How to Get a Criminal Record Report: Criminal Records Guide
United States · FBI, state and county criminal history requests
How to Get a Criminal Record Report: FBI, State & Court Records Guide
To get a criminal record report in the United States, first determine what type of report you need. For a fingerprint-based personal criminal-history report, request an FBI Identity History Summary. For a state-specific report, contact the state’s criminal-history repository. For the official result of a particular prosecution, request a certified criminal court record from the court clerk.
An FBI personal Identity History Summary costs $18 and requires fingerprints. State reports have different prices, identification requirements and access rules. Local criminal case searches may be free, although certified documents can cost extra.
If you need a report that an employer or landlord previously ordered about you, request a copy from the background screening company rather than assuming an FBI rap sheet will be identical.
Coverage: United States, including federal, state and local records
Main report: FBI Identity History Summary
Official cost: $18 FBI processing fee, plus any fingerprint service charge
Choose the right document before paying
What Type of Criminal Record Report Do You Need?
The term criminal record report can refer to different documents depending on who is requesting it and why.
| Type of report | Who provides it? | Best use | Important limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| FBI Identity History Summary | Federal Bureau of Investigation | Personal fingerprint-based criminal-history review; some overseas document requirements | Depends on information submitted to or available through FBI systems; not a complete record of every court case. |
| State criminal-history report | State police, DOJ or criminal-records bureau | Checking your criminal history within a particular state | Requirements, coverage and public-access laws differ by state. |
| Certified criminal court record | County, district, superior or municipal court clerk | Proving conviction, dismissal, acquittal or sentence in a particular case | A court document covers specific proceedings, not every arrest nationwide. |
| Local police record or clearance | City police or county sheriff | Local arrest information or a specific police clearance requirement | Usually does not search every other jurisdiction. |
| Employment screening report | Consumer reporting company retained by the employer | Reviewing information collected for a hiring decision | Its sources and scope depend on the authorized screening product. |
| Federal court case report | Federal judiciary through PACER or court clerk | Finding federal criminal dockets, charges and judgments | PACER does not include state or county court prosecutions. |
What is a rap sheet?
A rap sheet is a commonly used term for a criminal-history summary containing identifying information and reported criminal justice events.
An FBI Identity History Summary may include fingerprint-supported arrest information, related charges and available case dispositions.
Some entries may lack a final disposition if the underlying reporting agency has not supplied an update.
What is a criminal disposition report?
A disposition records how a particular charge or case ended.
Possible dispositions include conviction, acquittal, dismissal, deferred adjudication or another outcome recognized by the court.
If an immigration authority, licensing agency or lawyer needs evidence of the result of one specific prosecution, a certified court disposition may be more appropriate than a general criminal-history search.
Official personal criminal-history review
How to Get an FBI Criminal Record Report Online
The FBI offers a personal Identity History Summary Check through its Electronic Departmental Order (eDO) service.
The process combines an online request with fingerprint submission. The FBI does not provide this personal record review based solely on a name search.
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Open the FBI eDO application
Visit edo.cjis.gov using the FBI’s official link.
Select the option to start a new Identity History Summary request.
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Enter your identifying information
Complete the application using your accurate legal name, date of birth and other required personal information.
Provide a reliable email address because the electronic system uses it for request communication.
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Select your result delivery preference
Electronic applicants can receive an electronic result and may also select an available mailed response option.
Check the current application for delivery choices.
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Pay the FBI processing fee
The current FBI fee is $18 per request.
Payment is separate from any fingerprint collection fee charged by a Post Office or other fingerprint provider.
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Obtain your fingerprints
After starting the online request, choose an accepted fingerprint submission method.
The FBI allows electronic fingerprint submission at participating United States Post Office locations. You may alternatively mail a completed fingerprint card in accordance with the electronic request instructions.
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Submit fingerprints through the selected method
Bring the required request information and identification to the fingerprint provider, or follow the FBI’s mailing instructions for a completed fingerprint card.
Make sure your fingerprint submission is associated with the correct eDO request.
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Wait for FBI processing
The FBI processes requests in the order they and the required fingerprints are received.
Electronic submissions generally provide a faster delivery route than a complete paper application.
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Download or receive your report
The FBI issues the Identity History Summary or a response indicating that an Identity History Summary was not located.
Review the document carefully for your name, reported arrests and available dispositions.
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Save the report securely
Store the result in a private, protected location. Do not upload it to a public file-sharing website.
If a third party requires a sealed mailed response, check the FBI’s instructions for the appropriate delivery option.
What information can appear on an FBI report?
Depending on what has been reported to the FBI and the applicable records available, the summary can contain:
- Personal identifying information
- Fingerprint-associated arrest events
- Arresting law-enforcement agencies
- Criminal charges
- Dates of criminal justice events
- Reported dispositions and court outcomes
- Other qualifying information retained in the identification record
Not every local charge or court event necessarily appears in the FBI system.
What if the FBI finds no record?
The response may indicate that no Identity History Summary was located for the fingerprints submitted.
That is not the same as a certification that no arrest, citation or prosecution ever occurred in any jurisdiction.
Fingerprint submission options
Where Can You Get Fingerprints Taken for an FBI Criminal Record Report?
Fingerprints establish a stronger identity match than a name search alone.
The FBI recognizes different collection routes for a personal Identity History Summary request.
Participating US Post Offices
Applicants using FBI eDO may submit fingerprints electronically at participating US Postal Service locations.
There may be an additional fingerprint service fee.
Local Fingerprint Providers
Some police departments, sheriff’s offices and private fingerprint providers can take rolled fingerprints for an FBI request.
For paper requests, follow the FBI’s accepted fingerprint-card requirements.
FBI-Approved Channelers
Approved channelers can submit fingerprint information electronically and return the FBI result to eligible requesters.
Channelers charge their own fees and may have eligibility restrictions.
Official Approved Channeler ListFingerprint Card Submission
People located abroad may need to arrange fingerprint collection locally and submit an accepted card under FBI instructions.
US embassies and consulates generally do not provide fingerprinting services for these requests.
Which fingerprint card does the FBI accept?
The FBI accepts properly completed fingerprint cards, including the FD-1164 form, for personal Identity History Summary requests.
The card must contain the required identifying information and fingerprint impressions.
The FBI states that a current fingerprint card is required; applicants cannot reuse a fingerprint card previously submitted for another Identity History Summary request.
What if the fingerprints are rejected?
Ask a qualified fingerprint technician to take a new, clear set of impressions.
The FBI recommends submitting multiple fingerprint cards when fingerprint quality is repeatedly causing problems.
Do not assume a rejected card means the FBI found an adverse criminal record. Fingerprint quality and criminal-history findings are separate issues.
Paper application alternative
How to Request an FBI Criminal Record Report by Mail
Applicants who prefer a paper process can submit a Departmental Order request directly to the FBI.
For the complete mail-in method, the FBI requires a signed application, fingerprints and the processing payment.
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Download the official request form
Use the FBI’s Identity History Summary request materials and complete the current applicant information form.
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Complete and sign the application
Every person whose report is requested must provide the required authorization and signature.
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Get a current fingerprint card
Use a properly completed card with the required fingerprint impressions and biographical details.
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Prepare the $18 payment
The FBI accepts its specified card payment method, money orders and certified checks. It does not accept cash or ordinary personal or business checks for the paper Departmental Order process.
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Mail the complete package
Send the signed request, fingerprint card and payment to the FBI CJIS Division’s Summary Request address.
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Wait for the mailed result
The FBI sends the response by US Postal Service first-class mail to the designated mailing address.
FBI Criminal Justice Information Services Division
FBI CJIS Division — Summary Request1000 Custer Hollow Road
Clarksburg, WV 26306
Identity History Summary assistance: 304-625-5590
Email: identity@fbi.gov
How long does an FBI background report take?
The FBI does not promise a fixed turnaround time or offer a general expedited service for personal Identity History Summary requests.
Processing depends on when the complete application and acceptable fingerprints are received and the method used.
Submitting electronically is generally preferable when speed matters, but a specific delivery date should not be assumed.
State police and state criminal records bureaus
How to Get a State Criminal Record Report
Every US state has its own criminal-history records authority or designated identification bureau.
Depending on the state, you may be able to request your own criminal record online, by mail, through a fingerprint provider or in person.
Some states also provide limited public conviction-history searches. Other states prohibit ordinary third-party access to detailed criminal-history summaries.
Step-by-step state criminal record request
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Identify the state where the offense or report originated
Use the state that holds the criminal-history information rather than assuming your current state of residence has every prior record.
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Find the official criminal records agency
Open the FBI’s State Identification Bureau Listing and choose the appropriate state.
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Determine the correct report type
Look for an option labeled Personal Record Review, Criminal History Record Check, Identity History, Right to Review or an equivalent state-specific term.
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Review eligibility and fingerprint requirements
Some states require fingerprinting for personal criminal-history reports. Others offer public name-based searches that release only specified information.
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Complete the application
Provide the required legal name, identifying details, authorization and documents.
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Pay the applicable state fee
Fees vary by state and by whether the request is for a personal report, public criminal-history search or authorized screening.
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Receive and review the result
Check the accuracy of the reported information and request corrections from the responsible agency if necessary.
Examples of official state criminal record services
| State | Government service | Published fee or requirement |
|---|---|---|
| California | California DOJ Personal Record Review | $25 DOJ processing fee plus any Live Scan rolling charge. California residents use Form BCIA 8016RR. |
| Texas | Texas DPS Public Criminal History Search | $1 per public name-search credit, plus processing fees. Personal fingerprint review uses a separate process. |
| Florida | Florida FDLE Criminal History Search | $24 public criminal-history search; instant searches have an additional $1 payment processing charge. |
| All other US states | FBI State Identification Bureau Directory | Contact the state agency for current forms, fees, identification requirements and access restrictions. |
California criminal record request details
California DOJ allows individuals to obtain their own state criminal-history summary for accuracy and completeness.
California residents use Live Scan fingerprints with Form BCIA 8016RR, while applicants outside California use Form BCIA 8705 and an accepted fingerprint card.
California DOJ does not process ordinary third-party requests for someone else’s confidential state summary criminal history.
Its personal Record Review is also not the designated report for foreign visa or immigration transactions; applicants should follow the DOJ’s separate instructions for that purpose.
Texas criminal record request details
Texas DPS provides a public name-based search for legally releasable criminal-history information.
The state cautions that a name match should not be treated as positive identification. Someone seeking to resolve an incorrect match should request a personal fingerprint-based review.
Florida criminal record request details
Florida FDLE offers instant public searches and separate certified or noncertified criminal-history check options.
The instant search is not a certified report. If certification is required, select the appropriate certified search service rather than simply printing the instant result.
Official criminal case judgments and final dispositions
How to Get a Criminal Record Report From a Courthouse
If you need to prove the result of a specific criminal case, the court clerk is often the most important source.
For example, a criminal-history report might show an arrest but not a final outcome. A certified judgment or dismissal order can provide the missing court disposition.
Which courthouse should you contact?
County or District Clerk
Many states use county, district, circuit or superior courts to handle criminal cases.
The court clerk is the usual custodian of public case filings and certified documents.
Municipal or Justice Court
Traffic citations and certain lower-level misdemeanors may be maintained in a separate municipal, justice or magistrate court.
US District Court
Federal criminal cases are maintained separately from state and local court systems.
Use PACER or the relevant federal court clerk.
Court Archives
Older criminal cases may be stored in archives, transferred to another records facility or subject to retention limitations.
How to request a certified criminal court report
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Identify the original court
Look at arrest paperwork, a court notice or another official record to determine where charges were filed.
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Find the exact case number
Use the court’s official public case-search portal if one is available.
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Determine which record proves what you need
For proof of a dismissal, request the dismissal order. For proof of a conviction or sentence, request the judgment or sentencing document.
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Contact the court clerk
Ask whether the document is public, available online, maintained locally or held in archives.
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Request a certified copy when necessary
If an employer, immigration authority, licensing agency or court requires certified proof, specify that you need certification.
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Pay the required copying fee
Rates may be charged per page, document or certification. Some jurisdictions have extra research, mailing or archival charges.
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Check the final disposition
Ensure the document identifies the correct defendant, case and final judicial action.
What should a certified court record contain?
Depending on the document, the record may identify:
- Court name and jurisdiction
- Criminal case number
- Defendant’s name
- Charge or offense
- Judicial decision or disposition
- Sentence or other order
- Judge or clerk authentication
- Official certification where requested
How to request an old criminal court case
If a search returns no result, ask whether the case predates the court’s online case-management system.
Historical criminal records may be located using paper indexes, archived microfilm, older docket books or courthouse record retrieval.
A negative online result is not proof that the historical case never existed.
Example: Your criminal report lists a conviction, but your case was dismissed
The correct first step is to locate the original court case and obtain a certified dismissal or other qualifying order.
Next, compare that document with the criminal-history entry and initiate the correction procedure at the agency maintaining the inaccurate record.
The court order serves as evidence of the case outcome; it does not automatically mean every police, state and FBI database was updated at the same moment.
Federal criminal prosecutions
How to Find a Federal Criminal Record Report Using PACER
Federal criminal records are maintained by the US federal court system.
PACER, the Public Access to Court Electronic Records service, allows registered users to search federal court case information.
How to search PACER
- Create a PACER Case Search Only account.
- Use the PACER Case Locator if you do not know which federal district handled the case.
- Search by party name or case number using the available criteria.
- Open the relevant federal docket.
- Review available indictments, judgments, orders and case events.
- Request a certified copy from the federal court clerk if necessary.
How much does PACER cost?
PACER currently charges $0.10 per page for most electronic access, with a $3 cap for eligible individual documents.
If a user’s total PACER usage is $30 or less in a calendar quarter, the charges are waived for that quarter.
Search results themselves can incur charges, including searches returning no matches.
Federal court opinions and certain courthouse public-terminal access are free.
Processing charges and record-copy costs
How Much Does It Cost to Get a Criminal Record Report?
Fees depend on the government agency, report type and whether fingerprints or certified documents are required.
| Criminal record report | Published fee | Additional cost considerations |
|---|---|---|
| FBI Identity History Summary | $18 | Fingerprint collection and channeler fees may be additional. |
| California DOJ personal criminal history | $25 | Live Scan rolling charge additional; state fee waiver may be available. |
| Texas DPS public criminal history name search | $1 per search credit | Payment processing fees may apply; separate process for personal fingerprint review. |
| Florida FDLE instant criminal history | $24 | Additional $1 card processing charge for instant search; not certified. |
| Federal PACER access | $0.10 per page | Eligible $3 document cap; quarterly fee waiver when total charges are $30 or less. |
| County criminal case search | Varies; some are free | Certified copies, research and archival retrieval may cost extra. |
| Employment background report copy | Often available free under applicable consumer reporting rights | Request it from the actual company that prepared the report. |
Can you get a free criminal record report?
You may be able to search public criminal court case indexes without a fee, depending on the court.
Some state repositories offer free or limited-access services, and some agencies have fee-waiver procedures.
The FBI requires $18 unless a fee waiver is granted. California DOJ provides a qualifying personal Record Review fee waiver, though Live Scan service fees may still apply.
A copy of an existing employment or tenant consumer report may also be available at no cost under applicable federal law.
Should you pay a private criminal records website?
Not before checking whether the official agency provides the document directly.
A third-party website may charge a subscription, provide incomplete information or sell a public-record aggregation rather than an official criminal-history certificate.
Get a report prepared for an employer
How to Get a Copy of Your Employment Criminal Background Check Report
If an employer has used a background reporting company to screen you, the report it received may be different from your personal FBI or state criminal-history report.
The employer’s report may include criminal court records, employment verification, education checks, public records or other information permitted by law.
Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), you have important rights when a covered employer uses a consumer reporting company.
How to request the report an employer used
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Ask which background screening company was used
Review the disclosure or authorization document the employer provided, or contact the hiring department.
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Find the screening company’s official consumer request process
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau maintains a list of consumer reporting companies, including employment background-screening providers.
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Request your personal consumer report
Use the company’s approved report request or file-disclosure procedure.
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Complete identity verification
The company may require identifying information before releasing sensitive records.
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Review the report for errors
Look for records associated with someone else, outdated dispositions, duplicate cases or omitted dismissals.
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Dispute any inaccurate or incomplete information
Submit your dispute to the screening company with relevant supporting court records.
What if an employer intends to reject you because of the report?
When an employer relies on a background report from a consumer reporting agency, federal law generally requires the employer to provide a copy of the report and a summary of FCRA rights before taking adverse action based on it.
If adverse action is taken, the employer must provide required information about the reporting company and your dispute rights.
The FTC states that individuals denied a job because of a covered background report can request an additional free copy from the reporting company within 60 days of the decision.
What about a tenant background check?
Housing screening reports are subject to separate consumer reporting requirements.
If a landlord rejects your application, charges a higher deposit or takes another covered adverse action based on a tenant screening report, you may be entitled to a notice, a copy of the report and an opportunity to dispute inaccurate information.
Visas, overseas employment and immigration
How to Get a Criminal Record Report for Immigration or International Travel
If you need a criminal record report for a visa, residency application, overseas job, adoption or immigration process, check the receiving authority’s exact document requirements first.
Countries may request different documents, including an FBI Identity History Summary, state police report, local police certificate or certified court disposition.
When should you request an FBI report?
The US Department of State explains that US citizens may need a criminal-history certificate or evidence of good conduct when living, working, studying or adopting abroad.
The FBI Identity History Summary is one possible official document, but the destination’s rules determine whether it is acceptable.
Will you need an apostille?
For some international uses, an FBI or police record must be authenticated or apostilled.
The FBI authenticates its own Identity History Summary responses with an FBI watermark and authorized signature.
If additional international authentication is required, follow the US Department of State Office of Authentications procedure.
What if a foreign embassy requests a police certificate?
Confirm which police authority must issue it.
A certificate issued by a state police agency may not automatically substitute for an FBI record, and a court judgment is not necessarily the same as a police certificate.
For US immigration cases involving foreign countries, the Department of State’s Reciprocity and Civil Documents resources identify acceptable documents and issuing authorities.
What if you are applying from India?
Indian applicants who need an Indian Police Clearance Certificate should follow the relevant government or consular procedure rather than applying for an FBI report unless they specifically need a US criminal-history document.
The US Department of State identifies India’s Regional Passport Offices and other designated Indian authorities as issuers of qualifying police certificates, depending on the applicant’s nationality and residence.
Lawful public record access versus confidential history
Can You Get a Criminal Record Report on Someone Else?
It depends on the kind of record, the state and the legal purpose.
Many public criminal court proceedings can be searched through official court records, but detailed state and FBI criminal-history reports are subject to different access restrictions.
Public court case searches
Some state and county courts allow the general public to search adult criminal cases by name, subject to confidentiality and case-type restrictions.
Public results may identify charges, docket events and dispositions.
However, sealed, expunged, juvenile and certain other protected records generally are not available through an ordinary public search.
FBI criminal records of another person
The FBI’s personal Identity History Summary process is not a general public name-search service for other people’s fingerprint histories.
The US Department of State explicitly states that the FBI will not provide copies of another person’s arrest records through the ordinary personal request process.
State criminal-history records
Some states, such as Texas and Florida, provide limited public criminal-history searches.
Other states, such as California, restrict access to state summary criminal histories and do not process general third-party personal record-review applications.
Employment or tenant screening
When a report is used for regulated eligibility decisions, relevant state and federal laws may require a lawful purpose, authorization, disclosures and consumer protections.
An ordinary informational website’s public records should not be used as a substitute for those procedures.
Wrong arrests, missing dispositions and identity mix-ups
How to Correct an Inaccurate Criminal Record Report
Criminal-history records can contain mistakes or incomplete information.
Common problems include incorrect names, charges assigned to the wrong person, duplicate entries or records that do not show a subsequent dismissal or acquittal.
How to correct an FBI Identity History Summary
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Get your current FBI report
Obtain your personal Identity History Summary so you can identify the exact record that appears inaccurate.
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Identify the disputed entry
Write down the arresting agency, event date, charge or missing disposition.
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Obtain supporting documents
Request certified court judgments, dismissal orders, expungement orders or other relevant proof.
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Contact the state identification bureau when appropriate
The FBI explains that many corrections must originate with the state agency that supplied the information.
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Submit an FBI challenge if appropriate
Follow the FBI Identity History Summary challenge instructions and identify the information believed to be inaccurate or incomplete.
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Review the response
Confirm whether the agency corrected the information, requested additional evidence or referred you to another records custodian.
Does the FBI charge for a correction request?
The FBI states that an Identity History Summary challenge is free.
It reports an average response period of approximately 45 days after receiving a challenge, although actual processing can vary.
Obtaining supporting certified documents from a court may involve separate costs.
What if your state’s report is incorrect?
Use the state’s record-review or criminal-history challenge process.
For example, California DOJ provides Form BCIA 8706, Claim of Alleged Inaccuracy or Incompleteness, following its personal record review.
Texas DPS directs individuals disputing name-search results to seek a personal fingerprint review so that the agency can determine whether a record is properly associated with that person.
What if an employer’s screening report is wrong?
Dispute the information with the consumer reporting company that prepared the report.
Include the corrected court record and request that the company reinvestigate the inaccurate or incomplete information.
If a correction is made, ask the company to send the corrected report to the employer or other authorized recipient where applicable.
Expungement, sealing and later case relief
Will Expunged or Sealed Criminal Records Show on a Background Report?
The answer depends on the applicable law, report type, offense and legal relief granted.
Expungement, sealing, nondisclosure and conviction dismissal are different legal remedies. Their effects vary by jurisdiction.
Public court records
An order may remove or restrict certain information from public court searches, depending on state law and the terms of the order.
State criminal-history records
Some authorized law-enforcement or licensing agencies may continue to have access to information unavailable to ordinary public requesters.
FBI records
The FBI generally relies on the submitting agency or an applicable court order to initiate changes or removal of qualifying criminal-history entries.
Consumer background reports
Consumer reporting companies must follow applicable laws governing accuracy, completeness, prohibited information and consumer disputes.
What if the case was dismissed but the report still lists an arrest?
A dismissed criminal case does not automatically mean every arrest record must be deleted.
However, the report should not inaccurately describe a dismissed charge as a conviction.
Request the certified dismissal and use the appropriate correction process if the disposition is absent or incorrect.
What if an expungement order is missing from the report?
Check whether the original court and relevant state criminal-history agency received and processed the order.
Then verify whether the FBI record or consumer screening report requires a separate update or dispute.
Before you submit your request
Criminal Record Report Request Checklist
Use the following checklist to reduce incomplete applications and unnecessary expenses.
- Choose the exact report: FBI, state criminal history, local police, certified court record or consumer background report.
- Identify the purpose: Personal review, record correction, court filing, immigration, employment or professional licensing.
- Check who must issue the report: The receiving agency may specify a particular criminal-history authority.
- Gather identification: Legal name, previous names, date of birth, accepted identity documents and other required details.
- Arrange fingerprints if required: Use the correct form and fingerprint submission channel.
- Locate case numbers: Necessary or useful for requesting individual court documents.
- Review current fees: Include fingerprinting, certification, research and mailing charges where applicable.
- Check disclosure restrictions: Confidential and sealed records are not ordinarily available to everyone.
- Verify the result: Compare arrests, charges and dispositions before submitting the report to another party.
- Store sensitive documents securely: Protect personally identifying information and criminal-history details.
Which report should you request in these situations?
Applying for a foreign visa: Check the destination’s document instructions first. It may accept an FBI record or require another specified police certificate.
Proving a charge was dismissed: Obtain a certified dismissal order from the original court.
Checking whether another person’s name was confused with yours: Request your personal fingerprint-based criminal-history review and challenge any incorrect identity match.
Reviewing an employment background check: Request the file from the consumer reporting company named in the employer’s disclosure or adverse-action notice.
Checking a criminal prosecution in another county: Search the responsible court’s public records portal or contact its clerk.
Frequently asked questions
How to Get a Criminal Record Report FAQs
1. How do I get a copy of my criminal record in the United States?
For a fingerprint-based personal criminal-history summary, request an FBI Identity History Summary through edo.cjis.gov. If you only need records held by one state, use its official criminal-history bureau. If you need the disposition of a particular prosecution, contact the court clerk that handled the case.
2. How much does an FBI criminal record report cost?
The FBI charges $18 for a personal Identity History Summary request. Fingerprint collection or FBI-approved channeler services may have separate fees. Applicants who cannot afford the FBI fee can contact the FBI before applying about a potential waiver.
3. Can I get my criminal record report online?
Yes. The FBI provides an online eDO application, but fingerprints are still required. Some states also provide online state criminal-history searches, and many courts offer public online case indexes. Availability and fees vary.
4. Can I get a criminal record report without fingerprints?
Some state and county public searches allow a name-based lookup without fingerprints. The FBI’s personal Identity History Summary requires fingerprints and does not offer a name-only alternative for that request.
5. How long does it take to get a criminal record report?
Processing times vary. The FBI generally processes requests in the order complete materials are received and does not guarantee expedited handling. Electronic FBI submissions may be faster than mail. State reports and certified courthouse documents follow their own schedules.
6. Can I get a free criminal background report?
Some public court case searches are free. A copy of an existing consumer screening report may also be free under applicable law. The FBI normally charges $18, while some state agencies offer fee waivers or limited no-cost searches.
7. How do I get a criminal record report for employment?
First ask the employer which background check and authorized submission process is required. A personal FBI record-review request may not substitute for an employment-authorized fingerprint check. To see a background report an employer already obtained from a consumer reporting company, request a copy from that company.
8. Can I request someone else’s criminal record report?
Some courts and states permit public searches of specified criminal records, but confidential FBI and state criminal-history summaries have access restrictions. Employment and housing screening also involve legal authorization and consumer-reporting requirements. A public name match alone does not establish identity.
9. What should I do if my criminal record report is wrong?
Obtain the certified court documents showing the correct result and contact the responsible records agency. The FBI has a free Identity History Summary challenge process. Errors in employment or tenant screening reports should also be disputed with the consumer reporting company.
10. Will an expunged or dismissed charge appear on a criminal record report?
It depends on the record system, legal relief granted and applicable law. A dismissal may still appear as an arrest with a nonconviction disposition. Expunged or sealed records may be restricted from public access but remain available to certain authorized agencies. Verify the current record and seek correction if information is inaccurate.
Official government resources and request forms
Criminal Record Report: Official FBI, State and Court Links
The following resources provide government request procedures, official fee information, approved fingerprinting options and consumer reporting rights.
Apply online for your personal fingerprint-based FBI Identity History Summary.
Official $18 fee, fingerprints, mail processing, delivery and dispute instructions.
Personal record-review application and paper request information.
Official list of approved intermediaries for eligible fingerprint-based requests.
Contact information for state criminal-history agencies throughout the United States.
Explains which states maintain certain records and must handle related corrections.
California fingerprint forms, $25 state processing fee and personal report instructions.
Financial eligibility for waiving the state’s personal record-review processing fee.
Public Texas conviction-history name searches and personal review information.
Instant public record searches and certified or noncertified Florida options.
Federal district court criminal cases, dockets and filed documents.
Current electronic court access charges and quarterly fee-waiver provisions.
Authorization, report copies, adverse-action notices and disputes.
Tenant report access, adverse-action rights and correction procedures.
Find employment and tenant background screening providers and how to request your report.
Criminal record reports, certificates of good conduct and overseas authentication.
Accepted police certificates and court documents by country for applicable visa cases.