often referred to as a Criminal History Record or Rap Sheet, is a listing of certain information taken from fingerprint submissions retained by the FBI in connection with arrests and, in some instances, federal employment, naturalization, or military service. If the fingerprints are related to an arrest, the Identification Record includes name of the agency that submitted the fingerprints to the FBI, the date of arrest, the arrest charge, and the disposition of the arrest, if known to the FBI. All arrest data included in an Identification Record is obtained from fingerprint submissions, disposition reports and other reports submitted by agencies having criminal justice responsibilities.
Reasons for Request
An individual may request a copy of his or her own FBI Identification Record for personal review or to challenge information on the Record. Other reasons an individual may request a copy of his or her own Identification Record may include international adoption or to satisfy a requirement to live or work in a foreign country (i.e., police certificate, letter of good conduct, criminal history background, etc.)
FBI Criminal History Checks for Employment and Licensing
The FBI's authority to conduct a criminal history record check for noncriminal justice purposes is based upon Public Law (Pub. L.) 92-544. Pursuant to that law, the FBI is empowered to exchange criminal history record information with officials of state and local governments for employment, licensing, which includes volunteers, and other similar noncriminal justice purposes, if authorized by a state statute which has been approved by the Attorney General of the United States. The United States Department of Justice has advised that the state statute establishing guidelines for a category of employment or the issuance of a license must, in itself, require fingerprinting and authorize the governmental licensing or employing agency to exchange fingerprint data directly with the FBI.
A criminal history record search obtained pursuant to U.S. Department of Justice Order 556-73 may not meet employment requirements. Governmental licensing or employing agencies covered by federal laws and/or state statutes may refuse to accept criminal history record information directly from the subject of the record, as there would be no way to verify that the information contained on the record had not been altered. Also, a record provided to the subject for personal review contains only information maintained by the CJIS Division and may lack dispositional data and/or arrest records that are maintained only at the state level.
You should contact the agency requiring the fingerprinting or the appropriate state identification bureau for the correct procedures to follow.
Frequently Asked Questions about FBI Identification Record(FAQ's)
What is the processing time?
Approximately 16-18 weeks for processing, upon receipt to the FBI.
Do you have procedures for expeditious handling?
The CJIS Division does not expedite requests. However, if you have a deadline, include the deadline in your written request and on the outside of the envelope. The CJIS Division will try to work within the deadline if possible.
Does the FBI apostille?
No, the FBI does not apostille. If an apostille is requested, the CJIS
Division will provide a letter stating that this service is not provided.
If you need Apostille for criminal record, contact apostille.us - 1-212-233-7061
What if my fingerprints are continuously rejected?
Have multiple sets of fingerprints taken, preferably by a fingerprinting
technician (this service may be available at a Law Enforcement Agency).
Mail all fingerprint forms to the CJIS Division with your request.
Where can I get my fingerprints taken?
Your local, county or state law enforcement agencies may take your fingerprints for a fee. Also, some printing services offer this service (check the yellow pages in your telephone book).
Can I use the fingerprint card I download from this site?
Yes, the CJIS Division will accept the downloaded paper fingerprint card only for the purpose of requesting a FBI Identification Record for personal review. Although, if you go to a law enforcement agency or private fingerprinting agency to be fingerprinted they may prefer to use a fingerprint card on standard card stock. You may use the fingerprint card provided by the printing agency.
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