Search Idaho Criminal Cases, Criminal History & Public Records
Idaho criminal records are spread across several government systems. The Idaho Judicial Branch’s iCourt Portal provides basic state trial-court case information; county courthouse kiosks and clerks provide access to qualifying court documents; the Idaho State Police Bureau of Criminal Identification (BCI) maintains Idaho’s central fingerprint-based criminal-history repository; and the Idaho Department of Correction maintains separate prison, probation and parole information. Choosing the correct source first can prevent an incomplete search.
Which Idaho criminal record are you actually looking for?
Idaho does not combine every criminal-justice record into one public search. Court filings, statewide criminal history, local arrests, prison records and federal cases can live in different systems.
Criminal court case
Use iCourt for basic district and magistrate case information. Use a courthouse kiosk or county clerk when you need qualifying case documents.
State criminal history
BCI maintains Idaho’s central repository of fingerprint-supported criminal-history information reported by Idaho criminal-justice agencies.
Arrest or jail record
Local arrests, booking data, incident reports and county-jail information may be maintained by the arresting agency or county sheriff.
Prison / probation / parole
IDOC maintains a separate resident/client search for people incarcerated or under Idaho correctional supervision.
Appeals
Idaho Supreme Court and Court of Appeals opinions and appellate records use separate appellate resources.
Federal criminal cases
Federal prosecutions filed in the District of Idaho use PACER rather than the Idaho state iCourt system.
How to search Idaho criminal court cases with iCourt
The Idaho Judicial Branch directs the public to the iCourt Portal for general information about Idaho state court cases.
iCourt covers Idaho’s district and magistrate courts and serves as the statewide public case-information portal.
Open the official Idaho iCourt Portal
Start from mycourts.idaho.gov or the Idaho Supreme Court website rather than a third-party criminal-record lookup.
Search using the strongest information available
Use the case number when you know it. Otherwise, search using the available party or case information and compare identifying details carefully.
Open the case information
Review the case number, court, parties, charges, hearings, docket events and disposition-related information made available to public users.
Identify the filing county
The county matters because the local clerk is the custodian you will usually contact when you need the actual documents from the case.
Use a courthouse kiosk when online case information is not enough
Idaho’s courthouses provide public computer kiosks with access to publicly available statewide court case information and records.
Need the actual Idaho criminal complaint, order or judgment?
Idaho’s Judicial Branch draws an important distinction between case information and records from the case.
For general case information, use iCourt. For the actual public records contained in a court file, Idaho directs users to:
- a public computer kiosk at an Idaho county courthouse
- the clerk’s office in the county where the case was filed
Idaho courthouse kiosks provide broader public court-record access
Every Idaho county courthouse has at least one public computer kiosk for searching publicly accessible state court case information and records.
In August 2026, the Idaho Judicial Branch launched a new statewide courthouse-kiosk search interface. The upgraded kiosk system improves search flexibility and can search case information and hearings without always requiring a party name or case number.
Court records are governed by Idaho Court Administrative Rule 32, not simply by the ordinary Idaho Public Records Act.
How to read an Idaho criminal court result
| Case item | What it means | What to verify |
|---|---|---|
| Charge | The criminal allegation filed in court. | A charge alone does not prove guilt. |
| Case number | The court’s identifying number for the proceeding. | Save it before contacting a clerk or courthouse. |
| Docket / register activity | Chronological case events and filings. | Read later entries to see whether earlier allegations changed. |
| Disposition | How a charge or case was resolved. | Look for conviction, dismissal, acquittal or another disposition. |
| Sentence | Court-ordered consequences following an applicable disposition. | Review incarceration, probation, fines or other conditions separately. |
| Filing county | The local court maintaining the case file. | Use that county clerk for copies and document requests. |
Which Idaho court records are public?
Idaho states that court records and proceedings are, by and large, open to the public, but access is subject to Idaho Court Administrative Rule 32.
Rule 32 creates exemptions for records or portions of records that are confidential, sealed or otherwise restricted. The exact access status depends on the record type and case.
Ordinary open criminal cases
Basic case information and qualifying documents from proceedings open to the public can be accessible.
Confidential or sealed material
Juvenile records, protected information, sealed material and other rule-based exceptions may not be publicly disclosed.
For ordinary record requests, Idaho’s court guidance says the custodian generally has three working days to provide the records, deny the request or refer the issue to a custodian judge. If more time is needed, the requester may be notified of a response timeline extending up to 10 working days under the applicable rule.
Idaho State Police BCI criminal-history records
The Idaho State Police Bureau of Criminal Identification (BCI) maintains Idaho’s central repository of criminal-history information.
The BCI database is built primarily from fingerprint arrest records submitted by Idaho criminal-justice agencies. Idaho says its automated criminal-history records can be searched by name or by fingerprints.
Idaho name-based criminal background check
Idaho BCI offers a name-based search of the Idaho Central Repository of Criminal History Records.
| Item | Current Idaho guidance |
|---|---|
| BCI processing fee | $20 per name-based check |
| Search method | Name and identifying information |
| Notarized result | Name-based results are not notarized; use a fingerprint-based check when a notarized result is needed. |
| Subject waiver | Idaho does not generally require a waiver for the search, but waiver status can affect disclosure of certain unresolved arrest information. |
| Card-payment surcharge | ISP currently lists an additional $1 plus 2.5% of the transaction for credit/debit payments. |
Fingerprint-based Idaho criminal-history checks
Fingerprint-based searching provides stronger identity confirmation than a name-only search. Idaho BCI’s 2026 fee for a statewide fingerprint-based criminal-history check is $25.
The fingerprint-based request form requires a completed fingerprint card. Idaho says the card should contain required identifying information and be dated within 180 days of submission.
$25 BCI processing
Current statewide fingerprint-based criminal-history processing fee effective in 2026.
$10 first card
ISP headquarters currently charges $10 for the first fingerprint card and $5 for each additional card.
Government-issued photo ID
ISP requires current valid state- or government-issued photo identification for its fingerprinting service.
Fingerprinting at ISP is available at the Bureau of Criminal Identification headquarters in Meridian, not at ISP district offices.
How to review your own Idaho criminal history
If you want to see what Idaho BCI maintains about you, a fingerprint-based request is the stronger option because fingerprints positively identify the subject of the record.
Obtain a fingerprint card
You can use ISP’s Meridian fingerprinting service or another qualified fingerprinting provider.
Complete BCI’s fingerprint-based criminal background form
Include the identifying information required by the current form and attach the fingerprint card.
Submit the request and fee
The current BCI fingerprint-check processing fee is $25, separate from fingerprint-rolling costs.
Review each arrest and disposition
Compare BCI data with the underlying court record when an entry looks incomplete or inaccurate.
Why an Idaho arrest can exist locally but not appear in BCI
Idaho BCI specifically warns that its repository is based on arrest fingerprint cards reported by Idaho criminal-justice agencies.
If the arresting agency did not submit an arrest fingerprint card, that arrest may not appear in the statewide Idaho criminal-history repository even though the local agency has a record of it.
BCI also does not include ordinary records from other states, FBI criminal-history records or federal convictions.
What to do if your Idaho criminal-history record is wrong
Idaho provides a procedure to challenge inaccurate criminal-history information.
If you dispute an Idaho BCI record, BCI says you may request a certified fingerprint-based copy so your identity can be verified. When challenging your own criminal-history record, the fingerprint-based check is processed without the ordinary background-check charge.
Obtain the BCI record
Use fingerprints so BCI can confirm that the record belongs to you.
Identify the disputed entry
Note the arrest, charge, disposition or other information you believe is incorrect.
Get supporting documents
Obtain a court order, dismissal, corrected disposition or documentation from the arresting agency when applicable.
Submit the correction material to BCI
Idaho says BCI updates its record based on information from the originating law-enforcement agency or an appropriate court order.
Idaho BCI expungement for arrests that did not result in a case or conviction
Idaho has a specific BCI expungement process for certain fingerprint and criminal-history records.
Idaho State Police says a person may request expungement of the fingerprint and criminal-history record connected with an incident when qualifying circumstances under Idaho Code § 67-3004(10) apply, including situations where:
- the person was arrested or served a criminal summons
- no indictment or information was filed within one year of the arrest or summons
- the person was acquitted of all offenses arising from the incident
- all charges arising from the incident were dismissed
The request is directed to the Idaho State Police Bureau of Criminal Identification.
Idaho BCI expungement formsIdaho Clean Slate Act: shielding qualifying records from public disclosure
Idaho now provides a separate court process allowing qualifying criminal records to be shielded from public disclosure.
The Idaho Judicial Branch says a person with an eligible criminal record can petition the court when at least five years have passed since completion of the sentence, including all ordered probation, parole, fines and restitution.
Only one offense, or one set of offenses arising from a single incident or transaction, may be shielded under the process.
Are juvenile criminal-history records public in Idaho?
Idaho State Police says juvenile criminal histories are not included in the ordinary Idaho BCI criminal-history database available through its background-check process.
If a juvenile was prosecuted or adjudicated as an adult, the resulting adult criminal-history event may be present.
Idaho court records involving juveniles also receive special protections under Idaho Court Administrative Rule 32.
Idaho prison, probation and parole records
The Idaho Department of Correction Resident/Client Search covers people currently incarcerated or otherwise under IDOC jurisdiction, including people on probation or parole.
The search supports a person’s name or IDOC number. Partial searches are accepted when they meet the minimum character requirements shown by IDOC.
Current incarceration
Basic information about people currently held under Idaho DOC jurisdiction.
Probation or parole
The database also covers people currently under qualifying community supervision.
Former IDOC clients
Names of people who completed their sentence can remain searchable, although IDOC says their convictions will not be displayed in that circumstance.
A person held in a county jail rather than state correctional custody may need to be searched through the appropriate county sheriff or jail.
Idaho sex-offender registry search
The Idaho State Police Bureau of Criminal Identification administers Idaho’s central sex-offender registry. Public registry information is available through the Idaho State Police website.
Public registry data can include information such as:
- registrant name and aliases
- date of birth
- residential information made public by law
- physical description
- qualifying registered offenses
- place of conviction
- current photograph
Idaho’s registry has historically supported searches by name and geographic criteria, including city, county and ZIP code.
Idaho Supreme Court and Court of Appeals criminal records
If a criminal case was appealed, the Idaho Supreme Court and Idaho Court of Appeals maintain separate appellate records.
The Idaho Judicial Branch publishes Supreme Court and Court of Appeals opinions online. Criminal opinions can be searched by keyword, year and case type.
Supreme Court opinions
Search released Idaho Supreme Court opinions and available summaries.
Supreme Court opinionsAppellate opinions
Search Idaho Court of Appeals opinions, including criminal appeals.
Court of Appeals opinionsFor other appellate case information or records that are not available through the published-opinion pages, the Idaho Judicial Branch directs requesters to the Clerk of the Supreme Court and Court of Appeals.
Federal criminal cases in Idaho
Idaho state court systems do not include federal criminal cases. Federal prosecutions in Idaho are filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Idaho.
Federal case and docket information is available through PACER.
The District of Idaho also provides public courthouse terminals in Boise, Coeur d’Alene and Pocatello for viewing public federal dockets without PACER access charges at the terminal, although printing fees can apply.
| Federal court location | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Boise | 550 W. Fort St., Boise, ID 83724 | 208-334-1361 |
| Coeur d’Alene | 6450 N. Mineral Dr., Coeur d’Alene, ID 83815 | 208-665-6850 |
| Pocatello | 801 E. Sherman St., Room 119, Pocatello, ID 83201 | 208-478-4123 |
| Moscow | 220 E. 5th St., Room 304, Moscow, ID 83843 | 208-882-7612 |
Idaho Bureau of Criminal Identification office & fingerprinting location
Criminal History Unit / ABIS
700 S. Stratford Dr., Suite 120
Meridian, ID 83642
Criminal History Unit: 208-884-7134
General BCI: 208-884-7136
Fingerprinting
Monday-Friday
8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Closed on government-observed holidays
No appointment currently required.
Fingerprinting service is offered at the Meridian BCI headquarters and is not available through Idaho State Police district offices. Verify office hours before a long trip.
Idaho criminal-record search tips
Start with iCourt for a known case
A case search can quickly give you the filing county and case number needed for deeper courthouse research.
Use the courthouse for documents
iCourt gives general case information; county courthouse kiosks and clerks are the practical route to underlying case documents.
BCI is not nationwide
An Idaho BCI check does not automatically include another state’s record, an FBI record or federal court cases.
Fingerprint check is stronger
Name-based searches can be affected by aliases and false birth dates. Fingerprints offer stronger identity confirmation.
Local arrest may not appear in BCI
If no fingerprint card was submitted to BCI, a local agency may have an arrest record that the state repository does not.
Save the case number
It makes courthouse searches, copy requests and appellate research much easier.
Read the final disposition
Do not treat an arrest or criminal complaint as the final result of the case.
Clean Slate is not destruction
Shielding qualifying court records prevents public access but does not physically destroy the record.
County jail and IDOC are different
A recent county detainee may not appear in the state DOC search. Check the appropriate sheriff or county jail.
Idaho criminal records: frequently asked questions
1. Where can I search Idaho criminal court cases?
Use the Idaho Judicial Branch iCourt Portal at mycourts.idaho.gov for general district and magistrate case information. For underlying case records, use a county courthouse kiosk or contact the clerk where the case was filed.
2. Is Idaho iCourt the same as a criminal background check?
No. iCourt is a state court case-information system. Statewide Idaho criminal-history checks are conducted through the Idaho State Police Bureau of Criminal Identification.
3. How much is an Idaho name-based criminal background check?
Idaho State Police currently lists the BCI name-based criminal-history check fee at $20. Credit and debit card payments can carry an additional transaction charge.
4. How much is an Idaho fingerprint-based background check?
The statewide BCI fingerprint-based criminal-history processing fee increased to $25 on January 1, 2026. Fingerprint-rolling costs are separate.
5. Does Idaho BCI include criminal records from other states?
No. Idaho BCI says its criminal-history repository contains Idaho arrest information and does not automatically include other-state records, FBI records or federal court convictions.
6. Why can a local Idaho arrest be missing from a BCI criminal-history report?
BCI’s repository is based on fingerprint arrest records submitted by Idaho criminal-justice agencies. If an arrest fingerprint card was not submitted, a local agency may have the record even though it is missing from the statewide BCI history.
7. Can I correct an inaccurate Idaho criminal-history record?
Yes. Idaho BCI provides a challenge process. The person’s fingerprints can be used to verify identity, and supporting court or law-enforcement documentation can be submitted so BCI can correct qualifying errors.
8. Can Idaho criminal records be expunged?
Idaho provides several different remedies. BCI can expunge qualifying fingerprint and criminal-history records connected to certain arrests that did not lead to charges or that ended in acquittal or dismissal. Idaho’s Clean Slate process separately allows qualifying court records to be shielded from public disclosure.
9. Does Idaho’s Clean Slate process destroy the criminal record?
No. Idaho’s Judicial Branch specifically states that shielding prevents qualifying records from public disclosure but does not destroy the records.
10. Does Idaho iCourt include federal criminal cases?
No. Federal criminal cases are handled through the U.S. District Court for the District of Idaho and should be searched through PACER or qualifying federal courthouse access.
Official Idaho criminal-record sources
- Idaho Judicial Branch — iCourt Portal
- Idaho Judicial Branch — Court Records & Requests
- Idaho Court Administrative Rule 32 — Court Record Access
- Idaho State Police BCI — Criminal History
- Idaho State Police — Fingerprinting & Background Checks
- Idaho BCI — Criminal History & Expungement Forms
- Idaho Judicial Branch — Clean Slate Act
- Idaho Department of Correction — Resident/Client Search
- Idaho Supreme Court Opinions
- Idaho Court of Appeals Opinions
- PACER — Federal Court Records
- U.S. District Court for the District of Idaho