Records Division
The Records Office is responsible for maintaining and providing access to official documents, processing requests, and assisting the public. Each of our personnel must complete regular in-service training. Our duties include:
Public Assistance
- Assist the public with general inquiries.
- Provide deputy reports, inmate information, booking and bond details.
- Process property releases and provide official copies.
Records Management
- Maintain arrest reports, incident reports, accident reports, citations, and other official records as required by law.
- Ensure accurate entry, filing, and retrieval of records.
- Organize both physical and digital files for accessibility, accuracy, and security.
Public Records Requests
- Receive and process public records requests in compliance with Ohio Public Records Law (ORC 149.43).
- Determine what information can be legally released.
- Redact sensitive or legally protected information.
- Maintain ongoing in-service training for all Records personnel.
Background Checks & Fingerprinting
- Conduct criminal history checks for the public, government agencies, and licensing bodies.
- Provide fingerprinting services.
Registration of Offenders
- Register individuals convicted of qualifying offenses in accordance with local, state, and federal laws.
- Collect and verify personal data (e.g., names, aliases, photographs, fingerprints, addresses, employment).
- Schedule home verifications.
- Update registrations as legally required (annual, semiannual, or quarterly).
- Notify other law enforcement agencies or jurisdictions of updates, registrations, or relocations.
- Maintain secure and confidential registration records.
- Provide public information via the Sheriff’s Office website and mailers.
Financial Transactions
- Collect and record payments for:
- Report copies
- Public records requests
- Offender fees
- Background checks/fingerprinting
- Permits
- Issue receipts and maintain detailed transaction logs.
Concealed Carry Permits
- Accept and process applications for concealed carry weapons permits in accordance with state law.
- Conduct background checks (criminal history, mental health status, restraining orders).
- Fingerprint applicants.
- Verify firearms safety training.
- Issue permits upon approval and maintain records of active, suspended, or revoked licenses.
- Track renewals, notify permit holders, and process updates.
- Suspend or revoke permits when legally required.
- Coordinate with courts and law enforcement regarding disqualifying offenses or incidents.
Expungement & Record Sealing
- Receive and verify court orders for expungement or sealing of records.
- Identify and update/remove all affected records (arrest reports, booking logs, fingerprint cards, etc.).
- Maintain secure and confidential documentation of each process.
Court-Ordered Fingerprinting
- Receive and process court fingerprinting orders.
- Verify identity (photo ID, BMV image).
- Capture fingerprints using LIVESCAN.
- Submit prints and provide disposition sheets to the court.
Courts
- Prepare and deliver documents to the County’s five Municipal Courts and the Lorain County Common Pleas Court
- Meet with and coordinate with judges, court clerks, prosecutors, and other officials to ensure proper transfer and delivery of records, maintaining consistency and accuracy.
Those seeking public records will be charged a prepayment fee of the actual cost of making the copies, which is permissible by law. Fees are as follows:
Paper copies – $.10 per page
For those requesting documents to be mailed, the cost will be $.10 per page plus postage. Postage and copies need to be prepaid prior to mailing.
Video Recordings: Can be up to $750 per camera / request ($75 per hour). An estimate will be sent within 5 business days. You will have 7 business days to respond before the request is void, and would need to be resubmitted. There is a $10 fee per camera for electronic media storage or transfer and administrative fees.
When the actual cost exceeds the estimated cost, the requestor will be charged the difference. Under no circumstance will the requestor be required to pay more than 20% above the original estimated cost, regardless of how much the actual cost exceeds the estimate. The Sheriff’s Office will bear any cost above the 20% threshold.
The Lorain County Sheriff’s Office will not begin preparing the video for production until the requestor pays in full the estimated cost.
Beginning October 16, 2009, section 5502.12 of the Ohio Revised Code mandates the cost of an accident report to be $4.00 per report.
Notice Regarding Legal Advice
The Records Division is responsible for providing access to public records in accordance with Ohio’s Public Records Act. Records personnel are not attorneys and are not permitted to provide legal advice, interpret the law, or advise requestors on legal rights or remedies. If you have questions about how the law applies to your situation, you may wish to consult with private legal counsel.
LORAIN COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE PUBLIC RECORDS POLICY
The complete policy and any public records may be obtained as follows:
CONTACT PERSON: Director of Records or his designee
LOCATION: 9896 Murray Ridge Road Elyria, Oh 44035
CONTACT TIMES: Monday thru Friday 8:00am-4:00pm
- Records may be inspected without cost
- Paper copies are .10 cents per page, unless a specific fee is otherwise established by law
- Copies in any other medium are charged at actual cost
- Payment for copies must be made in advance
- Records will be made available promptly and within a reasonable time to allow exempt information to be redacted in accordance with the OHIO REVISED CODE 149:43
- Voluminous records may require more time
