Get a background check

As of March 2023, our state criminal history reports, often referred to as “BCIs”, have been updated following some information technology upgrades to our system.

Our updated report seeks to clearly communicate what a Rhode Island State background check report does and does not include.

Your R.I. state background check will reflect fingerprint-supported arrests that resulted in a criminal conviction or equivalent or that are pending prosecution at the time of the inquiry. These include both misdemeanors and felonies. These records will include dispositions such as guilty or nolo pleas; guilty verdicts; guilty filings, not guilty filings, and deferred sentences until those dispositions are expunged or sealed by the court.

Arrests that are not pending prosecution or that did not result in a conviction or equivalent as described above, federal arrests and arrests outside the State of Rhode Island. More specifically, arrests where the grand jury did not indict (also known as a “no true bill”), the Attorney General declined to file an Information (“no information”), an acquittal, or a dismissal will not be reflected in the report. Additionally, where a court has ordered that records be sealed or expunged, those records will not be reflected in the report.

Our state background check, often referred to as a “BCI”,  is generally sufficient for a variety of purposes such as employment, housing, volunteering, internships, etc. Certain types of employment, or licensure applications require national background checks. See more on those below. If you are a school volunteer, please check the School Volunteer menu option below for more information about the background check procedures that pertain to you.

State background check - Law enforcement purposes

Background checks used for criminal justice, law enforcement, or other specific purposes may require additional information. These inquiries typically involve: the process for expungement of criminal charges, legal name changes, criminal court proceedings, records requested for admission to the practice of law (the bar) (including character and fitness and disciplinary committee requests), enlistment in the armed forces, firearms purchases, or concealed carry permit applications. These checks will also be provided to inquiries from a law enforcement agency, the Courts, and attorneys authorized to receive this information. If you need a state background check for one of these reasons, please advise BCI staff when you make your request.

National background check (Fingerprinting Required)

Certain types of employment and professional licenses require national background checks under Rhode Island law. For a list of jobs that require national background checks, please review the national background check menu option below. The Attorney General’s Office, the Rhode Island State Police, and local police departments are only authorized to perform these national background checks for specific, authorized purposes. National background checks require fingerprinting and will contain information not only about Rhode Island arrests but also about federal arrests and out of state arrests.

If you require a national background check for employment, your employer will provide you with paperwork prior to coming in for a background check. For more information about how to obtain a national background check please refer to the tabs below.

BCI will be able to better assist you with your background check request if you provide us with the reason for your request when you arrive.

We will only provide a copy of your state background check to you. We will provide a copy of your state background check to a third party only with a signed and notarized release. These records may not be disseminated, reproduced, or used for purposes other than as authorized by law.

You will need a valid state or federal photo identification. A list of acceptable IDs may be found under the state background check menu option below. State background checks cost $5. For acceptable forms of payment please review the payment menu option below. For more information about how to obtain a state background check please refer to the state background check menu option below.

There is no expiration date on a background check. However, your background check is time and date stamped. It is up to whomever you provide your background check to determine whether they require a more recent report.

You do not need to make an appointment to obtain a state or national background check. Our customer service center at 4 Howard Ave., Cranston, R.I., is open from 8:30 am – 4:30 pm, Monday – Friday (excluding RI State holidays).

Fingerprinting stops at 4:00 pm to ensure we can complete the processing.

All BCI records are confidential law enforcement documents. However, these records may be released according to state and federal statue for specified purposes.

The Office of Attorney General of Rhode Island does not have access to Juvenile Records. We can only process background checks for anyone who is 18 years of age or older. If you have any questions regarding juvenile records, please refer to Rhode Island Family Court.

To get a background check in person at AG's Customer Service Center in Cranston, you will need ONE of the following forms of ID. As well as a credit/debit card for the payment of $5.00 (fees apply):

• Valid state issued driver’s license
• Valid state issued identification card
• Valid United States passport

* We do not take appointments; this is a walk-in service only.

To get a background check by mail from our Office, you will need to mail the following:

• A signed and notarized release  form
• A copy of a valid form of photo identification
  • Valid state issued driver’s license (Front and Back)
  • Valid state issued identification card (Front and Back)
  • Valid United States passport
• Check or money order for $5.00, payable to “BCI.” Credit cards and cash not accepted by mail.
• Self-addressed, stamped return envelope. Include this inside the envelope sent to our office, for your request to be sent back
• Mail all documents above to the following address:

Rhode Island Office of The Attorney General
4 Howard Ave
Cranston RI 02920

• Please allow 14 days for mailing and BCI processing.
  • For urgent requests, please include an envelope with pre-paid overnight shipping & mail tracking.
• For questions or issues on State BCI's, please email BCIstate@riag.ri.gov

For background checks required to volunteer at a Rhode Island School, use the following form.

If you are requesting this by mail:

• A signed and notarized volunteer form
• A copy of a valid form of photo identification
  • Valid state issued driver's license
  • Valid state issued identification card
  • Valid United States passport
• Check or money order for $5.00, payable to "BCI". Credit Cards and cash not accepted by mail.
• Mail all documents above to the following address:

                Rhode Island Office of The Attorney General

                4 Howard Ave

                Cranston RI 02920

• ***Please note - School volunteer results are sent directly to the Rhode Island school district indicated on the form.***

To get a background check for a third party from our Office, you will need to present the following:

• A signed an notarized release form. If this is for a facility, please attach this form to your facilities header.
• A copy of a valid form of photo identification (see above).
• Check or money order by mail or credit card if presenting at BCI service window.
• A self-addressed stamped return envelope for return (if mailed).

**Please Note: If you are requesting a third party check, you MUST provide an ID from the agency or individual that the notarized disclaimer is released to.**

If you are traveling outside the country and need a background to be apostilled, please obtain your state background check then proceed to the Secretary of State’s Office for the Apostille (located at 148 West River Street, Providence). https://www.sos.ri.gov

It is our policy to process one state background check per person at the BCI window. If you require state background checks for multiple individuals, please consider sending via mail or dropping off in batches.

For transactions involving multiple background checks, please allow two business days for processing. Remember to include contact information for pick up notification and bring your ID/proof of any organization you work for when picking up.

To obtain a national background check through the Office of Attorney General, individuals must read and complete the following form. To save time, we suggest you print and complete prior to coming in.

Please bring any additional paperwork required by statute or employer with you, a valid identification, and a credit/debit for the payment of $45.00 (fees apply).

NO APPOINTMENTS - This is a walk-in service only.

To get a national background check by mail from our Office (including out of state national background checks) you will need to mail the following:

• A signed and notarized release/disclaimer form.
• A completed fingerprint form.
• The 'BCI Certification of Fingerprints' form completed by the agency that fingerprinted you.
• Your actual fingerprints on the fingerprint card that you are submitting.
• A copy of a valid form of photo identification
  • Valid state-issued driver's license
  • Valid state-issued identification card
  • Valid United States passport
• Check or money for $45.00, payable to 'BCI'. Credit cards and cash are not accepted by mail.
• Mail the above documents to:

Rhode Island Office of the Attorney General
Attn: Fingerprint Dept.
4 Howard Avenue
Cranston, RI 02920

• Please allow seven business days for processing
• For questions regarding fingerprints, please email BCIfingerprints@riag.ri.gov

• A trained and certified fingerprint technician will take your fingerprints (or fingerprint cards for mailed in requests) using one of the LiveScan fingerprint machines. Your fingerprints are sent electronically from our office to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
• An FBI-generated criminal background report is sent back to the Office of Attorney General.
• Once received, the fingerprint technician will review the information and send an email to the employer/state agency indicating whether the applicant is qualified or disqualified. No record information is disseminated.
• If the applicant is disqualified, the applicant can come in person and pick up a copy of their record.
• For questions or issues on your fingerprint results, please email BCIfingerprints@riag.ri.gov