Union County Public Records / Union County Arrest Records

Union County Arrest Records

How To Look Up Arrest Records in Union County in 2026

UnionOHRecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to arrest records in Union County, Ohio. Members of the public may find booking records, charge information, custody status, court case data, and related criminal justice records through this resource. Record categories available through official and third-party sources include arrest logs, booking photographs, bond information, court case filings, and sheriff's office public records.

Records may be searched through official county resources, clerk of court offices, public access terminals, and online tools maintained by government agencies.

Online Methods:

1. County Sheriff's Office Arrest Records

The Union County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest and booking records through its Records Division. The Sheriff's Office is organized into six divisions — Administrative, Communications, Court Services, Investigations, Patrol, and Support — each of which may generate records accessible to the public. Members of the public may submit a Public Records Request Form through the Sheriff's Office to obtain arrest-related documents. The office also publishes daily media releases that include arrest information, background check services, and public records notices. Arrest records available through the Sheriff's Office include:

Arrestee name and booking number
Date, time, and location of arrest
Charges filed at time of arrest
Custody status and bond information
Booking photograph (mugshot)

2. Local Police Departments

The Marysville Police Department, as the primary municipal law enforcement agency in Union County, maintains its own arrest logs and incident reports. Press releases with arrest information are periodically published through the city's official communications channels. Members of the public seeking arrest records from municipal agencies should contact the relevant department directly, as records held by city police are separate from those maintained by the Sheriff's Office.

Marysville Police Department
209 S. Main St.
Marysville, OH 43040
Phone: (937) 642-1221
City of Marysville

3. County Clerk of Court Case Search

The Union County Clerk of Courts maintains a public records search portal that indexes Domestic, Civil, Certificate of Judgment, Court of Appeals, and Felony Criminal cases. Members of the public may search by arrestee name to locate court cases associated with an arrest. Court case records linked to arrests include charge filings, hearing dates, dispositions, and sentencing information.

Union County Clerk of Courts
215 W. Fifth St.
Marysville, OH 43040
Phone: (937) 645-3006
Union County Clerk of Courts

4. State Law Enforcement Database

The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI), a division of the Ohio Attorney General's Office, maintains the state's criminal history repository. Members of the public may request a criminal background check through BCI, which includes arrest and conviction records from jurisdictions across Ohio. A standard fee applies for civilian background check requests. The BCI database includes:

Arrests and dispositions from Ohio law enforcement agencies
Felony and misdemeanor records
Conviction and non-conviction entries

Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation
1560 State Route 56 SW
London, OH 43140
Phone: (740) 845-2000
Ohio BCI

In-Person Access:

Sheriff's Office:

Union County Sheriff's Office
233 W. Sixth St.
Marysville, OH 43040
Phone: (937) 645-4150
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Union County Sheriff's Office

Members of the public visiting in person should bring a valid government-issued photo identification and, where possible, the full name of the subject, date of arrest, and booking number. Fees for copies of public records are assessed in accordance with Ohio Revised Code § 149.43, which governs public records access and permissible charges.

Clerk of Court:

Union County Clerk of Courts
215 W. Fifth St.
Marysville, OH 43040
Phone: (937) 645-3006
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Union County Clerk of Courts

Members of the public may inspect criminal case files at the Clerk's office. Copy fees are assessed per page in accordance with applicable state law.

By Mail:

Written requests for arrest records may be submitted to the Union County Sheriff's Office at 233 W. Sixth St., Marysville, OH 43040. Each written request should include:

Full legal name of the subject
Date of arrest (if known)
Booking number (if known)
Requestor's name and return mailing address
Payment for applicable copy fees

Processing time for mailed requests varies based on volume and record availability.

By Phone:

Sheriff's Office: (937) 645-4150
Callers should have the subject's full name, date of birth, and approximate arrest date available
Detailed record information is not released by phone; callers may be directed to submit a written request or visit in person

Through Legal Channels:

Attorneys may request arrest records on behalf of clients through formal discovery processes. Subpoenas may be issued for detailed records not otherwise available through standard public records requests. Records obtained through legal proceedings are governed by applicable court rules and Ohio Rules of Criminal Procedure.

Information Needed for Search:

Full legal name (first and last at minimum)
Date of birth or approximate age
Approximate date of arrest
Booking number (if known)
Jurisdiction of arrest (Sheriff's Office, municipal police, or state agency)

Are Arrest Records Public in Union County

Arrest records in Union County are public records under Ohio law. Ohio Revised Code § 149.43 establishes the right of any person to inspect and obtain copies of public records maintained by public offices, including law enforcement agencies. Arrest records are made available to support government transparency, public safety awareness, journalism and research, background screening, and legal proceedings.

What Arrest Information Is Public:

Arrestee name and aliases
Date and time of arrest
Location of arrest
Arresting agency
Charges filed at time of arrest
Booking number
Mugshot/booking photograph
Bond and bail information
Custody status
Basic demographic information (age, physical description)

Limitations on Public Access:

Juvenile arrest records (restricted or sealed under Ohio law)
Expunged arrest records (removed from public access by court order)
Sealed records (court-ordered confidentiality)
Active investigation information
Undercover officer identities
Confidential informant information
Victim identifying information in certain cases
Witness protection participants

Constitutional and Legal Basis:

Ohio's public records law reflects the principle that open government serves the public interest. The Ohio Constitution and § 149.43 together establish a presumption of openness for government records, balanced against enumerated exceptions designed to protect individual privacy and ongoing investigations. The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution further supports press and public access to arrest information as a matter of democratic accountability.

Who Can Access Arrest Records:

General public
Media organizations
Employers (subject to restrictions under the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act)
Landlords (subject to applicable restrictions)
Licensing agencies
Background check companies
Attorneys and legal professionals
Academic researchers

Restrictions on Use:

The federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) governs the use of arrest records in employment and housing decisions. Employers and landlords using arrest records obtained through consumer reporting agencies must comply with FCRA requirements, including adverse action procedures. Ohio does not currently have a statewide "ban the box" law applicable to private employers, though certain public employers are subject to restrictions. An arrest record does not constitute proof of guilt, and the distinction between an arrest and a conviction is legally significant in all screening contexts.

What's in Union County Arrest Records

Personal Identification Information:

Full legal name
Aliases or "also known as" names
Date of birth and age at time of arrest
Sex/gender
Race/ethnicity
Height and weight
Eye color and hair color
Identifying marks (scars, tattoos)
Address at time of arrest (may be limited in disclosure)

Arrest Details:

Arrest date and time
Location of arrest (street address or general area)
Arresting agency (Sheriff's Office, Police Department, Ohio State Highway Patrol, etc.)
Booking date and time
Booking number or arrest number
Warrant information (if applicable)

Charges Information:

Specific criminal charges
Ohio Revised Code statute numbers violated
Charge descriptions and classifications (felony degree or misdemeanor class)
Number of counts for each charge
Domestic violence designation (if applicable)

Booking Information:

Booking facility name and location
Intake process timestamp
Booking photograph (mugshot)
Fingerprints (collected but not typically included in public records)
Personal property inventory

Custody and Bond Information:

Current custody status (in custody, released, or bonded out)
Bond amount set by court
Bond type:
- Cash bond
- Surety bond
- Personal recognizance (PR bond)
- No bond
Release date and time (if released)
Release conditions (if public)

Court Information:

Court case number assigned
Court jurisdiction
Scheduled arraignment date
Court location
Judge assignment (if available)

What's Typically NOT in Public Arrest Records:

Detailed narrative of the arrest (police report details)
Witness statements
Victim information
Evidence collected
Investigative techniques
Medical or mental health information
Social Security number (redacted)
Bank account or financial information

Difference Between Arrest Records and Related Documents:

Police reports: Contain more detailed incident narratives and investigative information
Court records: Document legal proceedings that occur after arrest
Criminal records: Reflect convictions and sentences imposed
Background checks: Comprehensive screenings drawing from multiple sources

How Much Does It Cost to Get Arrest Records in Union County?

Under Ohio Revised Code § 149.43, public offices may charge for the actual cost of providing copies of public records. The following fee structure applies to records obtained from Union County agencies:

Record Type	Fee
Paper copies (standard)	$0.05–$0.10 per page (actual cost)
Certification of records	Varies by office
Electronic copies	Actual cost of reproduction
Inspection of records	No charge

Inspection: Members of the public may inspect public records at no charge during regular business hours.
Paper copies: Fees reflect the actual cost of reproduction and may vary by office.
Electronic format: Records provided in electronic format are assessed at actual cost.
Certification: Certified copies carry an additional fee set by the issuing office.
Search fees: Ohio law does not permit public offices to charge a search fee separate from reproduction costs.
Fee waivers: No statutory fee waiver provision applies to standard public records requests in Ohio; however, records provided for inspection carry no copy charge.

Accepted payment methods vary by office and may include cash, check, or money order. Members of the public should confirm accepted payment methods with the specific office prior to submitting a request.

How To Delete Arrest Records in Union County

Ohio law provides two primary mechanisms for limiting public access to arrest records: expungement (legal erasure of the record) and sealing (restricting public access while preserving the record for law enforcement use). Under Ohio law, expungement and sealing are often used interchangeably in practice, though sealing is the more precise term for the process available to most applicants.

Eligibility for Sealing or Expungement:

Under Ohio Revised Code § 2953.32, eligible individuals may petition the court to seal their criminal records. Eligibility depends on:

The nature of the offense (certain offenses are ineligible, including most violent felonies and sex offenses)
The outcome of the case (dismissals, acquittals, and certain convictions may qualify)
The waiting period following final discharge from sentence
The number of prior convictions

Cases Eligible for Sealing:

Arrests where no charges were filed
Charges that were dismissed
Acquittals (not guilty verdicts)
Certain misdemeanor and felony convictions after the applicable waiting period
Participation in and completion of diversion programs

Steps to Petition for Sealing:

Obtain a copy of the criminal record from the Union County Clerk of Courts
Confirm eligibility based on offense type and waiting period
Complete the Application to Seal Record of Conviction or Bail Forfeiture (available from the Clerk of Courts)
File the application with the Union County Court of Common Pleas
Pay the applicable filing fee
Attend the scheduled hearing (the prosecutor's office will be notified and may object)
If granted, the court issues a sealing order to all relevant agencies

Contact Information for Sealing Petitions:

Union County Court of Common Pleas
215 W. Fifth St.
Marysville, OH 43040
Phone: (937) 645-3006
Union County Court of Common Pleas

Union County Public Defender's Office
215 W. Fifth St., Suite 100
Marysville, OH 43040
Phone: (937) 645-3006
Union County Public Defender

What Happens After Arrest in Union County?

Immediate Post-Arrest Process:

1. Transport to Jail

Following an arrest in Union County, the arrested individual is transported to the Tri-County Regional Jail, which houses Union County inmates as well as those from Champaign and Madison Counties. Transport time varies based on the location of the arrest within the county.

Tri-County Regional Jail
7 Triangle Park Dr.
Mechanicsburg, OH 43044
Phone: (937) 834-2678
Tri-County Regional Jail

2. Booking Process

Upon arrival at the Tri-County Regional Jail, the arrested individual undergoes the booking process, which includes:

Recording of personal information
Advisement of Miranda rights (if not previously given)
Booking photograph (mugshot)
Fingerprint collection
Criminal history and outstanding warrants check
Personal property inventory and storage
Medical and mental health screening
Housing classification

3. First Appearance/Initial Hearing

Under Ohio law, an arrested individual must be brought before a judge or magistrate without unnecessary delay, and in most cases within 24 to 72 hours of arrest. At the initial appearance:

Formal charges are read
The right to appointed counsel is addressed for indigent defendants
Bond or bail is determined
Rights are explained

The hearing may be conducted via video conference from the jail facility.

Bond/Bail Process:

Types of Bond:

Cash Bond: The full bond amount must be paid in cash. The amount is refunded at the conclusion of the case, minus applicable fees, provided all court appearances are made.

Surety Bond: The defendant or family engages a licensed bail bondsman, who posts the full bond amount in exchange for a non-refundable premium, which is set by Ohio law.

Personal Recognizance (PR Bond): The defendant is released on a written promise to appear. No monetary payment is required. Eligibility is based on community ties, employment, criminal history, nature of charges, and assessed flight risk.

No Bond: The defendant is held without bond in cases involving serious violent offenses, demonstrated flight risk, danger to the community, probation or parole violations, immigration holds, or out-of-state warrants.

Conditions of Release:

Scheduled check-in requirements
Travel restrictions
No-contact orders
Drug and alcohol testing
GPS monitoring
Pretrial supervision

4. Release or Continued Detention

If bond is posted, processing for release takes approximately one to eight hours. The released individual receives written conditions of release and a court date. Failure to appear results in bond forfeiture and issuance of an arrest warrant. If bond is not posted, the individual remains in custody, receives a housing assignment, and is oriented to jail procedures including commissary, phone privileges, and visitation schedules.

Accessing Legal Representation:

Union County Public Defender's Office
215 W. Fifth St., Suite 100
Marysville, OH 43040
Phone: (937) 645-3006
Union County Public Defender

Eligibility for a public defender is based on financial need. Private counsel may be retained at any stage of the proceedings and may visit the jail for confidential consultations.

Charging Decision:

The Union County Prosecutor's Office reviews the arrest and determines whether to file formal charges, request additional investigation, decline prosecution, or file different charges. For felony offenses, a grand jury may be convened to determine whether probable cause exists to proceed with an indictment.

Union County Prosecutor's Office
215 W. Fifth St.
Marysville, OH 43040
Phone: (937) 645-4040
Union County Prosecutor

Arraignment:

At arraignment, formal charges are read and the defendant enters a plea of not guilty, guilty, or no contest. Most defendants enter a not guilty plea at arraignment, and subsequent court dates are set for pretrial proceedings.

Court Process Overview:

Pretrial Phase:

Discovery: Exchange of police reports, witness statements, physical evidence, and recordings between prosecution and defense
Pretrial motions: Motions to suppress evidence, dismiss charges, or compel discovery
Pretrial conferences: Meetings between counsel and the court to assess case status and explore resolution

Case Resolution Options:

Dismissal: Charges dropped due to insufficient evidence, witness issues, or legal defects
Diversion Programs: Pretrial intervention, drug court, mental health court, or veterans court — successful completion results in dismissal
Plea Agreement: Defendant accepts guilty or no contest plea to agreed charges with a recommended sentence
Trial: Jury or bench trial; if convicted, a sentencing hearing is scheduled

Sentencing (if convicted):

The court may impose prison or jail time, probation, fines and court costs, restitution to victims, community service, drug or alcohol treatment, or a combination of these. Credit is applied for time served in pretrial detention. Appeal rights are explained at sentencing.

Timeline Overview:

Arrest to first appearance: 24–72 hours
First appearance to arraignment: Days to weeks
Arraignment to trial or resolution: Months, varying by case complexity
Misdemeanors: Resolved within weeks to a few months
Felonies: May take six months to over a year
Ohio's speedy trial statute requires trial within specific timeframes based on charge level

Rights Throughout the Process:

Right to remain silent
Right to an attorney
Right to a speedy trial
Right to confront witnesses
Right to present a defense
Right against self-incrimination
Right to appeal a conviction

What to Do If Arrested:

Remain calm and cooperative
Do not resist arrest
Exercise the right to remain silent (politely invoke this right)
Request an attorney immediately
Do not discuss the case with anyone other than an attorney
Contact family or friends for bail assistance
Attend all scheduled court dates
Comply with all conditions of release

How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in Union County?

Records retention in Union County is governed by Ohio law and the policies of the Ohio Historical Society's Local Government Records Program, which establishes minimum retention schedules for public offices.

Arrest Records Retention by Type:

Active Arrest Records (Conviction Resulted):

Felony Convictions:

Retained permanently by the Sheriff's Office, Clerk of Courts, Ohio BCI, and the FBI's National Crime Information Center (NCIC)
Part of the subject's permanent criminal history

Misdemeanor Convictions:

Retained permanently or for an extended period by local law enforcement and the Clerk of Courts
Reported to the Ohio BCI state repository

Arrest Records (No Conviction):

Dismissed Charges:

Local law enforcement: Retained for a minimum period per Ohio records retention schedules
Court records: Often retained permanently unless sealed by court order
State repository: May remain unless the subject obtains a sealing order

Acquittals:

Court records: Often retained permanently
May be sealed upon petition

Charges Not Filed:

Booking records: Retained for a minimum period
May be eligible for sealing or expungement upon petition

Digital vs. Physical Records:

Physical Records:

Booking paperwork, fingerprint cards, and photographs are retained per Ohio's local government records retention schedule
Evidence retention varies based on case outcome and offense type

Digital Records:

Computer-aided dispatch (CAD) records and records management system entries are often retained permanently
Court electronic records are maintained indefinitely in most cases

Third-Party Databases:

Commercial background check companies may retain arrest records indefinitely
These databases are not controlled by law enforcement and may not reflect expungements or sealings
The FCRA requires consumer reporting agencies to maintain accurate and current records

Retention by Agency:

Union County Sheriff's Office
233 W. Sixth St.
Marysville, OH 43040
Phone: (937) 645-4150
Union County Sheriff's Office

Booking records and arrest reports are retained per Ohio's applicable records retention schedule. Investigative files are retained based on case type and disposition.

Union County Clerk of Courts
215 W. Fifth St.
Marysville, OH 43040
Phone: (937) 645-3006
Union County Clerk of Courts

Felony case files are retained permanently. Misdemeanor and traffic case files are retained for periods specified by Ohio records retention schedules. Electronic records are maintained indefinitely.

Ohio BCI State Repository:

The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation maintains the state's central criminal history repository, which includes arrests from all Ohio jurisdictions. Retention policy is governed by state administrative rules. Members of the public may request their own criminal history record through the Ohio Attorney General's BCI.

FBI Database:

The FBI's NCIC and Interstate Identification Index (III) retain records at the federal level, accessible to law enforcement nationwide. Federal retention is permanent for most entries. These records are used in employment background checks, firearms purchase screenings, and law enforcement inquiries.

Effect of Disposition on Retention:

Conviction: Permanent retention in most databases; appears on background checks indefinitely
Dismissal: May remain in databases unless sealed; often not reported on standard background checks
Sealing/Expungement: Local records are sealed or destroyed per court order; the Ohio BCI updates its repository; the FBI database may retain a notation accessible only to law enforcement
No Charges Filed: Shortest retention period; may be purged automatically after the applicable retention period or upon petition

Impact on Background Checks:

Under the FCRA, most employment background checks report criminal history for seven years for positions paying under a specified salary threshold, with no time limit for higher-paying positions. Convictions may be reported indefinitely. Ohio does not currently impose a statewide restriction on reporting non-conviction arrest records beyond FCRA requirements. Third-party websites may not update records following a sealing order, and individuals who have obtained a sealing order may need to contact those sites directly to request removal.

How to Check Retention Status:

Members of the public may contact the Union County Sheriff's Records Division at (937) 645-4150 or submit a public records request to inquire about the status of a specific arrest record. Fees may apply for copies of responsive records.