Option 2: Electronically submit your request to the FBI.
If you submit a request electronically, you may visit a participating U.S. Post Office to submit your fingerprints
electronically as part of your request. Call the post office first to make sure they offer this service. There may
be a fee.
1. Go to https://www.edo.cjis.gov.
2. Follow the steps under the “Obtaining Your Identity History Summary” section.
Step 6: Wait for a response.
Once the request for the FBI Identification Record is made, if the FBI does not find a record, a “no record”
response will be sent. If the FBI does find a criminal history record in the file, an identification record or rap
sheet will be sent.
It currently takes the FBI two to four weeks to process requests submitted through the mail. The processing
time for electronic submissions is about three to five business days once they receive the request.
The FBI must send the results to the person who requested the record.
F. What are the steps to request my criminal history from my state?
Each state has its own procedure for obtaining rap sheets. Find the instructions from the relevant state agency
in charge of maintaining criminal records submitted by the state courts and law enforcement agencies. A map
at https://www.hirenetwork.org/clearinghouse can be a helpful place to start looking for your state criminal
records agency, although a simple Google search will usually be very effective.
Example 1: In Texas, the Department of Public Safety handles “Personal Criminal History
Record Information.” You can create a login to search records electronically—
https://secure.txdps.state.tx.us/DpsWebsite/CriminalHistory/—or the department provides a
request form and instructions here: https://www.dps.texas.gov/internetforms/Forms/CR-
63.pdf.
Example 2: In Massachusetts, a state records request is called a CORI (Criminal Offender
Record Information) and the state Executive Office of Public Safety and Security explains what
is in these records and how to request your own history: https://www.mass.gov/eopss/crime-
prev-personal-sfty/bkgd-check/cori/.
Example 3: In Florida, the state Department of Law Enforcement offers several different kinds
of checks to choose from: http://www.fdle.state.fl.us/cms/Criminal-History-
Records/Obtaining-Criminal-History-Information.aspx.
Example 4: In California, the CA Department of Justice maintains the statewide criminal
records, which can be accessed via live scan (digital fingerprinting). Extensive instructions
about the request process and live scan options are available on the Attorney General’s website
at: https://oag.ca.gov/fingerprints/security.