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.

The fastest option is to submit your request online, for both Identity History Summary Checks and Identity History Summary Challenges. 

1. Visit edo.cjis.gov.

2. Follow the steps under the “Obtaining Your Identity History Summary” section.

If you submit a request electronically directly to the FBI, you may visit a participating U.S. Post Office location to submit your fingerprints electronically as part of your request. You may go to any of the participating U.S. Post Office locations nationwide upon completion of your request. Additional fees may apply.

• If you choose to use a U.S. Post Office location, you must complete your application and payment electronically prior to visiting a U.S. Post Office location to submit your fingerprints electronically as part of your request.
• If you choose not to use a U.S. Post Office location, then you may still mail your completed fingerprint card, along with your confirmation email received when you started your electronic request, to the address listed on your confirmation email. The request will continue to be processed as an electronic submission once the completed fingerprint card is received. Additional fees will apply.
  

1. Complete the Applicant Information Form

Tips for Success:

• If the request is for a couple, family, etc., each person must complete and sign a form.
• Include a complete mailing address.
• Provide your phone number and e-mail address, if available.
• Do not send a self-addressed envelope. This includes pre-paid Priority Mail, FedEx account numbers, United Parcel Service, etc., foreign postage coupons, and requests to forward correspondence to the Department of State for the apostille process.
  
  

2. Get Your Fingerprints

Tips for Success:

• Your fingerprints should be placed on a standard fingerprint form (FD-1164). The FBI will accept FD-1164 fingerprint cards on standard white paper stock.
• You must provide a current fingerprint card (not a previously processed one.)
• Your name, date of birth, and signature must be on the fingerprint card.
• You must include rolled impressions of all 10 fingerprints and impressions of all 10 fingerprints taken at the same time (sometimes referred to as plain or flat impressions).
  If possible, have your fingerprints taken by a fingerprinting technician. This service may be available at your local police department. The FBI recommends that red or purple ink not be used for fingerprinting.
• We accept fingerprints taken with ink or via live scan. If your fingerprints are taken via a live scan device, get a hard copy, so the fingerprint card can be mailed to the FBI.
• If fingerprints are not legible, the fingerprint card will be rejected. This could cause delays in processing and could also result in additional fees.
• The name on your response letter will match the name indicated on the fingerprint card when your application, payment, and fingerprint card are submitted via the mail.
• If the last four digits of your Social Security number are needed on your response letter, then please ensure the full nine-digits or last four digits of your Social Security number are on the fingerprint card when submitting your request.
• For more information, refer to the Recording Friction Ridges module.

3. Pay

The cost for an Identity History Summary Check (Rap Sheet) is $18 per person. You cannot pay extra for faster service.

You can pay by:

• Credit Card using the Credit Card Payment Form. Don’t forget to include the expiration date of the credit card that you are using.
• Money Order or Certified Check for $18 U.S. dollars made payable to the Treasury of the United States. Sign where required.
  
  

Tips for Success:

• Do not pay via cash, personal checks, or business checks. This will delay processing of your request.
• Payment must be for the exact amount.
• If the request is for a couple, family, etc., include $18 for each person.
• You will receive one, sealed response per request. You may make as many copies as you need.
• If you need additional sealed responses mailed to the same address or different addresses, send additional requests with another payment of $18 for as many sealed copies as you need.
• If you are unable to pay the $18 fee, you can request a waiver. The waiver must include a claim and proof of indigence, such as a notarized affidavit of indigence.
  
  

4. Review Everything

Review the Identity History Summary Request Checklist to ensure that you have included everything we need to process your request.

5. Mail Your Required Materials

• Signed Applicant Information Form
• Fingerprint Card
• Payment of $18 U.S. dollars per person (use the Credit Card Payment Form if you are paying by credit card)

to

FBI CJIS Division – Summary Request
1000 Custer Hollow Road
Clarksburg, WV 26306

6. Receive Your Response

If you do not have an Identity History Summary (rap sheet) on file, you will receive a response by first-class mail via the U.S. Postal Service explaining you have no prior arrest data on file with the FBI.

If you do have an Identity History Summary on file, you will receive your Identity History Summary or rap sheet by first-class mail via the U.S. Postal Service. Your results will be provided on standard white paper.

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.

How FBI-Approved Channelers Work

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

• List of FBI-Approved Channelers for Departmental Order Submissions

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.
  
  

• If you believe your Identity History Summary (rap sheet), has incorrect information, request a change or correction.
• Law Enforcement: Get a certified copy of fingerprints and/or Identity History Summary Check.
• Additional questions? Check the Frequently Asked Questions

• Email: identity@fbi.gov
• Phone: (304) 625-5590