Find Lancaster Criminal Records
Lancaster criminal records are maintained by the city police department and the Fairfield County court system. The Lancaster Police Department keeps arrest records, incident reports, and police case files at its office on South Broad Street. As the county seat of Fairfield County, Lancaster is home to the Court of Common Pleas and the county clerk's office, which handle felony criminal cases. You can search court records online or contact the police department directly for local reports. This page explains how to access criminal records in Lancaster.
Lancaster Overview
Lancaster Police Department Records
The Lancaster Police Department handles all local criminal records for the city. The office is at 130 South Broad Street, Lancaster, OH 43130. You can call 740-687-6680 for records requests. The department keeps police reports, incident records, and arrest data on file.
Public records requests can be made by contacting the department directly. The city complies with Ohio's Public Records Act under ORC 149.43. Standard copy fees apply based on actual cost. You can visit in person during business hours, call, or submit a written request. Include the report number, date, and names involved to help staff locate your records.
The Lancaster Police Department website provides access to reports and records information. Below is a screenshot of the department's online presence.
The Fairfield County Sheriff's Office is also located in Lancaster and provides law enforcement services in the county. For incidents handled by the sheriff's office rather than city police, contact the sheriff directly for records.
Fairfield County Criminal Records
Lancaster is the county seat of Fairfield County. All felony criminal cases from Lancaster are filed in the Fairfield County Court of Common Pleas. The Fairfield County Clerk of Courts maintains the official case files at 224 East Main Street, Lancaster, OH 43130. You can call (740) 652-7358 for information.
The clerk's office handles felony criminal records, civil cases, and domestic relations files. You can search the county records online through their search portal. Copy fees are $0.05 per page for standard copies. Certified copies cost an additional $1.00. Public records are available without needing to provide your name, address, or the reason for your request.
Below is the Fairfield County Clerk of Courts website where you can search criminal case records filed in Lancaster and across the county.
Not all parts of records are open to the public. Sensitive information may be redacted before release. The clerk's office follows state guidelines on what can and cannot be shared.
Lancaster Municipal Court Records
The Fairfield County Municipal Court handles traffic offenses, misdemeanor criminal cases, and civil matters for Lancaster and surrounding areas. The county records search portal provides access to municipal court case data online.
Misdemeanor charges from Lancaster go through this court. That includes minor misdemeanors, first through fourth-degree misdemeanors, and traffic violations. Court records are public under Ohio law and can be viewed by anyone. You can search by name, case number, or date to find specific cases.
Public records requests can also be submitted to contact@fairfieldcountyohio.gov or by mailing the Clerk to the Board of Commissioners. The county provides electronic access to many records, which saves time compared to in-person visits.
Public Access to Lancaster Records
Criminal records in Lancaster are public under Ohio law. ORC 149.43 gives anyone the right to inspect public records. You do not need to give a reason or show identification. The law applies to all government offices in Lancaster and Fairfield County.
Sealed and expunged records are the main exception. Under ORC 2953.32, eligible offenders can petition to seal their records after a waiting period. The application costs $50 plus up to $50 in local court costs. First-degree felonies, violent crimes, and sex offenses cannot be sealed in Ohio. Juvenile records are also closed under Ohio Revised Code 2151.358.
The ODRC Offender Search covers state prison inmates from Lancaster and all of Ohio. The Bureau of Criminal Investigation runs WebCheck for statewide background checks. These are fingerprint-based and cost around $25 to $40.
- Police reports: Lancaster Police Department
- Felony cases: Fairfield County Clerk of Courts
- Misdemeanors: Fairfield County Municipal Court
- State inmates: ODRC Offender Search
- Background checks: BCI WebCheck
Note: Lancaster is the Fairfield County seat, so the county courthouse and clerk's office are in the city for easy in-person access to criminal case records.
Nearby Cities
These cities are near Lancaster. Select one to search criminal records in that area.