Civil & Fiscal Unit
Providing Civil, Administrative, and Public Services to Fairfield County.
The Civil & Fiscal Unit provides administrative and support services for the Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office and the residents of Fairfield County. The unit includes Civil Services, Public Records, Background Checks & Fingerprinting, Fiscal Services, Human Resources, Sheriff Sales, and related public services.
Elisa Dowdy
Elisa Dowdy has been a member of the Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office since 2001 and was promoted to Civil Supervisor in 2005. As Civil & Fiscal Unit Supervisor, she oversees the staff and operations of the unit.
Ms. Dowdy was named Civilian of the Year in 2015 and 2021. She is a lifelong resident of Fairfield County and holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from Purdue University.
Services
Learn more about Civil Services
Learn more about Public Records
Learn more about Background Checks & Fingerprinting
Learn more about Sheriff Sales
Request a Vacation Check
Contact & Location
Lancaster, OH 43130
Closed on recognized holidays.
Civil Services
Civil Services is responsible for processing the paperwork associated with court documents to individuals who live or work within Fairfield County. Deputies are responsible for serving summonses, subpoenas, protection orders, and other court documents as directed by the issuing court. Once service is completed or determined to be unsuccessful, the appropriate Return of Service is prepared and provided to the court.
For questions regarding civil services, including fees or payment information, please call our office at 740-652-7320.
Public Records Requests
The Civil Unit accepts public records requests for records maintained by the office, including accident reports, incident reports, arrest records, body-worn camera video footage, and other public records as permitted by law.
Requests may be made in person at our office, by calling 740-652-7320, or by email at sheriff@sheriff.fairfield.oh.us. Public records requests must be specific and reasonably identify the records being requested, in accordance with the Ohio Revised Code.
Emails received after administrative business hours, on weekends, or on holidays will be forwarded to the appropriate personnel when the administrative offices reopen on the next business day. All requests are handled in the order they are received and availability of records requested.
Fees may apply for certain records, including copies or video footage.
Local Background Checks
Local background checks are available for a $5 fee to search Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office Jail records for booking and incarcerations.
An individual’s first and last name is required to conduct the search. Additional information, such as date of birth, race, sex, or Social Security number, is helpful in ensuring the search identifies the correct individual.
You may call 740-652-7320 in advance to have the background check prepared for pickup. Completed checks may be picked up during administrative office hours with payment.
Fingerprinting Services
The Sheriff’s Office provides electronic and manual fingerprinting services.
Call 740-652-7320 to schedule an appointment. Fingerprint appointments are available Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Electronic Fingerprinting
Electronic fingerprinting is available for state (BCI/I) only, federal (FBI) only (for authorized laws), or state and federal (BCI/I & FBI) combined.
Service Fee
- Electronic – State – BCI/I $40
- Electronic – Federal – FBI $40
- Electronic – State & Federal – BCI/I and FBI $65
At the time of your appointment, you will need to provide whether you need state (BCI) or state and federal (BCI/FBI) fingerprinting, the ORC law code/reason for being fingerprinted, and the name/business and address (direct copy) of the person or organization authorized to receive the results.
Please contact your employer, licensing agency, or other requesting organization if you are unsure what information is required.
What to Bring (Electronic Fingerprinting)
- Valid Driver’s License or state-issued ID
- Original Social Security card
- Name on Driver’s license and Social security card must match
- Completed BCI WebCheck form, if provided by your employer or requesting agency. Forms are also available from our office. Be sure you know:
- If you need just state (BCI) or state and federal (BCI/FBI)
- ORC law code/reason being fingerprinted,
- Name/business and address/direct copy of the person or organization authorized to receive the results
- Payment by cash, check, money order, or credit card (fees apply)
Manual Fingerprinting
The Sheriff’s Office provides manual fingerprinting on fingerprint cards. FD-258. Fingerprint cards are available at our office or we can print you on the document/card provided by the agency or organization requesting fingerprints.
Before your appointment, confirm with the agency requesting your fingerprints which type of fingerprint card you need. Cost for Manual fingerprinting is $10 per card.
What to Bring (Manual Fingerprinting)
- Valid driver’s license or state-issued ID
- Original Social Security card
- Fingerprint card, if provided by the agency or organization requesting your fingerprints
- Payment by cash, check, money order, or credit card (fees apply)
You will receive the complete fingerprint card. You will be responsible for submitting the card to the requesting agency or organization.
Not Sure Which Type You Need?
If you are unsure whether you need electronic or manual fingerprinting, BCI/I, FBI, or both, the agency or organization requesting your fingerprints must provide you with that information before your appointment.
Legal Authority
Fingerprint-based criminal records checks conducted through the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation (BCI) are governed by applicable provisions of the Ohio Revised Code.