Official Guide State DOJ and FBI paths

Background Check Online

Compare personal criminal history requests, employer screening, and law-enforcement-directed fingerprint workflows.

State DOJ Check

Usually the fastest official option for personal state-level history.

FBI Identity Summary

Used when a federal record snapshot is required.

Employment Screening

Often handled by a permitted third-party screening agency under applicable law.

Live Scan / Fingerprints

Common for licensing, agency employment, and regulated checks.

Typical Process

How to Request One

1

Choose whether the request is personal, employer-driven, or licensing-related.

2

Gather photo ID and any agency form or authorization number required.

3

Complete fingerprinting or online identity verification if the process requires it.

4

Submit payment and wait for the official response window.

Need a Local Fingerprint or Records Office?

Use the directory to find county-level police departments, sheriff offices, and local public records contacts tied to your jurisdiction.