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Ohio Background Check Laws: What Employers Need to Know
Ohio's added rules focus on sealed and expunged records, which has practical implications for how criminal data gets verified before it reaches an employer. Relevant across the state's manufacturing, healthcare, and logistics industries, here's what applies whether you're hiring in Columbus, Cleveland, or Cincinnati.
Sealed and Expunged Records
Employers are prohibited from asking applicants about any expunged or sealed record, and applicants can't be questioned about sealed convictions or sealed bail forfeitures. Because employers aren't permitted to see this information, screening companies generally shouldn't report it either.
This matters in practice: as sealing and expungement become more routine steps in Ohio criminal procedure, more records sitting in national criminal databases have since been sealed. Reporting from a database without verifying against the current court record can surface information an employer isn't legally allowed to consider.
Public Employer Ban-the-Box
Public employers can't ask for any criminal history information on a job application. This applies to public employers, not private ones.
Pass-Through Fees for Ohio Records
| Record Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Criminal county search | No pass-through fee listed for county-level searches in this state |
| Criminal statewide (Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation) | No public name-only search available; Ohio uses the WebCheck fingerprint system or court records instead |
| Motor vehicle record | $5.00 |
Fees are sourced from 3rd Degree Screening's published fee schedule and are subject to change without notice by the issuing agency.
Common Questions from Ohio Employers
Can I ask an Ohio candidate about a sealed or expunged record?
No. Employers are prohibited from inquiring about expunged or sealed records, including sealed bail forfeitures.
How do I run a statewide criminal check in Ohio?
Ohio doesn't offer a public name-based statewide search. Checks go through the WebCheck fingerprint system or county court records.
Why does database verification matter more in Ohio?
Sealing and expungement have become common steps in Ohio criminal procedure, so national database records can be out of date. Verifying against current court records helps avoid surfacing information that's legally off-limits.
This information is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws and requirements may change and may vary based on specific facts and circumstances. Users should consult their own qualified legal counsel regarding their specific compliance obligations.
