Criminal History Records Check Ohio

Choose the Ohio product before you submit fingerprints

Ohio BCI is the state criminal-history repository and uses fingerprints for civilian background checks. Start with the purpose written by the employer, licensing body, agency, or other recipient. If the instruction calls for an Ohio BCI check, use the Ohio Attorney General’s WebCheck route. If it calls for an FBI check, confirm that the request is one Ohio BCI is authorized to process before selecting a combined option.

The Ohio Attorney General’s background-check FAQ states that BCI can process FBI checks only for specified types of Ohio employment. For a personal-use FBI background check, the FAQ directs the individual to submit fingerprints directly to the FBI. This means “BCI + FBI” is not a generic broader choice for every personal request.

Use the official WebCheck locator and bring the submission details

The Ohio Attorney General WebCheck Community Listing lets you search providers by county or ZIP code. The state recommends contacting a location before visiting to make sure its equipment is current.

For an own-record BCI request, bring valid photo identification. The Attorney General’s own-record instructions require identifying information, a complete set of fingerprints, signed consent, and the state fee. For an employer or licensing request, also bring the recipient’s written reason, routing instructions, and any agency code or recipient information it provided. A WebCheck vendor can charge its own convenience/service fee, so confirm the provider’s total before the appointment.

For personal review, request your own BCI record under the $22 route

Ohio BCI states that its computerized criminal histories are not general public records, but an individual may obtain their own record to review for accuracy and completeness. The current state fee is $22, payable as described by BCI, and the request requires identifying information, fingerprints, and signed consent. Electronic fingerprints may be submitted through an authorized WebCheck provider.

Use this route when the task is reviewing your own Ohio BCI record. Do not substitute it for a court-certified judgment or for an FBI personal-use request.

Tie processing expectations to the submission route

The Ohio Attorney General’s Civilian Services page says mailed background checks can take as long as a month. It separately says WebCheck results are usually returned within a matter of days, while complicated cases can take up to 30 days. Those statements are processing guidance, not guarantees for a particular recipient or vendor.

If a deadline matters, ask the requesting organization when it needs the result and verify the provider’s submission method before fingerprints are taken.

Correct an inaccurate BCI entry at the source agency

After you receive your own BCI record, Ohio’s instructions allow you to challenge information you believe is incorrect. Gather available proof and contact the agency responsible for the disputed entry—often a sheriff, police department, municipal court, or common pleas court. BCI states that it does not maintain the court documents needed to prove the underlying disposition.

That is why a BCI repository response and a court file should remain separate. Use BCI for the repository-level history; use the court clerk when you need the filed judgment, dismissal, sentencing entry, or other case document supporting a correction.