Delaware County Police Blotter
Delaware County police blotter records track arrests, incident reports, and booking details from law enforcement in one of Ohio's fastest-growing counties just north of Columbus. The city of Delaware is the county seat, and the Delaware County Sheriff's Office is the main keeper of police blotter data. You can search for arrest logs, crime reports, and court case records through local offices and state databases. The Clerk of Courts also maintains court records that stem from police blotter entries. Ohio law gives everyone the right to access these public records.
Delaware County Quick Facts
Delaware County Sheriff's Office Records
The Delaware County Sheriff's Office is the primary source for police blotter records in the county. The sheriff handles law enforcement for unincorporated areas and runs the county jail. The office is at 149 N Sandusky St, Delaware, OH 43015. Call (740) 833-2800 for records requests.
Delaware County has grown rapidly in recent years, and the sheriff's office handles an increasing volume of police blotter entries. Arrest records show who was booked, the charges, and the booking date. Incident reports describe crimes that were reported to deputies, including type of offense, location, and parties involved. Accident reports cover crashes on county roads. All of these records are public under ORC § 149.43.
The screenshot below shows the Delaware County Sheriff's Office website, the main source for police blotter data.
The sheriff's site provides contact information and details about services offered by the Delaware County office.
As Delaware County continues to grow, the volume of police blotter entries rises each year. The sheriff's office handles calls in unincorporated areas, while cities like Delaware, Powell, and Westerville (which straddles the county line) have their own police departments. Records from the sheriff cover only the county-level incidents. For city police records, you need to contact that city's department directly.
Delaware County Court Records
The Delaware County Clerk of Courts maintains all court case files for the county. Criminal cases that start on the police blotter and lead to charges end up here. The office is at 117 N Union St, Delaware, OH 43015. Call (740) 833-2500 for help with court records.
The Delaware County court system processes criminal, civil, and traffic cases. When an arrest from the police blotter results in charges from the prosecutor, the case file moves to the clerk's office. You can search dockets, review charging documents, and check case status. The Court of Common Pleas handles felony matters. The Municipal Court deals with misdemeanors and traffic offenses in Delaware County. Viewing records at the clerk's office is free. Copies have a per-page charge.
The screenshot below shows the Delaware County Clerk of Courts page.
The clerk's website provides information about accessing court records and the services available in Delaware County.
Public Records in Delaware County
Ohio Revised Code § 149.43 governs public records in Delaware County. Police blotter data, arrest records, and incident reports are all public unless a specific exemption applies. You do not need to give your name or explain your reason for making a request. The agency must respond promptly.
The county has a public records policy that covers all departments. Submit your request to the right office. Charges apply only for the cost of copies. In-person viewing is free. If a Delaware County office denies your request, they must cite the specific exemption under ORC § 149.43. Under ORC § 149.43(A)(1)(h), agencies can withhold names of uncharged suspects and confidential informants. Core arrest data from the police blotter stays public.
The screenshot below shows the Delaware County public records page.
This page explains how to submit a records request and what you can expect from the process in Delaware County.
Ohio State Police Blotter Resources
State agencies keep records tied to Delaware County police blotter activity. The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation runs a statewide criminal records database. Under ORC § 109.60, the Delaware County Sheriff sends arrest data and fingerprints to BCI after every arrest. BCI has records of most Delaware County arrests going back many years.
A BCI-only check costs $22 to $27. A combined BCI and FBI check runs $52 to $57. Results take about two business days. The Ohio State Highway Patrol also keeps crash reports from highways in Delaware County, including US-23 and I-71. Reports cost $4.00 through the OSHP records request portal after a seven-day wait.
The screenshot below shows the Delaware County court records page.
Court records from Delaware County that originated as police blotter entries can be searched through the clerk or the county court system.
Note: Delaware County is one of the fastest-growing counties in Ohio, so record volumes increase each year.
How to Get Delaware County Arrest Records
Start with the Delaware County Sheriff's Office for recent arrest reports or incident logs. Call (740) 833-2800 or visit 149 N Sandusky St in Delaware. Have the date, names, and a case number if available.
For court records tied to a Delaware County police blotter entry, visit the Clerk of Courts at 117 N Union St in Delaware. The clerk keeps criminal case files from charges through final disposition. Viewing is free. Copies have a per-page fee.
If a Delaware County agency denies your request, the Ohio Attorney General's Sunshine Laws office can help. You can also file a complaint with the Ohio Court of Claims under ORC § 2743.75.
- Sheriff's Office: (740) 833-2800 for incident and arrest reports
- Clerk of Courts: (740) 833-2500 for court case records
- BCI: 877-224-0043 for statewide criminal history checks
- OSHP Central Records: (614) 466-3536 for highway crash reports
Nearby Counties
Delaware County is in central Ohio just north of Columbus. Neighboring counties also maintain police blotter records through their own sheriff offices.