Review a criminal record before assuming it is complete or accurate
A criminal record review is more than typing a name into a background-check website. If the record belongs to you, the strongest review combines your fingerprint-based FBI Identity History Summary, the appropriate state criminal-history repository and the actual court records behind each arrest or disposition. If you are reviewing a consumer background report, check for wrong-person matches, duplicate charges, missing dismissals, sealed records and outdated information before relying on it.
What does “reviewing a criminal record” actually involve?
The phrase can describe several different tasks. Someone may be reviewing their own government criminal-history record for accuracy, checking information supplied by a background-screening company, or comparing a criminal-history summary against the actual court case.
Your own government record
Obtain your fingerprint-based criminal history so you can see what federal or state agencies have associated with your identity.
Check for errors
Look for incorrect identity information, missing dispositions, cases belonging to another person, duplicate entries or information that should have been updated.
Review a consumer report
Compare employment or tenant-screening information with official court and government records before accepting the report as accurate.
For a thorough review, compare three different record layers
| Record source | What it can contain | Why review it | Main limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| FBI Identity History Summary | Fingerprint-supported arrest and disposition information available through FBI systems. | Useful for reviewing nationwide/federal identity-history information associated with you. | Some state-maintained information must be corrected through the state repository. |
| State criminal-history repository | Arrests, prosecutions and dispositions reported under state law. | Can provide more detail or correction procedures for records maintained at state level. | Rules differ significantly from state to state. |
| Court record | Charges, docket events, orders, pleas, dismissals, convictions and sentencing. | Usually the best source for proving how a particular court case ended. | Courts do not necessarily maintain the complete fingerprint-based criminal-history record. |
A practical criminal-record review workflow
List every name you have used
Include legal name changes, former surnames and aliases that may legitimately appear in government records.
Request your fingerprint-based record
Use fingerprints whenever possible for your own review. They are substantially more reliable for identity matching than searching by name and date of birth.
Mark every entry you do not understand
Pay particular attention to arrests without dispositions, duplicate cases, cases you do not recognize and cases that were later dismissed or sealed.
Locate the corresponding court case
Use the jurisdiction, arrest date, charge and case information to identify the court that handled the matter.
Get documentation when the record is wrong
A certified disposition, amended order, expungement order or agency correction can make a challenge much easier to resolve.
Correct the source before chasing every downstream database
When possible, fix the record with the government agency or court that supplied the inaccurate information. Then follow up with other systems that copied the error.
How to review your FBI Identity History Summary
The FBI calls its fingerprint-based criminal-history response an Identity History Summary, commonly known as a “rap sheet.”
The FBI states that an Identity History Summary can contain information from fingerprint submissions associated with arrests as well as related disposition information.
The public can request their own record directly through the FBI’s Criminal Justice Information Services Division.
FBI Identity History Summary Checks FBI electronic request portalFBI criminal-record review cost and fingerprint requirements
The FBI currently charges $18 for an Identity History Summary request. Fingerprints are required because the FBI uses them to establish positive identity.
Electronic request
After starting the electronic request, eligible applicants can submit fingerprints electronically at a participating U.S. Post Office location or mail a completed fingerprint card to the FBI. Additional fingerprint-service fees may apply.
Mail request
Applicants can also mail the required request materials and a current fingerprint card directly to FBI CJIS.
FBI CJIS Summary Request
FBI CJIS Division – Summary Request
1000 Custer Hollow Road
Clarksburg, WV 26306
Identity History questions: 304-625-5590
How to inspect an FBI criminal-history summary for problems
Work through the record event by event rather than simply looking for whether your name appears.
Confirm it is yours
Check names, identifying information and fingerprint-supported identifiers before focusing on individual cases.
Check the arrest event
Confirm date, arresting agency, charge information and whether you recognize the incident.
Check how the case ended
Look for conviction, dismissal, acquittal or another final outcome associated with the arrest.
Red flags worth investigating
- an arrest you do not recognize
- a disposition is completely missing
- a dismissed case appears unresolved
- a record belonging to someone with a similar name appears
- a sealed or expunged matter appears unexpectedly
- the wrong offense or severity is shown
- the same incident appears duplicated
- a court correction has not reached the criminal-history system
How to challenge an inaccurate FBI Identity History Summary
The FBI provides a formal challenge process when information in your Identity History Summary appears inaccurate or incomplete.
Obtain the Identity History Summary first
The FBI needs positive identification before it can release or discuss criminal-history summary information.
Identify the exact problem
State which arrest, disposition or other information you believe is incomplete or inaccurate.
Gather supporting records
Include available court dispositions, dismissal orders, expungement orders or other official documentation that supports your challenge.
Submit the challenge
Follow the FBI’s current Identity History Summary challenge procedure.
The FBI currently states that there is no fee to challenge an Identity History Summary and that the average challenge response time is within approximately 45 days after receipt.
FBI review and challenge instructionsReview your state criminal-history record separately
An FBI review should not automatically replace a state-level criminal-history review. States maintain their own criminal-history repositories and have different rules for:
- who may request a record
- whether fingerprints are required
- what public and nonpublic information is included
- fees
- processing times
- record-correction procedures
- sealed or expunged information
- employment and licensing access
Find the official State Identification Bureau
The FBI maintains an official State Identification Bureau Listing covering states, the District of Columbia and participating U.S. territories.
Depending on the state, the central criminal-history repository may be operated by:
State Police
Common in states where the state police maintain the criminal-record repository.
Department of Public Safety
Used in states where DPS maintains criminal-history or identification records.
Bureau of Investigation
Some states use an SBI, BCI, CBI or similarly named criminal-information agency.
Attorney General / DOJ
Some states place criminal-history repositories within the Attorney General or Justice Department.
Verify every questionable criminal-history entry with the actual court case
Criminal-history summaries are useful, but the court that handled the prosecution is often the strongest source for proving how a particular charge ended.
Search the appropriate state judiciary, county clerk, district court, superior court, circuit court or other trial court using the case number whenever possible.
Look for these court details
- case number
- filing date
- original charge
- amended charge
- plea
- dismissal
- conviction or acquittal
- sentence
- appeal
- expungement or sealing order
A missing disposition is one of the most important errors to investigate
A criminal-history record can contain an arrest without showing how the related court case ended. That creates a misleading picture if the charge was later dismissed, reduced or resulted in another outcome.
An arrest record and a conviction record are not the same thing
| Term | What it means | What to verify |
|---|---|---|
| Arrest | Law enforcement took the person into custody or processed an arrest. | Determine whether prosecutors actually filed charges. |
| Charge | A criminal allegation was filed or asserted. | Check whether it was dismissed, amended or prosecuted. |
| Pending | The case has not reached its final disposition. | Check the latest docket activity. |
| Dismissed | The charge ended without a conviction on that charge. | Check whether other counts remained. |
| Acquitted | The defendant was found not guilty. | Make sure the report does not describe it as a conviction. |
| Convicted | A criminal conviction was entered. | Review the offense, sentence and later relief. |
Check whether sealed or expunged information is still being reported
Sealing and expungement rules vary considerably by state. A court order can affect public availability without necessarily meaning every historical record was physically destroyed.
If you previously received record relief:
- find your court order
- confirm exactly which case or arrest it covers
- check the state criminal-history repository
- review the FBI summary where appropriate
- check consumer background reports that previously contained the record
- dispute continued reporting where the law requires removal
Look carefully for records belonging to someone else
Name-based background searches can mistakenly associate one person’s criminal case with another person who has a similar name.
Compare as many lawful identifiers as possible:
- middle name or middle initial
- date or year of birth
- known addresses
- county and state
- age at the time of the case
- case filing date
- physical identifiers where legitimately available
- fingerprint-based identity when available
How to review a commercial criminal background report
Employment and tenant-screening companies can collect criminal-record information from courts, public-record vendors and other sources. Those reports should be checked against the original government record when something looks suspicious.
Look for these common problems
Wrong person’s case
A case with a similar name may have been attached to your report.
Dismissal missing
The report may show an arrest or charge but fail to show that the case was dismissed.
One case listed multiple times
Different stages of one prosecution can sometimes appear as separate criminal events.
Sealed or expunged case
A record that is no longer lawfully reportable may still appear in an outdated database.
Wrong offense level
A misdemeanor can be incorrectly described as a felony or vice versa.
Pending case shown as conviction
A filed charge should not automatically be represented as a completed conviction.
Reviewing an employment background report
When an employer obtains a background report from a company in the business of compiling background information, the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act can apply.
The Federal Trade Commission explains that employers using such reports generally have obligations concerning disclosure, authorization and adverse-action procedures.
FTC background-check guidanceReviewing criminal records in a tenant-screening report
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau specifically advises renters to check criminal-record sections of tenant-screening reports for inaccurate, duplicated, sealed, expunged or outdated information.
If a rental application was denied, or you were charged more because of information in a tenant screening report, federal law can provide rights to learn which screening company supplied the report and to dispute inaccurate information.
CFPB tenant background-check reviewHow to dispute an inaccurate background report
When the inaccurate information comes from a consumer reporting company rather than directly from the FBI or a state repository, use the consumer-report dispute process as well.
Get a copy of the report
Review exactly what the screening company reported instead of relying only on what an employer or landlord told you.
Circle or list every error
Identify incorrect names, charges, court outcomes, dates, duplicate cases and outdated information.
Get official proof
Court orders, certified dispositions and government criminal-history responses can help demonstrate the correct information.
Dispute with the reporting company
Clearly describe the error in writing and include copies of supporting records rather than originals.
Contact the source of the inaccurate data
When appropriate, also contact the court, state repository or other furnishing source so the underlying information can be corrected.
When to obtain a certified criminal court record
A certified copy is useful when you need reliable documentation showing exactly how a case ended.
Consider requesting a certified court document when:
- a background report shows the wrong disposition
- an arrest is missing its dismissal
- a government repository needs proof of correction
- a sealing or expungement order is not reflected elsewhere
- you need formal documentation for a legal or administrative process
What if your review shows no criminal record?
A “no record” or no-match response should always be interpreted in the context of the system searched.
FBI no-summary response
Means the FBI did not return an Identity History Summary through that fingerprint-based request.
State no-record response
Means the state repository did not return the type of record covered by that state’s process.
Court name search returns nothing
Can reflect spelling, old records, another jurisdiction, sealed records or court-specific access limits.
Use this checklist before considering your record review complete
- identity information belongs to you
- all recognized arrests are correctly listed
- every arrest has the correct court outcome when available
- dismissed charges are identified as dismissed
- no acquittal is being described as a conviction
- offense levels are correct
- duplicate records have been identified
- sealed or expunged cases are handled correctly
- wrong-person records are disputed
- state and FBI records are compared when appropriate
- consumer background reports are reviewed separately
- certified court documents are saved for important corrections
Frequently asked questions about criminal record reviews
1. What is a criminal record review?
A criminal record review is the process of obtaining and checking criminal-history information for accuracy and completeness. It may involve an FBI Identity History Summary, a state criminal-history repository, court records or a consumer background report.
2. How do I review my FBI criminal record?
Request your FBI Identity History Summary using the FBI’s official process. Fingerprints are required so the FBI can establish positive identity.
3. How much does an FBI criminal record review cost?
The FBI currently charges $18 for an Identity History Summary request. Additional fingerprint collection fees can apply depending on where fingerprints are submitted.
4. Can I get another person’s FBI criminal history?
The public Identity History Summary process is designed for a person to request their own fingerprint-based record. It is not an unrestricted public search for another person’s FBI rap sheet.
5. What should I do if my FBI record is wrong?
Use the FBI Identity History Summary challenge process and identify the inaccurate or incomplete information. Include supporting documentation when available. Some state-maintained records must first be corrected through the appropriate State Identification Bureau.
6. Does it cost money to challenge an FBI criminal record?
The FBI currently states that there is no fee to challenge an Identity History Summary.
7. Should I also review my state criminal record?
Yes when state information matters. State criminal-history systems have their own access, correction and sealing procedures, and some records are maintained primarily at the state level.
8. What if an arrest appears without a disposition?
Locate the court that handled the case and obtain the final disposition. If the criminal-history repository is incomplete, follow that repository’s correction procedure and provide the official court documentation it requires.
9. What if a background check shows another person’s criminal record?
Gather proof of your identity and the official case information, then dispute the incorrect information with the consumer reporting company. If the underlying government record is also wrong, correct that source separately.
10. Does expungement automatically remove a case from every database?
Not necessarily. The legal effect and update process depend on the jurisdiction and type of relief. Check the court, state repository, FBI record when relevant and any consumer report that previously displayed the information.
Official resources for reviewing and correcting criminal records
- FBI — Identity History Summary Checks
- FBI — Electronic Departmental Order Portal
- FBI — Identity History Summary FAQs
- FBI — State Identification Bureau Listing
- FBI — State-Maintained Records Listing
- Federal Trade Commission — Background Checks and Employment
- CFPB — Review Your Rental Background Check