Union County Sex Offender Search
Union County sex offender records are held by the sheriff's office in Marysville and linked to Ohio's eSORN database. The county is part of the Columbus metro area and has seen growth in recent years. Its sex offender registry is public and free to search. This page explains how to look up offenders in Union County, the Ohio laws that apply, and where to find local and state resources.
Union County Overview
Union County Offender Registry
The Union County Sheriff's Office manages sex offender registration for the county. Anyone convicted of a qualifying sex offense in Union County, or who moves into the area, must register with the sheriff. ORC Chapter 2950 requires it. The sheriff collects photos, addresses, vehicle info, and workplace data, then enters it into the eSORN system.
The Ohio Attorney General runs the eSORN database. It is free and open to anyone. You can search by name, address, or zip code. Each result shows the offender's photo, crime, and current address.
Union County uses the three-tier system. Tier I offenders check in once a year for 15 years. Tier II offenders check in every 180 days for 25 years. Tier III offenders report every 90 days for life. ORC 2950.06 and 2950.07 lay out the rules for each tier.
Searching Union County Records
The eSORN portal is the easiest tool. Visit the Ohio Attorney General's website and use the search function. It is free. No account is needed. Type a name or address, filter by Union County, and results appear right away.
For court records tied to a sex offense case, contact the Union County Clerk of Courts. The clerk keeps felony case files from the Common Pleas Court. You can get copies in person at the Marysville courthouse or by mail. The fee is about $0.10 per page. Sealed records require a court order to access. Juvenile sex offense cases are almost always sealed under Ohio law.
The Ohio Attorney General's eSORN portal provides free access to sex offender records across all Ohio counties, including Union County.
Sex Offender Laws in Union County
ORC Chapter 2950 is Ohio's Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act. It applies statewide, and Union County follows every part of it. The sheriff enforces registration locally. The court handles tier assignments at sentencing.
Under ORC 2950.04, an offender who moves into Union County has five days to register at the sheriff's office in person. They must provide their name, date of birth, Social Security number, home address, vehicle plates, and workplace or school details. ORC 2950.05 requires updates within three days if any of that changes.
The community notification rules are in ORC 2950.11. For Tier III offenders, the sheriff goes door to door to notify people within 1,000 feet of the offender's home. For Tier I and Tier II, the eSORN website is the notice method. The Union County Prosecutor handles classification hearings and can argue for a higher tier.
Note: Union County is part of the growing Columbus metro area. As the population has increased, so has the number of sex offender registrations the sheriff must manage.
Registration at the Sheriff's Office
Registration takes place at the Union County Sheriff's Office in Marysville. The offender must come in person. Staff take a photo and collect the required data. This happens at every check-in, not just the first. ORC 2950.04 lists everything the offender must provide.
The sheriff verifies addresses through mail and physical checks. If information does not match, an investigation follows. Failure to register or give accurate data is a felony under ORC 2950.99. The Union County Prosecutor will file charges if an offender misses a deadline or lies about their address.
Court Records for Sex Offenses
The Union County Common Pleas Court handles felony cases, including most sex crimes. The Clerk of Courts stores the case records. You can search by case number or defendant name. Copies cost $0.10 per page.
Sealed records are not available to the public. Judges seal records to protect victims, and juvenile cases are nearly always sealed. To access a sealed record, you must file a motion with the court and show good cause. The Ohio Courts Network may have some Union County records online, though not all are available.
Note: Union County's proximity to Franklin County (Columbus) means some offenders may have cases in both counties. Check both registries if needed.
Statewide Search Resources
Ohio offers several state tools that work alongside Union County's local registry. The Ohio Attorney General runs eSORN. The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction tracks inmates and parolees, and their inmate search is free.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol keeps criminal records. The full text of Ohio's sex offender laws is at ORC Chapter 2950. The Ohio Public Records portal helps with records requests, and the Supreme Court of Ohio publishes court rules and case law.
Nearby Counties
Union County is in central Ohio, near several other counties. To search sex offender records in neighboring areas, use these links:
Union County Public Records Access
Under Ohio's public records law, ORC 149.43, anyone can request government records from Union County agencies. This includes sex offender registration files held by the sheriff. You do not need to give a reason. The sheriff must respond within a reasonable time. Most of the basic offender data is on the eSORN website already, but a formal request can get you documents that are not posted online.
Certain details are kept private. Social Security numbers, some victim information, and sealed court records are off limits. But the offender's name, photo, address, offense, and tier level are all public. Union County's position in the growing Columbus metro area means the sheriff handles a steady flow of records requests. If a request is denied, you can appeal through the Ohio Court of Claims. The process is straightforward and designed to keep government records open to the people who ask for them.