Fingerprinting & Background Checks

Applicant Background Checks

As authorized by law, criminal history information is provided for non-criminal justice purposes, such as employment screening and licensure. The fee-supported applicant program has grown dramatically in recent years as Congress and the Legislature continue to expand background check requirements. Annually, our staff processes approximately 94,000 applicant fingerprint cards and conducts about 30,000 name based background checks. Non-law enforcement, non-criminal justice agencies and individuals may receive records maintained by the Bureau of Criminal Identification (BCI) through the methods outlined below. This service is often used to conduct background checks for licensing and employment screening. It also provides criminal background checks for personal inquiries. Idaho code 67-3008 (6) states “A person or private agency, or public agency, other than the department, shall not disseminate criminal history record information obtained from the department to a person or agency that is not a criminal justice agency or a court without a signed release of the subject of record or unless otherwise provided by law.”

Fingerprint Services
Fingerprint Services

Fingerprinting services are offered at 700 S. Stratford Dr., Suite 120, in Meridian. We are open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays, no appointments necessary. Our fee is $10.00 for the first card and $5.00 for each additional card. We accept cash, check or credit card payments. There will be an additional processing fee of $1.00 plus 3% of the total transaction for all payments made by credit or debit card. This does not include the background-processing fee.

Due to limited space in our lobby, large groups coming in together for fingerprinting services will be asked to wait outside to be called in.

If you are needing fingerprint services outside the Treasure Valley, please contact your local police department or sheriff’s office.

Fingerprint Background Checks
Fingerprint Background Checks

To request this check, submit a complete set of inked and rolled fingerprints on an applicant fingerprint card, our Fingerprint Criminal Background Check Form (Changes to form) including our Payment Authorization Form, and required payment. Fingerprint cards must include: Subject of record’s name (print), alias names (including maiden and previous married names), current address, citizenship, descriptive data, date of birth, place of birth, reason for being fingerprinted, and signature of person being fingerprinted. The official taking the fingerprints must date and sign the fingerprint card. The date must be within 180 days of the fingerprint check submission.

Payment Method

The required fee for a fingerprint check is $20.00. We will accept payment by cash check or credit/debit card. There will be an additional processing fee of $1.00 plus 3% of the total transaction for all payments made by credit or debit card. Our Payment Authorization Form must be completed and sent to us along with the fingerprint card, the Fingerprint Criminal Background Check Form and required fee. Please make sure to follow the instructions on all forms.
Requests with missing data and wrong payment amount will be returned. A $20 processing fee will be charged for any returned check. The request may be hand delivered or mailed to the Bureau of Criminal Identification (BCI). Please keep in mind, BCI does not telephone or fax results. Allow ample time for processing, as requests are processed on first come first served basis.

DOWNLOAD FORM:

FINGERPRINT BACKGROUND CHECK FORM (PDF)

Name Based Background Check
Name Based Background Check

To request this check, submit a completed Name Based Criminal Background Check Form and required fee. Be aware it is not uncommon for criminal offenders to use alias names and false dates of birth, which would adversely affect the completeness and accuracy of a non-fingerprint based search of the Idaho Criminal History Repository. Idaho law does not require a waiver. However, without a waiver, any arrest more than 12 months old, without a disposition, cannot be given to a non-criminal justice agency. The signature date on waivers must be within 180 days of the name check submission.

Payment Method

The required fee for a name based check is $20.00. We will accept payment by cash, check, or credit/debit card. There will be an additional processing fee of $1.00 plus 3% of the total transaction for all payments made by credit or debit card. Our Payment Authorization Form must be completed and sent to us along with the Name Based Background Check Form and required fee. Please make sure to follow the instructions on all forms.
Requests with missing data and wrong payment amount will be returned. A $20 processing fee will be charged for any returned check. The request may be hand delivered or mailed to the Bureau of Criminal Identification (BCI). Please keep in mind, BCI does not telephone or fax results. Allow ample time for processing, as requests are processed on a first come, first served basis.

DOWNLOADABLE FORM:

NAME BASED BACKGROUND CHECK FORM (PDF)

NCPA Program Qualifications & Instructions
Criminal History Checks Under the National Child Protection Act

The Idaho State Police (ISP), Bureau of Criminal Identification (BCI), has established a program pursuant to the National Child Protection Act to permit qualified entities to submit fingerprint cards on employees and volunteers to receive state and federal criminal history information, in order to promote a broader exchange of criminal history information for purposes of assisting entities that provide care, treatment, education, training, instruction, supervision or recreation to children, the elderly or individuals with disabilities. The state and national criminal history record checks can help screen volunteers and employees associated with these entities and could help prevent the abuse of those served by the entities.

Idaho Applicant Fingerprint Program For Criminal History Record Checks by a Qualified Entity Under the National Child Protection Act of 1993, as amended

In 1993, Congress passed the National Child Protection Act (NCPA) that authorized criminal history record checks for persons who work with children in either an employee or volunteer status. This Act was amended in 1994 to include elderly and disabled persons. The Idaho State Police (ISP), Bureau of Criminal Identification (BCI), has established a program pursuant to the NCPA to permit qualified entities to submit fingerprint cards on employees and volunteers to receive state and federal criminal history information, in order to promote a broader exchange of criminal history information for purposes of assisting entities that provide care, treatment, education, training, instruction, supervision or recreation to children, the elderly or individuals with disabilities. The state and national criminal history record checks can help screen volunteers and employees associated with these entities and could help prevent the abuse of those served by the entities.

The ISP BCI maintains the state’s central repository of criminal history information. The repository is an automated database of records based on arrests reported to BCI from Idaho criminal justice agencies. As per Idaho Code, Section 67-3008, the bureau shall be the state’s sole source of fingerprint submissions for criminal justice and applicant or licensing purposes to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

The mission of this NCPA program is to protect:
Children (any unmarried person under 18 years of age, who has not been emancipated by order of the court);
The elderly (a person who is 60 years of age or older);
Individuals with disabilities (persons with a mental or physical impairment who require assistance to perform one or more daily living tasks).

To become a “qualified entity” through the ISP BCI, under the Child Protection Act of 1993, as amended,

an organization will need to do the following:
1. Download a copy of the Qualified Entity Application and the User Agreement from our website. OR Contact the ISP BCI, at (208) 884-7159 to request a copy of each document be mailed to the organization.
2. Complete a Qualified Entity Application to BCI explaining what functions the organization performs that serves children, elderly, or disabled persons.
3. Review and sign the NCPA User Agreement that sets forth the terms and conditions under which criminal history background checks authorized by the NCPA of 1993, as amended, shall be conducted.
4. Submit both the NCPA Qualified Entity Application and the User Agreement to the BCI. (The BCI will retain the original signed User Agreement and Qualified Entity Application, and give a copy to the authorized entity) The BCI will review the application and contact the organization’s designated representative to inform him or her whether the requirements are met.

Mail form(s) to:
ISP/BCI
700 S. Stratford Dr. Ste. 120
Meridian, ID 83642

NCPA Program Instructions, Timetable & Rejections
Instructions To Obtain Criminal History Record Information

1. Submit a completed applicant fingerprint card supplied by the BCI. The fingerprint card must include the following items: signature, printed name, alias names (including maiden and previous married names), assigned code/number, current address, citizenship, descriptive data, date of birth, place of birth, and the required reason for being fingerprinted. The social security number is requested but not required. The official/person taking the fingerprints must sign and date the card. The date must be within 180 days of the fingerprint check submission.

Fingerprinting Services

Please see above for information on fingerprinting services. The fingerprint card will be given back to the applicant to take back to the requesting entity. The requesting entity is responsible for submitting the fingerprint(s) to our Bureau for processing.

2. Ensure that each employee completes and signs copy of the Waiver Agreement and Statement form. This form can be downloaded from our website, or the BCI will mail a copy of the Waiver and Statement form to the qualified entity. Each subject of a background check must sign this form. The signed Waiver Agreement and Statement allows the release of the state and national criminal history information to the qualified entity.
IMPORTANT: The original Waiver Agreement and Statement form must be retained by the Qualified Entity for as long as the employee or volunteer is working for the Qualified Entity, or for five years, whichever is longer. The Qualified Entity will be subject to audits by ISP, and could be chosen for a triennial FBI audit.

3. Submit a $33.25 check or money order from the organization for each employee, OR a $31.25 check or money order for each volunteer. For other payment methods, please call 208-884-7159. Qualified entities will be billed for processed transactions on a monthly basis. If you have billing questions, please call (208) 884-7159.

After Submission of the Card, Form and Fee, the BCI will provide the following:
1. A notification that the individual as described on the fingerprint card does not have a criminal history record; or
2. A copy of the individual’s criminal history record.

Upon receipt of a background check report lacking disposition data, the requesting entity may conduct research in whatever State and local record keeping systems are available in order to obtain complete data. The following link contains County District Court Contacts:
Idaho Supreme Court Data Repository
County Contact Information
https://icourt.idaho.gov/

Timetable For Results of Criminal History Record Checks

The National Child Protection Act requires the BCI and the FBI to make a reasonable effort to return criminal history information to authorized entities within 15 business days. This does not include mail time. The BCI endeavors to process Idaho and FBI criminal history checks within 5-7 business days of receipt, excluding holidays and mail time, as long as the request is appropriate. The request may be hand delivered or mailed to the BCI. Please keep in mind, the BCI does not telephone, email or fax results. Delays in the process will occur if fingerprint card(s) received do not have all the required data, payment, or are rejected by the FBI because of poor image quality. The BCI will return the fingerprint card(s) to the requesting authorized entity along with a form explaining the reason for the rejection.

Rejected Fingerprint Cards

If the first fingerprint card submission is rejected because of poor image quality, fingers out of sequence or missing notations on amputations, etc., the BCI will mail the fingerprint card, along with a rejection form, back to the requesting entity. The entity will need to send in a new set of fingerprints, along with the attached rejected fingerprint card and The BCI Civil Applicant Response form. There is no charge for the reprint. If the reprint rejects, the submission of a third fingerprint card will be treated like a first time submission, and the fee will apply. BCI will automatically process a FBI name-based check after a second time rejection and mail the results to the requesting entity. The requesting entity will need to make the determination whether to accept the FBI name check results in lieu of a third fingerprint submission.

If you have questions please call Dessi Tulilova at (208) 884-7159 or
Kortney Swartzfager at (208) 884-7201.

Non-Criminal Justice Agency's (NCJA) Nationwide Check
Non-Criminal Justice Agency’s (NCJA) Nationwide Check Privacy Right Information

In the Fall of 2010, the National Crime Prevention and Privacy Compact Council approved a motion for the FBI CJIS Division staff to create documents for agencies to inform civil applicants of their rights to challenge, update or correct their criminal history records. The requirements for NCJA’s and Applicant’s Rights are explained in the following documents.

AGENCY REQUIREMENTS FOR NCJA

Agency Requirements for NCJA Non-Criminal Justice Applicants Rights

Idaho will require the NCJAs to provide the NON-CRIMINAL JUSTICE APPLICANT (NCJA) APPLICANT PRIVACY STATEMENT to any applicant submitting for a fingerprint-based background check under an approved state statute, local ordinance or federal authority for licensure, employment or other civil purposes. Further, the agencies who request state and federal criminal history record information through fingerprint submission will be required to obtain the applicant’s signature on the form and keep the original document on file for auditing purposes. The applicant should be given a copy of the form if requested. The documented is provided below. Agencies will need to insert their agency name and download the form.

NCJA APPLICANT PRIVACY STATEMENT

APPLICANT CHRI GUIDELINES-SIC V4.1

Electronic Fingerprint Submissions
Electronic Fingerprint Submissions

We accept electronic civil fingerprint card submissions from agencies authorized to submit fingerprint cards for criminal history nationwide checks. If your agency would like to begin submitting electronic fingerprint cards, please contact:

Dessi Tulilova (208) 884-7159
Dessi.Tulilova@isp.idaho.gov

FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions

Are Idaho Criminal History Records Public?
Yes, under the provisions set out in Idaho Code 67-3008 the public may access Idaho criminal history information.

Are juvenile criminal histories available?
No. Juvenile records are not included in the Idaho database. However, if a juvenile was adjudicated as an adult, the record of that event would be available.

What is criminal history information?
The criminal history contains information based on arrest data reported to BCI from Idaho criminal justice agencies. If an arrest fingerprint card is not submitted, the information on an arrest will not be present on an Idaho criminal history. In some instances, a record of arrest may be found at the local level, but not within the state criminal history. The Idaho criminal history database contains information on Idaho arrests only, and does not include other state’s record, FBI records, or subjects convicted in federal court.

What if the record has charges that do not belong to me?
All arrest events in the Idaho database are supported by fingerprints. If a person disputes the accuracy of the information obtained in a background check, the person may request a certified copy of his or her record by following the instructions in the Fingerprint Based Check. When challenging a record, the fingerprint based check is processed free of charge. After reviewing the record the individual may supply supplemental information from the arresting agency or court. All information provided will be reviewed and entered into the record if needed.

Can a local law enforcement agency do a statewide criminal records check for the public?
No. Only BCI has the authorization to conduct a statewide record check for non-criminal justice licensure or employment screening purposes. A local law enforcement agency may do a check of its records only.

How long will information stay on my criminal record?
Information remains in a criminal record indefinitely, unless a legal action has been taken by the court for complete removal of data.

Will a charge that has been dismissed show on my record?
Yes. A charge that has been dismissed will continue to show on a record with the dismissal action also noted.


Applicant Unit Contact Information

appunit@isp.idaho.gov

Open M-F 8am-4:30pm Excluding Holidays

Dessi Tulilova
Applicant Unit Supervisor
dessi.tulilova@isp.idaho.gov
208.884.7159

Kortney Swartzfager
Technical Records Specialist II
kortney.swartzfager@isp.idaho.gov
208.884.7201

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