Union County Background Check Search
Union County background check services are handled through the Sheriff's Office in Marysville. The county offers WebCheck electronic fingerprinting for both BCI and FBI criminal history searches. Residents in the Marysville area can get fingerprinted for licensing, volunteer work, and other purposes that require a record check. The process runs through the Ohio Attorney General's BCI system. Local checks cover the county jail database, while state and federal checks search far broader records.
Union County Background Check Overview
Union County Criminal Record Checks
The Union County Sheriff's Office is the primary location for background checks in the county. They provide WebCheck fingerprinting for BCI and FBI checks. A local record check covers only the county jail database. It shows arrests and bookings but not court outcomes. If you need a broader search, the BCI state check pulls from the full Ohio criminal database. The FBI check adds a national layer.
Most people who need a thorough background check in Union County will want both a BCI and FBI search. This is especially true for licensing boards and some volunteer programs. The Sheriff's Office in Marysville handles all of these. Walk-in service is typically available during business hours, though calling ahead is a good idea.
The Ohio Attorney General's WebCheck community listing confirms that Union County has approved fingerprinting locations for electronic submissions.
Fees for Union County Background Checks
A BCI state check costs $22 through ePayment or $27 to $37 when done at a local site. FBI checks range from $24 to $50. If you need both, the combined fee runs between $46 and $91. Cash is the typical payment at the Sheriff's Office. Keep your receipt. Fees are non-refundable no matter the outcome.
Local jail checks cost less. They are quick but only show Union County arrest data. For most purposes, a state or combined check is what you need.
Note: Union County background check fees are collected at the time of fingerprinting, and no refunds are given regardless of the search results.
Public Records in Union County
Ohio law makes public records broadly available. Under ORC 149.43, you can request records from any public office in Union County. No name required. No reason needed. The office must respond within a reasonable time. If they deny your request, they have to cite the specific legal exemption.
The Union County Clerk of Courts maintains records for the Common Pleas Court. Criminal case files, civil filings, and domestic relations cases are all part of the public record. These are helpful when a background check shows an arrest and you need to know how the case ended. The Ohio Sunshine Laws page from the Attorney General has more on your rights.
WebCheck Fingerprinting in Union County
WebCheck is the state's electronic fingerprint system. It is run by the Ohio Attorney General's Bureau of Criminal Investigation. When you get fingerprinted at a Union County WebCheck site, your prints go to BCI for a state search. If you also need an FBI check, the same prints get sent to the federal database.
Results for clean checks arrive in 4 to 5 business days. If a record exists, the full report can take 4 to 6 weeks. BCI handles over a million background checks each year across Ohio. For questions about a Union County check, call the BCI Civilian Unit at 877-224-0043 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on weekdays.
Union County Background Check Steps
The process is simple. Pick the type of check you need. Local checks are fast and cheap. BCI covers Ohio. FBI covers the nation. Many licenses require both under ORC 109.572. Then head to the Sheriff's Office in Marysville with the right items.
Bring these with you:
- Valid state-issued photo ID
- ORC reason code for the check
- Cash or money order
- Address where results should be sent
- Social Security number and date of birth
If you have been an Ohio resident for fewer than five years, you will likely need both BCI and FBI checks. Results usually go directly to the requesting agency. Some results can be mailed to an alternate address, but FBI results may have delivery limits depending on the reason code.
Court Records and Union County Checks
Court records give you the full story behind any arrest that shows up on a background check. The Union County Clerk of Courts has criminal case files, civil records, and traffic cases. A BCI check might show an arrest, but it does not always show what happened next. The court file has charges, pleas, verdicts, and sentencing details. If a case was dismissed, the court record will show that too.
Below is a screenshot related to Union County government services, including links to offices that handle public records and background check requests.
Ohio Attorney General WebCheck
This resource connects to the Attorney General's WebCheck system used by Union County for electronic fingerprinting and BCI/FBI background checks.
Cities in Union County
Union County includes Marysville, Plain City, and Richwood. None of the cities in Union County meet the population threshold for a dedicated page. All residents use the same county-level background check services through the Sheriff's Office in Marysville.