Franklin County, Ohio Warrant Search

In Franklin County, a warrant search is the process of examining official public record systems to determine whether someone has an active or outstanding warrant (or a case record showing warrant status). A Franklin County warrant search typically involves scanning through court case portals (where warrant status is often tied to a case) and, in some instances, reviewing the Sheriff’s “wanted persons” postings.

A search for warrants in Franklin County typically depends on the court that issued the warrant, as different courts handle different case types. For instance, the Franklin County Municipal Court Clerk offers the public an online record search that may display information such as court dates, amounts due, and “warrant status” for cases under its jurisdiction. Likewise, the Franklin County Clerk of Courts maintains” Case Information Online (CIO) as a platform for public access to criminal and civil cases (Common Pleas General Division), Domestic Relations, and 10th District Court of Appeals cases.

The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office maintains a Wanted Persons listing and may assist with verifying warrant-related information, as suggested in its public guidance. Depending on the portal used, a user may locate information such as the case number and court or division, the party or defendant’s name, basic case identifiers, charge (in criminal or traffic cases), docket events, and hearing dates. In Municipal Court records, warrant status may appear as a specific field or result element.

Why Conduct a Warrant Search in Franklin County?

Some prevailing reasons why people may carry out a warrant search in Franklin County are highlighted as follows:

• To check whether the court issued a capias (a bench-type warrant) after a person missed a court date or was unsure about a scheduled appearance.
• Since Franklin County cases are maintained in different systems, a search may help determine which court has jurisdiction.
• To confirm the active status of a warrant before taking the next steps in the case
• A warrant search may help someone differentiate between a real case entry and incomplete third-party reporting.

How to Perform a Franklin County Warrant Search Online

An online warrant search in Franklin County typically involves checking court case portals to see if a warrant appears in a case record and viewing the Sheriff’s Wanted Persons list.

• Franklin County Municipal Court Clerk’s Search Records: Requesters may begin their search using the Franklin County Municipal Court Clerk’s Public Search Records page. The portal allows searches by name, case number, or ticket number, along with additional search filters (if necessary). Results may include court dates, amounts due, and warrant status for Municipal Court matters.

Please note that most warrant-related issues arising from traffic and misdemeanour cases often appear in Municipal Court records.

• Franklin County Court of Common Pleas cases - Clerk of Courts' Case Information Online (CIO): For felony-level criminal cases, including most civil, domestic, and appellate records, requesters may use the Franklin County Clerk of Courts’ Case Information Online (CIO) portal. Users may search using a name and/or court (Appeals, Civil, Criminal, and Domestic).
• Franklin County Sheriff Wanted Persons page: Requesters may also visit the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office’s Wanted Persons page. It is, however, advised that information on this page is treated as a public awareness list and not a complete inventory of all active warrants in the county.

Notable Limitations

• The Municipal Court and Common Pleas maintain different case types and utilize distinct online tools. Checking only one portal may lead to missing the other court’s records.
• Online case information for public access may not always reflect immediate same-day changes across systems.
• Not appearing on the Sheriff’s “Wanted Persons” list does not mean a warrant does not exist.

How to Check for Outstanding Warrants in Franklin County by Phone or In Person

In Franklin County, the standard routes for checking warrant status offline are through the court clerk’s offices (i.e., the Municipal Court for most traffic or misdemeanor matters and Common Pleas for felony-level cases) and, in some instances, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office for “wanted” information and contact details of the warrant unit.

Franklin County Municipal Court Clerk

Phone: According to the Franklin County Municipal Court’s FAQ page, inquirers may call (614) 645-8186 to check for active warrants. Public phone inquiries are handled by the Criminal Department Call Center from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., every day.

In Person: Individuals possessing basic identifiers, such as full name, date of birth, and case number (if available), may visit the Criminal/Traffic division to make in-person inquiries. The Criminal/Traffic division is situated in

Note: The Clerk’s Office can only confirm warrants entered in their system; warrants from another court may not be visible.

Franklin County Court of Common Pleas - Clerk of Courts

Interested parties seeking warrant information on matters under the jurisdiction of the Court of Common Pleas may contact the Clerk of Courts in person (at the Courthouse) or via phone at:

Franklin County Sheriff’s Office

Requesters may also access and verify warrant-related information using the Sheriff’s Office “Wanted Persons” page at (614) 525-7928, (614) 525-3333, or the nearest law enforcement agency.

When contacting the agencies listed above, requesters are typically expected to provide the following information:

• Full legal name (exact spelling)
• Date of birth (often)
• Case number (if known)

Note: Phone waiting time may vary by day and court calendar volume. Using the Municipal Court Clerk’s extended call-center hours may help inquirers check for warrant information outside standard business hours.

Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Warrant Search Process

The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office is not set up as a “warrant lookup desk” as a court clerk’s case system operates. What the Sheriff’s Office does in relation to warrant search is to:

• Provide a Wanted Persons listing
• offer the public a way to submit tips to its warrants-focused units, and
• a public-records request pathway for records that the Sheriff’s Office can legally release.

As of December 2025, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office's public guidance provides limited information about the warrant search process. However, the Warrants and Extradition Unit of the Sheriff’s Office may be able to provide more details on the warrant search process in the county. Interested persons may contact the Unit through its dedicated line at (614) 525-3346.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, individuals with information concerning the whereabouts of a wanted person are advised not to take action on their own. They are to contact the Franklin County Sheriff's Office at (614) 525-7928 or (614) 525-3333, or the nearest law enforcement agency.

Accessing Public Records Related to Warrants in Franklin County

In Franklin County, inquirers may access warrant-related information via court case records (where a warrant status is linked to a case) or through arrest and booking details, maintained by law enforcement agencies. However, information available to requesters often depends on which agency created the record and whether any Ohio public records exemptions apply.

Franklin County Municipal Court Clerk

Information seekers may use the Clerk’s Search Records tool to access court dates, amount due, and “warrant status” among other details. The Clerk’s Criminal/Traffic Department also notes that records in the division are accessible to the public. However, the office does not “run record checks” or research all cases by telephone. There are limitations on the amount of information that can be provided by phone.

The Municipal Court Clerk maintains municipal court case files. Interested parties may access some of these records through the online Search Records page. Alternatively, they may visit or contact the Clerk’s Office to inquire about procedures for record requests.

Franklin County Clerk of Courts

Requesters may obtain warrant-related public records through the Franklin County Clerk of Courts’ Case Information Online portal. The platform provides access to public record information for criminal and civil cases in the Common Pleas General Division, Domestic Relations cases, and 10th District Court of Appeals cases. Requesters may acquire publicly accessible records from the Clerk's Office via the Case Information Online portal.

Franklin County Sheriff's Office

Interested parties may also access publicly accessible records connected to warrants from the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO). The Sheriff’s Public Records Office maintains items like video camera footage, investigation reports, criminal records, and other publicly available information. Applicants may visit the “Make a Public Records Request” page to submit their application.

Although the Ohio Public Records Act (R.C. 149.43) generally considers government records accessible to the public, the law recognizes specific exemptions. Confidential law enforcement investigatory records that may disclose protected information (e.g., uncharged suspects, sources/witnesses promised confidentiality), sensitive personal information, and juvenile records are not available to the general public.

Types of Warrants Issued in Franklin County

In Ohio, including Franklin County, the courts issue warrants for different purposes. Warrant types matter because they influence who issues them, what they authorize, how long they can be used, and where they are likely to come up in a public search.

Arrest Warrants

This is a legal instrument issued by a magistrate that grants law enforcement the authority to take someone into custody for an alleged crime. This document is issued after the court officer (usually a magistrate) examines the complaint and evidence and determines there is probable cause that the accused person committed an offense. An Ohio arrest warrant usually identifies the suspect and instructs law enforcement to bring the person before the relevant court.

Bench Warrants

When a person fails to appear for a planned hearing or does not follow a court order, the court will often issue a bench warrant. This means that the subject of a capias will be arrested if they do not appear in court or fail to meet court requirements.

Search Warrants

A search warrant authorizes law enforcement to search a specific location, person, or property for evidence. Unlike arrest and bench warrants, search warrants have a short execution window; Under Ohio Criminal Rule 41, law enforcement officers have three days to execute a search warrant.

How Long Warrants Remain Active in Franklin County

Most warrants in Ohio, including those in Franklin County, are valid until the case is dismissed, recalled, or quashed, or the warrant is served; there is typically no built-in expiration date.

Arrest and bench warrants in Ohio often have no expiration date and are valid until the court recalls, quashes, or serves them. However, search warrants have a three-day deadline for execution. Search warrants not executed within this timeframe are anticipated to be returned to the issuing court.

​Court action and law enforcement processes that may influence the duration of a warrant include:

• Court recall/quash: A judge has the authority to recall or quash certain warrants, thus ending them.
• Case resolution: A warrant may be lifted after a dismissal, plea, completion of sentencing, or fulfillment of the conditions (including payment of fees, completion of community service, and attendance at compliance hearings).
• Execution by law enforcement: Once served, a warrant is no longer "outstanding," even if the underlying case continues.
• Agency procedures and record routing: Operational activities, such as service efforts, agency transfers, and jail intake, may impact warrant status.

What To Do if You Find an Outstanding Warrant in Franklin County

When a warrant is issued in Franklin County during a search, it is advisable to allocate time to confirm that the document is current and valid through official sources. Online summaries or background reports may be inadequate or may not incorporate the most recent updates. Therefore, individuals with active warrants against them may undertake the following actions:

• Confirm through the records of the issuing court. In Franklin County, inquirers may access warrant-related records through the Franklin County Municipal Court Clerk’s Search Records tool (covering traffic offenses and numerous misdemeanors) or via the Clerk of Courts Case Information Online portal (Court of Common Pleas). Inquirers may review these records to identify docket entries related to warrant activity.
• Match the name to the corresponding individual or case on the right.Individuals with common names should verify that they are identifying the correct individual by reviewing details such as full name, date of birth, case number, or jurisdiction.
• Understand the context. Understanding the context of a warrant is essential. This is because a warrant may be linked to a delayed court appointment, an ongoing criminal proceeding, or another relevant requirement. The context often dictates which information is accessible to the public and which may be withheld.