Lima Criminal Records Database

Lima criminal records are managed by the city police department, the Lima Municipal Court, and the Allen County court system. The Lima Police Department keeps arrest data, incident reports, and police case files at its Records Bureau on East Market Street. Felony cases from Lima go through the Allen County Court of Common Pleas. The municipal court handles traffic offenses and misdemeanor charges. You can request records by email, phone, or appointment at the police department. This page explains where to search for criminal records tied to Lima.

Lima Police Department Criminal Records

The Lima Police Department Records Bureau is on the first floor of the police department at 117 East Market Street, Lima, OH 45801. Regular business hours are Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM. The bureau handles all local police reports and incident records.

As of January 2026, public records requests at the Lima Police Department must be made by email, phone, or appointment. You can call 419-221-5153 to schedule an appointment or email LPDrecords@limaohio.com with your request. Walk-in service is still available during the hours listed above, but appointments are now the preferred method. If you call and no one answers, leave a voice mail and they will process your request during business hours.

Standard copy fees apply under ORC 149.43. Video records can cost up to $75 per hour of processing time, with a maximum of $750. This covers body-worn camera footage and other video that needs review and redaction before release. The department revised its records policy in January 2026 to require appointments, which has helped manage the volume of requests they receive.

Lima Municipal Court Criminal Records

The Lima Municipal Court handles traffic offenses and misdemeanor criminal cases for Allen County. The court offers a public records search and eFile Ohio access online. Traffic and criminal misdemeanor records are available through the court's website or by visiting the office in person.

Below is the Lima Municipal Court website where you can access criminal case records and court information.

The Lima Police Department is the designated issuing agent of all uniform traffic tickets for Allen County. This means that traffic-related criminal records in Allen County flow through Lima's system before reaching the municipal court. Court records are public under Ohio law and can be searched by anyone without providing a reason.

Allen County Sheriff Criminal Records

The Allen County Sheriff's Office Records Bureau is at 333 N. Main Street, Lima, OH 45801. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The bureau conducts local background record checks for civilians, employers, government agencies, and military personnel.

Records available include background checks, crash reports, complaint reports, photos, and video. You can email records@acso-oh.us to submit a request. Reports can be picked up in person during business hours. You need to provide the report number, date, names, and location of the incident when making a request.

Fees are detailed. Complaint or crash reports cost $0.04 per page in person. Mailed or faxed copies are $0.04 per page plus postage. Photos by email are free. Photos on CD cost $10. Video costs up to $75 per hour, with a $750 cap. Payment must be received before video processing starts.

Below is the Allen County Clerk of Courts website for searching criminal case records filed in Lima and Allen County.

Background checks from the sheriff's office list arrests and bookings but do not show the final disposition of charges. Computerized arrest records go back to 1986. Criminal defendants who need video must request it through their attorney via the prosecutor under Rule 16.

Lima Criminal Records in Allen County

Lima is the county seat of Allen County. Felony criminal cases from Lima are filed in the Allen County Court of Common Pleas. The Allen County Clerk of Courts maintains all felony case files, including indictments, plea entries, sentencing records, and judgment entries.

Allen County is in Ohio's 3rd Appellate District. Appeals from criminal cases in Lima go to the 3rd District Court of Appeals. The ODRC Offender Search covers state prison inmates from Lima and across Ohio. For statewide fingerprint-based background checks, the BCI WebCheck system is the most thorough option.

• Police reports: Lima PD Records Bureau by appointment
• Traffic and misdemeanors: Lima Municipal Court
• Felony cases: Allen County Clerk of Courts
• Background checks: Allen County Sheriff Records Bureau
• State inmates: ODRC Offender Search

Nearby Cities

These cities are near Lima. Select one to look up criminal records in that area.