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Identity History Summary Checks (Rap Sheets)
For a fee, the FBI can provide you with your Identity History Summary Check, known as a rap sheet.
Get Your Identity History Summary/Rap Sheet (or Proof One Does Not Exist)
Current Processing Time:
City Fingerprinting in New York - Typically 10 minutes, but sometimes up to 5 days.
Mail Requests - Can take as long as 50 days.
Allow additional time for mail delivery.
Overview
For a fee, individuals can obtain an Identity History Summary from the FBI. This summary, often called a criminal history or "rap sheet," contains specific information derived from fingerprint submissions. These submissions, maintained by the FBI, pertain to arrests and occasionally to federal employment, naturalization, or military service. If connected to an arrest, the Identity History Summary details the agency that provided the fingerprints, the arrest date, the charges, and the outcome, if available. All arrest information in the summary is sourced from fingerprint submissions, disposition reports, and other data provided by authorized criminal justice agencies.
Rules and regulations for you to obtain a copy of your Identity History Summary for review or proof that one does not exist (Department of Justice Order 556-73)
In accordance with federal regulations, you have the right to examine, amend, or update your personal record using your Identity History Summary. These summaries are not intended for use in employment or licensing decisions. For inquiries about employment or licensing background checks, please contact the State Identification Bureau in the relevant state.
Online
The fastest option is to submit your request online, for both Identity History Summary Checks and Identity History Summary Challenges.
1. To schedule an appointment please go to www.cityfingerprints.net to schedule your appointment.
2. Follow the steps under the “Obtaining Your Identity History Summary” section.
For a fee, the FBI can provide individuals with an Identity History Summary, often referred to as a criminal history or “rap sheet”—listing certain information taken from fingerprint submissions kept by the FBI and related to arrests and, in some instances, federal employment, naturalization, or military service. If the fingerprint submissions are related to an arrest, the Identity History Summary includes the name of the agency that submitted the fingerprints to the FBI, the date of the arrest, the arrest charge, and the disposition of the arrest, if known. All arrest information included in an Identity History Summary is obtained from fingerprint submissions, disposition reports, and other information submitted by authorized criminal justice agencies.
Rules and regulations for you to obtain a copy of your Identity History Summary for review or proof that one does not exist (Department of Justice Order 556-73)
Under federal law, you can use your Identity History Summary to review, correct, or update your own personal record. Identity History Summaries are not to be used for employment or licensing. Questions on employment or licensing background checks should be directed to the State Identification Bureau for the state requiring the background check.
FBI-Approved Channeler
You may choose to work with an FBI-Approved Channeler—a private business that has contracted with the FBI to submit your request on your behalf. An FBI-Approved Channeler helps speed up the delivery of Identity History Summary Checks (rap sheets) on behalf of the FBI.
FBI-Approved Channelers:
receive your fingerprint submission and relevant data
collect the fee(s)
forward your fingerprint submission with the necessary information to the FBI for a national Identity History Summary check
receive the electronic summary check result and share it with you.
The process for making a request through a channeler is consistent with FBI submission steps. The channeler may have different methods for you to submit your information to them.
You may also have to pay an additional fee to use a channeler. Contact each channeler for costs, processing times, and availability in your area. If you are interested in using a channeler, the channeler can provide you with complete information and instructions.
Find an FBI-Approved Channeler
Restrictions on FBI-Approved Channelers
An FBI-Approved Channeler may only process requests for a U.S. citizen or U.S. lawful permanent resident located in the U.S. or its territories.
An FBI-approved Channeler cannot process a request for employment and/or licensing purposes. These requests should be coordinated with the appropriate State Identification Bureau (or state police) for the correct procedures. State Identification Bureau Listing — FBI