Looking up a mugshot or arrest record in Franklin County, Ohio, is something thousands of people do every month whether they are checking on a family member, doing a background search, or satisfying general curiosity. The good news is that most of this information is legally public under Ohio law, and you have multiple ways to access it without paying a third-party service.
Where Franklin County Jail Is Located
Franklin County operates two adult correctional facilities, both managed by the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office:
| Facility | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Franklin County Corrections Center I (FCCC I) | 370 S. Front Street, Columbus, OH 43215 | (614) 525-3368 |
| Franklin County Corrections Center II (FCCC II) | 2460 Jackson Pike, Columbus, OH 43223 | (614) 525-3330 |
| Sheriff’s Office Main Line | 373 South High St., Columbus, OH 43215 | (614) 525-3333 |
FCCC I is a medium-maximum security facility that primarily handles male inmates and processes new arrests. FCCC II is a larger, newer facility housing both male and female inmates with a capacity of approximately 1,600. Neither facility houses juveniles the county’s juvenile detention center is managed separately.
Method 1: Official Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Inmate Search
This is the most accurate and up-to-date source for current inmates. The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office provides a free public search tool online.
What it shows you:
- Current inmate roster
- Mugshot (booking photograph)
- Current charges
- Case numbers
- Current location within the jail system
- Upcoming court dates
What it does NOT show:
- Bond/bail amounts (those must be obtained from the Clerk of Courts)
- Released inmates from previous arrests
- Detailed criminal history
How to Use the Sheriff’s Inmate Search Step by Step
Step 1: Enter the inmate’s first and last name in the search fields. You can also search by booking number if you have it.
Step 2: Click “Search” to run the query.
Step 3: A list of matching results will appear. Click “Detail” next to the name you are looking for.
Step 4: The detail page displays the full booking profile including the mugshot, charges, case number, housing location, and next court date.
If you cannot find the person you are looking for, they may have already been released, transferred to a state facility, or the name spelling may differ from what you entered. Try alternate spellings or contact the jail directly at (614) 525-3368.
Method 2: BustedNewspaper Franklin County
BustedNewspaper.com is the most widely used third-party mugshot site for Franklin County. It pulls booking data directly from the Sheriff’s Office and publishes arrest records with photos on an ongoing basis.
Franklin County is Ohio’s most active county on BustedNewspaper, with over 27,000 arrest records in its database more than any other Ohio county. The site also has an active Facebook page BustedNewspaper Franklin County OH with over 11,000 followers that posts new bookings regularly.
What BustedNewspaper shows:
- Booking photograph
- Full name and age
- Height, weight, hair color, eye color
- Date booked
- Charges listed at time of booking
Limitations:
- Records may not be updated when charges are dropped or cases are dismissed
- BustedNewspaper is a private company, not a government source
- Do not use it for legal, employment, or official verification purposes
Method 3: Franklin County Clerk of Courts Case Information Online (CIO)
The Case Information Online (CIO) portal is the official system for searching court case records, including domestic relations, criminal, and civil cases filed in Franklin County.
This is different from the Sheriff’s inmate search CIO shows court case history, not just current jail bookings. If you want to know what happened after an arrest (charges filed, court dates, case outcomes), CIO is where to look.
How to Search CIO — Step by Step
Step 1: Go to the CIO portal URL above and accept the disclaimer.
Step 2: Search by the person’s name (first and last required), case number, or date range.
Step 3: Browse the results list. Click on a case to see the docket a full log of every filing and court event in that case.
Step 4: Note the case number. To obtain actual documents (court orders, judgments, etc.), you must contact the Clerk of Courts directly.
Important: Domestic Relations case documents are not viewable online through CIO, but criminal case docket entries are accessible.
Method 4: Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction Offender Search
If the person you are looking for has been convicted of a felony and sentenced to state prison rather than county jail, they will not appear in the Franklin County Sheriff’s search. Instead, they will be in the Ohio ODRC Offender Search.
This covers individuals currently incarcerated in Ohio state prisons, currently under ODRC supervision, or judicially released. You can search by name, county, hearing date, or offender number.
Method 5: Other Third-Party Sites
Several other websites aggregate Franklin County arrest records alongside BustedNewspaper:
| Site | What It Offers |
|---|---|
| JailBase (jailbase.com) | Recent Franklin County bookings with photos |
| Arrests.org Ohio (ohio.arrests.org/Franklin) | Recent arrest logs with names and charges |
| Mugshots.zone | Franklin County booking archive |
| InmateSearchOhio.org | Search with “Detail” view for mugshots and charges |
Use these with caution. Third-party sites are not official government sources. Records on these sites may be outdated, incomplete, or missing case updates such as dismissals. For any legal or official purpose, always verify through the Sheriff’s Office or CIO portal.
What Information Appears in a Booking Record?
When someone is booked into the Franklin County Jail, the following information is recorded and generally made public:
- Full legal name and aliases
- Date of birth and age
- Booking date and time
- Physical description (height, weight, hair, eyes, race)
- Booking photograph (mugshot)
- Charges at time of arrest
- Case numbers
- Bond information (available through Clerk of Courts)
- Assigned housing location
- Scheduled court date
Information that is not public includes juvenile records, sealed cases, active investigation details, and medical information.
How to Request Arrest Records Officially
If you need an official copy of an arrest or booking record for legal, employment, or personal reasons, you can submit a public records request directly to the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office.
By Mail: Write a request letter including the subject’s full name, date of birth if known, approximate date of arrest, and your return address. Mail to:
Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Public Records 373 South High Street Columbus, Ohio 43215
In Person: Visit the Sheriff’s Office at 373 South High Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215 during business hours. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID.
The Public Records Office handles video footage, investigation reports, criminal records, and other publicly available information. Processing times vary by request complexity.
Franklin County Arrest Records Quick Reference Table
| What You Need | Best Source |
|---|---|
| Current inmate + mugshot | FCSO Inmate Search (official) |
| Recent booking history | BustedNewspaper Franklin County |
| Court case outcome | CIO Portal — Clerk of Courts |
| State prison inmate | ODRC Offender Search |
| Official certified record | FCSO Public Records Request |
| Bond/bail information | Franklin County Clerk of Courts |
Can a Mugshot Be Removed?
This is one of the most common questions people ask after finding their own booking photo on third-party websites. Here is the honest answer:
Ohio law does not require mugshot removal websites to take down records. However, there are a few options:
If charges were dismissed or you were found not guilty: You may have grounds for record sealing or expungement under Ohio law. Once a record is sealed, it is no longer public and should eventually be removed from official databases. Third-party sites may still keep the record, but you can send a demand letter referencing the sealed status.
Contacting the website directly: Some sites like BustedNewspaper have removal processes, sometimes for a fee. Others do not respond to requests.
Google removal request: If you want a specific URL removed from Google search results, you can submit a request through Google’s content removal tool, especially if the underlying record has been expunged.
Reputation management: For ongoing issues, a legal professional or reputation management service can guide you through the most effective steps for your specific situation.
Franklin County processes tens of thousands of bookings every year it is one of Ohio’s busiest counties for arrest activity. Whether you are searching for a current inmate, reviewing recent bookings, or tracking a court case, the tools above give you every legitimate path to find what you need without spending a dollar.
Frequently Asked Question
Are Franklin County mugshots public record?
Yes. Under the Ohio Public Records Act (ORC § 149.43), booking photographs and arrest records are public. Anyone can access them without giving a reason.
How do I find out if someone is currently in Franklin County Jail?
Use the official inmate search . Search by name or booking number to see current inmates, their charges, and court dates.
Does BustedNewspaper show Franklin County arrests?
Yes. BustedNewspaper is the most-used third-party site for Franklin County bookings, with over 27,000 records in its database. It is updated regularly from Sheriff’s Office data.
What is the difference between the Sheriff’s search and the CIO portal?
The Sheriff’s inmate search shows who is currently in jail and their booking details. The CIO portal shows court case history what happened after the arrest in court. You often need both to get the full picture.
Can I get a certified copy of an arrest record?
Yes. Submit a public records request to the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office online, by mail, or in person at 373 South High Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215.
What if the person was sent to state prison instead of county jail?
They will not appear in the Franklin County Sheriff’s search. Use the Ohio ODRC Offender Portal.
Can I get mugshots removed from third-party websites?
It depends on the site. If your record was expunged or sealed, you have stronger legal grounds to request removal. Otherwise, some sites offer paid removal services. Consult an attorney if you need official help.
