Criminal History Request
Request criminal history records, rap sheets, background information, and related records from the appropriate agency.
Build the request around the records job, not a vague request for “everything.”
A strong records request identifies the agency, record type, time period, and identifiers or custodians that make the records searchable. Official agencies commonly ask for practical inputs such as addresses, parcel or case numbers, dates, permit numbers, custodians, and a clear description of the records sought. This workflow turns those inputs into a structured request.
Turn the search into a request that an agency can act on.
Enter what you know, identify the records, review the generated scope, and preserve the final request. The goal is a clear, searchable description of the records you want and the information that helps the custodian find them.
Receiving files is not the same as verifying a complete production.
Preserve the original request, organize the response, and review the production for missing categories, references to records that were not produced, duplicates, identifier inconsistencies, timeline gaps, and redaction or withholding language.
Criminal History Request FAQ
Answers focus on the practical search and request questions people ask before submitting a records request.
Identify the agency (state police, DOJ, FBI), the full legal name of the person, date of birth, and any known case or reference numbers.
Access rules vary. Some states allow personal requests; others restrict to authorized parties.
A rap sheet is a criminal history record maintained by a law enforcement agency that lists arrests, charges, dispositions, and other case data.
Processing times vary by agency, request type, and the volume of records being searched. Some agencies provide status updates during processing.
Explore adjacent records searches.
Turn this search into an actual request.
Start with the objective in plain English. The workspace handles the structure.
Request criminal history →