Step 1 · Prepare to Apply

Get Your Records, State by State

Before you can file, DOJ expects to see your criminal history from every state you have lived in over the last 25 years. Here is exactly where to get each one, what it costs, and what to send.

List every state

DOJ wants 25 years of criminal history. Write down every state you have lived in, been arrested in, or been charged in during that time.

Request each record

Use the card for each state below. Most take a form, a copy of your ID, a fee, and sometimes an FD-258 fingerprint card.

Send us what comes back

We review every record for the disqualifiers DOJ screens for, and build the document package around them.

Requirements and fees are set by each state and change without notice. We check them regularly, but confirm on the agency page before you mail anything. Links open the state or federal agency site in a new tab.

Start with the FBI

Federal record · online

FBI · Identity History Summary

Online

Request form: Request your Identity History Summary
Start here: edo.cjis.gov
Note: The FBI summary covers federal arrests and charges. DOJ still expects the state-level records below for every state you have lived in over the last 25 years.

Then every state you have lived in

52 entries · 1 state still being verified

Find your state

Alabama

Mail$25.00

Request form: ALEA CJIS Form 46 — Application to Review/Challenge Alabama CHRI (PDF)
Start here: alea.gov — Alabama background check
Certified copy: Yes
Driver’s license or passport: Yes
FD-258 fingerprint card: Yes
Court case search: pa.alacourt.com

Alaska

Mail$20.00

Request form: Request for CJI from Record Subject (PDF)
Start here: backgroundcheck.dps.alaska.gov
Certified copy: Yes
Driver’s license or passport: Yes
FD-258 fingerprint card: No
Court case search: records.courts.alaska.gov
Note: Name-based report $20.00; a fingerprint-based report is $35.00. A full FBI record may require the FD-258 fingerprint card.

Arizona

Online$0.00

Request form: Background letter request (online form)
Start here: azdps.gov — criminal history records
Certified copy: No
Driver’s license or passport: Yes
FD-258 fingerprint card: Yes
Court case search: azdps.gov/criminal-history-records

Arkansas

Online$24.00

Request form: Arkansas Criminal History (online)
Start here: dps.arkansas.gov — criminal background checks
Certified copy: Yes & no — see note
Driver’s license or passport: Yes
FD-258 fingerprint card: No
Court case search: arcourts.gov CourtConnect
Note: Certified records must be requested by mail: Arkansas State Police, Identification Bureau, 1 State Police Plaza Dr., Little Rock, AR 72209.

California · Residents

Mail$25.00

Request form: California Residents request form (PDF)
Start here: oag.ca.gov — record review
Certified copy: No
Driver’s license or passport: Yes
FD-258 fingerprint card: Live Scan site only
Court case search: courts.ca.gov

California · Non-residents

Mail$25.00

Request form: California Non-Residents request form (PDF)
Start here: oag.ca.gov — record review
Certified copy: No
Driver’s license or passport: Yes
FD-258 fingerprint card: Yes, or a Live Scan site
Court case search: courts.ca.gov

Colorado · Non-certified copy

Online$6.00

Request form: Colorado CHRI Request + CC form (PDF)
Start here: cbirecordscheck.com
Certified copy: No
Driver’s license or passport: Yes
FD-258 fingerprint card: No
Court case search: cbirecordscheck.com

Colorado · Certified copy

Mail$13.00

Request form: Colorado CHRI Request + CC form (PDF)
Start here: Email cdps.cbi.biru.dis@state.co.us
Certified copy: Yes
Driver’s license or passport: Yes
FD-258 fingerprint card: No
Court case search: cbirecordscheck.com

Connecticut

Mail$75.00

Request form: DPS-846-C Criminal History Record Request (PDF)
Start here: jud.ct.gov/crim.htm
Certified copy: No
Driver’s license or passport: Yes
FD-258 fingerprint card: Yes
Court case search: jud.ct.gov/crim.htm

Delaware

Mail or online$72.00

Request form: Obtaining a certified criminal history (instructions)
Start here: dsp.delaware.gov
Certified copy: Yes
Driver’s license or passport: Yes
FD-258 fingerprint card: Yes
Court case search: dsp.delaware.gov

Florida

Mail or online$24.00

Request form: FDLE Shield — request online
Start here: fdle.state.fl.us — Florida checks
Certified copy: Yes
Driver’s license or passport: Yes
FD-258 fingerprint card: No
Court case search: FDLE Shield search

Georgia

Online$15.00

Request form: Georgia Felon Search (online)
Start here: georgia.gov — felon search
Certified copy: No
Driver’s license or passport: Yes
FD-258 fingerprint card: Yes — two (2) fingerprint cards taken by local law enforcement
Court case search: georgia.gov/georgia-felon-search

Hawaii

Mail$35.00

Request form: HCJDC-073 request form (PDF)
Start here: ag.hawaii.gov/hcjdc
Certified copy: Yes
Driver’s license or passport: Yes
FD-258 fingerprint card: Yes
Court case search: eCrim (ecrim.ehawaii.gov)

Idaho

Mail$25.00

Request form: Fingerprint-Based Background Check form (PDF)
Start here: isp.idaho.gov — criminal history
Certified copy: Yes
Driver’s license or passport: Yes
FD-258 fingerprint card: Yes
Court case search: Idaho Odyssey portal

Illinois

Mail$20.00

Request form: Bureau of Identification out-of-state request form
Start here: isp.illinois.gov — Bureau of Identification
Certified copy: Yes
Driver’s license or passport: Yes
FD-258 fingerprint card: Yes
Court case search: judici.com
Cook County Clerk of Court

Indiana

Mail$16.32

Request form: Limited Criminal History approved form (PDF)
Start here: in.gov — limited criminal history
Certified copy: No
Driver’s license or passport: Yes
FD-258 fingerprint card: Yes
Court case search: in.gov/ai/appfiles/isp-lch

Iowa

Mail$15.00

Request form: Criminal history request form (PDF)
Start here: dps.iowa.gov — criminal history record check
Certified copy: No; however, check “Notarized” on the application
Driver’s license or passport: Yes
FD-258 fingerprint card: No
Court case search: Iowa Courts online search

Kansas

Mail$45.00

Request form: Sample letter to request your own record (PDF)
Start here: kansas.gov — personal record check
Certified copy: Yes
Driver’s license or passport: Yes
FD-258 fingerprint card: Yes
Court case search: kansas.gov/criminalhistory

Kentucky

Mail$20.00

Request form: KSP 309 record review request (PDF)
Start here: kentuckystatepolice.ky.gov — background check forms
Certified copy: No
Driver’s license or passport: Yes
FD-258 fingerprint card: No
Court case search: kycourts.gov background checks

Louisiana · Two forms

Mail$31.00

Request form: Authorization form (PDF)
Authorization form — master, FBI fee + tech fee (fillable PDF)
Start here: lsp.org — fingerprints and background checks
Certified copy: Yes
Driver’s license or passport: Yes
FD-258 fingerprint card: Through IdentoGO.com
Court case search: eclerksla.com

Maine

Online$41.00

Request form: Maine PCR help / request
Start here: maine.gov/online/pcr
Certified copy: No; however, check “Notarized” on the application
Driver’s license or passport: Yes
FD-258 fingerprint card: No
Court case search: courts.maine.gov online services

Maryland

Mail$39.00

Request form: Maryland request form (PDF)
Start here: dpscs.maryland.gov — background checks
Certified copy: Yes — gold seal letter
Driver’s license or passport: Yes
FD-258 fingerprint card: Yes, but the card must be mailed from state CJIS (state-specific card)
Court case search: dpscs.maryland.gov

Massachusetts

Mail$25.00

Request form: No form — request online through iCORI
Start here: mass.gov — CORI
Certified copy: Yes
Driver’s license or passport: Yes
FD-258 fingerprint card: No
Court case search: mass.gov court dockets

Michigan

Online$30.00

Request form: No form — request online through MSP CHR
Start here: michigan.gov/msp/services/chr
Certified copy: No
Driver’s license or passport: Yes
FD-258 fingerprint card: Yes — write “PERSONAL RECORD REVIEW” on the FD-258
Court case search: michigan.gov/msp/services/chr

Minnesota

Mail$8.00

Request form: Criminal History Record Request (PDF)
Start here: chs.state.mn.us
Certified copy: No
Driver’s license or passport: Yes
FD-258 fingerprint card: No
Court case search: Minnesota court case search

Mississippi

Mail$32.00

Request form: Release / Background Authorization form (PDF)
Start here: dps.ms.gov — Criminal Information Center
Certified copy: Request a notarized copy
Driver’s license or passport: Yes
FD-258 fingerprint card: No
Court case search: ms.gov/dps/background_check

Missouri

Mail$20.00

Request form: SHP-158 request form (PDF)
Start here: courts.mo.gov Case.net
Certified copy: Request a notarized copy
Driver’s license or passport: Yes
FD-258 fingerprint card: Yes
Court case search: Case.net

Montana

Online$15.00

Request form: Montana mail-in request option (PDF)
Start here: doj.egovmt.com/choprs
Certified copy: Request a notarized copy
Driver’s license or passport: Yes
FD-258 fingerprint card: Yes
Court case search: dojmt.gov — background checks

Nebraska

Mail$30.00

Request form: Criminal History Request Form 752 (PDF)
Start here: statepatrol.nebraska.gov — record requests
Certified copy: No
Driver’s license or passport: Yes
FD-258 fingerprint card: No
Court case search: nebraskajudicial.gov case information

Nevada

Mail$27.00

Request form: DPS-006 / RCCD-006 request form (PDF)
Start here: rccd.nv.gov — criminal history records request
Certified copy: Yes — repository copy
Driver’s license or passport: Yes
FD-258 fingerprint card: Yes
Court case search: nvcourts.gov

New Hampshire

Mail$25.00

Request form: DSSP 256 criminal record request (PDF)
Start here: services.dos.nh.gov/chri/cpo
Certified copy: Yes
Driver’s license or passport: Yes
FD-258 fingerprint card: No
Court case search: nhsp.dos.nh.gov — criminal records

New Jersey

Online$45.73

Request form: New Jersey request form (PDF)
Start here: njsp.njoag.gov — criminal history records
Certified copy: Request a notarized copy
Driver’s license or passport: Yes
FD-258 fingerprint card: Through IdentoGO.com — use code 2F1BH1
Court case search: njcourts.gov — find a case

New Mexico

Mail$33.00

Request form: Authorization for Release of Information (PDF)
Start here: dps.nm.gov — Law Enforcement Records Bureau
Certified copy: Yes
Driver’s license or passport: Yes
FD-258 fingerprint card: Through IdentoGO.com
Court case search: caselookup.nmcourts.gov

New York

Mail$75.00

Request form: CHRS application (PDF)
Start here: criminaljustice.ny.gov — request your NYS criminal history
Certified copy: No
Driver’s license or passport: Yes
FD-258 fingerprint card: Through IdentoGO.com — use code 1546F
Court case search: nycourts.gov e-courts

North Carolina

Mail$14.00

Request form: SBI Right to Review request (fillable)
Start here: nccourts.gov — criminal background check
Certified copy: No
Driver’s license or passport: Yes
FD-258 fingerprint card: Yes
Court case search: nccourts.gov eCourts

North Dakota

Mail$15.00

Request form: Criminal record check form (PDF)
Start here: attorneygeneral.nd.gov — requesting a criminal history record check
Certified copy: No
Driver’s license or passport: Yes
FD-258 fingerprint card: No
Court case search: ndcourts.gov

Ohio

Mail$22.00

Request form: Request for copy of Ohio BCI check
Start here: ohioattorneygeneral.gov — WebCheck
Certified copy: No
Driver’s license or passport: Yes
FD-258 fingerprint card: Yes
Court case search: ohioattorneygeneral.gov forms

Oklahoma

Mail or online$15.00

Request form: OSBI criminal history request form (PDF)
Start here: oklahoma.gov — OSBI criminal history FAQs
Certified copy: No
Driver’s license or passport: Yes
FD-258 fingerprint card: Yes
Court case search: OSBI CHIRP

Oregon

Mail$38.00

Request form: Copy of own record / clearance letter request (PDF)
Certified copy: Request a notarized copy
Driver’s license or passport: Yes
FD-258 fingerprint card: No
Court case search: Oregon State Police open records portal

Pennsylvania

Mail$27.00

Request form: Form SP4-170 (PDF)
Start here: epatch.pa.gov
Certified copy: Request a notarized copy
Driver’s license or passport: Yes
FD-258 fingerprint card: No
Court case search: pa.gov — request a criminal history background check

Rhode Island

Mail$27.00

Request form: Authorization to release information (PDF)
Start here: riag.ri.gov
Certified copy: Request the sealed version
Driver’s license or passport: Yes
FD-258 fingerprint card: No
Court case search: riag.ri.gov — get a background check

South Carolina

Mail$26.00

Request form: SLED CATCH form (fillable PDF)
Start here: sled.sc.gov
Certified copy: Request a notarized copy
Driver’s license or passport: Yes
FD-258 fingerprint card: No
Court case search: SLED CATCH

South Dakota

Mail$30.00

Request form: Authorization / release form (PDF)
Start here: atg.sd.gov — identification
Certified copy: No
Driver’s license or passport: Yes
FD-258 fingerprint card: Yes — order the card from the state
Court case search: atg.sd.gov — criminal history
Note: South Dakota supplies the fingerprint card itself — order it at atg.sd.gov/LawEnforcement/Identification/fingerprint-card.aspx.

Tennessee

Mail$29.00

Request form: TORIS request form and memo (PDF)
Start here: tn.gov/tbi
Certified copy: Request a certified copy
Driver’s license or passport: Yes
FD-258 fingerprint card: No
Court case search: TBI TORIS

Texas

Mail$10.00

Request form: Form CR-42 (PDF)
Start here: dps.texas.gov
Certified copy: Request a certified copy
Driver’s license or passport: Yes
FD-258 fingerprint card: No
Court case search: DPS conviction name search

Utah · Two forms

Mail$20.00

Request form: Record of arrest (ROA) form (PDF)
Third-party release form (PDF)
Start here: dps.utah.gov
Certified copy: No
Driver’s license or passport: Yes
FD-258 fingerprint card: Yes
Court case search: bci.utah.gov — obtain a copy of your own record

Vermont

Mail$30.00

Request form: Public request form and notary form (PDF)
Start here: vcic.vermont.gov
Certified copy: Request a notarized copy
Driver’s license or passport: Yes
FD-258 fingerprint card: No
Court case search: criminalrecords.vermont.gov

Virginia

Mail$15.00

Request form: Criminal history record name search request (PDF)
Start here: vsp.virginia.gov
Certified copy: Request a notarized copy
Driver’s license or passport: Yes
FD-258 fingerprint card: No
Court case search: Virginia State Police CATS

Washington

Mail$47.00

Request form: Request for conviction criminal history (PDF)
Start here: wsp.wa.gov
Certified copy: Request a notarized copy
Driver’s license or passport: Yes
FD-258 fingerprint card: No
Court case search: WSP WATCH

West Virginia

Mail$40.00

Start here: wvsp.gov
Certified copy: No
Driver’s license or passport: Yes
FD-258 fingerprint card: Through IdentoGO.com
Court case search: wvsp.gov — criminal records
Note: No request form — the request is made fingerprint-based through IdentoGO.

Wisconsin

Mail$12.00

Request form: Single subject form DJ-LE-250 (PDF)
Start here: wisdoj.gov
Certified copy: Request a certified copy
Driver’s license or passport: Yes
FD-258 fingerprint card: No
Court case search: wisdoj.gov — criminal background check

Wyoming

Mail$15.00

Request form: Record request letter (PDF)
Start here: wyomingdci.wyo.gov
Certified copy: No
Driver’s license or passport: Yes
FD-258 fingerprint card: Yes
Court case search: wyomingdci.wyo.gov

Still being verified

We are confirming the request process for this one now. Call us and we will walk you through it in the meantime.

District of Columbia

Military, immigration, and other records

Only if they apply to you

Military service records · DD-214, DD-214-1, DD-215

Mail or online

Request form: Standard Form 180, Request Pertaining to Military Records (PDF)
Start here: National Archives: military service records
More sources: eVetRecs: request online from the National Archives
milConnect: download your own DD-214 (DoD login)
Note: DOJ requires your DD-214 if you served in the last 25 years (or since 18), whether or not your service is the reason you are prohibited. A court-martial file (charge sheet DD-458, judgment, appellate-completion certificate) comes from the same sources.

Immigration and citizenship records · 18 U.S.C. 922(g)(5)

Request form: Form N-600, Application for Certificate of Citizenship (PDF)
Form N-565, Application for Replacement Naturalization/Citizenship Document (PDF)
Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card (PDF)
Start here: ICE: request immigration records
More sources: USCIS online account
USCIS: N-600 instructions and filing fee
USCIS: N-565 instructions and filing fee
USCIS: I-90 instructions and filing fee
Note: Check the edition date on uscis.gov before you file; USCIS rejects outdated editions of its forms.

Renunciation of U.S. citizenship · 18 U.S.C. 922(g)(7)

Request form: Supplemental Statement Regarding Renunciation of U.S. Citizenship (PDF)
Start here: State Department FOIA: request your renunciation file
More sources: travel.state.gov: citizenship and renunciation
Note: DOJ needs your formal renunciation of nationality and a sworn explanation of why you renounced.

Misdemeanor domestic violence records · 18 U.S.C. 922(g)(9)

Note: Get these from the local jurisdiction where the case was heard: the clerk of court for the charging document, judgment, and proof the sentence was completed, and the arresting agency for the police and investigative reports.

Rather not chase 25 years of paperwork yourself?

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National Firearm Rights Assistance is an independent service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of the U.S. Department of Justice, the FBI, or any state agency. The links on this page go to the agencies that hold your records; NFRA does not issue records and does not provide legal advice. For current program details, visit justice.gov/ffrr.

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