Idaho Criminal Records Search: Cases & Public Records
Idaho · Criminal cases, court dockets and public records
Idaho Criminal Records Search: Find Court Cases, Criminal History and Public Records
To search Idaho criminal records, start with the official Idaho iCourt Portal at mycourts.idaho.gov. Use its Smart Search to find publicly available criminal court cases by name or case number, or Search Hearings to look up court schedules. For an official Idaho criminal-history background check, use the Idaho State Police Bureau of Criminal Identification (BCI).
Idaho’s public records are maintained by different agencies. A criminal case docket, arrest report, county jail booking, statewide criminal-history report, correctional record and federal criminal case are not interchangeable. The right website depends on the document or information you actually need.
Where to Search Idaho Criminal Records: Official Websites
The fastest route is to choose the agency responsible for the record, not a general people-search website.
Criminal court cases
Idaho iCourt Portal
Search public district and magistrate court cases, case numbers, parties, hearings and docket information.
Official court documents
County Clerk of Court
Request court orders, judgments, certified dispositions or case-file documents from the county where the case was filed.
Statewide criminal history
Idaho State Police BCI
Use name-based or fingerprint-based Idaho criminal-history checks under the state’s application rules.
Prison and supervision
Idaho DOC Search
Look for basic information about people in Idaho Department of Correction custody or community supervision.
Official sex-offender registry
Idaho State Police Registry
Search eligible publicly registered offenders by name, city, county, ZIP code or the available map tool.
Federal jurisdiction
Federal Court Records
Search federal criminal prosecutions through PACER. They are not part of Idaho’s state iCourt system.
How to Search Idaho Criminal Court Records Using iCourt
Idaho’s iCourt Portal is the primary online gateway for publicly available court case information. The portal has three main functions: Smart Search, Search Hearings, and Make Payments.
- 1
Open the official Idaho iCourt Portal
Visit mycourts.idaho.gov. It may redirect to the state’s Tyler Technologies-hosted court portal. Allow JavaScript and cookies so the application works correctly.
- 2
Click Smart Search
On the homepage, choose Smart Search — Search for court records. This is the relevant path for a criminal case or party lookup. Do not select Make Payments unless you intend to handle court payments.
- 3
Enter a case number or a party’s name
Use the exact case number if you have one. Otherwise enter the person’s name using the available search field. Follow the portal’s current name-format and wildcard guidance if you need to broaden a search.
- 4
Apply search filters where available
Narrow the results using any court, location, date or case-category filters offered by the current interface. If the filing county is unknown, start broadly and then compare possible matches.
- 5
Identify the correct criminal case
Compare the party names, case number, court, filing date and available case description. Idaho’s system can show multiple records with similar names, so verify each match.
- 6
Open the case information
Review the case summary and docket or event information that is available to public users. Look for the charge, scheduled hearing, case status, judgment or disposition rather than relying only on the original filing.
- 7
Check the latest activity
A case can have amended charges, dismissed counts, sentencing changes or later orders. Read the events in date order and check whether the result is final or the case remains active.
- 8
Save the case number and county
Record the full case number and filing county. You will need this information if you request an official judgment, certified copy or archived document.
- 9
Request documents from the county clerk
If the portal does not display the actual document, contact the clerk’s office where the case was filed or use a courthouse kiosk. Online case information is not necessarily the complete court file.
How to Read Idaho Criminal Charges, Court Dockets and Dispositions
An Idaho criminal court record may describe a case before there is any final judgment. This makes the difference between a filed charge and a conviction especially important.
| Information | What it means | What to verify |
|---|---|---|
| Case Number | Court identifier assigned to the proceeding | Use it for subsequent court and clerk inquiries |
| Filing Date | Date the case was filed | May differ from the arrest or alleged offense date |
| Charge | Alleged offense entered in court records | Check subsequent amendments and disposition |
| Initial Appearance | Early court appearance in the criminal proceeding | This does not establish guilt |
| Plea | Response entered to a charge | Read the plea and later judgment |
| Dismissal | Court action ending a particular charge or proceeding | Check whether all counts were dismissed |
| Judgment / Sentence | Court determination and any imposed sentence | Check later modifications, appeals or orders |
| Case Status | Current recorded state of the case | Open, closed or other labels alone may not explain the result |
Idaho Felony Cases vs. Misdemeanor Cases
Felony Criminal Records
Idaho felony proceedings may begin with magistrate-level appearances or preliminary proceedings before proceeding in district court. Review the actual court assignment and case history rather than assuming every initial event represents the final trial-level proceeding.
Misdemeanor Criminal Records
Many misdemeanor prosecutions proceed before magistrate judges. The court case may show arraignment, plea, hearings, disposition and sentencing as applicable.
How to Find Idaho Criminal Court Dates and Hearings
Idaho’s iCourt Portal has a separate Search Hearings function. Use this when the primary question is whether a hearing is scheduled, rather than whether a criminal record exists.
- Open the iCourt Portal homepage.
- Select Search Hearings — Search for court hearings for a specified date range.
- Enter the applicable date range and other available search criteria.
- Identify the matching court and proceeding.
- Confirm the date, location and current status before attending.
For an upcoming hearing involving you, a family member or a legal obligation, contact the assigned court if the online result is ambiguous. A web search does not replace a subpoena, summons or official notice.
New Idaho Courthouse Record-Search Kiosks: August 2026 Update
Idaho introduced an improved courthouse public-search interface on August 4, 2026. This is particularly useful for researchers who need more than the information shown on the public iCourt website.
What Changed in the Courthouse System?
According to the Idaho Judicial Branch’s August 2026 announcement, the redesigned kiosk interface offers better performance and search flexibility. It also supports searching certain case information and hearing schedules without first entering a party name or case number.
Each Idaho county courthouse has at least one public-access kiosk. This means you can use the local courthouse as a starting point for permitted public court information from across the Idaho state court system.
Idaho Supreme Court — August 4, 2026 Courthouse Search Update →
Problems With a Courthouse Search Kiosk?
For technical issues involving the updated public kiosks, the Idaho Judicial Branch published the Supreme Court Service Desk telephone number (208) 334-3868. For questions about obtaining a specific court file, contact the county clerk rather than the technical support team.
How to Obtain Certified Idaho Criminal Court Records
Idaho’s Judicial Branch explains that the public iCourt Portal provides general case information. For actual case records, use a courthouse kiosk or request copies from the clerk’s office where the case was filed.
- 1
Find the case in iCourt
Save the exact case number, county, party name and approximate filing date.
- 2
Open the Idaho County Courthouse Directory
Visit the official directory and locate the county where the case was filed.
- 3
Contact the county clerk
Explain whether you need a judgment of conviction, dismissal order, sentencing record, docket sheet, or another exact document.
- 4
Specify certification
Tell the clerk if the document must be certified. Ask about current page charges, certification fees and available inspection or delivery methods.
- 5
Confirm access restrictions
Some court records are confidential, sealed, shielded or otherwise exempt from public disclosure. The clerk can explain the correct procedural route but cannot necessarily release restricted records.
- 6
Track the records request
Keep a copy of your request and any case identifiers. The Judicial Branch states that most record custodians have three working days to provide, deny or refer a request, with notification within ten working days where more time is needed to decide or gather records.
I am requesting information about obtaining a certified copy of an Idaho criminal court document. The case was filed in [County] under case number [Case Number], involving [Party Name]. I need [Judgment / Final Disposition / Sentencing Order / Docket Sheet]. Please advise the current fee, required identification, available delivery methods and records-request procedure.
Idaho State Police Criminal Background Checks: Name vs. Fingerprint
The Idaho State Police Bureau of Criminal Identification (BCI) maintains Idaho’s central criminal-history repository. Its database is built primarily from fingerprint-supported arrest information reported by Idaho criminal justice agencies.
Unlike a public iCourt search, a BCI criminal-history request is a formal background-check process. The BCI database does not automatically include arrests from other states or federal court convictions.
Name-based search
BCI Name Check — $20
BCI offers name-based Idaho criminal-history searches. These searches can be affected by aliases, name changes or false identity information.
How to request: Download the Name-Based Criminal Background Check Form and payment authorization through BCI’s official instructions. Submit the completed materials by an accepted method.
BCI does not notarize name-based results. If notarization is required, follow its fingerprint-based procedure instead.
Fingerprint-based search
BCI Fingerprint Check — $25
Fingerprint-based checks provide stronger identity matching. They require an applicant fingerprint card and BCI’s completed fingerprint criminal background-check form.
How to request: Obtain fingerprint impressions, complete the official form and payment authorization, and send or hand-deliver the submission to BCI.
BCI can notarize fingerprint-based criminal-history results upon request.
How to Submit a BCI Background Check Request
- Open Idaho State Police Fingerprinting & Background Checks.
- Select the Name-Based or Fingerprint-Based Criminal Background Check Form.
- Complete the applicant and requester details as required.
- Include the appropriate payment authorization and fee.
- For fingerprint checks, include an acceptable fingerprint card dated and signed by the fingerprinting official within 180 days before submission.
- Send the request using BCI’s accepted submission methods.
- Review the returned results and contact BCI if a potential identity error appears.
BCI Criminal History Unit Contact
Meridian, Idaho 83642
Applicant Unit: (208) 884-7130, option 1
Criminal History Unit: (208) 884-7134
Published lobby hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM, excluding government holidays.
Idaho Criminal Records Search Fees in 2026
Idaho State Police increased its statewide fingerprint-based criminal background-check fee effective January 1, 2026. The name-based statewide fee remained unchanged.
| Service | 2026 cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Public iCourt case search | Free public search | Access to displayed public case information; document and certification fees may differ |
| BCI name-based Idaho history check | $20 | Not notarized; additional card-processing charges when applicable |
| BCI fingerprint-based Idaho history check | $25 | Applicant fingerprint card required; notarization available upon request |
| ISP fingerprinting — first card | $10 | Fee for taking fingerprints at ISP headquarters, separate from background-check processing |
| ISP additional fingerprint card | $5 each | Additional cards during fingerprinting service |
| Credit/debit transaction surcharge | $1 + 2.5% | BCI’s published card-payment terms |
| County certified criminal court record | Depends on the request | Confirm copy, certification, retrieval and delivery charges with the filing county |
| Public Idaho DOC offender lookup | Free online lookup | Limited basic correctional information |
| Idaho sex-offender registry search | Free public lookup | Subject to statutory use and privacy restrictions |
Fees reflect Idaho State Police’s 2026 fee update and current BCI service guidance. Specialized federal or statutorily authorized screening programs may have separate charges.
Idaho Prison, Offender and Community Supervision Records
The Idaho Department of Correction (IDOC) provides a public Resident/Client Search for basic custody and community-supervision information. This database is separate from the Judicial Branch iCourt Portal and Idaho State Police criminal-history repository.
How to Use the Idaho DOC Resident/Client Search
- 1
Open the official IDOC search
Visit Idaho Department of Correction — Resident/Client Search.
- 2
Enter the required identifier
The search requires a Last Name or IDOC Number. First name can be used as an additional filter.
- 3
Review the possible matches
Results may display an IDOC number, name, birth year and status. Status descriptions may include custody, community supervision or discharge information.
- 4
Open the relevant correctional record
Review the available profile and compare identifying details before assuming the result belongs to the person you intended to locate.
- 5
Confirm changing custody information
IDOC states that its database is updated daily but can still differ from actual current status. Contact the agency using its official information-request procedure when accuracy is essential.
Current County Jail Booking
County jails are operated separately from Idaho’s state correctional system. For a recent booking or detention inquiry, use the county sheriff or jail responsible for the person.
Start by identifying the arresting county, then contact that county’s official sheriff or detention office.
State Prison or Supervision
Use IDOC for state custody and eligible community-supervision information. Do not infer the final criminal court disposition from custody status alone.
Idaho Sex Offender Registry Search
The Idaho State Police operates the state’s official public sex-offender registry. It is separate from iCourt, BCI criminal-history checks and the Department of Correction’s resident/client search.
The registry offers several search methods:
Name Search
Enter a last name, with optional first name, city or county to narrow the result.
Location Search
Search by city, county or ZIP code using the official registry search options.
Map Search
The registry’s optional map provides address-radius searches of 1, 3 or 5 miles.
The registry warns that map searches may omit some registrants, such as persons registered as homeless or living outside Idaho while working in the state. Use the name, city, county or ZIP code tools when a map result is incomplete.
Idaho Expungement, Sealed Records and the New Record-Shielding Rules
Idaho has different legal mechanisms for expunging certain criminal-history information, sealing court records and shielding qualifying criminal cases from public disclosure. They should not be treated as the same process.
1. Idaho BCI Expungement for Certain Arrests and Dismissals
Idaho Code § 67-3004(10) provides an expungement route for certain BCI fingerprint and criminal-history records. Qualifying circumstances described by Idaho State Police include:
- An arrest or criminal summons that did not result in an indictment or information within one year.
- An acquittal of all offenses arising from the relevant incident.
- Dismissal of all charges arising from the relevant arrest or summons.
BCI directs eligible people to submit the appropriate written request and supporting arresting-agency or court documentation. This BCI process should not be assumed to erase every court document or third-party copy.
Idaho State Police — Expungement Information and Forms →
2. Shielding Eligible Idaho Criminal Court Records
Idaho Code § 67-3004(11) provides a separate court-petition process to shield certain eligible misdemeanor cases and specified felony controlled-substance possession cases. Eligibility, public-safety findings, statutory exclusions and judicial discretion apply.
A court order shielding an eligible case restricts public disclosure under the applicable court rules. It is not automatic merely because a person completed a sentence or had an old case.
3. Idaho Court Administrative Rule 32
Public access to Idaho Judicial Branch records is governed by Idaho Court Administrative Rule 32. Some information is exempt, sealed, redacted or shielded from disclosure. The rule covers how courts handle access and protect records.
For legal eligibility or the consequences of sealing, expungement or shielding, consult a qualified Idaho attorney.
Where Are Idaho Criminal Court Records Kept?
Idaho has 44 counties organized into seven judicial districts. A statewide iCourt search may help identify the court and case number, but the filing county’s clerk is the usual custodian of the specific criminal case file.
| Judicial District | Counties Served | Record request route |
|---|---|---|
| First | Benewah, Bonner, Boundary, Kootenai, Shoshone | Contact the filing county clerk |
| Second | Clearwater, Idaho, Latah, Lewis, Nez Perce | Contact the filing county clerk |
| Third | Adams, Canyon, Gem, Owyhee, Payette, Washington | Contact the filing county clerk |
| Fourth | Ada, Boise, Elmore, Valley | Contact the filing county clerk |
| Fifth | Blaine, Camas, Cassia, Gooding, Jerome, Lincoln, Minidoka, Twin Falls | Contact the filing county clerk |
| Sixth | Bannock, Bear Lake, Caribou, Franklin, Oneida, Power | Contact the filing county clerk |
| Seventh | Bingham, Bonneville, Butte, Clark, Custer, Fremont, Jefferson, Lemhi, Madison, Teton | Contact the filing county clerk |
For example, a criminal case filed in Boise’s Ada County court belongs to the Fourth Judicial District, while one filed in Canyon County belongs to the Third. The person’s present home address does not necessarily identify the correct filing county.
Find Every Idaho County Courthouse, Address and Phone Number →
Federal Criminal Records in Idaho
Idaho federal criminal cases are not maintained in the statewide iCourt Portal. Federal prosecution records are found through the federal judiciary’s PACER service.
When a prosecution was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Idaho, search PACER by court or case number. If you do not know the federal court, use the national PACER Case Locator.
State Criminal Case
Use the Idaho iCourt Portal for public Idaho state-court case information.
Federal Criminal Case
Use PACER for publicly available federal criminal dockets and eligible documents.
Federal records may have account and usage fees. Check current PACER billing and exemption rules before accessing documents.
Why an Idaho Criminal Record May Not Appear Online
A missing result is not proof that a person has no criminal record. The record may belong to another agency, fall outside public access rules, or be indexed differently from the name searched.
| Problem | Possible reason | Best next step |
|---|---|---|
| No iCourt name match | Different spelling, alias, incorrect court or overly narrow search | Try the full case number, available alternate-name format or a broader search |
| No document image | Online portal focuses on case information; documents may require courthouse access | Use a public courthouse kiosk or ask the filing county clerk |
| Old case missing | Historic records, access restrictions, sealed records or indexing differences | Contact the county clerk with the approximate case year and party details |
| Case was sealed or shielded | Idaho Court Administrative Rule 32 or an applicable order restricts access | Ask the court about authorized access procedures; do not attempt to bypass restrictions |
| BCI result omits a local arrest | The arrest may not have been reported with fingerprints to the statewide repository | Contact the reporting agency or BCI as appropriate |
| No IDOC offender result | The person may not be in IDOC custody or supervision, or identifying details may differ | Check the correct county jail, court records or IDOC information-request process |
| Portal payment does not work on phone | The iCourt Portal reports mobile-screen difficulties with payments | Try a desktop browser or follow the portal’s payment alternatives |
| Federal case missing | Federal cases are recorded in PACER, not Idaho iCourt | Search PACER Case Locator |
What if Your Idaho BCI Criminal History Contains an Error?
Idaho State Police allows a person to challenge potentially inaccurate criminal-history information. Its guidance describes obtaining a fingerprint-based copy of the person’s record for identification and challenge purposes, with the challenge fingerprint check processed without charge.
After obtaining the record, gather any certified court disposition or arresting-agency documentation that supports a correction and submit it under BCI’s published procedure.
Using Idaho Criminal Records Responsibly
Public access to a criminal court record does not make it a complete criminal-history report, guarantee that a name match is correct, or authorize every possible use of the information.
- An arrest or charge does not mean someone was convicted.
- A dismissed case can still appear in some criminal-history information unless an applicable legal action changes the record.
- An iCourt search result does not verify the subject’s identity through fingerprints.
- State correctional information is not a complete record of criminal charges or dispositions.
- Sealed, shielded, juvenile and exempt court records are subject to restrictions.
- Employment, housing and other eligibility screening may involve the FCRA, Idaho law and specific authorization requirements.
Idaho Criminal Records Search FAQs
1. How do I search Idaho criminal records online?
Open the official Idaho iCourt Portal at mycourts.idaho.gov and select Smart Search. Enter a party name or case number, review the matching public cases, and verify details such as the county, filing date, charge and disposition.
2. Is the Idaho iCourt criminal case search free?
Public case information can be searched through the iCourt Portal without purchasing a criminal-history report. Actual court document copies, certification and formal background checks may have fees.
3. Can I search Idaho criminal cases by name?
Yes. Idaho iCourt Smart Search provides party and case lookup. A case number is preferable when known, because multiple people may have similar names.
4. Where can I obtain certified Idaho criminal court records?
Contact the clerk’s office in the Idaho county where the case was filed. Use the official County Courthouse Directory for contact information and ask about the current certified-copy procedure and fee.
5. What is the difference between Idaho iCourt and BCI background checks?
Idaho iCourt provides public state-court case information. Idaho State Police BCI maintains the state’s fingerprint-based criminal-history repository and processes formal name-based or fingerprint-based background checks.
6. How much does an Idaho criminal background check cost in 2026?
The Idaho State Police BCI name-based check costs $20, and a statewide fingerprint-based check costs $25 as of January 1, 2026. Fingerprinting service and card-payment charges may be additional.
7. How can I find Idaho prison or offender records?
Use the Idaho Department of Correction Resident/Client Search. Search by last name or IDOC number and add the first name if known. The database is updated daily, but information can change between updates.
8. Why is an Idaho criminal case missing from iCourt?
Possible reasons include a spelling mismatch, different filing county, sealed or shielded records, exemptions under Idaho Court Administrative Rule 32, historic records or a case maintained in federal court rather than state court.
9. Can I remove a dismissed criminal charge from my Idaho record?
Idaho Code § 67-3004(10) provides a BCI expungement process for certain qualifying arrests, acquittals and dismissals. Separate court-record shielding procedures may also apply under § 67-3004(11), depending on eligibility and court approval.
10. Where can I find Idaho criminal court dates and hearings?
Open the Idaho iCourt Portal and choose Search Hearings. Enter the applicable date range and available search information. Verify important hearing details directly with the assigned court.
Official Idaho Criminal Records Sources
These government sources provide the primary public search systems, current fees, court-record procedures and statutory guidance referenced in this article.
- Idaho Judicial Branch — Official iCourt Portal
- Idaho Supreme Court — Court Records and Access Requests
- Idaho County Courthouse Directory
- Idaho Judicial Districts
- August 2026 — Updated Courthouse Search Kiosks
- Idaho Court Administrative Rule 32
- Idaho State Police — BCI Criminal History and Expungement
- BCI Fingerprinting and Background Check Forms
- Idaho State Police — 2026 Background Check Fees
- Idaho Department of Correction — Resident/Client Search
- Idaho Central Sex Offender Registry
- PACER — Federal Court Records