Criminal record checks are crucial to the insurance and law industries for many reasons. Someone with a rap sheet longer than the Declaration of Independence, including insurance fraud charges, can easily be discredited in terms of their claim after acquiring the record from the state using a simple request. Some states utilize quick and easy online systems, while others require requests to be sent in via mail, and unfortunately, some states do not release statewide criminal records at all or without fingerprints and/or a signed authorization from the subject.
Please note, when a state’s process says, “No statewide criminal check available,” we mean that there is no public criminal record access. Some of these states are closed-record states or require approved vendors, etc. However, we always research methods to obtain the records.
Also note, if a state does not release criminal records, we attempt statewide county criminal record/court searches as well!
Here is a detailed, alphabetical list of our processes for conducting criminal checks in all 50 states (and Washington D.C.):
Alabama: A signed authorization from the subject and fingerprints are required. However, we can obtain statewide county court records.
Alaska: A signed authorization from the subject is required. However, we can obtain statewide county court records.
Arizona: No statewide criminal check available. Closed state. However, we can obtain statewide county court records.
Arkansas: A signed authorization from the subject is required. However, we can obtain statewide county court records.
California: Criminal records are available on a county by county basis, each county having different requirements.
Colorado: Statewide criminal search available.
Connecticut: Statewide criminal search available.
Delaware: No statewide criminal search available. Closed state. However, we are able to conduct statewide court record searches.
Florida: Statewide criminal search available.
Georgia: Statewide criminal search available.
Hawaii: Statewide criminal search available.
Idaho: Statewide criminal search available.
Illinois: Statewide criminal search available.
Indiana: A signed authorization from the subject and fingerprints are required. However, we are able to conduct statewide court record searches.
Iowa: Statewide criminal search available, but will only release arrest information within the last 18 months. A signed authorization from the subject is needed for a complete criminal record.
Kansas: Statewide criminal search available.
Kentucky: Statewide criminal search available.
Louisiana: No statewide criminal check available. Closed state. However, we can conduct county/parish or town court record searches.
Maine: Statewide criminal search available.
Maryland: Statewide criminal search available.
Massachusetts: Statewide criminal search available.
Michigan: Statewide criminal search available.
Minnesota: Statewide criminal search available to include offenses, courts of conviction, dates of conviction and sentencing information within the past 15 years.
Mississippi: A signed authorization from the subject is required. However, we can obtain statewide county court records.
Missouri: Statewide criminal search available.
Montana: Statewide criminal search available.
Nebraska: Statewide criminal search available.
Nevada: A signed authorization and fingerprints from the subject are required. However, we can conduct statewide county court record searches.
New Hampshire: A signed authorization and fingerprints from the subject are required. However, we can conduct statewide county court record searches.
New Jersey: Statewide criminal search available.
New Mexico: A signed authorization from the subject is required. However, we can conduct statewide county court record searches.
New York: Statewide criminal search available.
North Carolina: Statewide criminal search available.
North Dakota: Statewide criminal search available. However, if we do not provide a signed authorization from the subject, the subject will be notified. This is left up to the client’s discretion. Furthermore, we can conduct statewide county court record searches.
Ohio: Fingerprints from the subject are required. However, we can conduct statewide county court record searches.
Oklahoma: Statewide criminal search available.
Oregon: Statewide criminal search available.
Pennsylvania: Statewide criminal search available.
Rhode Island: A signed authorization from the subject and a copy of the subject’s driver’s license are required. However, we can conduct statewide county court record searches.
South Carolina: Statewide criminal search available.
South Dakota: An official criminal history requires a signed authorization and fingerprints from the subject. However, we can conduct statewide county court record searches.
Tennessee: Statewide criminal search available.
Texas: Statewide criminal search available.
Utah: No statewide criminal check available. Closed state. However, we can conduct statewide county court record searches.
Vermont: Statewide criminal search available.
Virginia: A signed authorization from the subject is required. However, we can conduct statewide county court record searches.
Washington: Statewide criminal search available.
Washington D.C.: A signed and notarized authorization from the subject is required. However, we can conduct court record searches.
West Virginia: A signed authorization and fingerprints from the subject are required. However, we can conduct statewide county court record searches.
Wisconsin: Statewide criminal search available.
Wyoming: A signed authorization and fingerprints from the subject are required. However, we can conduct statewide county court record searches.
It must also be noted that each state has different policies, different time frames of recorded records, and pricing. And finally, each state will only have criminal records for crimes committed in said state. For example, if the subject lives in New Jersey but committed a crime in Pennsylvania, searching New Jersey’s criminal records will not give you any crimes committed out of state.
When in doubt, please do not hesitate to give us a call and discuss each state’s policies and requirements!