Warrants are public records in Cleveland, Ohio, pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 149.43, commonly known as the Ohio Public Records Act. This legislation classifies warrant records as public information that must be made available for inspection by any person during regular business hours. The statute mandates that government records, including warrants issued by Cleveland courts, must be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by state or federal law.
Public access to warrant information serves multiple governmental and civic purposes. The transparency provided by this access ensures accountability within the Cleveland judicial system and allows citizens to remain informed about legal actions that may affect them or their communities. Additionally, public warrant records enable individuals to verify the existence of warrants issued against them and take appropriate legal actions if necessary.
The Cleveland Municipal Court and Cuyahoga County Sheriff's Office maintain these records in accordance with state law. While certain sensitive information may be redacted from public warrant records to protect privacy interests, the fundamental details of warrants remain accessible to promote governmental transparency and public safety.
Cleveland residents seeking warrant information online have several official resources available:
Cleveland Municipal Court provides access to warrant information through their online case search system. The court is located at 1200 Ontario Street, Cleveland, OH 44113 and can be reached at (216) 664-4800.
Cuyahoga County Sheriff's Office maintains a database of active warrants. Their office is located at 1215 West 3rd Street, Cleveland, OH 44113, and their Warrant Division can be contacted at (216) 443-6100.
Cuyahoga County Clerk of Courts offers an online case search system that includes warrant information for cases within their jurisdiction. Their office is located at 1200 Ontario Street, Cleveland, OH 44113, with public counter hours Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
The Cleveland Division of Police Warrant Unit can provide information on active warrants at (216) 623-5336. Their headquarters is located at 1300 Ontario Street, Cleveland, OH 44113.
Users should note that online systems may require registration or the payment of nominal fees for certain searches, in accordance with Ohio Revised Code § 149.43(B)(6), which permits agencies to charge the actual cost of providing copies of public records.
To determine if a warrant has been issued in your name in Cleveland in 2025, several official methods are available:
Conduct an online search through the Cleveland Municipal Court's public access portal. This system allows individuals to search by name and date of birth to identify active warrants.
Contact the Cleveland Municipal Court Clerk's Office directly at (216) 664-4800. Court personnel can verify warrant status during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
Visit the Cuyahoga County Sheriff's Office in person at 1215 West 3rd Street, Cleveland, OH 44113. The Warrant Division maintains comprehensive records of all active warrants in the county.
Submit a formal public records request to the Cleveland Division of Police Warrant Unit at 1300 Ontario Street, Cleveland, OH 44113, pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 149.43.
Consult with a licensed Ohio attorney who can conduct a thorough search of court records and provide legal advice regarding any identified warrants.
Individuals should be aware that warrant information may be distributed across multiple jurisdictions and databases. A comprehensive search may require checking with both municipal and county authorities to ensure complete information is obtained.
Cleveland residents seeking to verify the existence of outstanding warrants may utilize several official channels:
Access the Cleveland Municipal Court's online case search system, which provides warrant information for cases within the court's jurisdiction. The system is available 24 hours per day.
Visit the Cleveland Municipal Court Clerk's Office in person at 1200 Ontario Street, Cleveland, OH 44113. Public counter hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
Contact the Cuyahoga County Sheriff's Warrant Division at (216) 443-6100 to inquire about county-issued warrants. Their office is located at 1215 West 3rd Street, Cleveland, OH 44113.
Submit a written public records request to the Cleveland Division of Police Records Section at 1300 Ontario Street, Cleveland, OH 44113, in accordance with departmental procedures established under Ohio Revised Code § 149.43.
Utilize the Cuyahoga County Clerk of Courts online docket search for felony warrants and Common Pleas Court cases.
Pursuant to Ohio law, agencies may require proper identification when providing warrant information in person to verify the identity of the requestor. Some agencies may assess nominal fees for printed copies of warrant documentation.
Cleveland warrant records contain specific information as required by Ohio Criminal Rule 4 and local court rules. These records typically include:
Subject Identification: Full legal name, date of birth, last known address, and physical description of the individual named in the warrant.
Case Information: Court case number, issuing court, and date of issuance. Cleveland Municipal Court warrants will reference case numbers beginning with specific prefixes that identify case type.
Warrant Classification: Designation of the warrant type (arrest warrant, bench warrant, or capias) and its statutory authority under Ohio law.
Offense Details: Description of the alleged criminal violation, including Ohio Revised Code section numbers or Cleveland Municipal Code references for the charges.
Judicial Authorization: Name and signature of the issuing judge or magistrate, as required by Ohio Criminal Rule 4(A).
Bond Information: Any predetermined bail amount or bond conditions established by the court at the time of issuance.
Service Instructions: Specific directives to law enforcement regarding execution of the warrant, including geographical limitations or special handling requirements.
Status Information: Current status of the warrant (active, recalled, or served) and relevant dates of status changes.
Warrant records maintained by the Cleveland Municipal Court and Cuyahoga County Sheriff's Office are subject to retention schedules established by the Ohio Supreme Court's Rules of Superintendence.
Members of the public seeking warrant information in Cleveland may access records through the following official channels:
Cleveland Municipal Court Public Access Portal 1200 Ontario Street, Cleveland, OH 44113 (216) 664-4800
Cuyahoga County Sheriff's Office 1215 West 3rd Street, Cleveland, OH 44113 (216) 443-6100
Cleveland Division of Police Records Section 1300 Ontario Street, Cleveland, OH 44113 (216) 623-5300
Cuyahoga County Clerk of Courts 1200 Ontario Street, Cleveland, OH 44113 (216) 443-7950
Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 149.43, requestors may be required to provide identification when requesting warrant information in person. Agencies may charge reasonable fees for copies of warrant records, though inspection of records is generally available without charge during regular business hours.
For warrants related to inmates in custody, the Cuyahoga County Corrections Center maintains records of individuals detained on active warrants. The facility is located at 1215 West 3rd Street, Cleveland, OH 44113, and can be contacted at (216) 443-6000.