Frequently Asked Questions

Criminal history record information is defined in AS 12.62.900(8) as information that contains: 1) past conviction information, 2) current offender information, and 3) criminal identification information (fingerprints, photographs, and other information or descriptions) that identify a person as having been the subject of a criminal arrest or prosecution.

The Criminal Records and Identification Bureau (R&I) is the designated central repository for criminal history information in the State of Alaska. Criminal justice agencies are required to report criminal justice events to the central repository (i.e., arresting agencies report arrests, prosecutors report charges declined for prosecution, and courts report dispositions to charges that have been filed). The Alaska Public Safety Information Network (APSIN) is the database through which criminal history information is maintained and made available to the public and the criminal justice community.

Other criminal justice agencies such as the Alaska Court System may have public information databases, however, the summary information that is maintained by the Criminal Records and Identification Bureau is confidential, and may only be released as authorized by law.

The central repository of criminal history information maintains Alaska criminal history information in APSIN. The FBI National Crime Information Center maintains criminal history information from all 50 states as well as federal jurisdictions in a national criminal database. This national summary information is also confidential, and may only be released as authorized by state and federal law.

Criminal history information maintained by the Criminal Records & Identification Bureau is confidential. Alaska laws and regulations govern how information is maintained and disseminated by the central repository of criminal justice information. The Criminal Records and Identification Bureau (R&I) provides state and national background checks to individuals and employers based on strict guidelines provided under AS 12.62.160, 13 AAC 68 and Pub L. 92-544.

You must provide written permission or your fingerprints to an individual or agency requesting criminal justice information for employment or licensing purposes.

Criminal history record information maintained by the Repository is available to criminal justice agencies for criminal justice purposes.

Criminal Justice Information reports available to the public include:

1. Information available to the subject of the record. This report will include:
   • Past Conviction Information
   • Current Offender Information
   • Criminal Identification Information
   • Nonconviction Information
   • Sealed Information
   • Correctional Treatment Information (if available)
2. Information available to 'any person'. This report will include:
   • Past Conviction Information
   • Current Offender Information
   • Criminal Identification Information
3. Information available to 'an interested person'. An 'Interested Person' is defined (AS 12.62.900(18)) as a person that employs, appoints, or permits a person to serve with or without compensation in a position in which the employed, appointed, or permitted person has or would have supervisory or disciplinary power over a minor or dependent adult. Reports released to an 'interested person' include;
   • Past Conviction Information
   • Current Offender Information
   • Criminal Identification Information
   • Nonconviction Information
   • Correctional Treatment Information (if available)
4. Information authorized by another state or federal statute. The Criminal Records and Identification Bureau will release all information authorized to be released pursuant to an authorized state or federal law. You must include a copy of the state or federal statute with the appropriately completed form or fingerprints with your request.

As the subject of a criminal history record maintained by the Alaska Central Repository of Criminal History, you are entitled to view or purchase a copy of all criminal justice information in our files. You may request either a name based check or a fingerprint based check. The fee for a name-based check is $20. You must submit a check or money order along with the completed name based form to the Records & Identification Bureau at the address listed on the form or appear in person at any of the locations on our 'walk-in' list. The fee for a fingerprint based background check is $35 (The Criminal Records & Identification Bureau will check Alaska records only). Click here to go to question 9C for additional information on submitting fingerprint cards.

If you are a potential employer/licensing agent of a current or former Alaska resident and wish to obtain an Alaska Criminal History record report, you may request either a fingerprint-based or name-based background check report. The information that is available to you is dependent on the work the potential or current employee will be doing. If the employee/licensee will be working with children or dependent adults, you are entitled to receive information available to an interested person. If you are requesting a criminal history background check pursuant to another state or federal statute, you are entitled to obtain the information authorized to be released under that statute. You must include a copy of the state or federal statute with your request. For all other requests, you will receive a report of information authorized to be received by 'any person'. Complete the Request for Criminal Justice Information form and submit the request, along with payment of the fee, to the address listed on the form.

For state and national background checks, a copy of the subject's state and federal criminal history information is sent to the requesting agency (if they are authorized to received the report directly) and to the subject (if releasable criminal history record information exists). If the agency is not entitled to receive a complete copy of the report the agency will be notified if the subject meets their background qualifications or will be forwarded to a government agency responsible for making licensing or employment determinations

If there is a record, you will need to make a fitness determination to decide whether or not the individual should be allowed to work for your organization. This determination may use criteria established by an existing law, or you may need to develop your own criteria. You may wish to consult with your Human Resources Department or an attorney before you develop your criteria.

Helpful tip: The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Programs has published a guideline dated April 1998 to assist agencies in the screening of applicants to positions of authority over children or dependent adults in Adobe PDF format: "Guidelines For The Screening Of Persons Working With Children, The Elderly, And Individuals With Disabilities In Need Of Support"

You can receive a copy of your FBI record by contacting the FBI directly, or as a result of a background check by an authorized employer (see Question 4). The FBI will not accept personal requests for information submitted by anyone other than the individual in question and then only under the following guidelines:

An individual requesting a copy of any information that may be contained in the FBI’s file must mail the following to the address listed below:

• A written request to the CJIS Division for a copy of their identification record. The letter should indicate that the subject's FBI record is being requested under the "Freedom of Information Act".
• If the request regards incorrect criminal history information, provide as much supporting information as possible.
• If the request regards an international adoption, it must be specifically stated.

It is a good idea to repeat the personal information in the written request as is on the fingerprint card and make sure the return address is included.

• A set of two (2) fingerprint cards on a standard applicant fingerprint card with personal information (i.e., name, date of birth, place of birth and other demographic data) fully completed.
• The fee of $18 in the form of a certified check or money order made payable to the Treasurer of the United States.
• The FBI will not accept personal requests for licensing or employment purposes or adoptions other than international adoptions.

Send the request to:

1. State non fingerprint based information for the subject of record

   For state non fingerprint based information for the subject of record: to any Alaska State Trooper detachment, specific authorized local police agencies or to the Department of Public Safety, Criminal Records & Identification Bureau located at 5700 East Tudor Road, Anchorage, Alaska 99507. View this list of locations to obtain your Alaska criminal history record.

   If you are not able to appear in person at one of these locations, you may request a copy of criminal history record information maintained by the Alaska Criminal History Repository. The fee for this name-based check is $20. (Additional copies are $5 each if requested when you submit your request.) You must submit a check or money order along with the completed name based form to the Records & Identification Bureau at the address listed on the form.

2. State non fingerprint based information for other than the subject of record

   For state non fingerprint based information for other than the subject of record: you must submit a form provided by the department. The form requires the subject of record to authorize release of the criminal history information to a 3rd party. The subject and the requester must sign the form and the record subject must sign an unsworn falsification statement. The form can be mailed, faxed (if submitted by an Alaska state governmental agency with an existing Reimbursable Services Agreement in place) or hand delivered to the department. You must include a check or money order in the amount of $20 with the request. (Additional copies are $5 each if requested when you submit your request.) Click here to view/print a copy of the form.

3. Fingerprint based state background checks

   For fingerprint based state background checks: the subject of record must submit a personal request for criminal history information to the Department of Public Safety, Criminal Records & Identification Bureau located at 5700 East Tudor Road, Anchorage, Alaska 99507. The following information must be provided (mailed or delivered):

   • a full ten-print set of fingerprints on a standard FBI applicant card (FD-258)
   • A letter of explanation as to why they need this information
   • A current mailing address
   • Money order in the amount of $35 payable to the state of Alaska.

   The results will be mailed within 2-3 weeks.

4. Fingerprint based state and national background checks

   For fingerprint based state and national background checks: only an authorized employer can request state and national criminal history information.

You may have your fingerprints rolled at any public business that provides this service. The Department of Public Safety maintains a list of businesses/individuals in Alaska that have been approved to roll fingerprints for an applicant for a concealed handgun permit. This list is provided for reference; other businesses may also provide this service, but have not requested approval to roll fingerprints for the Alaska Concealed Handgun Permit program. View the list of currently approved fingerprint vendors for the Alaska Concealed Handgun Permit program.

Complete and submit a Request to Correct Criminal Justice Information form. If the information believed to be inaccurate or incomplete in your APSIN criminal history was, or will be used to deny a right or privilege, the department has 5 days to respond to the request or to forward it to the agency responsible for maintaining the requested criminal history information.

If you have documentation on your criminal case, please provide a copy at the time you request a correction to your record. It may help to expedite your request. One of the most common correction requests is to locate missing disposition information.

If you were arrested or charged with a crime and/or the charge was filed in court the charge will be shown on your criminal history report even if it was dismissed or declined for prosecution. If an event occurred to cause a charge to be filed in court the charge will be disposed by the court and the charge and its disposition will be shown on a criminal history report.

Alaska does not have a law to expunge criminal history records.

Under AS 12.62.180, a criminal justice agency may seal only the information that the agency is responsible for maintaining. A person may submit a written request to the head of the agency responsible for maintaining past conviction or current offender information, asking the agency to seal such information about the person that, beyond a reasonable doubt, resulted from mistaken identity or false accusation. Completed Request to Seal Criminal Justice Record forms should be mailed to:

You cannot prevent someone from using your name or your personal identifiers. If someone uses your name, date of birth or social security number that information will be added to the alias record of the person using it. In many cases, false identification or mistaken identity is discovered during the investigative process and appropriate corrections are made to court documents. In some cases, false identification is not discovered until after court documents have been filed. If a person discovers they have been mistakenly identified or falsely accused they should contact a law enforcement agency to report the incident and also the Department of Public Safety for a Request to Correct Criminal Justice Information form or a Request to Seal Criminal Justice Record.

For more information on identity theft contact the Federal Trade Commission web site.

If you lost your drivers license or a state identification card, you need to go to the Division of Motor Vehicles to report the loss and to request new identification.

In 2002, Canada made significant changes to their immigration and border policies as part of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA.). Among the changes were new restrictions and application processes regarding entrance requirements for foreigners with criminal records.

If you are planning on driving through Canada you should check your criminal history using Department of Public Safety forms. If your record is incomplete (such as missing a disposition for a dismissed charge), you may not be allowed to drive through Canada. As a precaution, you should check your criminal history before driving through Canada or contact Canada Customs and Canada Immigration Information or view one of these Canadian pamphlets regarding customs information for visitors to Canada and seasonal residents.

If you have a criminal conviction (including DWI/DUI) and have questions about your admissibility to Canada, reference the links above or call Canadian Border Services Agency at 506-636-5064 or 800-461-9999. If you have general customs questions please call Canadian Customs at (204) 983-3500.

You may request a record correction by completing and submitting a Request to Correct Criminal Justice Information form.

The Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) maintains a separate database on driving history. Contact DMV for more information on how to obtain a copy of your driving record.

Each state maintains its own database of criminal history information. To request information about your criminal history in another state you must contact the Criminal History Repository in that state. Many states have web sites that provide information on how to obtain a criminal history background check in their states. You may contact the Quality Assurance unit at (907) 269-5767 for information about how to obtain criminal justice information from other states.

For state non fingerprint based information for other than the subject of record: you must submit a form provided by the department. The form requires the subject of record to authorize release of the criminal history information to a 3rd party. The subject and the requester must sign the form and the record subject must sign an unsworn falsification statement. The form can be mailed or hand delivered to the department. Click here to view or print a copy of the from other than the subject of the record form.

For fingerprint based state background checks the following information must be provided (mailed or delivered):

• A full ten-print applicant fingerprint card
• A letter of explanation as to why they need this information
• A current mailing address
• A Money order in the amount of $35 payable to the state of Alaska.

Mail or hand deliver this information to:

The results will be mailed within 2-3 weeks. See (Question #4) for more information on what information is provided in an Alaska criminal justice information background report.

As the subject of a criminal history record maintained by the Alaska Central Repository of Criminal History, you are entitled to view or purchase a copy of all criminal justice information in our files. You may request either a 'name based' check which is the Report Available to the Record Subject form or a fingerprint based check. The fee for a name-based check is $20. You must submit a check or money order along with the appropriate form Report Available to the Record Subject form to the Criminal Records & Identification Bureau at the address listed on the form.

If you require a fingerprint based background check, complete a standard FBI Applicant fingerprint card (FD-258) at a local law enforcement agency or local fingerprint service provider (you may NOT roll your own fingerprints). Submit the fingerprints, the $35 fee, and a cover letter that includes the reason for your request and mailing address to:

We will complete the background check and mail the response to the address you list on your cover letter. Current turnaround time for these requests is approximately 3 weeks.

If you are outside the United States: please note that we cannot process applicant fingerprint cards submitted on any form but an FD-258. If local fingerprint service providers do not stock the FD-258, please contact us about obtaining a blank form. Applicant fingerprints submitted on alternate forms will be returned unprocessed.