​The New Jersey Division of State Police Criminal Information Unit provides fingerprint-based criminal history background checks to anyone who requests a copy of his or her record. Currently, the New Jersey State Police uses the independent live scan fingerprinting services of IDEMIA, a private company under contract with the State of New Jersey.

Why do I need a copy of my record?

You may need a copy of your personal criminal history record for many reasons, including:

• Immigration applications
• Naturalization applications
• Visa applications
• Personal records
• International adoption
• Foreign business
• Expungement (clearing) of your criminal record, or
• To demonstrate good conduct.

Note: Before you begin the process of requesting your criminal history record, check to see if you have any outstanding warrants for your arrest. Currently, the New Jersey State Police Criminal Information Unit does not report outstanding bench warrants to municipalities. However, to be safe, you should satisfy all outstanding warrants before you begin this process.

How do I get a copy of my record?

In order to obtain a copy of your criminal record, you will first need to schedule an appointment to be fingerprinted. The quickest and easiest way to schedule an appointment is online at NJ Criminal History Records Information (from the New Jersey State Police). If you do not have access to the internet, you may call IDEMIA at 1-877-503-5981. Spanish-speaking operators are available upon request.

IDEMIA uses a six character service code to identify the agency and the reason for fingerprinting. The use of this service code ensures that you will be fingerprinted for the correct purpose and not accidently or incorrectly processed for a service you don’t need.

The service code for a personal records request for the following reasons is 2F1BJG:

• Immigration
• Naturalization
• Personal Record
• Visa
• Expungement
• Good Conduct

The service code for a notarized personal records request for foreign business or international adoption is 2F1BH1.

Information about codes for other purposes can be found at NJ Criminal History Records Information (from the New Jersey State Police).

What do I have to bring to my fingerprint appointment?

You must bring all of the following to your appointment:

• Identification. Your ID must be issued by a federal, state, county, or municipal body for identification purposes. It must include your photograph, name, home address, and date of birth. Acceptable identification includes a passport or a valid photo driver’s license or photo ID issued by New Jersey’s or any state’s MVC or DMV.

• The required fee. The fee is $42.80, which includes the $12 vendor fee and sales tax. You may pay by credit card (Visa, MasterCard, AmericanExpress, or Discover), prepaid debit cards, or electronic check (ACH). Payment will be collected at the fingerprint site on the day of your scheduled appointment. Appointments must be canceled by 5:00 p.m. on the business day prior to your scheduled appointment.

What happens after I have been fingerprinted?

Your scanned fingerprints are sent electronically to the New Jersey State Police Criminal Information Unit for processing. You should receive a response within 10 business days. If you do not receive a response after 10 business days, contact the New Jersey State Police Criminal Information Unit at (609) 882-2000, ext. 2918.

If you discover an error on your criminal history record after you receive it, or if you need more information, please contact Legal Services of New Jersey’s Reentry Project by calling LSNJLAW^SM, LSNJ’s statewide, toll-free legal hotline, at 1-888-LSNJ-LAW (1-888-576-5529). Outside of New Jersey, please call (732) 572-9100 and ask to be transferred to the hotline. You can also write to:

Reentry Project
Legal Services of New Jersey
P.O. Box 1357
Edison, NJ 08818-1357

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This information last reviewed: Mar 6, 2020