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Jurisdiction-first help for public records requests.

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Ohio (OH)

Law: Ohio Public Records Act (Ohio Rev. Code § 149.43)

Notes: Agencies must produce records ‘within a reasonable period of time’—usually days. Request copies in a specific format.

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Jurisdiction Facts

Sourced from the jurisdiction registry. Not legal advice.

Best Practice

Agencies must produce records ‘within a reasonable period of time’—usually days. Request copies in a specific format.

Statutory Response Deadline

Records must be furnished within reasonable period under R.C. § 149.43(B); no fixed numeric deadline.

Observed Average Response

72 days (MuckRock observed average, not a statutory deadline).

Fee Waivers / Intake

Only direct copying costs ($0.05/page); cannot charge for employee time.

Appeals

No administrative appeal; may file mandamus action in court of appeals. Prevailing parties recover attorney fees.

Direct links to the governing statute, official requester guidance, and central portal for this jurisdiction.

Common Agencies

Akron Police Department

Email: [email protected]

Mail: Akron Police Department Records Division 217 S High Street Akron OH 44308

Fees & notes

The Akron Police Department does not have a dedicated public portal. Requests must be submitted in writing via email or mail. The department is generally responsive but may charge for copies of records.

Reviewed 2026-04-27

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Columbus Police Department

Email: [email protected]

Mail: Columbus Division of Police Public Records Unit 120 Marconi Blvd Columbus OH 43215

Fees & notes

The Columbus Division of Police does not have a dedicated public portal. Requests must be submitted in writing via email or mail. The department is known for being responsive but may charge for copies of records.

Reviewed 2026-04-27

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Commonwealth of Ohio

Mail: State of Ohio, 77 S High St, Columbus, OH 43215

Fees & notes

Standard photocopy charge is $0.05 per page; electronic records emailed are free; first 15 minutes of labor often free; prepayment may be required for large requests. Source: Ohio Rev. Code §149.43.

Source Reviewed 2026-04-27

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Ohio Department of Health

Portal: Submit online

Mail: Ohio Department of Health, FOIA Office, 246 N. High St., Columbus, OH 43215

Fees & notes

Vital records (birth/death certificates) are not public records under the act and must be requested separately through the Bureau of Vital Statistics.

Source Reviewed 2026-04-27

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Ohio State Highway Patrol

Email: [email protected]

Mail: Ohio State Highway Patrol Central Records Section P.O. Box 182074 Columbus OH 43218-2074

Fees & notes

The Ohio State Highway Patrol does not have a dedicated public portal. Requests must be submitted via email fax or mail. The agency is known for being responsive but may charge for copies of records.

Reviewed 2026-04-27

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Summit County

Email: [email protected]

Mail: Summit County Executive, 175 S Main St, Akron, OH 44308

Fees & notes

Requests to the Prosecutor's Office cost $0.10 per page; waivers for fees $5 or less. Contact Deputy Chief Counsel Rick Raley.

Source Reviewed 2026-04-27

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