Delaware County Criminal History Records
Delaware County is one of the fastest-growing counties in Ohio, located just north of Columbus. Criminal history records here are managed by the Clerk of Courts at 117 N Union St in Delaware. The county handles a high volume of cases through its Common Pleas Court, and the clerk maintains an online case search system that covers appellate, civil, domestic, and felony criminal filings. Whether you need to look up a specific criminal case or get a background check done, Delaware County has solid resources both online and in person. This guide walks you through the main ways to access criminal history information here.
Delaware County Criminal History Overview
Delaware County Clerk of Courts
The Delaware County Clerk of Courts is the main office for accessing criminal history records in the county. The office sits at 117 N Union St, Level 300, Delaware, OH 43015. You can call them at 740-833-2500 or email clerkofcourts@co.delaware.oh.us. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The clerk maintains records for all Common Pleas Court cases including felony criminal matters, civil suits, and domestic relations filings.
The clerk's site offers an online case search tool. You can pull up case information for appellate, civil, domestic, and felony criminal filings right from your computer.
This online system is free to use. Search by name, case number, or filing date. Results show basic case details including charges, hearing dates, and case status. For full documents like indictments or judgment entries, you may need to visit the office or request copies by mail. Under ORC 149.43, these are public records and the clerk must provide them on request.
Criminal History Through the Sheriff
The Delaware County Sheriff's Office is at 1776 State Route 521, Delaware, OH 43015. Phone is 740-833-2810. The sheriff handles law enforcement in unincorporated areas of the county and runs the county jail. Arrest records start here. When a deputy books someone into jail, the sheriff's office creates the booking record with charges, personal info, and arrest details.
The sheriff's website has information on current inmates, warrants, and how to request records. Booking data is public in most cases.
For background checks, the sheriff's office may offer WebCheck fingerprinting. Call ahead to confirm availability. The WebCheck Community Locations finder can show you all providers in Delaware County.
Delaware County Government Portal
The Delaware County government website ties together all county departments and services. From here you can reach the clerk, sheriff, prosecutor, and other offices involved in the criminal justice system. The site is well-organized and gets updated regularly.
Use the county portal to find office addresses, phone numbers, and links to online services across all departments.
Delaware County has grown fast over the past two decades. That growth means more cases moving through the court system and more demand for public records access. The county has kept up by investing in online tools. Most people can find what they need without making a trip to the courthouse.
Expungement in Delaware County
Ohio allows record sealing through ORC 2953.32. If you were convicted of a crime in Delaware County, you may be eligible to have that record sealed from public view. The application goes to the Delaware County Common Pleas Court. Eligible offenses are mostly first-time, lower-level felonies and misdemeanors. Violent crimes and sex offenses generally cannot be sealed.
The process involves filing an application, paying a fee, and attending a hearing. The prosecutor gets notice and can object. A judge looks at your rehabilitation and the nature of the offense before making a decision. It typically takes a few months. Once sealed, the record does not show up in standard background checks or court searches. Legal aid groups in central Ohio can sometimes help with the paperwork if you cannot afford an attorney.
Note: A sealed record is not destroyed. It still exists but is hidden from public access unless a court orders it reopened.
Delaware County Criminal Case Process
Felony cases in Delaware County follow a standard path. An arrest leads to charges filed by the prosecutor. The case goes to the Common Pleas Court for arraignment, pretrial hearings, and possibly trial. The clerk records every step. If the defendant pleads guilty or is found guilty at trial, the judge enters a sentence. All of this becomes part of the criminal history record stored by the clerk.
Misdemeanor cases take a shorter route. They go through the Delaware Municipal Court. Traffic cases and minor criminal offenses land here. The municipal court has its own clerk and its own record system. If you are searching for a low-level offense, check the municipal court first. Some people check Common Pleas and come up empty because the case was a misdemeanor all along.
Nearby Counties
Delaware County shares borders with several other Ohio counties. If a record search here does not turn up what you need, try these neighbors: