Search Nationwide Criminal Records

What Changed in 2026 — A Records-Access Briefing

Criminal record access in the U.S. is shifting fast. These are verified policy and access changes that took effect (or were enacted) in 2026, sourced directly from state and federal authorities:

• Apr 22, 2026Pennsylvania (PATCH). All online criminal record checks requested through EPATCH now incur a 2% credit card processing fee on top of the base $22 fee. Source: Pennsylvania Access To Criminal History (epatch.pa.gov).
• Jun 30, 2026Illinois (HB 1836). Provisions of the Illinois Clean Slate law take effect, shortening waiting periods for record sealing and requiring law enforcement to begin systematically sealing eligible non-violent criminal records by 2029. Source: Illinois Public Media (WTTW).
• 2025-26Federal — Clean Slate Act of 2025 (H.R. 3114). A federal automatic-sealing bill is active in the 119th Congress. If enacted, it would require federal courts to automatically seal certain non-violent records after waiting periods. Source: congress.gov.
• OngoingFBI Identity History Summary — channeler-only delivery. The FBI no longer accepts in-person walk-in submissions at FBI Headquarters. All requests must go through the online portal or one of the FBI's approved "channelers" (private vendors that submit on your behalf, $40–$100 total). Source: FBI.gov.

The 3-Path Framework — Which Criminal Record Do You Actually Need?

Most confusion about criminal records comes from people mixing three completely different systems. Use this framework to identify the correct path before you spend any money.

Path 1: Your Own Record (Personal Use)

If you need your own federal criminal history for an employment, licensing, visa, adoption, or expungement matter: request an FBI Identity History Summary Check ($18 fee, fingerprints required). This is the only document the FBI itself will release directly to a private individual. You cannot request someone else's.

Path 2: Someone Else (Employment / Tenant Screening)

If you are an employer, landlord, or volunteer organization screening a third party, you cannot lawfully use a personal FBI request. You must use a FCRA-compliant Consumer Reporting Agency (CRA) — a regulated background-check company. The FCRA caps reporting of non-conviction records, civil suits, paid tax liens, and most arrests at 7 years. Convictions can be reported indefinitely in most states (but state law can shorten this — Texas, California, and several others impose their own 7-year cap on convictions for jobs under specific salary thresholds). Source: FTC FCRA text.

Path 3: A Specific Court Case (Litigation / Journalism / Research)

If you need a specific case docket — to verify a claim, research a defendant, follow a federal case, or pull a judgment — use the appropriate court records portal:

• Federal cases: PACER — $0.10/page, capped at $3 per document, free if quarterly bill is under $30.
• State cases: Each state's trial court system. Available online in most states; in-person only in a few (Delaware, Rhode Island).
• Sex offender registry: NSOPW — free, covers all 50 states and territories.
• Federal inmate: BOP Inmate Locator — free.

Federal Records — What's Public, What Isn't

Source: FBI CJIS, U.S. Courts (PACER), DOJ NSOPW, Federal Bureau of Prisons