By law, state agencies and professional licensing boards may require an applicant to complete a criminal history record check prior to employment or licensure.
- A North Dakota criminal history record check may be name-based or fingerprint based.
A name-based search will not identify records if the subject was arrested under a different name from the name(s) listed on the request form. A fingerprint-based search will identify arrest records even if the subject used an unknown alias. If a fingerprint-based search is requested, fingerprints must be provided. To obtain fingerprints, contact your local law enforcement agency.
Required Information
You need the subject’s:
- Full name, including maiden name, former name and any known aliases;
- Date of Birth;
- Social Security Number OR the subject’s fingerprints; and
- Subject’s current address OR a signed authorization form.
- Unless a signed authorization accompanies the request, the BCI will mail a notice to the subject that the criminal history record has been released.
The Record Request Form
Complete and submit the original signed form along with the required fee by mail to the BCI. Payment by check or money order (NO CASH), made payable to “ND Attorney General.”
- Request for Criminal History Record Information – $15 fee.
- An eligible non-profit charitable organization may submit an Application for Reduction in Fee.
- Upon approval, the fee is reduced to $5.
- An eligible non-profit charitable organization may submit an Application for Reduction in Fee.
- Public School Request for Criminal History Information
The BCI does not confirm receipt. If you want a record of delivery, you may wish to submit the request by certified mail, return receipt requested, or via a delivery service that provides tracking confirmation.
Processing Time
It takes approximately 7-10 business days to process and complete a criminal history record check. If you require an expedited response, you must include a pre-paid self-addressed overnight/priority mail type envelope and payment only in the form of a certified cashier’s check or money order.
- If you need the response to be certified or notarized you must attach a written request to the record request form.
- If you submitted the request through a state agency or professional licensing board more than three weeks ago, you will need to contact the agency or board regarding the status of your request. Although the BCI begins processing requests upon receipt, some boards submit requests to the BCI only on a monthly basis. BCI returns the record check to the board as soon as it is completed, but the board may not review the completed record checks until its next scheduled board meeting. This is beyond the control of the BCI.
- For information about an Apostille, contact the North Dakota Secretary of State at (701) 328-2901.
Requesting a National (FBI) Record Check
A request for criminal history record information only provides North Dakota records. For individuals who are required by state or federal law to obtain a national FBI record check (including applicants for professional licenses, foster care providers, potential adoptive parents, and others listed in N.D.C.C. § 12-60-24), the request must be made through the BCI.
- Instructions and the forms are available from the agency or entity requiring the individual to obtain the FBI record check.
For all other individuals, the request must be made directly to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.