Columbus Arrest Records Search | Police & Court

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Columbus, Ohio · Police reports, Franklin County custody, warrants and criminal courts

Find a Columbus Arrest and Trace the Case to Its Final Court Result

Columbus arrest information is split between police, the Franklin County Sheriff and two criminal court systems. Start with custody, save the official identifiers and then verify what prosecutors actually filed.

This guide also covers police reports, recent arraignments, warrants, bond, jail visits, mail, commissary, public defenders, victim help, Ohio BCI records, corrections and sealing.

Search current jail custody Search Municipal Court Fix a missing record
COLUMBUS RECORD ROUTER VERIFYING
FRANKLIN SEARCH LIVE
JAIL
POLICE
COURT
COURT DISPOSITION
VERIFIED
BOOKING + COURT MATCHED
Arrest is not conviction. A jail charge or police arrest entry records an allegation. Prosecutors may decline, replace or amend that allegation, and the court may dismiss the case or find the defendant not guilty.
Current custody

Use Franklin County Sheriff Inmate Information.

Police narrative

Request the CPD report from the Public Records Unit.

Misdemeanor case

Search Franklin County Municipal Court.

Felony case

Check Common Pleas Case Information Online.

Your Ohio BCI file

Current state processing charge: $22.

Start here

Which Columbus record answers your question?

FRANKLIN COUNTY JAIL Is the person held now?

Current inmate, charges, case numbers, visitation location and court dates.

Bond amounts should still be confirmed with the Clerk.
COLUMBUS POLICE What did the officer report?

Incident report, offense report, arrest documentation and other releasable CPD records.

CPD records are separate from jail custody.
MUNICIPAL COURT Misdemeanor or first felony filing?

Criminal misdemeanors, initial felony filings, arraignment, warrants and court events.

Search by case number whenever possible.
COMMON PLEAS Did the felony move forward?

Felony indictment, motions, hearings, judgment and sentence through the General Division.

A case may begin in Municipal Court and later be bound over.
OHIO BCI What is on my state record?

Fingerprint-supported computerized Ohio criminal history for personal review.

BCI criminal histories are not a general public people search.
Most reliable sequence: Find current custody → save the Sheriff ID and case number → identify the arresting agency → obtain the police report if needed → search Municipal Court → check Common Pleas for a felony → locate the final disposition.

Go directly to the Columbus task

Important local distinction

Columbus Police records are not the same as Franklin County jail records

Columbus Division of Police

  • Creates police incident and offense reports.
  • Maintains records created or retained by CPD.
  • Provides report retrieval and public-record requests.
  • Uses a CPD report or incident number.
  • Does not operate the Franklin County jail roster.

Franklin County Sheriff

  • Operates Franklin County corrections facilities.
  • Publishes the current inmate-information search.
  • Shows current charges and case numbers.
  • Shows current visitation location.
  • Maintains Sheriff-created records separately from CPD.
Practical rule: If you want to know whether a person is in jail, start with the Sheriff. If you want the narrative written by Columbus officers, use CPD Records. If you want to know whether the allegation became a conviction, use the court.
Franklin County custody

Use the Sheriff inmate search for live jail information

The Sheriff states that its inmate search provides current inmates, current charges, current case numbers, current location for visitation and court dates. Bond information should still be confirmed with the Clerk of Courts.
Open Inmate Information Use the official Sheriff page and select Search Inmate Information. Run the official custody search
Confirm the exact name Compare the result with the known arrest and court information.
Save every current case number One person can have several cases or holds.
Read every current charge Treat the listed jail charge as an allegation until the court disposition is verified.
Note the current visitation location Franklin County uses two corrections centers. Do not assume the person remains at the first facility.
Record the court date Continue to the Clerk’s case search for docket details.
Confirm bond with the Clerk Do not send money based only on a jail display.
James A. Karnes Corrections Center
2551 Fisher Road, Columbus, OH 43204
Inmate information: 614-525-3368
Visitation: 614-525-3383
Commissary: 614-525-7133
Franklin County Corrections Center II
2460 Jackson Pike, Columbus, OH 43223
Inmate information: 614-525-3368
Visitation: 614-525-7131
Commissary: 614-525-7133
Result decoder

What the Columbus and Franklin County record fields mean

Use the field for identification—not as proof of guilt
Field What it tells you What it does not prove Next action
Sheriff ID The jail-system identifier used for the person. Final court outcome. Save it for visitation and commissary.
Current charge An allegation presently connected to custody. That prosecutors filed or proved the same charge. Open the related court case.
Case number The identifier for a specific court matter. That another case does not exist. Search each case number separately.
Court date A scheduled court event. The hearing cannot change. Recheck the official docket before attending.
Visitation location The current Franklin County facility connected to visits. The person will remain there. Verify again before the appointment.
Police report number The law-enforcement incident reference. It is the same as the court case number. Use it in the police-record request.
Bond entry A release-related court or jail entry. Payment will clear every hold. Confirm through the Clerk before paying.
Closed case The court no longer treats the case as active in the same way. Dismissal or acquittal. Read the final disposition entry.
Mugshot A booking photograph when publicly available. Guilt or identity by itself. Match official identifiers.
ODRC number An identifier in Ohio state corrections. Every prior Columbus arrest. Use it only for state-correctional custody.
Identity safeguard

Verify the correct person before relying on a record

Full first and last name match
Middle name, alias or suffix is consistent
Age or date of birth is consistent
Arrest date matches the known event
Arresting agency matches the location
Sheriff ID or booking identifier matches
Court case number follows the same event
Final disposition belongs to that same defendant
Minimum identity rule: Confirm at least two independent identifiers before publishing an allegation, sending money or treating a record as belonging to a particular person.
No-result troubleshooting

No Columbus arrest record found? Check these causes

Booking is still being processed A very recent arrest can take time to move through identification, intake and jail processing.
The person was not admitted to county jail A citation, summons, hospital situation or release can produce a police or court record without current jail custody.
The arresting agency was not Columbus Police Franklin County Sheriff, Ohio State Highway Patrol, another municipality or another agency may hold the report.
The person already left custody The Sheriff’s current-inmate service is designed around current custody. Search the court and request historical records when needed.
The name is entered differently Try the surname and first name without a middle name, suffix or punctuation.
The felony moved courts Search Municipal Court first, then Common Pleas if the matter was bound over or indicted.
The newest case is still being entered For a person currently in jail, check the Municipal Court 4D arraignment material as well as the live docket.
The record is sealed or legally restricted Sealed, expunged, juvenile and otherwise protected records may not remain publicly accessible.
Missing-custody call script
I am trying to confirm the custody status of [full legal name], date of birth or age [information]. The arrest may have occurred on [date] through [agency]. Can you confirm whether the person is currently being processed, held at Fisher Road or Jackson Pike, released, transferred or listed under another identifier?
Arrest-to-disposition path

What happens after an arrest in Columbus?

Law-enforcement record The arresting department creates the incident, offense, arrest or related investigative documentation.
Franklin County booking If the person enters county jail, the Sheriff records identity, current charges, case numbers and housing information.
Municipal Court filing Misdemeanors and initial felony matters can appear in Franklin County Municipal Court.
In-jail arraignment Courtroom 4D handles qualifying defendants who are in jail, including new misdemeanor and felony matters.
Felony bind-over or indictment A felony that proceeds can move into Franklin County Common Pleas General Division.
Pretrial proceedings The case may include motions, discovery, plea negotiations, amended counts and hearings.
Final disposition Each count can end through dismissal, acquittal, plea, conviction or another court order.
County or state custody A qualifying sentence can result in local incarceration, supervision or transfer to Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction.
Correction or record relief A wrong entry can be challenged, while an eligible accurate record may qualify for sealing or expungement.
Columbus Police records

Request the arrest or incident report from CPD

Columbus Division of Police Public Records Unit
120 Marconi Boulevard
Columbus, OH 43215
Public Records Office: 614-645-4925
Police information: 614-645-4760
Non-emergency: 614-645-4545
Confirm CPD made or maintains the record Do not send a Franklin County Sheriff or suburban police report request to Columbus Police.
Open Find Reports Columbus provides report-retrieval and report-request options through its official portal. Open CPD Find Reports
Use the report number when known This is more precise than a broad name-only request.
Add the exact incident date and location Include the arrest location, street or known police district when available.
Name the documents needed Ask for the releasable offense report, arrest documentation or specifically identified supplemental record.
Add the court case number This helps connect the police event with the prosecution when the number is already known.
Use a public-record request for material not directly retrievable Submit the final request through the CPD Public Records Unit. Open CPD Public Records Unit
Copy-ready CPD records request
I request an electronic copy of the releasable offense report, arrest documentation and identified supplements concerning [full legal name] for the incident on or about [date/time] at [location]. Known identifiers include CPD report number [number], Franklin County Sheriff ID or booking identifier [number] and court case number [number]. Please provide the record electronically when available and advise me before incurring substantial reproduction costs.
Sheriff public records

Request a Franklin County Sheriff record from the correct office

Franklin County Sheriff Public Records
Email: fcsopublicrecords@franklincountyohio.gov
Phone: 614-525-6096
Fax: 614-525-5730
Published Franklin County Sheriff public-record charges
Item Published charge Use
Paper copy $0.05 per page Physical copies of releasable records.
Accident report $4 each Sheriff-maintained accident report.
Computer files on CD $1 per disc Downloaded computer files supplied on compact disc.
Postage Actual additional cost When the records must be mailed.
The Sheriff states that a denial must include an explanation and legal authority. When only part of a record is exempt, the exempt portion can be redacted while releasable portions are produced.
Open Sheriff public-record instructions
Choose the correct court

Municipal Court vs. Common Pleas: where should you search?

Do not stop after searching only one Franklin County court
Situation Start here What you may find Next step
Misdemeanor arrest Municipal Court Complaint, arraignment, warrants, hearings, disposition. Read the final Municipal docket.
New felony filing Municipal Court Initial felony complaint and preliminary proceeding. Check Common Pleas for bind-over or indictment.
Indicted felony Common Pleas Indictment, motions, pleas, trial, judgment, sentence. Obtain certified proof if required.
Unsure of offense level Municipal first Case type and related case information. Search Common Pleas too.
Misdemeanor and initial felony cases

Search Franklin County Municipal Court efficiently

Open the official records search Search Municipal Court records
Use case number or ticket number first The Clerk identifies these as the most efficient search methods.
Otherwise enter both first and last name The system requires both for a person-name search.
Use only a middle initial when appropriate An overly exact middle-name entry can hide a valid result.
Add date of birth Enter it in MM/DD/YYYY format to reduce same-name matches.
Narrow with case year or case type Use these filters only after a broader search produces too many results.
Open every related case One arrest can produce more than one court case.
Do not treat “closed” as the disposition Read the docket to determine whether the case ended in dismissal, plea, conviction or another result.
Franklin County Municipal Court Clerk – Criminal/Traffic
375 South High Street, 2nd Floor
Columbus, OH 43215
Information: 614-645-8186
Very recent cases

Use the daily arraignment reports when a new case is hard to find

4C

Out-of-jail criminal cases and OVI arraignments.

4D

Defendants currently in jail with criminal or traffic matters, including new felony cases.

4D Defendant Sheets

One defendant per page, grouped by name and date of birth.

Open Daily Arraignment Reports Select the relevant court date. Open daily arraignment PDFs
Use 4D for an in-jail defendant This is the most relevant report when a newly booked person is awaiting an in-jail arraignment.
Search the PDF for the surname Verify the name, date of birth and case number.
Move to the live docket Use the case number from the arraignment report for the full record search.
4D timing: The Clerk states that the 4D list is drafted every 10 minutes beginning at 2:00 p.m. the court day before, with a final report at 7:30 a.m. Most case information is expected to be available by approximately 4:00 a.m., with updates completed by 7:30 a.m.
Open the 4D in-jail list
Felony court

Continue a felony search in Franklin County Common Pleas

A felony can appear first in Municipal Court and later move to Common Pleas. Failing to make the second search can make an active felony look as though it disappeared.
Open Case Information Online Use the General Division criminal search. Search Common Pleas cases
Search the defendant and case information Use the Common Pleas case number when it is known.
Find the indictment The indictment identifies felony counts presented in Common Pleas.
Read later docket entries Check motions, amended filings, plea entries, trial events and sentencing.
Locate the judgment Determine exactly which counts ended in dismissal, conviction or another outcome.
Use the courthouse file when accuracy matters Case Information Online is a convenience. Obtain the official Clerk record for formal proof or a disputed entry.
Franklin County Clerk of Courts – General Civil/Criminal
345 South High Street, 1st Floor
Columbus, OH 43215
Phone: 614-525-3621
Clerk main line: 614-525-3600
Court documents and certification

Get an official Franklin County disposition

Municipal Court

  • Search the case first.
  • Identify the exact disposition or document required.
  • Call 614-645-8186 when certification or a specific document is needed.
  • A certified court record contains the Clerk’s certification and seal.

Common Pleas

  • Ordinary copy: $0.10 per page.
  • Certified copy: $1 per document.
  • Exemplified copy: $4 per document.
  • Use the General Division for felony records.
Copy-ready court request
I need [ordinary/certified] copies of the final disposition, judgment and sentence in criminal case [case number], State of Ohio v. [defendant]. Please advise the total copy and certification charge before processing if additional documents are required.
Warrant verification

Check a Columbus or Franklin County warrant safely

Search Municipal Court when the case is there Search the defendant and read the newest docket entries. Check Municipal Court
Search Common Pleas for a felony matter Check whether a warrant was issued, served or later resolved. Check Common Pleas
Check the Sheriff Wanted Persons page This can identify selected people currently sought by the Sheriff. Open Franklin County Wanted Persons
Do not assume the wanted page lists every warrant A missing name is not proof that no warrant exists.
Confirm with the issuing court or agency Municipal Court information: 614-645-8186.
Do not confront the person Contact law enforcement when safety or an active wanted person is involved.
The Sheriff explicitly instructs the public to take no action themselves and to verify warrants before an arrest is attempted.
Franklin County Sheriff Wanted Persons information:
614-525-7928 or 614-525-3333
Warrants/Extraditions anonymous tip line: 614-525-3346
Bond and release

Confirm the correct Franklin County bond before paying

The Sheriff instructs users to obtain bond information through the Clerk of Courts. Do not rely only on a third-party page, old screenshot or verbal message from an unknown caller.

Municipal Court case

  1. Search the case online.
  2. Review the current bond entry.
  3. Call 614-645-8186 if anything is unclear.
  4. In-person bond processing is on the second floor at 375 S. High Street.
  5. Keep every receipt and case number.

Common Pleas felony

  1. Confirm the Common Pleas case number.
  2. Verify the current court order.
  3. Bonds must be paid in person.
  4. Go to the Clerk General Division at 345 S. High Street, 1st Floor.
  5. Confirm accepted payment before traveling.
Municipal bond refunds: the Clerk currently advises allowing approximately four to six weeks after completion of the case. Questions can be directed to 614-645-8186.
Bond-verification call script
I am calling about [full legal name], case number [number]. Please confirm the current bond or release condition, whether any additional case or hold prevents release, where payment must be made and what payment methods are currently accepted.
Franklin County Jail visitation

Schedule a virtual visit without using the wrong facility

Franklin County Sheriff currently provides incarcerated individuals at FCCC II with two 20-minute virtual visits each week at no cost. Additional paid virtual options may be available through the approved system.
Search the inmate first Confirm the current visitation location. Check current facility
Confirm the Sheriff ID Save the identifier before opening the visitation platform.
Create the ViaPath visit account Use the official Franklin County registration page linked by the Sheriff. Register and schedule a visit
Complete the visitor profile accurately Use the correct legal name and requested identification information.
Select the correct incarcerated person Verify the identity before reserving the session.
Choose an available appointment Follow the current scheduling options shown by ViaPath.
Recheck custody before the appointment A transfer or release can change the correct visitation location.
Visitation contacts
James A. Karnes Corrections Center: 614-525-3383
Franklin County Corrections Center II: 614-525-7131
Digital inmate mail

Send personal mail to Franklin County Jail correctly

Franklin County inmate personal mail went digital effective May 28, 2024. Mail sent to the processing address is scanned and delivered electronically through the facility messaging system.
Current personal-mail format
[Current Facility Name], OH
[Inmate Full Name], [Inmate Identifier]
P.O. Box 247
Phoenix, MD 21131
Check the current facility Use the inmate search immediately before addressing mail.
Use the exact inmate name Match the name shown by the Sheriff.
Add the inmate identifier Missing identity information can interfere with delivery.
Use P.O. Box 247 in Phoenix, Maryland This is the published digital personal-mail processing address.
Use USPS for photographs The Sheriff states that pictures are accepted through the U.S. Postal Service.
Keep legal or special items under the correct procedure Do not assume every document belongs in ordinary scanned personal mail.

Books and magazines must meet all of these rules

New and soft-bound
Ordered directly from a verifiable commercial distributor, publisher or retailer
Inmate’s full name appears on the address label
Sent through the U.S. Postal Service
Material remains unaltered from original form
Material is prepaid
No gang-related or violence-promoting material
No pornographic or discriminatory material
The Sheriff no longer accepts underwear, socks or T-shirts through visitation. Contact solution and reading glasses also must be purchased through commissary rather than delivered through the visitation window.
Commissary deposits

Use the current Franklin County commissary provider

Effective June 23, 2025, Franklin County Sheriff moved commissary transactions to Keefe Commissary Network / Access Corrections.
Find the Sheriff ID first Search the incarcerated person and confirm the exact identity.
Open Access Corrections Start the approved commissary deposit
Select Ohio Choose the correct state before searching the facility.
Select Franklin County Jail, OH This is the facility selection published by the Sheriff for both corrections centers.
Enter the full name or Sheriff ID Verify the recipient before entering payment information.
Review the handling fee Fees vary by amount and deposit method.
Keep the transaction confirmation Save the amount, recipient and confirmation number.
Published Franklin County commissary handling fees
Deposit Website Phone Card kiosk Cash kiosk Cash retailer
$0.01–$19.99 $3.95 $4.95 $3.95 $3.00 $3.95
$20–$99.99 $5.95 $6.95 $5.95 $3.00 $3.95
$100–$199.99 $8.95 $9.95 $8.95 $3.00 $3.95
$200–$300 $10.95 $11.95 $10.95 $3.00 $3.95

Published deposit limits

Kiosk cash

$300 per recipient per day.

Cash Pay Today

$900 cash per recipient per day.

Credit/debit

$300 over seven days per recipient and per card.

10-day threshold

More than $2,000 begins an investigative inquiry.

Four Sheriff kiosks are published as accessible 24/7: two at the Fisher Road facility and two at the Jackson Pike facility.
Keefe deposit support: 636-888-7004 · published as available 24/7 with English and Spanish assistance.
Calls and communication

Confirm the current jail communication account before funding it

Commissary money, visitation access and communication services can use different accounts or providers. Do not assume that an Access Corrections commissary deposit funds calls or a ViaPath visit.
Confirm the current facility Search the inmate before setting up communication.
Save the Sheriff ID Use the exact identity connected to the current booking.
Ask the corrections center which communication service applies Current services can change, so obtain the provider from the Sheriff rather than a search-engine advertisement.
Keep visitation and commissary accounts separate Franklin County’s current virtual visitation uses ViaPath, while commissary uses Access Corrections.
Do not discuss confidential case strategy on ordinary personal communication Ask the attorney about the correct confidential legal-communication procedure.
General inmate information: 614-525-3368
Sheriff main line: 614-525-3333
Defense representation

Contact the Franklin County Public Defender

The Franklin County Public Defender represents qualifying indigent defendants in Municipal, Common Pleas, juvenile, custody and appellate proceedings.

Municipal case

  • Confirm the case number and next hearing.
  • Contact the Public Defender office.
  • Published Municipal interview hours are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 1:30–3:30 p.m.
  • Bring or provide the case information requested by staff.

Common Pleas felony

  • Confirm the Common Pleas case number.
  • Common Pleas interviews are by appointment.
  • Ask whether counsel has already been appointed.
  • Keep attorney communication separate from ordinary personal jail communication.
Franklin County Public Defender
373 S. High Street, 12th Floor
Columbus, OH 43215
Phone: 614-525-3194
Email: fcpublicdefender@franklincountyohio.gov
Main office hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Open the official Public Defender page
Victim assistance

Find the correct Columbus or Franklin County victim advocate

Police-stage support

Columbus Police Victim/Witness Services can provide information and referrals connected to a CPD investigation.

Felony prosecution

Franklin County Prosecutor Victim & Witness Assistance supports victims involved in felony cases.

Protection-order questions

Misdemeanor and felony cases use different local offices, so identify the criminal case first.

Columbus Police Victim/Witness Services
120 Marconi Boulevard
Columbus, OH 43215
Phone: 614-645-4674
Franklin County Prosecutor – Victim & Witness Assistance Unit
373 S. High Street, 14th Floor
Columbus, OH 43215
Phone: 614-525-3555
Court accompaniment
Court dates and outcome information
Victim-rights information
Impact-statement assistance
Counseling and shelter referrals
Protection-order guidance
Crime-compensation referrals
Release and post-conviction information
Open Columbus victim services Open Franklin County victim resources
Ohio state-prison custody

Use ODRC only after a state-correctional transfer

ODRC search can cover

  • People currently incarcerated in an Ohio prison.
  • People under Ohio Department supervision.
  • Judicially released people in the system.
  • Institution and offender number.
  • Commitment county and docket information.

ODRC does not replace

  • Franklin County current inmate search.
  • Columbus Police incident reports.
  • Municipal Court case search.
  • Common Pleas official court file.
  • Ohio BCI personal criminal-history review.
Search the offender number when known ODRC explains that a number search is preferable when available.
Otherwise begin with the last name Use less search criteria first and narrow only when needed.
Check the current status Results can include incarcerated, released, APA supervision and violators-at-large statuses.
Record the institution and docket Use the court docket for the authoritative case outcome.
Search Ohio ODRC offenders
Your statewide Ohio record

Request your own fingerprint-supported BCI criminal history

Ohio BCI computerized criminal-history records are not a general public record. An individual may request their own record to review it for accuracy and completeness.
Prepare your identifying information Provide your complete name, current address and other identifying characteristics required by BCI.
Obtain a complete set of fingerprints Use an Ohio WebCheck provider when electronic submission is appropriate. Find an Ohio WebCheck provider
Bring valid photo identification The fingerprint provider must verify identity.
Complete the signed consent The request is for the person whose fingerprints and record are being submitted.
Pay the $22 BCI charge Payment must be made as directed to the Treasurer of State of Ohio. A WebCheck provider may charge a separate convenience fee.
Review every arrest and disposition Compare BCI data with CPD, Sheriff and court records.
Open official BCI personal-review instructions
Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation
Main: 855-224-6446
Criminal Identification Section: 740-845-2000
Background-check inquiries: 877-224-0043
Correct inaccurate records

Fix the source of a wrong Columbus or Ohio criminal-history entry

Identify which system is incorrect Compare CPD, Sheriff, Municipal Court, Common Pleas and your BCI history.
Save the disputed entry Record the report number, Sheriff identifier and court case number.
Obtain supporting proof Use a certified dismissal, amended judgment, court disposition or corrected law-enforcement document.
Correct the originating agency Contact CPD for CPD data, Sheriff for Sheriff data or the proper court for court data.
Use BCI review for statewide errors Ohio BCI instructs individuals to collect corroborating proof and contact the agency responsible for the inaccurate information.
Recheck the record after processing An update in one database may not instantly update another public or private system.
BCI does not maintain the complete court-document file needed to prove every correction. The underlying court or law-enforcement agency is often the first place to obtain the necessary proof.
Ohio record relief

Seal or expunge an eligible Columbus criminal record

Eligibility depends on the offense, disposition, criminal history, waiting period and current Ohio law. Do not file solely because an arrest ended without jail time.

Municipal Court

  • Used for qualifying Municipal Court records.
  • $50 filing fee for qualifying conviction or bail-forfeiture applications.
  • No filing fee for dismissed or not-guilty Municipal cases.
  • Expungement/Sealing Department: 614-645-1706.
  • Self-help assistance is available for people without counsel.

Common Pleas felony

  • Use the General Division process for a felony case.
  • Published fee for sealing/expungement of a criminal conviction: $50.
  • Obtain the correct case number and final disposition first.
  • Keep a certified copy of the signed court order.
List every arrest and case number Separate Municipal and Common Pleas cases.
Obtain the final disposition Confirm dismissal, not guilty, conviction or other outcome for each case.
Choose the court that owns the case Municipal cases use the Municipal Court process; felony Common Pleas cases use General Division.
Check eligibility before paying Filing a $50 application does not guarantee the court will grant relief.
Complete the court’s current application Use the current form supplied by the correct Franklin County court.
File and obtain the hearing information Follow all notice and hearing requirements.
Keep the signed order Obtain a certified copy when needed for later correction or proof.
Ensure BCI receives the sealing order Ohio Attorney General guidance permits a judge-signed sealing order and sealing/expungement request to be submitted to BCI.
Recheck public systems Verify the Clerk, law enforcement and BCI updates after the order has been processed.
Municipal sealing instructions Common Pleas criminal forms
Municipal Court Sealing/Expungement
Phone: 614-645-1706
BCI processing of a signed sealing order
Email: Expungement.Submissions@OhioAGO.gov
Fax: 855-527-1575
Contacts and locations

Columbus arrest, jail and court contact board

Columbus Police Public Records
120 Marconi Blvd.
Columbus, OH 43215

614-645-4925

CPD Non-Emergency

614-645-4545

Emergency: 911

Franklin County Jail Information

614-525-3368

Use for current corrections information.

Franklin County Sheriff

614-525-3333

General Sheriff contact.

Municipal Court Criminal/Traffic
375 S. High St.
Columbus, OH 43215

614-645-8186

Common Pleas General Division Clerk
345 S. High St., 1st Floor
Columbus, OH 43215

614-525-3621

Franklin County Public Defender

614-525-3194

fcpublicdefender@franklincountyohio.gov

Franklin County Victim/Witness

614-525-3555

Felony victim assistance.

Columbus Police Headquarters

James A. Karnes Corrections Center

Franklin County court complex

Confirm before traveling: Recheck current custody, the exact courthouse, public-counter hours, payment method and whether the service can be completed online instead.
Information brought into this page

What you can solve here before opening an outside portal

Custody workflow

Which Sheriff search to use, what the result contains, what to save and why bond must be verified separately.

Police-report workflow

Which office owns a CPD report, what identifiers to include and how Sheriff records differ.

Two-court system

When to use Municipal Court, when to continue into Common Pleas and how to verify a final disposition.

Jail family services

Virtual-visit allowances, digital mail address, publication rules, commissary fees, deposit limits and facility contacts.

Legal and victim help

Public Defender contact, Municipal interview hours, police victim services and felony victim-witness assistance.

Record repair

BCI personal-review cost, correction sequence, Municipal/Common Pleas sealing routes and BCI order submission.

Title-related questions

Columbus arrest-record questions answered

How do I search Columbus arrest records?

Start with Franklin County Sheriff Inmate Information for current custody. Then use Columbus Police records for the incident narrative and Franklin County court records for the filed charges and outcome.

Does Columbus Police have the county inmate roster?

No. County jail custody is handled through the Franklin County Sheriff. Columbus Police maintains CPD-created police reports and related records.

What does the Franklin County inmate search show?

The Sheriff currently lists current inmates, charges, case numbers, current location for visitation and court dates.

Where do I request a Columbus Police arrest report?

Use the CPD Public Records Unit at 120 Marconi Boulevard. The published Public Records Office number is 614-645-4925.

How do I know whether to search Municipal Court or Common Pleas?

Use Municipal Court for misdemeanors and initial felony filings. If a felony is bound over or indicted, continue the search in Franklin County Common Pleas General Division.

How do I check a Franklin County warrant?

Search the relevant Municipal or Common Pleas case, review the newest warrant entry and confirm with the issuing court. The Sheriff Wanted Persons page covers selected wanted people but should not be treated as a complete warrant database.

How do Franklin County Jail virtual visits work?

The Sheriff currently provides two free 20-minute virtual visits per week for incarcerated individuals at FCCC II. Registration and scheduling use the approved ViaPath system.

How much does my own Ohio BCI criminal-history review cost?

The current BCI processing charge is $22. Fingerprints, identifying information and signed consent are required, and a WebCheck provider may charge a separate service fee.

How do I correct an inaccurate Ohio criminal history?

Obtain your BCI record, collect the court or police document proving the error and contact the agency responsible for the incorrect entry. Recheck BCI after the originating record is corrected.

Can a Columbus arrest or case be sealed?

Some records qualify. Municipal Court currently charges $50 for qualifying conviction or bail-forfeiture applications and no filing fee for dismissed or not-guilty cases. Common Pleas felony cases use the Common Pleas process.

Accuracy, identity and legal-use notice

Arrest Records is an independent informational guide. It is not the Columbus Division of Police, Franklin County Sheriff, Franklin County Municipal Court, Franklin County Clerk of Courts, Public Defender, Prosecutor, Ohio BCI or a law firm.

Arrest, charge, warrant, custody, court-date, bond and release information can change. Verify multiple identifiers and obtain the current official court disposition before making a legal, employment, housing, financial, safety or publication decision.

Every arrested person is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. This guide provides procedural information and is not legal advice.

Last official-source review: August 14, 2026.

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