New Jersey Criminal History Records Information | New Jersey State Police – NJ.gov
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Criminal History Record Information (CHRI):
The New Jersey State Police frequently receives inquiries from government, business, and citizens on the regulations and procedures for obtaining an individual’s criminal history record. This web site has been developed to assist you in answering the most common questions asked about this process.
New Jersey Administrative Code (N.J.A.C.) 13:59-1 et seq. authorizes the dissemination of New Jersey Criminal History Record Information (CHRI) by the New Jersey State Police (NJSP), Identification & Information Technology Section (I&ITS), State Bureau of Identification (SBI) for noncriminal justice purposes. The following entities are authorized to obtain from the SBI all records of convictions in the New Jersey state courts and, regardless of their age, all records of pending arrests and charges for violations of New Jersey laws, unless such records have been expunged:
- Governmental entities of this state, the federal government, or any other state for any official governmental purpose, including, but not limited to, employment, licensing and the procurement of services;
- A person or non-governmental entity of any state, that seeks to directly engage the services of the subject of the record, for the purpose of determining the subject’s qualifications for employment, volunteer work or other performance of service;
- Attorneys-at-law licensed by any state for use in any contested matters docketed in any state or federal court or administrative agencies of this state;
- Private detectives licensed by the Division of State Police pursuant to N.J.S.A. 45:19-8 et seq. for the purposes of obtaining information in the furtherance of the performance of their statutorily authorized functions, as specifically enumerated by N.J.S.A. 45:19-9(a)1 to 9.
- A person for the purpose of obtaining his/her personal record request.
Requests for CHRI by requesters shall be on forms prescribed by the Superintendent of the State Police, with the exception of Attorneys-at-law who may obtain this information through the lawful issuance of a subpoena.
Instructions for In State Residents Requesting a New Jersey Fingerprint-Based Criminal History Record Check (records from NJ only)
Effective July 1, 2021 Applicants and/or Employers will have the ability to download the result of the Personal Record Request letter by clicking on the link below. This will begin for applicants that schedule appointments with IdentoGo on July 1, 2021. In order to download the Personal Record Request letter Applicants and/or Employers will need the IdentoGo PCN, Last Name and Date of Birth as entered on IdentoGO form to be authenticated. The Applicants and/or Employers will have up to 90 days from the date fingerprinted to download the Personal Record Request letter. If after 90 days the Applicant will need to go through the Personal Record Request process again and be fingerprinted. https://njportal.com/NJSP/prr
The Division of State Police, Criminal Information Unit (CIU) provides fingerprint-based New Jersey criminal history record checks to any resident of the state of New Jersey requesting a copy of his/her own criminal history record. A personal record request is typically for the purpose of:
- GOOD CONDUCT
- IMMIGRATION
- NATURALIZATION
- PERSONAL RECORD
- VISA
- INTERNATIONAL ADOPTION
- FOREIGN BUSINESS
- EXPUNGMENT
All Personal Record Requests are New Jersey state only searches.
An individual may obtain a criminal history record check via electronic live scan at one of the approved fingerprint capturing sites. The New Jersey State Police utilizes the live scan fingerprinting services provided by IDEMIA, a private company under contract with the State of New Jersey. In order to be fingerprinted for one of the purposes listed above, you are required to contact IDEMIA to schedule a time and place to have your fingerprints captured at an IdentoGO site.
The quickest and easiest way to schedule your appointment is via the World Wide Web at https://uenroll.identogo.com/.
Web scheduling is available 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Applicants who do not have World Wide Web access should call IDEMIA at the company’s toll-free telephone number, 1-877-503-5981 (Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon). Spanish-speaking operators are available upon request. You must bring proper identification with the home address the appointment was scheduled with as outlined on IDEMIA’s website.
Appointment registration and location information will be available on the Idemia Universal Enrollment Platform (UEP), allowing applicants to schedule appointments using a unique Service Code for each agency/fingerprint reason.
IDEMIA has assigned a Service Code for each unique combination of agency and applicant type. The six character Service Code is used for uniquely identifying the Agency (ORI), and Reason for Fingerprinting (RFP). The use of the Service Code ensures that applicants are being printed for the correct purpose and are not accidently or incorrectly being processed for a service they don’t need. The distribution of the Service Code is dependent on the agency to confirm the correct applicants have the correct service. Below is a list of criminal history Background Checks provided by the New Jersey State Police. Corresponding service codes are listed for each type of request.
The fee for this fingerprinting service is $44.13, which includes the $14.13 vendor fee and associated state sales tax. The following forms of payment are accepted: VISA, Master Card, American Express, Discover, prepaid debit cards, or electronic debit (ACH) from a checking account. Payment will be collected at the Idemia fingerprint site on the day of the scheduled appointment. Appointments must be canceled by 5:00 p.m. on the business day prior to your scheduled time (you must cancel by Saturday at noon for a Monday appointment).
Failure to provide complete and accurate information may result in having to be fingerprinted again and incurring additional costs. (There are no refunds once a criminal histroy background check is completed). Questions or revisions to responses must be made within a ninety day (90) period or the full process will have to be repeated. If you do not receive your response within ten (10) working days please contact the Criminal Information Unit at 609 882-2000 ext. 2918 or CIU@njsp.org.
Any questions regarding New Jersey Criminal History Record Check Process can be directed to the New Jersey State Police, Criminal Information Unit at 609 882-2000 ext. 2918 or CIU@njsp.org.
Personal Records Request:
Applicants that require one of the following fingerprint-based New Jersey criminal history record checks and need the results mailed to the applicant’s address.
- Immigration
- Naturalization
- Personal Record
- Visa
- Expungement
- Good Conduct
Contributor case number: PRR
(A criminal hit will result in full disclosure of the criminal record)
Personal Records Request (notarized):
Applicants that require one of the following fingerprint-based New Jersey criminal history record checks and need the results notarized and mailed to the applicant’s address.
- Foreign Business Requiring Notarization
- International Adoption Requiring Notarization
Contributor case number: NOTARY
(A criminal hit will result in full disclosure of a criminal record)
Noncriminal Justice Licensing / Employment Requests
N.J.A.C. 13:59-1 et seq. provides fingerprint-based New Jersey criminal history record checks for noncriminal justice licensing or employment to the following:
- Governmental entities of this State, the federal government or any other state for any official governmental purpose;
- A person or non-governmental entity of any state, that seeks to directly engage the services of the subject of the record, for purposes of determining the subject’s qualifications for employment, volunteer work or other performance of services
- Private detectives, licensed by the Division of State Police, for the purposes of obtaining information pursuant to their statutorily authorized functions
There are two (2) options available to a requester to conduct a noncriminal licensing / employment check. Both are fingerprint-based New Jersey criminal history record checks.
Personal Records Request (Employment):
Applicants that require a fingerprint-based New Jersey criminal history record check for employment purposes and need the results mailed back to the applicant’s address.
- Employment – response returned to applicant
Contributor case number: EMPLOYEE
(A Criminal Hit will result in the disclosure of convictions and pending data only)
Personal Employer Request:
Applicants that require a fingerprint-based New Jersey criminal history record check for employment purposes and need the results mailed to the employer address.
- Employment – response returned to employer
YOUR EMPLOYER ADDRESS MUST BE COMPLETE AND ACCURATE, AS RESULTS ARE SENT OUT VIA US MAIL.
Contributor case number: EMPLOYER
(A Criminal Hit will result in the disclosure of convictions and pending data only)
Any questions regarding the information on these forms, or if you fail to receive your response after ten (10) working days once fingerprinted, can be directed to the New Jersey State Police, Criminal Information Unit at 609 882-2000 ext. 2918 or CIU@njsp.org.
Instructions for Out Of State Residents Requesting a Fingerprint-Based New Jersey Criminal History Record Check (records from NJ only):
If you are an out-of-state resident but live, work, or attend school within a 10-mile radius of the NJ borders, you must be fingerprinted at an IdentoGO fingerprint site in NJ or at a participating out-of-state IdentoGO Universal Enrollment site. If your zip code is on the Restricted Zip Code List, you must select one of the Personal Record Request Service Codes listed above and schedule an appointment with IdentoGO at https://uenroll.identogo.com/. Please review the Restricted Zip Code List – [pdf] for all zip codes within a 10-radius of the NJ borders.
There are multiple out of state IdentoGO Universal Enrollment site locations across the United States that can be utilized to complete a fingerprint-based NJ criminal history record check.. Site locations nearest you can be searched by entering a zip code or town/city name during the enrollment process at https://uenroll.identogo.com/. The search feature will produce a list of any available IdentoGO Universal Enrollment sites in your area. Please note that IdentoGO will add a convenience fee for the out-of-state Universal Enrollment services.
If your zip code is not on the Restricted Zip Code List and you are unable to be fingerprinted at an IdentoGO out-of-state Universal Enrollment site location, you must submit hard card fingerprints by utilizing IdentoGo’s Card Scan services. First, you must select one of the personal record request service codes listed above prior to completing the pre-enrollment process. Make note and record your Service Code number to use during the enrollment process.
Please follow these instructions to pre-enroll on-line and complete the IdentoGo Card Scan process:
- Obtain Out of State Personal Record Request Fingerprint Hard Cards – [pdf] . Printing the PDF on standard paper is acceptable and must be black ink.
- Pre-enroll on-line and provide payment information at https://uenroll.identogo.com. You will need your chosen Service Code listed above to complete this step. Follow all instructions contained in the Out of State Personal Record Request Instructions from Idemia – [pdf].
- Select “Submit A Fingerprint Card By Mail” during the on-line enrollment process.
- Complete your fingerprinting on a hard card. Your local police department, live scan vendor, or embassy can complete hard card fingerprinting.
- The fingerprint card will list the purpose of the record check and include all identification data including the individual’s full name, date of birth, social security number, mailing address and contact information. The police department or agency taking the fingerprints must positively identify the individual and complete the information on the NJSP Out of State Verification Form for Hard Card Fingerprints – [pdf]
- Mail hard card fingerprints and the NJSP out of State Verification Form for Hard Card Fingerprints to the following address:
IdentoGO
Cardscan Department – NJ Program
340 Seven Springs Way, Suite 250
Brentwood, TN 37027
Any questions regarding the New Jersey Criminal History Background Process can be directed to the New Jersey State Police, Criminal Information Unit at 609 882-2000 ext. 2918 or CIU@njsp.org
Volunteer Review Operation (VRO) – Fingerprint-Based New Jersey and Federal Criminal History Record Checks:
Volunteer Review Operation (VRO) – State and Federal Fingerprint-Based Criminal History Record Checks Requires nonprofit Youth Serving Organizations to register with the VRO for the purposes of obtaining criminal history record checks pursuant to P.L. 1999, c. 432 (C. 15A:3A-1). The organization must provide the following to register:
- Short Form of Standing from the Dept. of Treasury: (Division of Revenue Web Site)
- Federal Tax Exemption with the IRS – Letter of Determination; and
- Agree with and Execute the Memorandum of Understanding.
*If organizations are church or recreation, they only need to provide the executed Memorandum of Understanding*
Upon receipt of documentation, the VRO will supply the organization with an organization specific identification number (6 digit VRN), and detailed instructions for submission.
The VRO will process the applicant fingerprints, review records, and respond to the registered organization with a letter reporting a recommendation of approval or denial.
** The registered organization will not receive a copy of the applicant’s record under this program. The VRO will review and make a determination based on disqualifiers enumerated in law.
VRO Fees:
- Employees – $57.38
- Volunteers – $25.38
All fees will be made at the fingerprinting site on the day of the appointment by credit card or electronic debit card.
No personal checks will be accepted.
Applicants are required to use the contracted vendor IDEMIA, which provides the electronic fingerprint live scan services for VRO background checks.
Registered Organization will use the service codes below.
Youth Serving Organization Employee
Contributor case number: VRN number specific to each registered organization
Youth Serving Organization Volunteer
Contributor case number: VRN number specific to each registered organization
Questions regarding obtaining noncriminal justice criminal history record checks should be directed to the VRO at (609) 882-2000, extension 2762 or Vol_ReviewOps@njsp.org.
Noncriminal Justice Volunteer Background Checks / Volunteer Care Provider (VCP) Program (records from NJ only):
N.J.A.C. 13:59-1 et seq. provides background checks for non-criminal justice volunteers to the following:
- Any person who volunteers with a qualified entity, as that term is defined by the National Child Protection Act of 1993, 42 U.S.C. §§ 5119, 5119c;
- Any person who volunteers his or her services to an entity that has been qualified by the Internal Revenue System as exempt from Federal income tax pursuant to 26 U.S.C. § 501(c)(3); or
- Any volunteer of a nonprofit youth serving organization.
There are two (2) options available to a requester under the VCP.
Fingerprint-Based VCP Check (records from NJ only):
A requester may elect to conduct a more thorough check, based on a fingerprint comparison by using the service code provided below. The fee for electronic fingerprinting is $32.13. These responses will be mailed directly to the employers address that is provided by the applicant. The following forms of payment are accepted: VISA, Master Card, American Express, Discover prepaid debit cards, or electronic debit (ACH) from a checking account. Accounts will be debited immediately.
YOUR EMPLOYER / VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATION ADDRESS MUST BE COMPLETE AND ACCURATE, AS RESULTS ARE SENT OUT VIA US MAIL.
Contributor case number: VCP
Name-Based Volunteer Check (records from NJ only):
If only a name-based criminal history record check is desired, please refer to the SBI 212B Form information listed below. The fee for name-based volunteer submissions is reduced to $12.
No personal checks will be accepted.
All inquiries should be directed to the Criminal Information Unit, (609) 882-2000, extension 2918 or CIU@njsp.org.
Name-Based Checks (records from NJ only):
The SBI 212B Form was developed to provide the following entities with the ability to request New Jersey named-based only criminal history record checks by submitting a subject’s name, date of birth, social security number, and other descriptive information:
- Governmental entities of this State, the federal government or any other state for any official governmental purposes, including, but not limited to, employment, licensing, and the procurement of services;
- A person or non-governmental entity of any State, that seeks to directly engage the services of the subject of the record, for purposes of determining the subject’s qualifications for employment, volunteer work or other performance of services;
- Private detectives, licensed by the Division of State Police, for the purposes of obtaining information pursuant to their statutorily authorized functions.
If an authorized requester elects to conduct a more thorough check, based on fingerprint comparison, he/she may select one of the fingerprint-based checks described above. The responses will go directly back to the employer address that was listed when making the fingerprint appointment.
The state vendor NICUSA has developed a web based platform to submit the SBI 212B form.
https://www.njportal.com/njsp/212b/
The fee for an SBI 212B online submission is $20, payable by credit or debit card. Valid email addresses must be provided for both the requester (employer) and subject (employee) of the name-based criminal history record check. Payment can be made by either the requester (employer) or the subject (employee), but the subject must consent to the criminal history record check via the online verification process (with the exception of licensed private detectives performing their statutorily authorized functions.) The requester (employer) must initiate the online 212B process for the specific subject (employee). The subject (employee) can NOT initiate the process for the requester (employer).
All Licensed private detectives will need to setup an account on the website prior to submitting SBI 212B requests. It is also strongly suggested but not necessary, that each employer set up an account on the NICUSA 212B portal. Setting up an account through NICUSA will allow users to access name based criminal history background checks electronically. Without an account you will only receive an email of the results and will not be able to obtain a copy. In the near future, setting up an account will be necessary to utilize the name check service.
SBI 212B Forms MAY NOT be used for a person requesting his/her own criminal history record. Anyone wishing to receive his/her own record must submit fingerprints by utilizing one of the methods described above, in accordance with N.J.A.C. 13:59-1 et seq.
Further questions regarding obtaining criminal history record background checks or noncriminal justice licensing/employment checks should be directed to the Criminal Information Unit, (609) 882-2000, extension 2918 or CIU@njsp.org.