Dayton Criminal Records Lookup
Dayton criminal records are held by the Montgomery County courts and the Dayton Police Department. As the county seat and the largest city in Montgomery County, Dayton processes a significant number of criminal cases each year. You can search court records online through the Montgomery County Clerk of Courts or the Dayton Municipal Court. The police Records Bureau also handles requests for arrest reports, incident files, and accident records. Several options exist for getting these records, whether online or in person.
Dayton Overview
Montgomery County Criminal Records
Dayton is in Montgomery County. All felony criminal cases go through the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas. The Montgomery County Clerk of Courts maintains records for all court divisions. The Clerk's office processes criminal case filings, docket entries, and sentencing records.
You can search Montgomery County court records online by case number, party name, or date range. The system covers civil, criminal, domestic relations, and appellate cases. Felony criminal case files show charges, hearing schedules, attorney assignments, and final dispositions. Records are kept permanently for serious criminal offenses under Ohio retention schedules.
Dayton Police Criminal Records
The Dayton Police Department Records Bureau keeps arrest records, incident reports, and traffic accident files. The office is at 335 W. Third Street, Dayton, OH 45402. It is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, except holidays. Call (937) 333-2677 for general information or (937) 333-1060 for non-emergency calls.
You can get records in person at the public counter on the first floor of the Safety Building. Mail requests are also accepted. For witness statements from traffic crash reports, email witness@daytonohio.gov with the report number. Traffic accident info is available by phone or in person, but you need to wait at least 5 business days after the accident for the report to be ready.
The Records Bureau charges fees according to a schedule set by the Records Bureau Supervisor and approved by the Chief of Police. Fees follow state legal standards. Prepayment may be needed for large requests. The department processes requests in the most efficient way possible, though they are not required to handle them in the order received.
Dayton Municipal Court Criminal Records
The Dayton Municipal Court handles misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic violations, civil matters, small claims, and parking tickets. The main courthouse is at 301 W. Third Street, Dayton, OH 45402. Call (937) 333-4500. There is an Eastern Division at 6111 Taylorsville Road, Huber Heights, OH 45424, phone (937) 496-7231.
The court's online case search at clerkofcourt.daytonohio.gov lets you look up cases by name, case number, file date, or ticket number. It covers civil, criminal, traffic, and parking cases. Records include charges, hearing dates, dispositions, and fines.
Below is a screenshot of the Dayton Municipal Court website used for searching criminal case records and court filings.
Municipal court records are public under ORC 149.43. Sealed or expunged cases are not accessible through the public search. Copy fees follow Ohio Revised Code rates.
Montgomery County Clerk Search Portal
The Montgomery County Clerk of Courts runs a full online search system for court records across all divisions. The screenshot below shows the Montgomery County Clerk of Courts website where you can look up Dayton criminal records.
The search covers felony criminal cases, civil filings, domestic relations, and Court of Appeals records. Each case listing includes filings, docket entries, party names, and hearing dates. For in-person requests, visit the Clerk's Office. Standard copy fees and certified copy rates apply per Ohio law.
Public Access to Dayton Criminal Records
Dayton follows Ohio's Public Records Act under ORC 149.43. Records personnel make public records available during regular business hours. You don't need to state a reason for your request. The custodian makes copies at the established cost within a reasonable time.
Some records have limits. Detective Investigatory Product Reports are not released to anyone outside the police, prosecutors, or Law Department without authorization from the Records Bureau Supervisor. These reports become public only after the criminal, civil, or administrative case is concluded and no appeals have been filed. Records involving LEADS (Ohio Law Enforcement Automated Data System) face extra restrictions. Incident reports, however, are authorized for release since they are not part of criminal investigations.
The City of Dayton NextRequest portal handles public records requests for city departments. Submit requests online, by mail to 101 W 3rd Street, Dayton, OH 45402, by fax to 937-333-4269, or by email. Read the FAQs on the site before you submit. Fees are based on actual duplication costs. Prepayment may be needed for requests over $100.
Sealing Criminal Records in Dayton
Under ORC 2953.32, eligible people can ask the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas to seal their Dayton criminal records. The fee is $50 plus local court costs. A hearing is set and the prosecutor may object.
Not every case qualifies. First and second-degree felonies, violent offenses, and sex crimes cannot be sealed. Waiting periods apply based on the offense and sentence. Once sealed, records won't show up in standard public searches. For statewide checks, the BCI runs WebCheck background checks. Under ORC 109.572, certain jobs still need a full BCI check. The ODRC Offender Search covers state prison inmates from Dayton.
Note: Only authorized Records Bureau staff may enter the Dayton Police Records Bureau unescorted; all other personnel conduct business at the public counter outside the first floor elevator.
Nearby Cities
These cities are near Dayton. Select one below to search criminal records in that area.