Rap Sheet (Identity History)

Get Your Identity History Summary/Rap Sheet (or Proof One Does Not Exist)

Overview

The FBI can provide individuals with an Identity History Summary, often referred to as a criminal history or “rap sheet”—listing certain information kept by the FBI and related to arrests and, in some instances, federal employment, naturalization, or military service.

If the arrests  submissions are present, the Identity History Summary includes the name of the agency that submitted the report 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.

Steps to Request a Rap Sheet

There are 2 ways to request a rap sheet. You can file a request to our Records Management Division, which is responsible for keeping track legal records, individual history with law enforcement agencies, and list of legal infractions by an individual. To file a request to our Records Management Division, click on the link below and follow the contact proceedings there.

Records Management Division (RMD)

If you prefer to directly request your Rap Sheet from Office of Integrity and Compliance, who reviews and approves records from the Records Management Division, click on the link below and follow OIC's contact proceedings.

Office of Integrity and Compliance (OIC)

What's the Difference?

The Records Management Division is responsible for managing and storing the records, however, not reviewing and approving them. If you request your file from the RMD, the processing time may be faster but you will receive un-reviewed records which may contain false or inaccurate information.

However, if you request the Rap Sheet directly from Office of Integrity and Compliance, all records will be pre-reviewed and approved. This may take longer in time, however, the information may be more accurate.

• Rules and regulations for you to obtain a copy of your Identity History Summary for review or proof that one does not exist (Department of Justice Order 556-73)

• Under federal law, you can use your Identity History Summary to review, correct, or update your own personal record. Identity History Summaries are not to be used for employment or licensing. Questions on employment or licensing background checks should be directed to the State Identification Bureau for the state requiring the background check.

If you do not have an Identity History Summary (rap sheet) on file, you will receive a response by electronic mail or message 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 electronic mail or message. Your results will be provided on standard electronic document.