Ohio Revised Code Title XXIX. Crimes Procedure § 2967.04

(A) A pardon or commutation may be granted upon such conditions precedent or subsequent as the governor may impose, which conditions shall be stated in the warrant. Such pardon or commutation shall not take effect until the conditions so imposed are accepted by the convict or prisoner so pardoned or having a sentence commuted, and the convict's or prisoner's acceptance is indorsed upon the warrant, signed by the prisoner or convict, and attested by one witness. Such witness shall go before the clerk of the court of common pleas in whose office the sentence is recorded and prove the signature of the convict. The clerk shall thereupon record the warrant, indorsement, and proof in the journal of the court, which record, or a duly certified transcript thereof, shall be evidence of such pardon or commutation, the conditions thereof, and the acceptance of the conditions.

(B) An unconditional pardon relieves the person to whom it is granted of all disabilities arising out of the conviction or convictions from which it is granted. For purposes of this section, “unconditional pardon” includes a conditional pardon with respect to which all conditions have been performed or have transpired.

(C) In the case of an unconditional pardon, the governor may include as a condition of the pardon that records related to the conviction be sealed as if the records are related to an offense that is eligible to be sealed. The governor may issue a writ for the records related to the pardoned conviction or convictions to be sealed. However, such a writ shall not seal the records required to be kept under division (E) of section 107.10 of the Revised Code and shall not have any impact on the governor's office or on reports required to be made under law. Other than the records required to be kept under division (E) of section 107.10 of the Revised Code, no records of the governor's office related to a pardon that have been sealed under this division are subject to public inspection unless directed by the governor. Inspection of the records or disclosure of information contained in the records may be made pursuant to division (A) of section 2953.34 of the Revised Code or as the governor may direct. A disclosure of records sealed under a writ issued by the governor is not a criminal offense.