go through the Cuyahoga County offices in Cleveland.