Criminal Record Requests

BCI Hours of Operations are:

Monday-Friday

8:30 AM-4:30 PM

No Holidays


For a list of State Holidays, please click here.

One of the major functions of the BCI Unit is responding to those requesting criminal history checks. Due to increased security measures in both the private and public sectors, the need for employment background checks continues to rise. On average, personnel at the BCI window in Providence served more than 310 people each day, Monday through Friday. In addition, BCI personnel responded to approximately 281,150 request received annually by mail, fax and telephone.

In 2012, the BCI Unit generated $370,104 in paid background check fees, an increase of $51,826 over the previous year.

There are three types of background checks; State, State with the Attorney General's signature, and a National Background Check (fingerprints). Please see below for more information:

Notice: All BCI records are confidential Law-Enforcement Documents. However, these records can be released as follows:

By Mail: 150 South Main Street Providence, RI 02903

• A signed and notarized release for information
• A copy of one of the following photo identifications:
  • State Issued Driver's License
  • State Issued Identification Card
  • Passport
• Check or money order (NO CASH) for $5.00 payable to BCI
• A self addressed stamped envelope for return
  

PLEASE ALLOW 7 BUSINESS DAYS FOR RETURN

In Person: At BCI desk

• One of the following:
  • State Issued Driver's License
  • State Issued Identification Card
  • Passport
• Check or money order (NO CASH) for $5.00 payable to BCI
  

For Third Party:

• A release to the thrid-party (Signed by the third-party and notarized). Please click here for the release. If you are a company, please attatch the disclaimer to your company header.
• Attached copy of one of the following photo identifications:
  • State Issued Driver's License
  • State Issued Identification Card
  • Passport
• Check or money order (NO CASH) for $5.00 payable to BCI
• A self addressed stamped envelope for return (if mailed)

For National Background Check (Fingerprints):

Under Rhode Island General Laws, fingerprints are only taken for specific purposes.

By Mail: 150 South Main Street Providence, RI 02903

• A release (Signed by the party and notarized)
• Attached copy of one of the following photo identifications:
  • State Issued Driver's License
  • State Issued Identification Card
  • Passport
• Check or money order (NO CASH) for $35.00 for the National Background Check payable to BCI
• Certification of fingerprints taken by other agency with applicant fingerprint card (FBI FD258) or department applicant card.

In person:

• Copy of one of the following photo identifications:
  • State Issued Driver's License
  • State Issued Identification Card
  • Passport
• Check or money order (NO CASH) for $35.00 for the National Background Check payable to BCI
  • If state background check needed as well it is an additional $5.00

If just fingerprint cards are needed, or if you have your own cards, it is a $15.00 check or money order.

Background checks for overseas purposes:

• Those applicants travelling outside the country needing a background check differ from the regular state issued background check.  The applicant MUST state that they are travelling outside the country in order to receive the correct paperwork.  The applicant MUST ask for the Attorney General's signature print out by letter or in person, then proceed to the Secretary of State’s Office for the Apostile.