CHRI Includes Criminal History Records Search: Checks & Access
CHRI Includes Criminal History Records Search: Checks & Access
Criminal History Record Information (CHRI) includes identifiable information about arrests, detentions, formal criminal charges and the resulting court or correctional dispositions. It can include dismissals, acquittals, convictions, sentencing, probation, parole and release—not just convictions.
Under 28 CFR § 20.3(d), CHRI includes identifiable criminal justice records concerning arrests, detentions, indictments, informations, other formal criminal charges and their dispositions, including acquittal, sentencing, correctional supervision and release.
CHRI does not automatically include an entire police investigative file, unrelated intelligence, or fingerprint identification records that show no involvement with the criminal justice system.
What Does Criminal History Record Information (CHRI) Include?
CHRI is a legally defined category of information gathered by criminal justice agencies about identifiable individuals. The scope of CHRI is broader than a list of guilty verdicts or sentences.
The federal definition appears in 28 CFR § 20.3(d), and the FBI’s Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Security Policy separately identifies CHRI as a protected subset of Criminal Justice Information.
| Information category | Does CHRI include it? | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Identifying information | Yes, when connected to criminal history | Identifiable descriptions and identifying details associated with an arrest, charge or other criminal justice transaction. |
| Arrests | Yes | Recorded arrests are CHRI even if they do not ultimately result in a conviction. |
| Detentions | Yes | Qualifying detention information recorded as part of an individual’s criminal justice history. |
| Indictments and informations | Yes | Formal criminal charging documents and the associated record of the charges. |
| Other formal criminal charges | Yes | Criminal accusations formally recorded by authorized justice agencies. |
| Dismissals and acquittals | Yes | These are non-conviction dispositions but still fall within the legal definition of criminal history information. |
| Convictions and guilty pleas | Yes | Recorded outcomes establishing or contributing to a criminal case disposition. |
| Sentencing | Yes | Applicable sentence information and the disposition arising from criminal proceedings. |
| Correctional supervision | Yes | Relevant probation, parole and other correctional supervision information. |
| Release | Yes | Release from custody or correctional supervision where recorded as a criminal justice disposition or transaction. |
Does CHRI include a final disposition?
Yes. In fact, the disposition is one of the most important parts of an accurate criminal-history record.
Federal regulations define a disposition broadly enough to include convictions, dismissals, guilty pleas, acquittals, deferred dispositions, pardons, probation-related outcomes and other case conclusions.
The detailed examples appear in 28 CFR § 20.3(j).
If an arrest entry is present without the final disposition, a receiving agency should not automatically conclude that the person was convicted.
What Information Is Not Automatically Considered CHRI?
Not every item maintained by a police department or court is criminal history record information under the federal definition.
The federal commentary accompanying 28 CFR Part 20 explicitly distinguishes CHRI from intelligence or investigative information included elsewhere in agency records.
Investigative Intelligence
Notes concerning suspected criminal activity, associates, locations frequented by a suspect, or investigative theories are not automatically CHRI simply because a police agency maintains them.
Standalone Fingerprint Records
Fingerprints or other identification information that do not indicate the individual’s involvement in the criminal justice system are excluded from the CHRI definition.
Property and Financial Information
Vehicle ownership, financial details and related investigative information do not become CHRI merely by appearing in an agency report.
Civil Cases and Ordinary Traffic Infractions
Ordinary civil disputes and noncriminal traffic matters are not automatically criminal-history transactions. A criminal traffic charge, however, may fall within CHRI.
Does an arrest report contain CHRI?
It can. The fact of an arrest and a recorded criminal charge within an arrest report may be CHRI. That does not mean the complete report—including witness interviews, investigative notes and unrelated personal details—is entirely CHRI.
This distinction is explained in the federal commentary on 28 CFR Part 20.
Are arrest warrants CHRI?
A warrant entry by itself is not interchangeable with a complete criminal-history record. Warrant information may be maintained in a separate law-enforcement database. If associated information records an arrest or formal criminal charge, those specific entries may qualify as CHRI.
CHRI vs CJI, CJIS, NCIC and FBI Rap Sheets
CHRI, CJI, CJIS and NCIC are related terms, but they do not mean the same thing. Confusing these abbreviations can lead to incorrect assumptions about what information is available or who can access it.
| Term | Meaning | Key distinction |
|---|---|---|
| CHRI | Criminal History Record Information | Recorded criminal justice history concerning an identifiable individual. |
| CJI | Criminal Justice Information | A broader FBI information category that includes CHRI and other protected criminal justice data. |
| CJIS | Criminal Justice Information Services | The FBI division and associated services responsible for criminal justice information programs. |
| NCIC | National Crime Information Center | A restricted criminal justice information system containing multiple categories of law-enforcement records. |
| III | Interstate Identification Index | The cooperative federal-state system used to exchange criminal-history records. |
| FBI Identity History Summary | Often called a rap sheet | An individual’s FBI-maintained identity history compiled from qualifying fingerprint submissions. |
CHRI Examples: Arrests, Dismissals, Convictions and Missing Dispositions
Understanding how CHRI works is easier with practical examples. The following illustrations are hypothetical and do not describe real individuals.
Example 1: Arrest followed by dismissal
A person is arrested and formally charged. Several weeks later, a prosecutor dismisses the charge.
The criminal-history record may contain the arrest, charge and dismissal. That information is CHRI, but the dismissed case is not a conviction.
Example 2: Conviction and probation
A person pleads guilty to a misdemeanor, receives a probationary sentence and completes supervision.
The recorded criminal-history information may include the charge, guilty disposition, sentence, probation supervision and release from supervision.
Example 3: Arrest with no listed disposition
A criminal-history search returns an arrest entry but does not list whether the person was convicted, acquitted or had the charge dismissed.
That record may be incomplete. The correct next step is to obtain the final court disposition or request an appropriate correction, not assume that an arrest proves guilt.
Example 4: Fingerprints submitted for a job
A person submits fingerprints for an authorized employment background check but has never been arrested or criminally charged.
The fingerprint submission itself does not create criminal-history record information simply because the person’s fingerprints were collected.
Who Is Legally Allowed to Access Criminal History Record Information?
Access to CHRI is controlled by federal regulations, state law, agency authorization and the specific purpose of the request.
28 CFR § 20.33 identifies authorized uses and recipients of criminal-history information maintained through the relevant federal criminal-history systems.
| Requester | Potential access | Important restriction |
|---|---|---|
| Law-enforcement and criminal justice agencies | Authorized CHRI for criminal justice purposes. | Subject to system access, use and dissemination rules. |
| Authorized federal agencies | Information permitted by federal statute or executive order. | Access is limited to the agency’s lawful purpose. |
| Licensing and employment agencies | Specified fingerprint-based or other authorized checks. | Requires an applicable legal basis and prescribed process. |
| Approved service providers or contractors | Limited access when specifically authorized. | Must comply with agency agreements and applicable security rules. |
| Individual reviewing their own history | Personal-review access through the relevant FBI or state procedure. | Identity verification and request requirements apply. |
| General public | Public court cases and criminal-history information released under state law. | No unrestricted access to another person’s FBI rap sheet or protected CHRI. |
Can anyone search CHRI online?
No. Some states allow public name-based criminal-history checks, while others restrict access to their complete repositories. Public court search systems are also different from protected criminal-history databases.
For example, Florida permits public name-based searches of qualifying state criminal-history information through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. In contrast, the FBI does not provide another person’s personal Identity History Summary to an ordinary private requester.
How to Search Public Criminal History Records Legally
If you need publicly available information about a criminal case, the easiest starting point is often the official court system. This is different from obtaining restricted CHRI through FBI CJIS systems.
- Identify the state and county of the case. Criminal court records are usually maintained in the jurisdiction where the charge was filed.
- Open the official state judiciary or county clerk website. Look for Case Search, Criminal Docket, Public Access or Court Records.
- Choose the criminal case category. Select the relevant felony, misdemeanor, criminal traffic or other court division when available.
- Search by name or case number. A complete case number usually provides a more precise result. Check identity details carefully when searching by name.
- Review the charges and disposition. Determine whether the charge is pending, dismissed, resolved by acquittal or associated with a conviction.
- Check for later court orders. Appeals, vacated judgments, sealing orders or other changes may affect the record’s meaning and accessibility.
- Contact the original court when necessary. Ask for the judgment, disposition or certified document if the online docket is incomplete.
Examples of official state criminal-history search options
FDLE Criminal History
Florida provides public name-based criminal-history checks through the FDLE, with a published $24 public-request fee.
Florida ChecksMACHS
Missouri’s State Highway Patrol operates a criminal-history request service separate from the state’s public Case.net court search.
Missouri MACHSPATCH
Pennsylvania State Police provides an official criminal-history background-check system distinct from free UJS court dockets.
Pennsylvania PATCHThese services differ in cost, permissible uses, record coverage and identity verification. A name-based record result does not establish identity as conclusively as a properly authorized fingerprint-based search.
How to Request Your Own FBI Criminal History Record
The FBI provides an Identity History Summary Check, commonly called an FBI rap sheet, for individuals requesting their own record.
The summary is based on qualifying fingerprint information submitted to the FBI. It is not simply a nationwide public court search, and it may not contain every case that exists in a state or local court.
- Visit the official FBI Identity History Summary page. Read the request instructions and choose the electronic, mail or approved-channeler process.
- Complete the application. Provide the required personal identifying information.
- Submit your fingerprints. Use an accepted fingerprint collection method. The FBI does not perform name-only Identity History Summary searches for personal requests.
- Pay the processing fee. The FBI lists a fee of $18 per request. Fingerprint collection or channeler service charges may be additional.
- Receive and review your summary. Check the listed arrests and dispositions for accuracy and completeness.
- Challenge inaccuracies when necessary. Use the FBI’s record-challenge instructions and supporting court or agency documents.
Can someone else request your FBI CHRI?
An ordinary private person cannot request another individual’s personal FBI rap sheet through the self-review procedure. Authorized agencies conducting lawful background checks use separate processes.
FBI — Can Private Citizens Request Another Person’s Arrest Record?
CHRI Background Checks for Employment, Licensing and Volunteers
Criminal-history checks are required or permitted for certain jobs, licenses and volunteer positions. However, requesting an official CHRI-based check requires appropriate legal authority and an approved process.
The FBI’s National Crime Prevention and Privacy Compact guidance addresses fingerprint-based criminal-history checks for authorized noncriminal justice purposes such as employment and licensing.
Fingerprint-Based CHRI Review
Certain schools, healthcare organizations, licensing boards and other authorized entities may request state and federal fingerprint-based criminal-history checks under applicable laws.
Eligibility, consent, approved service codes, authorized recipients and dissemination rules depend on the specific statutory authority.
FCRA Background Reports
Employers that use consumer reporting agencies must follow applicable Fair Credit Reporting Act requirements.
These include proper disclosures, authorization and required procedures before and after certain adverse decisions.
Does the FCRA permit unlimited access to CHRI?
No. The FCRA governs certain consumer reports, but it does not independently grant an employer or screening company unrestricted access to the FBI’s protected criminal-history systems.
The requesting organization must have a lawful basis for any official CHRI access and comply with the applicable federal and state rules.
What If CHRI Contains Incorrect or Missing Information?
Criminal-history records may contain missing dispositions, outdated identifying information or data that requires correction from the original reporting agency.
Federal CHRI regulations address accuracy, completeness and an individual’s ability to review and challenge information maintained about them.
Common issues to look for
- An arrest with no final court disposition listed.
- A charge shown as pending even after dismissal.
- Incorrect identifying information.
- Records incorrectly associated with another person.
- A conviction later reversed or vacated by the court.
- An expungement or sealing order not reflected in an authorized repository.
How to challenge an inaccurate record
- Obtain your official history. Request your own FBI Identity History Summary or use your state repository’s authorized personal-review process.
- Identify the disputed entry. Record the arrest date, reporting agency, charge and any case number shown.
- Get the court disposition. Ask the original court for the dismissal, judgment, acquittal, vacatur or other relevant order.
- Use the repository’s correction procedure. Follow the FBI or state identification bureau’s instructions and submit available supporting documents.
- Verify the updated record. If necessary, request a later authorized review to confirm the correction.
The FBI states that challenging an Identity History Summary is free. For nonfederal arrests, requests to seal or expunge records should generally be directed to the applicable state identification bureau and originating authorities.
CHRI Security, Confidentiality and Record-Sharing Rules
Because CHRI can reveal highly sensitive information about identifiable individuals, the FBI’s CJIS Security Policy imposes safeguards for authorized systems and users.
The requirements applicable to an agency depend on the system, data, access method and governing agreements. They commonly involve access authorization, security training, auditing, protection against unauthorized disclosure and limits on dissemination.
Why public court records can be treated differently
A court may make a judgment or docket available to the public even when a related FBI or state criminal-history compilation is restricted.
The public document’s availability does not turn a private requester into an authorized CJIS user or give them the right to obtain restricted repository information.
Are juvenile, sealed and expunged records CHRI?
Some legally restricted records can still exist in authorized criminal justice systems. Whether juvenile, sealed or expunged information is included in a particular repository or released to a particular requester depends on the governing law, system and access authorization.
Federal regulations specifically restrict dissemination of juvenile delinquency information for noncriminal justice purposes except where disclosure is legally authorized.
Criminal History Record Information (CHRI) FAQs
1. What does CHRI stand for?
CHRI stands for Criminal History Record Information. It refers to identifiable information recorded by criminal justice agencies concerning arrests, detentions, formal criminal charges and resulting dispositions.
2. Does CHRI include arrests that did not lead to convictions?
Yes. Arrest information and applicable non-conviction dispositions such as acquittals and dismissals fall within the federal CHRI definition. The rules governing public release of non-conviction information can be more restrictive than those governing conviction information.
3. Does CHRI include sentencing, probation and parole?
Yes. Federal regulations identify sentencing, correctional supervision and release as information within the CHRI definition when connected to a person’s recorded criminal justice history.
4. Are fingerprints alone considered CHRI?
Not necessarily. Fingerprint identification records that do not indicate the person’s involvement with the criminal justice system are excluded from the CHRI definition in 28 CFR § 20.3(d).
5. Is CHRI the same as Criminal Justice Information (CJI)?
No. CHRI is a subset of CJI. CJI is a broader category of information provided through FBI CJIS systems and can include biometric, identity, incident, person and other criminal justice information.
6. Can the general public access FBI CHRI?
The general public does not have unrestricted access to another person’s FBI criminal-history record. Individuals may request their own FBI Identity History Summary through the authorized fingerprint-based procedure. Some states separately release qualifying public criminal-history information.
7. How do I request my own FBI criminal-history report?
Follow the FBI Identity History Summary Check procedure, submit the required information and fingerprints, and pay the published $18 processing fee. Additional fingerprinting or approved-channeler charges may apply.
8. Is a public court docket the same as a CHRI background check?
No. A court docket records proceedings in a particular court, while a criminal-history repository compiles qualifying reported criminal justice events. Their coverage, accuracy limitations and legal access rules differ.
9. Does CHRI include sealed or expunged criminal records?
Certain restricted records may remain accessible to specifically authorized criminal justice agencies, depending on the relevant statutes and system. They are not necessarily available to general-public requesters. The effect of sealing or expungement varies by jurisdiction.
10. What should I do if my CHRI report shows an arrest but no disposition?
Obtain the final court disposition and contact the relevant state criminal-history repository or the FBI using its correction procedure. Do not treat an arrest with a missing disposition as proof of conviction.
Official CHRI Definitions, Laws and Criminal-History Resources
These federal and state resources provide the legal definitions, permitted access rules, background-check procedures and record-correction guidance discussed above.
- 28 CFR § 20.3 — Federal Definition of Criminal History Record Information
- 28 CFR § 20.21 — Accuracy, Completeness, Dissemination and Individual Review
- 28 CFR § 20.33 — Dissemination of Criminal History Record Information
- Federal Commentary — CHRI, Investigative Information and Public Records
- FBI CJIS Security Policy — CHRI and CJI Definitions
- FBI — Identity History Summary Checks
- FBI — Rap Sheet Requests, Fees and Record Challenges
- FBI — Restrictions on Requesting Another Person’s Criminal History
- FBI Compact Council — National Fingerprint-Based Background Checks
- Florida Department of Law Enforcement — Public Criminal History Record Checks
- Federal Trade Commission — Employment Background-Check Requirements