America Criminal Records Search: Cases & Public Records

Where Can You Search Criminal Records in America?

Criminal records in the United States are maintained by different government agencies depending on the location, court, type of offense and legal purpose.

A local court docket, statewide criminal-history report and FBI Identity History Summary are not interchangeable.

What Types of Criminal Records Exist in the United States?

The phrase “American criminal records” can refer to several different kinds of documents.

Does an arrest always appear in criminal history?

No. Criminal-history systems depend on agency submissions, reporting rules and record-retention practices.

Some jurisdictions require fingerprint reporting for specified offenses. Other events may never enter a statewide or FBI repository.

An arrest can also be legally restricted, sealed or expunged under applicable law.

Does a criminal court case always mean a conviction?

No. A court case can be filed and later dismissed, resolved through diversion, end in an acquittal or remain pending.

The original charge and the final disposition must be examined separately.

How to Search Criminal Records in America for Free

There is no universal free public background check that searches every criminal-history repository.

However, many courts provide free public case indexes or docket searches. These are often the most efficient way to research a known criminal case.

Step-by-step free criminal case lookup

1. Identify the state.

   Find the state where the alleged offense occurred or the criminal case was prosecuted. Start there rather than assuming the person’s current home state maintains the record.

2. Identify the county or city.

   Look at the criminal complaint, citation, court notice, booking paperwork or other available official information.

3. Determine whether the case is state or federal.

   State criminal charges typically appear in state or local trial courts. Federal charges are filed in U.S. District Courts.

4. Find the appropriate court website.

   Use the USA.gov court directory to locate the relevant state’s court system.

5. Open the court’s public case search.

   Look for Criminal Case Search, Case Information, Docket Search, Court Records or Public Access.

6. Search by case number or defendant name.

   A known case number usually gives a more precise result. When using a name, compare multiple matches carefully.

7. Review the criminal docket.

   Check the court assignment, criminal charges, dates, filings, hearing events and recorded case status.

8. Find the final disposition.

   Look for the judgment, dismissal, plea, trial verdict, sentencing order or other case-ending document.

9. Request official documentation where necessary.

   If the actual judgment is not available online, contact the court clerk to request a certified copy.

What if you do not know the county?

Check any existing arrest record, court notice, case paperwork or official law-enforcement report for the filing location.

If the person has lived in multiple states, a single county lookup may miss records elsewhere. Search each relevant jurisdiction separately or use an appropriate authorized criminal-history process.

State-by-State Criminal Records Search in America

The FBI maintains an official directory of state identification bureaus. This is a useful starting point when you do not know which government agency is responsible for criminal-history records in a particular state.

Examples of official state criminal record services

The following examples demonstrate why each state’s search requirements need to be checked individually.

Why California and Georgia have different public search rules

California’s Department of Justice restricts release of state summary criminal-history information to the individual concerned and legally authorized recipients.

Georgia, by contrast, offers a public Felon Search for certain conviction information using identifying details such as name and date of birth.

Neither approach means the public receives every criminal record from the state. Each service has statutory restrictions and database limitations.

How to find a state not listed above

1. Open the FBI state identification bureau directory.

   Select the state where the record originated.

2. Identify the state records agency.

   Look for State Police, Department of Public Safety, Department of Justice or Bureau of Investigation.

3. Visit the agency’s official website.

   Find Criminal History, Background Checks, Record Review or Public Records.

4. Choose the correct access category.

   Determine whether you want a public name search, your own fingerprint record or an authorized agency check.

5. Follow the published request requirements.

   Confirm identification, consent, fees, fingerprints and delivery methods before paying.

How to Request an FBI Criminal Record in America

The FBI’s Identity History Summary is commonly called a rap sheet.

It contains certain information derived from fingerprint submissions by authorized law-enforcement and other agencies.

Individuals can request their own summary to review its accuracy or determine whether an FBI record exists.

Step-by-step: Request your own FBI criminal-history summary

1. Open the FBI request website.

   Start at edo.cjis.gov or the official FBI Identity History Summary instructions.

2. Complete the applicant information.

   Provide the identifying and contact information required for your personal record-review request.

3. Pay the $18 FBI fee.

   Complete payment through the official electronic system. If using the paper application, follow the FBI’s accepted payment instructions.

4. Arrange fingerprint submission.

   After starting an electronic request, eligible applicants can submit electronic fingerprints at a participating United States Post Office. Additional fingerprinting service charges may apply.

5. Use a mailed fingerprint card when appropriate.

   The FBI also permits submission of the required fingerprint card according to the instructions in the request process.

6. Receive your FBI response.

   Check the electronic response or requested delivery method.

7. Review every criminal-history entry.

   Compare the reported arrest, charge, court and disposition information with your own records.

8. Challenge inaccurate information.

   Follow the FBI or contributing state agency’s correction procedure if a record is incomplete or incorrect.

Can you request an FBI criminal record by mail?

Yes. The FBI accepts applications mailed with the required signed information form, fingerprint card and payment.

The FBI accepts qualifying credit-card payments, certified checks and money orders for direct requests. It does not accept cash or ordinary personal and business checks.

What if you are applying from outside the United States?

The FBI provides a mail-based route using fingerprints. Applicants outside the United States should review the current FBI instructions and obtain a correctly completed fingerprint card through an appropriate fingerprinting provider.

Do not assume that every U.S. Post Office fingerprint option or FBI-approved channeler accepts applicants located abroad.

If the report is needed for immigration or a foreign government, confirm the exact document and authentication requirements with the receiving authority.

Can you use your own FBI report for employment?

Not automatically.

The FBI’s direct personal Identity History Summary process is intended for reviewing and correcting the individual’s record.

Domestic employers, licensing agencies or adoption authorities requiring authorized fingerprint checks may need applicants to use a separate statutory submission process.

How to Search Federal Criminal Records in America Using PACER

PACER stands for Public Access to Court Electronic Records.

It is the official federal judiciary system for electronic court case information.

PACER includes records from federal District Courts, Courts of Appeals and Bankruptcy Courts. Criminal prosecutions are generally found in the federal District Court that handled the case.

How to search federal criminal cases nationwide

1. Open PACER’s Find a Case page.

   Select the official federal court search service.

2. Register for a PACER account.

   Registration is free, but record searches and downloads can incur fees.

3. Choose PACER Case Locator.

   Use this nationwide federal index when you do not know which federal District Court handled the prosecution.

4. Enter the case number or party name.

   If possible, narrow the search to criminal proceedings, a particular state or a filing period.

5. Review the matching federal cases.

   Check the court, case number, filing date and party information.

6. Open the court-specific docket.

   Follow the case link to the federal court’s records system.

7. Examine criminal case filings.

   Review available indictments, motions, orders, pleas, judgments and sentencing records.

8. Confirm the current disposition.

   Where relevant, check appellate proceedings or later court orders.

How current is the PACER nationwide index?

The PACER Case Locator updates its nationwide index approximately once per day.

A known federal court’s own case-management system may show filed information sooner.

For a recently filed case, search the specific federal court directly when known.

Federal PACER search fees in 2026

What if a federal criminal case is missing?

PACER does not publicly display every sealed filing, protected record or restricted document.

Some older federal criminal court documents may require assistance from the court clerk.

If the case cannot be located through PACER, contact the appropriate U.S. District Court.

How to Find County Criminal Court Records in the United States

Most ordinary criminal prosecutions in the United States are handled in state and local court systems rather than federal courts.

Court names differ among states. A court called a Superior Court in one state may serve a similar role to a Circuit Court or District Court in another.

Common types of state criminal courts

How to obtain a certified criminal disposition

1. Locate the original criminal case.

   Use the official case search or Clerk’s records service.

2. Confirm the court and case number.

   A single defendant may have multiple criminal cases.

3. Identify the specific document.

   Request the judgment, dismissal, acquittal order, sentencing record or final disposition needed.

4. Contact the Clerk’s records office.

   Ask if the document can be ordered online, by mail or in person.

5. Specify the type of certification.

   Some receiving organizations require a raised seal, while others accept electronic certification.

6. Pay any applicable fees.

   Page copying, document certification, special searches and postage can have separate charges.

7. Verify the delivered record.

   Check the case number, charge, defendant and final outcome.

What if the criminal court file is very old?

Older records may be maintained on microfilm, in physical archives or under an earlier case-management system.

Some court files have been transferred to a government records center or archive.

If a public online search only covers recent years, ask the Clerk about archived criminal records rather than assuming the case never existed.

How to Search Arrests, Jail Inmates and Prison Records Across America

Arrest and correctional records are held separately from criminal court case files.

A person may appear in a jail database without having a final criminal conviction. Conversely, a person with a historical conviction may not appear in any current inmate search.

How to search federal prison records

1. Open the Bureau of Prisons inmate locator.

   Use the official federal corrections website.

2. Search by name or number.

   Use the available identifying information.

3. Review matching results.

   Check the register number, age and other displayed details.

4. Check the custody location or release status.

   Remember that transfers and release dates can change.

5. Find the original criminal case if needed.

   Use PACER for the associated federal prosecution.

Criminal Record Search Fees in America: Free vs. Paid

The amount depends on the jurisdiction, purpose and type of report requested.

Why a free name search may not be enough

Name searches do not establish identity with the same reliability as a fingerprint comparison.

A free public case search can also lack the precise final disposition needed for an official records request.

For consequential matters, verify the original case and obtain the appropriate certified judgment where needed.

How to Read a U.S. Criminal Record Search Result

Court records frequently use legal terms that can be misunderstood.

A single case may contain several charges, each with a different disposition. Always check the outcome of the individual charge.

Common terms in American criminal records

How to Correct Inaccurate Criminal Records in America

Criminal-history records may contain errors such as incorrect identity matches, missing dispositions, duplicate entries or outdated information.

The correction procedure depends on whether the error originated in a court, state repository, FBI record or private background-screening report.

Step-by-step correction process

1. Obtain the report containing the error.

   Save the report and record the issuing agency, date, case number and exact disputed information.

2. Identify the original reporting authority.

   Determine which police department, prosecutor, court or state agency supplied the information.

3. Locate the original case document.

   Request the judgment, dismissal, acquittal, sealing order or other official document supporting the correction.

4. Contact the agency maintaining the inaccurate entry.

   Use its published dispute or correction procedure.

5. Submit supporting records.

   Include copies of relevant certified documents where required.

6. Request confirmation of the correction.

   Ask whether the correction will also be communicated to related government repositories.

7. Review the updated criminal-history record.

   Confirm that the disputed information has actually changed.

How to challenge an FBI Identity History Summary

The FBI provides a formal challenge process for individuals disputing the accuracy or completeness of their own Identity History Summary.

The FBI reports an average challenge-response period of approximately 45 days after receiving the challenge and does not charge a fee for the challenge.

Some errors must first be corrected by the state identification bureau or contributing agency.

Are expungement and sealing the same across all states?

No. American criminal record sealing and expungement laws differ by state.

Eligibility can depend on the offense category, charge disposition, criminal history, waiting period and other legal requirements.

Some states offer automatic relief for specified cases. Others require a petition, court hearing or separate administrative process.

Certain records may remain accessible to law enforcement or other legally authorized agencies after relief.

Can a dismissed criminal charge remain online?

Yes. Depending on the jurisdiction, a dismissed charge may remain visible in the original court docket until it becomes eligible for and receives applicable record relief.

An old commercial background database may also contain outdated information collected before a record was restricted.

If the outdated entry appears in a consumer background report, use the reporting company’s formal dispute process.

Criminal Records for Employment and Tenant Screening in America

Searching public court records for information is different from ordering a legally regulated consumer background report.

Employers and landlords may use consumer reporting companies that compile information for decisions about employment or housing.

Those uses can trigger federal, state and local laws.

Employee background check rights

Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, an employer obtaining a background report from a consumer reporting company generally must provide written disclosure and obtain written authorization.

Before taking an adverse employment action based on the report, the employer generally must provide a copy and an explanation of FCRA rights.

Applicants may dispute inaccuracies with the reporting company.

How to find the company that prepared your background report

1. Ask the employer or landlord for the screening company name.

   The company may be listed in the background-check authorization.

2. Visit the CFPB consumer reporting company directory.

   Find the relevant company’s consumer contact information.

3. Request your report.

   Follow the company’s identity verification procedure.

4. Review any criminal-history entries.

   Look for mistaken identity, outdated charges and incorrect dispositions.

5. Dispute incorrect information.

   Send supporting official court records to the screening company.

Why an America Criminal Records Search May Show No Results

How to verify that you found the correct person

Before treating a criminal case as belonging to a particular individual, compare reliable identifying details available from lawful official sources.

A complete case number, court, filing date and other appropriate identifiers can help distinguish similarly named people.

Fingerprint-based criminal-history checks provide stronger positive identification than name-only searches when authorized.

America Criminal Records Search FAQs

Official American Criminal Records Search Websites

These links lead to federal government agencies, official courts and state criminal-history services.

Federal criminal history and court records

• FBI — Identity History Summary Criminal Record Checks
• FBI — Electronic Criminal History Request
• FBI — Fees, Fingerprints, Challenges and FAQs
• FBI — State Identification Bureau Directory
• USA.gov — Federal, State, County and Municipal Courts
• PACER — Federal Criminal Court Case Search
• PACER — Nationwide Federal Case Locator
• PACER — Official Current Search Fees
• PACER — January 2027 Fee Change Announcement

State criminal-history agencies

• California DOJ — Personal Criminal History Record Review
• Texas DPS — Criminal History Conviction Name Search
• Florida FDLE — State Criminal History Search
• Georgia — Official Felon Search
• Michigan State Police — ICHAT Criminal History
• Pennsylvania State Police — PATCH Background Checks
• Tennessee TBI — TORIS Criminal History
• Washington State Patrol — WATCH Criminal Records

Inmate records, public registries and consumer protection

• Federal Bureau of Prisons — Inmate Locator
• U.S. Department of Justice — National Sex Offender Public Website
• Federal Trade Commission — Employment Background Check Rights
• Federal Trade Commission — Tenant Background Report Corrections
• Consumer Financial Protection Bureau — Consumer Reporting Companies