What are Fairfield County Public Records?
By virtue of the Ohio Open Records Law, Fairfield public records include documents and records in the custody of any public office. They include (but are not limited to) state, county, city, village, township, and school district units Not all records are open to the public. The following records are exempted from public viewing:
- Medical records;
- Records relating to probation and parole hearings, processes relating to the enforcement of community control sanctions and post-release control sanctions;
- Records relating to trial preparation;
- Investigatory records of confidential law enforcement;
- Intellectual property records;
- Records about the profile of donors;
- Residential and familial information about public service workers;
- Information relating to the recreational activities of an individual under 18 years;
- Records that their release is prohibited by state or federal law
Are Fairfield County Criminal Records Public?
Under Ohio law, Fairfield County criminal records are not public records. The state law limits access to criminal history information and the authorization for the release of their information. Fairfield criminal records include information about the criminal history of persons in the county. The information also includes details of the record owner, arrest records, date of conviction, probation record, and incarceration information.
The BCI&I (Bureau of Criminal Investigation and Identification) of the Office of Ohio’s Attorney General provides criminal history information at the state level. Through the Computerized Criminal History Records service, interested and authorized persons can request criminal history record checks online through livescan or card scan. To get the computerized criminal records, requesters must provide information about the record and a $22 processing fee. The information required includes the approved signature, personal details, and the fingerprints of the record owner. Requesters should make the processing fee payable to the ’Treasurer of State of Ohio’ in the form of a check, electronic payment, or money order.
Electronic submissions should be sent to any of the BCI addresses below:
London BCI
1560 State Route 56 Southwest
London, OH 43140
Bowling Green BCI
750 North College Drive
Bowling Green, OH 43402
Richfield BCI
4055 Highlander Parkway
Richfield, OH 44286
Youngstown BCI
20 West Federal Street
Youngstown, OH 44503
The Civil Service Section of the Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office is responsible for performing civilian background checks for the county. To request these records, interested parties should contact this office at:
Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office
345 Lincoln Avenue
Lancaster, OH 43130
Queries can also be directed to (740) 652-7320. It should be noted that this office operates on Mondays to Fridays between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Also, some of the services provided by this office might require the payment of fees.
How to Obtain Fairfield County Police Reports and Arrest Records?
The Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office maintains copies of Fairfield County arrest records, police reports, incidents reports, and accident reports. To obtain copies of these records, requesters should contact this office at:
Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office
345 Lincoln Avenue
Lancaster, OH 43130
Requesters can make inquiries by calling (740) 652-7320. The Sheriff's Office operates on Mondays to Fridays between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Fairfield County?
Under Ohio law, the Fairfield County Sheriff’s office is responsible for the registration of all sex offenders in the county. In accordance with this, the Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office regularly updates a sex offender registry which can be accessed by interested parties who wish to obtain information on registered sex offenders in the county. Interested parties can also direct any sex offender information queries to (740) 652-7250.
How to Find Fairfield County Inmate Records?
The Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office Jail Bureau handles all jail-related queries. Interested parties who wish to obtain inmate information may do so by contacting the bureau at:
Fairfield County Jail
345 Lincoln Avenue
Lancaster, OH 43130
Queries can also be directed to (740) 652-7300 or (740) 652-7301
How Do I Visit an Inmate in Fairfield County Jail?
Visits at the Fairfield County Jail are conducted remotely via a monitor system. Prospective visitors are required to schedule visits at least 48 hours in advance. Each inmate is allowed a 20-minute visit every week. The visiting days are Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The jail facility is located below:
Fairfield County Jail
345 Lincoln Avenue
Lancaster, OH 43130
(740) 652-7301
Court Records
Fairfield County's court system comprises two Courts of Common Pleas, one Municipal Court, and five Mayor’s Courts. The Courts of Common Pleas Court has jurisdiction over felony criminal cases and a variety of civil matters. The Municipal Court exercises jurisdiction over misdemeanors, traffic, and small claims cases. Records and documents arising from these cases are maintained at the courthouse or by the court clerk. They are made available to interested individuals upon request.
Location of Courts in Fairfield County
Fairfield County Courts of Common Pleas
Fairfield County Court of Common Pleas - General and Domestic Relations Divisions
Fairfield County Hall of Justice
224 East Main Street
2nd Floor
Lancaster, OH 43130
Phone: (740) 652-7360
Fax: (740) 687-0158
Fairfield County Court of Common Pleas - Juvenile/Probate Court
Fairfield County Hall of Justice
224 East Main Street
3rd Floor
Lancaster, OH 43130
Phone: (740) 652-7463 (Juvenile)
Fax: (740) 687-0942 (Juvenile)
Phone: (740) 652-7464 (Probate)
Fax: (740) 687-0942 (Probate)
Fairfield County Municipal Court
Fairfield County Municipal Court
136 West Main Street
P.O. Box 2390
Lancaster, OH 43130
Phone: (740) 687-6621
Fax: (740) 681-5014
Fairfield County Mayor’s Courts
Baltimore Mayor’s Court
Baltimore Town Hall
105 West Market Street
Baltimore, OH 43105
Phone: (740) 862-8550
Fax: (740) 862-4368
Carroll Mayor’s Court
68 Center Street
P.O. Box 367
Carroll, OH 43112
Phone: (740) 756-4031
Fax: (740) 756-4611
Lithopolis Mayor’s Court
11820 Lithopolis Road
Lithopolis, OH 43136
Phone: (614) 837-2031
Fax: (614) 837-2722
Pickerington Mayor’s Court
Pickerington City Hall
100 Lockville Road
Pickerington, OH 43147
Phone: (614) 837-3974, extension 2417
Fax: (614) 833-2219
Sugar Grove Mayor’s Court
205 Elm Street
P.O. Box 7
Sugar Grove, OH 43155
Phone: (740) 746-8406
Fax: (740) 746-9190
Are Fairfield County Court Records Public?
Ohio state laws provide that Fairfield County court records are public records. The county’s courts and clerks are to make these records available for public viewing. However, records of juvenile cases, confidential information, and records exempted from public viewing are not accessible to the members of the public to request.
Can you look up a Fairfield County Court Case Online?
Fairfield court records are available online. The Fairfield County Clerk of Court provides online access to cases handled by the Court of Common Pleas through the Case Inquiry Search portal. This portal can be searched by advanced case number, name, case number, case type, attorney, and advanced attorney. The Fairfield Municipal Court also provides online access to cases that were decided by the Municipal Court on the Docket Case Search webpage. Requesters can carry out civil case search, criminal case search, daily court dockets, small claims, and traffic case search.
How to Obtain Fairfield County Civil Court Case Records?
The Fairfield County Clerk of Courts maintains the Fairfield County civil court case records that arose from the Courts of Common Pleas. Interested parties can obtain copies of these records in person by contacting the Records Division of the office of the Clerk of Court at:
Fairfield County Clerk of Courts
Records Division
Hall of Justice
4th Floor
224 East Main Street
Lancaster, OH 43130
Phone: (740) 652-7358
Fax: (740) 652-7399
These records can also be requested by querying the office either via phone number (740) 652-7358, email, or by completing and submitting a Public Records Request form online. Copies of records cost 5 cents per page while certified copies cost $5 each.
To obtain Fairfield civil court case records from the Municipal Court, visit or contact the court with the information below:
Fairfield County Municipal Court
136 West Main Street
P.O. Box 2390
Lancaster, OH 43130
Phone: (740) 687-6621
Fax: (740) 681-5014
How to Obtain Fairfield County Criminal Court Records?
The Fairfield County Clerk of Courts is responsible for keeping Fairfield County criminal court case records from the Courts of Common Pleas. Requesters can order copies of Fairfield court records in person by contacting the Records Division of the Clerk of Court at:
Fairfield County Clerk of Courts
Records Division
Hall of Justice
4th Floor
224 East Main Street
Lancaster, OH 43130
Phone: (740) 652-7358
Fax: (740) 652-7399
Requesters can also order court records by querying the office either via phone number (740) 652-7358, email, or by filling out and submitting a Public Records Request form online. Copies of records cost 5 cents per page while certified copies cost $5 each.
To request Fairfield criminal court case records from the Municipal Court, requesters should contact the court:
Fairfield County Municipal Court
136 West Main Street
P.O. Box 2390
Lancaster, OH 43130
Phone: (740) 687-6621
Fax: (740) 681-5014
What are Fairfield County Vital Records?
Fairfield County vital records provide documentation of life events, such as births, marriages, divorces, and deaths. The county maintains and issues copies of these records to interested parties who have a valid photo ID. The Fairfield County Clerk of Courts keeps divorce records and the Fairfield County Juvenile/Probate Court maintains marriage records. The Fairfield County Health Department issues copies of Fairfield birth and death records at the county level. The Ohio State Department of Health’s Bureau of Vital Statistics also maintains and issues statewide records of births and deaths that occurred from 1908 and 1964 respectively.
Where and How to Obtain Fairfield County Divorce Records?
The Records Division of the Fairfield County Clerk of Courts maintains Fairfield County divorce records. Interested parties who wish to obtain copies of divorce records may do so by contacting the Fairfield County Clerk of Courts with the information below:
Fairfield County Clerk of Courts
Records Division
Hall of Justice
4th Floor
224 East Main Street
Lancaster, OH 43130
Phone: (740) 652-7358
Fax: (740) 652-7399
It should be noted that certified copies of court records in Fairfield County typically cost $5.
Where and How to Get Public Fairfield County Marriage Records?
To obtain copies of Fairfield County marriage records, interested parties should contact the Fairfield County Juvenile/Probate Court located at 224 East Main Street, 3rd Floor, Lancaster, OH 43130. These records can be obtained either in person between 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. on Mondays through Fridays or by mailing a request to the court. For interested parties who wish to mail in their requests, a self-addressed envelope as well as a check with the applicable fees made out to the “Fairfield County Probate Court” should be included. Queries can be directed to (740) 652-7460 or (740) 652-7462. Certified copies of Fairfield County marriage certificates cost $2.
Requesters will need to provide the names of the married couple and the application date of the marriage license.
Where and How to Find Fairfield County Birth Records?
The Fairfield Department of Health issues copies of Fairfield County birth records from December 1908 to the present. To obtain Fairfield County birth certificates, interested parties are required to submit a completed Application for Birth or Death Records form to the Vital Statistics office at:
1550 Sheridan Drive
Suite 100
Lancaster, OH 43130
Applications can be submitted either in person between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. from Mondays through Fridays or by mail-in. Parties who request these records by mail are required to include a self-addressed envelope and a check for the applicable fees made out to the Fairfield Department of Health along with the completed application form. Copies of Fairfield birth certificates cost $32 per copy. Queries can be directed to (740) 652-2836. For records of births that occurred before December 1908, interested parties will need to contact the Fairfield County Probate Court at (740) 652-7463.
Fairfield birth records from 20 December 1908 to date are also available at the Ohio Department of Health. Interested persons can make requests for birth records online or by mail. To make online requests, use the Ohio Online Certificate Application. Requesters can pay for the service with credit cards and requests are processed within five business days. To make a mail request, interested parties must complete the Application for Certified Copies form, attach payment to the form, and mail the request to:
Ohio Department of Health
Bureau of Vital Statistics
P.O. Box 15098
Columbus, OH 43215-0098
Payment with checks and money orders. Each request is processed within four to six weeks.
Where and How to Find Fairfield County Death Records?
The Fairfield Department of Health processes requests for Fairfield County death records from December 1908 to present. To get copies of Fairfield County death certificates, requesters are to fill out the Application for Birth or Death Records form and submit it to the Vital Statistics office at:
1550 Sheridan Drive
Suite 100
Lancaster, OH 43130
In-person requests are accepted between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. from Mondays through Fridays. Requesters can also submit the filled-out form by mail with a self-addressed envelope, a copy of a valid ID, and a check for the applicable fees made out to the Fairfield Department of Health. Fairfield death certificates cost $32 per copy.
The Ohio Department of Health also has copies of Fairfield death records from 1964 to date. Requesters can obtain copies by making mail or online requests. Requesters can use the Ohio Online Certificate Application to make online requests and pay for copies with credit cards. It takes an average processing time of five days for each request.
To submit mail requests, complete the Application for Certified Copies form and attach payment for the number of copies. Mail the request to:
Ohio Department of Health
Bureau of Vital Statistics
P.O. Box 15098
Columbus, OH 43215-0098
Requesters can pay for mail requests with checks and money orders. Each request for a death record is processed within four to six weeks.
