Knox County Criminal Records
Knox County criminal records are maintained by the Clerk of Courts and the Sheriff's Office in Mount Vernon. The Court of Common Pleas handles felony criminal cases while the Municipal Court covers misdemeanors and traffic offenses. You can search court records online through the Clerk's case search portal using a name, case number, or ticket number. The Sheriff's Office keeps arrest records, incident reports, and jail booking data. Knox County provides both online and in-person ways to access criminal records across all court divisions, with the Clerk's office organized into departments for court records, filing, and public support.
Knox County Overview
Knox County Clerk of Courts Criminal Records
The Knox County Clerk of Courts manages all criminal case files for the Court of Common Pleas. The office is at 117 East High Street, Suite 201 in Mount Vernon. Call (740) 393-6788 for questions. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
The Common Pleas Court handles felony criminal cases, civil lawsuits over $15,000, and domestic relations matters. Criminal records from this court include charges, case status, hearing dates, party names, and attorney information. The Clerk's office is divided into several departments. The Court Records unit maintains all case files. The Filing Unit processes new cases and motions. Customer Support helps the public with record searches and copy requests. Civil case filing fees run from $50 to $200 depending on the case type. Certified document copies cost between $5 and $15 each.
You can search Knox County criminal records online through the Knox County Clerk of Courts case search portal. The system covers criminal, traffic, civil, and municipal cases. Search by name, case number, case type, or ticket number.
The Bureau of Criminal Investigation page on the Ohio Attorney General's site explains how statewide criminal record checks work across all Ohio counties including Knox.
Ohio's public records law under ORC 149.43 applies to all court records in Knox County. This statute sets the rules for how records are released and what exemptions apply.
| Office | Knox County Clerk of Courts |
|---|---|
| Address | 117 East High Street, Suite 201 Mount Vernon, OH 43050 |
| Phone | (740) 393-6788 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM |
Search Knox County Arrest Records
The Knox County Sheriff's Office is at 11540 Upper Gilchrist Road in Mount Vernon. Call (740) 397-3333 for general inquiries. The office handles law enforcement and jail operations for the county.
Arrest records from the Sheriff's Office contain the person's name, charges, booking details, bond information, and next court date. The office also maintains incident reports, accident reports, and jail records. Public records requests can be submitted in person during business hours. Written requests may be needed for some types of records. The Knox County Sheriff's Office website has additional details on available records and request procedures. Active investigation files may be exempt from public release under Ohio law.
For state prison inmates from Knox County, the ODRC Offender Search is the right tool. The county jail roster only shows people currently held locally.
Note: Knox County criminal records searches through BCI require fingerprinting at an authorized WebCheck location in the county.
Knox County Criminal Records Fees
Getting copies of criminal records in Knox County comes with a fee schedule set by statute. Civil case filing fees range from $50 to $200. Certified document copies cost between $5 and $15 each depending on the document type. Standard uncertified copies are less expensive.
The Sheriff's Office has its own fees for arrest reports and incident records. Copy fees apply for all printed documents. Most offices in Knox County accept cash and checks. Some may also take credit cards with a processing fee. Call the specific office ahead of time to confirm payment methods.
Public Access to Criminal Records in Knox County
Criminal records in Knox County are public under ORC 149.43. Anyone can request them without giving a reason. The Clerk of Courts provides access during business hours through the online portal or in person at the courthouse.
Some records are restricted. Juvenile cases in Knox County are confidential and not open to the public. Sealed records under ORC 2953.32 are also off limits. To seal a criminal record in Ohio, you file an application with the court and pay a $50 fee plus local costs up to $50 more. Violent felonies, first and second-degree felonies, and sex offenses cannot be sealed. Adoption records kept by the Probate Court at 117 East High Street are also sealed. Marriage licenses and estate records from the Probate Court at (740) 393-6790 are generally public.
The WebCheck system processes fingerprint-based background checks through BCI and FBI databases under ORC 109.572 at authorized locations in Knox County.
How to Look Up Knox County Criminal Records
The online case search at co.knox.oh.us/clerk-of-courts is the fastest way to find criminal records in Knox County. Enter a name, case number, or ticket number. The system returns case status, hearing dates, and charge information for criminal, traffic, civil, and municipal cases.
For in-person searches, go to the Clerk's office at 117 East High Street, Suite 201 in Mount Vernon. The office is open weekdays from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Staff in the Customer Support department can help you find specific case files and provide copies. Bring a valid ID if you need certified copies. Written requests can be mailed to the same address with payment for copy fees included.
The Ohio Clerk of Courts Association keeps a directory of all 88 county clerks. If your search extends beyond Knox County, this directory can point you to the right office in any neighboring county.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Knox County. If you need criminal records from a neighboring area, select a county below.