Franklin County Background Check

Franklin County Sheriff Fingerprinting

The Franklin County Sheriff's Office runs fingerprinting and background check services from its main office. Fees are set at $35 for a BCI WebCheck, $35 for an FBI WebCheck, and $70 for a combined BCI and FBI check. Ink fingerprint cards cost $10. These prices apply to all walk-in and appointment visits. Cash with exact change or a money order is the only form of payment they take. Credit cards are not accepted at this time.

All appointments are handled through an online booking system. You must fill out a form, print it, and bring it with you. The office will not accept forms that have been mailed in. This is a strict rule. Plan to arrive on time with your printed form and valid photo ID.

Hours run Monday through Friday from 7:30 AM to 11:00 AM, then 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM. The office is closed from 11:00 AM to 11:30 AM each day. It is also closed on weekends and all legal holidays. If you show up outside these hours, you will not be seen.

Background Check Laws in Franklin County

Ohio law governs who can request a background check and how results are used. ORC 109.572 sets the rules for criminal records checks conducted by the Bureau of Criminal Investigation. This statute outlines when fingerprinting is required and which agencies can request checks. It also defines the types of offenses that may appear on a report. Franklin County follows these state rules for all checks processed through the Sheriff's Office.

Public records in Ohio fall under ORC 149.43, the state's public records act. This law gives any person the right to request records from a public office. Court records, incident reports, and other documents held by Franklin County agencies are generally accessible. Some records are exempt from disclosure, such as sealed or expunged cases. The Ohio Attorney General's Sunshine Laws page explains these rules in more detail.

WebCheck Services in Franklin County

WebCheck is Ohio's electronic fingerprint system. It sends prints to BCI and the FBI for processing. Results come back faster than ink card submissions. Most WebCheck results arrive in one to three business days for BCI checks. FBI checks can take longer, sometimes up to two weeks.

The Ohio Attorney General's WebCheck page lists all authorized locations in the state. Franklin County has multiple sites beyond the Sheriff's Office. Libraries, schools, and some private companies also offer this service. Fees vary by location. The Sheriff's Office charges $35 per check, but other providers may charge more or less depending on their own costs. You can call BCI at 877-224-0043 if you have questions about the process or your results.

The image below shows the Franklin County Sheriff's Office fingerprinting page, where you can find appointment details and fee information for background check services.

This portal is where Franklin County residents start the process for most types of background checks. Bookmark it if you plan to schedule a visit soon.

Franklin County Criminal Records Access

Criminal records in Franklin County are maintained by several offices. The Common Pleas Court handles felony cases. The Franklin County Municipal Court covers misdemeanors and traffic offenses. Each court keeps its own set of records. You can search many of these records online through their respective websites.

The Concealed Carry Permit Office is at 57 East Main Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215. This office processes permit applications that include a background check as part of the approval process. Phone inquiries go to (614) 525-5090. Staff can answer questions about the status of a permit or the documents you need to bring. Walk-in hours match the Sheriff's main office schedule.

Note: Background check results sent to the requesting agency cannot be shared with the subject of the check unless the agency permits it.

Franklin County Background Check Costs

Costs in Franklin County are straightforward. Here is what you can expect to pay at the Sheriff's Office:

• BCI WebCheck: $35
• FBI WebCheck: $35
• Combined BCI and FBI WebCheck: $70
• Ink fingerprint cards: $10

Other WebCheck providers in the county may have different prices. Some charge a service fee on top of the state processing fee. Always ask about the total cost before your appointment. Remember, the Sheriff's Office only takes cash with exact change or money orders. If you prefer to pay by card, look for a different provider in the area.

Cities in Franklin County

Franklin County is home to Columbus, the state capital and Ohio's largest city. Residents of Columbus and the surrounding area use the Franklin County Sheriff's Office for most background check needs. For more details on services specific to Columbus, visit our Columbus background check page. The city of Dublin also falls partly within Franklin County and has its own local resources.

Nearby Counties

Several counties border Franklin County and offer their own background check services. Delaware County sits to the north. Fairfield County is to the southeast. Licking County borders the east side. Madison County and Pickaway County are to the west and south. Each has a Sheriff's Office that processes WebCheck requests.