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Frequently Asked Questions

Criminal Justice Information Service FAQs Index


Expungement

  1. What are the phone numbers for the courts (county, state, federal)? This link points to the top of this page
  2. How do I obtain a copy of my court disposition? This link points to the top of this page
  3. Do you need to file one petition to have all your charges and arrest information expunged from your record? This link points to the top of this page

Q1. What are the phone numbers for the courts (county, state, federal)?

Use the following links to obtain your information or contact information (411):


Background Checks

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  1. What is the status of my background check?
    • You can find out the status of your background check by calling Customer Service at (410) 764-4501 or toll free at 1-888-795-0011. Be prepared to provide the Reference Number or Social Security Number in order for the status to be checked. Only the subject of the background check or authorized requestor may make inquiries.
  2. How long does it take to complete a background check?
    • When the application is received it is reviewed to insure that all required information is present. Application fees are accounted for, demographic data is entered, the fingerprint search is conducted, and a return response (with results of the background check) is prepared, reviewed, and mailed to the requestor. In most cases result of the state background check is mailed out in less than 10 working days from receipt of the initial approved application.
  3. How much does a background check costs?

    • Associated Criminal Justice Information System - Central Repository Fees

      Fees are required to process each criminal background record check request.

      Federal Register - Notice of Fee Increase

      Effective January 1, 2019, rates for submitting federal background checks via the Maryland Criminal Justice Information System - Central Repository increased in accordance with the fee schedule established by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Cost to providers increased by $ 1.25 per fingerprint-based submission. Fingerprint-based volunteer submission increased by $.50 cents.

      CATEGORY BACKGROUND CHECK COST
      (CJIS Service Fee of $20.00 is included for In-Person fingerprinting*)
      Full background [state and FBI]
      for authorized agencies only      		   $31.25 for Mail-In
      *$51.25 for In-Person
      Full background [state and FBI]
      for child care volunteers      		   $29.25 for Mail-In
      *$49.25 for In-Person
      Maryland Mentor
      for child care volunteers      		   $15.00 (with certification card) for Mail-In
      *$15.00 for In-Person
      State background check only   $18.00 for Mail-In
      *$38.00 for In-Person
      State background check with Gold Seal   $19.00 for Mail-In
      *$39.00 for In-Person
      Attorney/Client civil   $18.00 for Mail-In
      *$38.00 for In-Person
      Attorney/Client pending criminal case   No fee
      Criminal Justice full background   No fee
      Criminal Justice state only   No fee

      All fees must be paid by credit card (Master Card, Visa, and Discover) or check (CJIS Storefront ONLY). The Central Repository cannot accept cash or money orders.

  4. Do you take credit cards?
    • Yes. Credit cards are accepted, personal checks may be used to pay for background checks. Cash payments are not accepted.
  5. Can I obtain the necessary forms I need for a background check prior to being fingerprinted?

    • If you are being fingerprinted for employment purposes, you need to obtain a form (CJIS Form 015) from your employer.

      If you are being fingerprinted for reasons other than employment (Examples: adoption, immigration, visa, individual review, etc.) you’ll be provided the appropriate card at the time of fingerprinting.

      You may also request a card by calling CJIS Customer Service Line on (410) 764-4501 or toll free 1-888-795-0011 between the hours of 8 am. To 5 pm. Monday thru Friday.

  6. Can I request a background check on someone else?
    • No. The Maryland Security and Privacy Act and the Code of Maryland Annotated Regulations (COMAR) prohibit backgrounds checks being performed on citizens without proper authorization
  7. How do I clear my name if someone else is using my name?
    • Because of the unique circumstances of each request, please contact CJIS Customer Service by phone at (410) 764-4501 or toll free 1-888-795-0011 and explain your situation.
  8. Is my background information public information?
    • No, all information gathered and possessed by Criminal Justice Information System - Central Repository (CJIS) is kept secure and is not available to the public without proper authorization.
  9. Can I request a background check on myself?

    • Yes. It is a two part process. First, you must submit the CJIS 015 Form to the CJIS - Central Repository, along with a check or money order for $18.00 for a request for an Individual Review Background Check.

      In order to conduct a nationwide Background Check on yourself contact the FBI through www.fbi.gov click on "Stats and Services" then click on "Background Checks".

  10. How do I request a background check on my employee?

    • To initiate a background check on employees, complete the “Private Party Petition Packet” or General Registration Form, then fax to (410) 653-5690 or 6320, or mail to: CJIS Authorization Administrator, Post Office Box 32708, Pikesville, Maryland 21282-2708. Upon approval you may then request criminal history record information on the potential employee.

  11. I received a background check on my employee but I didn’t learn what they were charged with. How do I find this information?
    • State of Maryland background checks disclose the crimes committed. FBI background checks do not disclose specific crimes committed.
  12. Is it possible to have a background check done on the same day?
    • Same day state background checks are possible only in extreme, verifiable situations. This type of request can be made only in-person at the CJIS location at 6776 Reisterstown Rd. Suite 102, Baltimore, Maryland 21215. Be prepared to present valid documentation to justify your request.
  13. How can I get an FBI background check?
    • FBI background checks can only be done for authorized reasons based on state statute. Individuals cannot initiate FBI background checks/ for personal reason you may go to www.FBI.gov click on stats and services then background.
  14. How do I obtain a copy of my court disposition?
    • In order to obtain a copy of your court disposition you must contact the court that heard your case (i.e. The Circuit Court for Baltimore County) or go to the Maryland Judiciary Case Search Website http://casesearch.courts.state.md.us/inquiry/inquiry-index.jsp.
  15. How do I find court case numbers?
    • In order to find out a case number you must contact the court that heard the case (i.e. The Circuit Court for Baltimore County) or go to the Maryland Judiciary Case Search Website http://casesearch.courts.state.md.us/inquiry/inquiry-index.jsp .
  16. Where do I get my security clearance cards?
    • Contact information (411) for the Maryland State Police Licensing section, look through the local yellow pages under the state government listings or visit the State Police office in person to information about obtaining the security clearance card.
  17. Do you have the phone numbers and addresses of the police departments?
    • Phone numbers and addresses for police departments can be found in the phone book in the government pages or in our web page links.
  18. Is driving while intoxicated (DWI) on my criminal record?
    • Some MVA charges are part of your criminal information, for clarification contact MVA toll free 1-800-950-1682
  19. I received a rejection letter with D5 on it. What does this mean?
    • D5 is one of several “Rejection Codes” you may receive in a rejection letter. The description of the rejection code immediately follows the alphanumeric code. This code means the quality of the fingerprint characteristics is too low to be used. You must send in another set of fingerprints to continue with the process of your background check
  20. What does the highlighted field on a rejected document mean?
    • Highlighted fields are used to draw your attention to the area of the application form that needs correction or additional information on state cards. Checks (v) are used for this purpose on FBI cards.

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Rap Back

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  1. What is the Next Generation Identification (NGI) Rap Back Service?

    • The NGI Record of Arrest and Prosecutions Back (Rap Back) Service is a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) program that allows authorized government agencies to receive notification of subsequent activity on individuals who hold positions of trust or are under criminal justice supervision or investigation.

      With Rap Back, authorized government agencies will receive on-going status notifications of any criminal history record information reported to the FBI and State (if applicable) after the initial processing and retention of criminal transactions. By using fingerprint identification to identify persons arrested and prosecuted for crimes, Rap Back provides a nationwide notice to noncriminal justice authorities regarding subsequent actions.


  2. How do I know if my agency may be able to participate in Rap Back?

    • In order to be eligible to participate in Rap Back, your governmental agency must have a current Public Law 92-544 Maryland Statute. Please check with your legal counsel to determine if your participation in Rap Back is mandated by law and/or regulation.


  3. What do governmental agencies that receive criminal history background results from CJIS need to do?

    • If allowed by law, have their employees and/or licensees fingerprinted and enroll in the Rap Back service.

      Under the Privacy Act, an applicant is entitled to receive notification of the retention of fingerprints by the FBI and CJIS and a summary of intended uses. The future uses include the searching of latent fingerprints against retained civil fingerprints.


  4. How may I manage my Rap Back service?

    • Your agency has access to an online system that maintains a roster of employees and/or licensees who are eligible for enrollment into Rap Back. It will also allow for the employer and/or licensing agency to set the subscriptions for Rap Back of their qualified employees and/or licensees.


  5. What is the cost of enrolling into the Rap Back service?

    • There is no cost to enroll into Rap Back. The cost for fingerprinting remains the same.


  6. Where can agencies interested in participating in Rap Back send their employees and/or licensees to be fingerprinted?
  7. When will Rap Back be implemented in Maryland?
    • The State of Maryland is now live for NGI Rap Back Service.

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Fingerprinting

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  1. Where do I go to get fingerprinted?

    • The Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services has agreements with authorized private contractors at more than twenty locations throughout the state. The State of Maryland also operates six locations. You may go to our website www.dpscs.maryland.gov click on fingerprinting services for locations.

      Some local law enforcement agencies also provide fingerprinting services. Follow these links for more information regarding your local State Police Barracks, local Police Departments or Sheriff’s Departments.

      Note: Please call the location to inquire about their fee, days, and times or obtaining fingerprints.

  2. What are the business hours for having fingerprints done?

    • Follow this link to learn where authorized fingerprinting services are located throughout the State. There are many convenient locations and times available.

      The CJIS Fingerprinting Office is located at 6776 Reisterstown Road, 1st Floor, Suite 102, and Baltimore, Maryland 21215 is open:

      • Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.

  3. Why do I have to be fingerprinted?

    • Certain occupations are required by law to have fingerprint supported record checks (Example: child care providers, Public Service Commission)

      Private employers may also require a fingerprint supported record check, but law may not require it.

  4. I have previously had my fingerprints taken. Can they be used again or do I have to have my fingerprints taken again?
    • State law requires fingerprints be taken for each requested background check.
  5. What forms of payment are allowed?
    • Personal checks, and credit cards are accepted. We accept Master, Visa and Discover. Credit cards cannot be used over the phone and the writer of the check must be present. Cash is not accepted.

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