How to Obtain My Criminal Record

by DeannaB

Overview

Like many things in law, the process of obtaining your criminal record varies from one state to the next. However, every state has a process to allow you or your authorized representative to obtain your criminal history record information (CHRI), usually for a small fee.

Step 1

Open a search engine and type in the name of your state, plus "Department of Public Safety."
Step 2

Search the site for a subsection called "criminal records" or "crime records." Click on it.
Step 3

Click on the link that is titled "Review of Criminal History" or something similar. This will bring up a page that has procedures for an individual or for your authorized representative to request your criminal history. Print this page and follow the instructions as you compose your request letter.
Step 4

Purchase a money order or write a check for the amount specified by the Department of Public Safety for the service.
Step 5

Address your envelope, insert your written request and money order or check, seal your envelope, and affix sufficient postage before mailing. You can contact your state's Department of Public Safety for an estimated response time.

1
Computer with Internet access Printer Envelope Postage Check or money order
Computer with Internet access
Printer
Envelope
Postage
Check or money order
Two common requirements include composing a request, in writing, for your state's department of public safety to search your criminal history files and provide the results to yourself or to a certain named party, and including your printed name, phone number and mailing address for a response. However, be sure to follow your state's requirements. Your police department, sheriff's department or department of public safety office has the ability to run your criminal record, but might not print it for you. You can ask, but going through your state's department of public safety is preferable.
Two common requirements include composing a request, in writing, for your state's department of public safety to search your criminal history files and provide the results to yourself or to a certain named party, and including your printed name, phone number and mailing address for a response. However, be sure to follow your state's requirements.
Your police department, sheriff's department or department of public safety office has the ability to run your criminal record, but might not print it for you. You can ask, but going through your state's department of public safety is preferable.