Ohio Criminal Background Check

Choose the correct Ohio background check product

Ohio criminal background checks are different products. Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) checks, FBI checks through BCI, combined BCI/FBI checks, and a personal FBI Identity History Summary have different purposes.

Confirm the recipient, purpose, and applicable Ohio Revised Code purpose before submitting fingerprints. A BCI background check is a restricted criminal-history product and is not the same as obtaining underlying court documents or dispositions. A personal FBI Identity History Summary is for personal review and correction and is not a substitute for employment or licensing checks.

Prepare an Ohio WebCheck submission

Normal Ohio submission uses electronic WebCheck fingerprint capture or approved card-scan processing. Use the WebCheck Community Listing to locate a provider and confirm current equipment and instructions.

Paper fingerprint-card exceptions require the correct fingerprint card plus the required exemption form. The general-use WebCheck form collects BCI/FBI/both selection, name, date of birth, applicable Social Security number, address and contact information, photo ID type and number, purpose/ORC, signed authorization, and minor parent/guardian waiver information when applicable.

The form provides one direct-copy recipient choice. If NONE is selected, or an allowed secondary copy is needed, provide the agency, attention/contact, and mailing recipient destination.

Fees, payment routes, recipients, and processing time

BCI own-record requests cost $22. Ohio-authorized FBI-through-BCI checks cost $24. Provider surcharges may be separate. A personal FBI Identity History Summary is a separate $18 product and is not interchangeable with BCI/FBI employment or licensing checks.

Payment instructions depend on the route. Own-record requests may use business check, money order, or electronic payment payable to Treasurer of State of Ohio. FBI-through-BCI procedures use route-specific payment: electronic payment uses a transaction number in Reason Fingerprinted or an enclosed receipt. When electronic payment is unavailable and no billable agency code applies, listed alternatives include money order, certified check, business check, or personal check payable to Treasurer, State of Ohio. Cash and starter checks are not accepted.

Results are commonly returned in days, but complex cases may take up to 30 days and mail routes may take up to a month. No timing is guaranteed. Ohio BCI Civilian Unit: 877-224-0043, Monday-Friday 8:00-4:30.

Fix submission problems and challenge record information

Provider submission errors, fingerprint rejection, and criminal-history corrections are separate issues. If a WebCheck agency submitted incorrect provider data, a new check is required and no credits are provided. Fingerprint rejection requires following the rejection letter instructions and obtaining new prints for the rejected check. BCI and FBI results are separate, so one rejection does not automatically reject both.

For an underlying record correction, collect supporting proof and contact the originating court, police agency, or sheriff. The contributing agency communicates correction information to BCI. BCI does not hold the court documents needed to prove the claim.

Challenge and Review requires a written reason, name, mailing address, and fingerprints collected by a law-enforcement or criminal-justice agency marked Challenge and Review. Requests are mailed to BCI, Attn: Challenge & Review, PO Box 365, London, OH 43140. BCI does not charge a Challenge and Review fee, but local fingerprint collection may have its own charge.