Fairfield County Criminal History Search
Fairfield County criminal history records are kept at the Hall of Justice in Lancaster, Ohio. The Clerk of Courts manages court records going back decades, with dockets available online from 1993 forward. This county sits southeast of Columbus and handles a steady flow of criminal cases through its Common Pleas Court. If you need to search for felony case records, request document copies, or look into sealing a criminal record, the clerk's office on the second floor of the Hall of Justice is where you start. The sheriff's office also plays a role with arrest records and fingerprint services for background checks.
Fairfield County Criminal History Overview
Fairfield County Clerk of Courts
The Fairfield County Clerk of Courts is on the 2nd Floor of the Hall of Justice at 224 E Main St, Lancaster, OH 43130. Phone is 740-652-7360. You can also email ClerkRecords@fairfieldcountyclerk.com with questions about records. The office handles all filings for the Common Pleas Court, including felony criminal cases, civil matters, and appeals. Staff can help with case searches, document copies, and filing motions.
The clerk's website has details on services, hours, and how to submit record requests.
Copy fees in Fairfield County are low. Pages cost $0.10 each. That is cheaper than many Ohio counties. For a short case file, you might spend less than a dollar. Longer files with trial transcripts will cost more, but the per-page rate stays the same. Certified copies may carry an additional charge. Call the office or check the website for current certified copy fees.
Online Criminal History Search
Fairfield County offers online access to court dockets dating back to 1993. The Fairfield County Case Information Records Search tool lets you look up cases from home. Search by name, case number, or date range. The system shows case type, charges, hearing dates, and current status. It covers Common Pleas cases including felony criminal matters.
The online tool is free. It pulls data from court dockets filed since 1993. Older records may require an in-person visit to the clerk's office.
Having dockets online since 1993 gives Fairfield County a deeper digital archive than some smaller Ohio counties. That is over three decades of case data you can search through without leaving your house. Under ORC 149.43, court records are public. The online search tool makes it easy to exercise that right.
Fairfield County Sheriff and Background Checks
The Fairfield County Sheriff's Office is at 345 Lincoln Ave, Lancaster, OH 43130. The sheriff handles law enforcement for unincorporated parts of the county and runs the jail. Arrest records and booking logs are kept here. The sheriff also provides fingerprinting for background checks.
Fairfield County fingerprinting fees through the sheriff are straightforward. A BCI-only check costs $35. An FBI check is $35. If you want both BCI and FBI, it is $55 total. That bundled price saves a bit compared to getting them done separately. You need a valid photo ID and the reason for the check. The WebCheck Community Locations page can also help you find other providers in the area if the sheriff's office does not work for your schedule.
Note: Background check results go to the requesting agency. If you need your own record, you can request a personal criminal history from BCI directly.
Record Sealing in Fairfield County
If you have a criminal record in Fairfield County, Ohio law may let you get it sealed. Under ORC 2953.32, people with certain convictions can apply to seal their records from public view. The application goes to the Fairfield County Common Pleas Court. First-time offenders with low-level felonies or misdemeanors are the most common candidates. Violent crimes and sex offenses are typically excluded from eligibility.
The court charges a filing fee. The prosecutor gets notice and may object. A hearing follows, where a judge considers the nature of the crime and evidence of rehabilitation. If the judge grants the application, the record no longer shows up in public searches. It still exists in the system but only authorized parties can view it. The process can take months. Legal aid organizations serving central Ohio may help with the paperwork and filing.
Cities in Fairfield County
Fairfield County includes several cities and towns. Criminal cases for residents in these areas may go through either the Common Pleas Court or a local municipal court depending on the severity of the charge. Here are the major cities with dedicated pages:
Smaller communities in the county are served by the same Common Pleas Court in Lancaster for felony matters.
Nearby Counties
Fairfield County sits in the south-central part of Ohio. Neighboring counties may have relevant records if a case crosses jurisdictions: