Conduct a Free Cuyahoga County Warrant Search (Resource)

Perform a free Cuyahoga County warrant search in just minutes using the search tools linked in this resource.

The right to review warrant information is granted through the passage of the Ohio Open Records Law, which provides broad access to public government records. By conducting a search, you can find out if you or someone you know is considered wanted. You can also use this information to learn more about someone in your life or just to satisfy your curiosity.

However, you need to know where the records are located and how to find or request them; this article provides all the guidance you need to efficiently track down information on warrants in Cuyahoga County, Ohio.

This resource was written by Attorney Robert Bailey Jr, who holds a Juris Doctorate from Widener University School of Law.

How To Complete a Free Cuyahoga County Warrant Search (Synopsis)

Before you set off on performing warrant searches, it’s important to have a foundation of how this information is made accessible, exceptions and what you need to access this data. In addition, it’s also helpful to understand who maintains these records and the different ways you can uncover warrant information.

First, while the Ohio Open Records Law provides broad access to government records (including warrants), that access is not absolute¹. Like any law, there are exceptions, and the same holds true regarding the availability of warrant information for inspection and copying. For instance, warrants are not required to be available to the public if it would impact an ongoing law enforcement investigation.

Usually, the basis for an exception such as this is dependent on the type of warrant involved. There are several different types of warrants, and certain ones are more prone to be restricted until they are fully executed. Such is the case when it comes to search warrants that would allow a person to remove pertinent evidence if they knew law enforcement was coming to search a particular location.

When you are ready to begin your warrant search, you will find that there are various ways to access this information. You can uncover warrant information through various means, such as formal requests, in-person searches, and online databases. In some cases, you may be able to request warrant information by mail, phone, or email.

Regardless of the method of your search, there is some basic information that you will need to find what you are looking for. First, make sure you have the complete name of the person you want to search. You will also want to have the correct county for where the warrant was issued, as well as where the person lives.

There is other information that can be helpful to your search as well. If you have a case number, you may be able to find the warrant record quickly. Having personally identifiable information about the person or the reason for the warrant can be helpful as well.

In each county, there may be different record custodians for warrant records. In Cuyahoga County, the primary record custodian is the County Clerk of Court.²

In some cases, you can find warrant information at the municipal level through city and town government agencies. Some of Cuyahoga County’s larger cities provide this option, such as Cleveland.

How To Check if You or Someone Else in Cuyahoga County Has an Active Warrant

If you want to check on active warrants in Cuyahoga County, you can conduct a search with the Clerk of Courts Online Search Tool.³ To conduct a search, you can select to perform either a criminal search by case number or name.

If you perform a name search, you can then enter the person’s name. To narrow your search results, you can also enter a person’s birthday, alias, race, or sex. Once you conduct your search, the results page will provide a list of matching names with their date of birth, race, sex, and whether they have any pending cases.

You can then click on a person’s name to view their complete online criminal record, along with any warrant information. Click on the “docket” tab at the top of the page to view a chronological listing of every court event in a particular criminal case. It’s in this section you can view when a warrant was issued and the reason for its issuance.

For additional information, you can contact the Cuyahoga County Clerk of Court by phone at 216-443-7999 or by going to the address below:

Cuyahoga County Clerk of Court
1200 Ontario St.
Cleveland, Ohio 44113

If you are still looking for information (especially for those that are active), you can submit a public records request or contact the Warrant Unit for the Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Department.⁴

You can contact them by phone at 216-443-6000 or via email at [email protected]. Lastly, you can talk to someone in person at the address below:

Cuyahoga County Sheriff
1215 W. Third St.
Cleveland, Ohio 44113

Certain cities in Cuyahoga County allow you to search for warrant information at the municipal level as well. For instance, you can search for warrants in Cuyahoga County’s largest city, Cleveland, through the Municipal Court Search Tool.⁵

To conduct a search, select the advanced filtering options and check the box for “warrants.” You can also select “warrants” under the case status.

From there, you can enter the person’s name and any other information you want to include (e.g., filing date range). The results page will list the person’s name, address and the number of warrants they have. You can then click on their name to get additional warrant information.

If you have additional questions about warrant information, you can contact the Cleveland Municipal Court by phone at 216-664-4790 or by going to the address below:

Cleveland Municipal Court
1200 Ontario St.
Cleveland, Ohio 44113

How To Run a Warrant Search in Cuyahoga County Ohio

Ohio does not have a statewide search tool for all warrants. However, the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections does provide you access to individuals with warrants for their arrest, namely parole violators.

To find warrant information on parole violators, you can use the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation & Corrections Offender Search.⁶ To conduct a search, select “violators at large” for the status and enter the person’s name. You can then click on the offender ID/number to view information on why they currently have an active arrest warrant.

Another option is to search by letter on their Parole Violators at Large Page.⁷

For additional information or questions, you can email them at [email protected] or call them at 614-752-1114.

Types of Warrants, What They Mean & Their Significance

Most people think of a person getting arrested when they hear the word warrant. However, there are several different types of warrants in Cuyahoga County and not all of them are to arrest a person for a crime.

Understanding the various types of warrants can assist you when conducting your search. First, it’s important to know that the term “active warrant” simply means one that has not yet been fully executed.

The most searched type is an arrest warrant. This type of warrant is issued to arrest a person because of their alleged commission of a crime. In order for an arrest warrant to be issued, a judge must be presented with sufficient evidence (often referred to as probable cause) that a particular person committed a crime.

An arrest warrant can also be issued if a person is a fugitive, in violation of their probation or parole or is delinquent on their child support payments. You may also receive a warrant for your arrest if you fail to properly handle a traffic violation.

Another one you will often encounter is a bench warrant. This type of warrant is issued by a judge when a person fails to show up for a mandatory court hearing. When this occurs for a crime classified as a felony, it is called an alias capias warrant.

In this situation, a person cannot post bail until the next court date.

In Cuyahoga County (and throughout Ohio), they also have what’s known as a peace warrant. This type of warrant is issued on a person when someone else submits a complaint that this particular subject has made a threat against them or a piece of their property. When issued by a judge, the person receiving it is not arrested but will have to go to court to defend themselves against these allegations.

A search warrant is issued by a judge, which authorizes law enforcement to look through a particular area they otherwise would not have access to for evidence of a crime. Like an arrest warrant, law enforcement must present the judge with probable cause before it is issued.

How To Resolve a Warrant in Cuyahoga County

For most people, they have a specific purpose for conducting a warrant search. Usually, it’s to check for information on themselves or someone they know. In the event you uncover active warrant information on yourself or someone else, ignorance is not bliss.

It is important you take appropriate action with that information.

If you find out that you have an active warrant, do not just walk into the police station to turn yourself in. It may be that your warrant can be resolved by rescheduling a hearing date or making a payment on overdue fees or fines. To determine your best course of action, immediately make a consultation with a licensed criminal defense attorney in Cuyahoga County.

They will be able to assist you on what steps you need to take.

If it is determined that you do need to turn yourself in, there are a couple of additional steps you will likely be advised to take. First, let your family know about the situation so they are not caught off guard. Second, contact a bail bondsman in case you have the opportunity to post bail after your processing.

In the case of a situation where you find an active warrant for someone you know, your next steps should be determined by the severity of the situation and your relationship with the person. If it is a serious crime, you should provide whatever information you have about the person to law enforcement. In Cuyahoga County, you can contact the Sheriff’s Department’s Warrant Unit at 216-443-6000.⁸

Of course, if the offense is less serious, you might want to just let the person know, as they may be unaware of the outstanding warrant. If you do not know them well, at the very least, you can let a family member or friend know.

Now you are prepared to take the appropriate steps with whatever information you uncover from your warrant search. Use the steps, links, and guidance in this article for anything you need to know when performing a Cuyahoga County warrant search.