How to Check Your Own Criminal Record (US, UK, India)

TL;DR: US: request your FBI Identity History Summary for $18 plus fingerprinting, and check your state repository. UK: a subject access request to ACRO shows what the Police National Computer holds, free; a basic DBS check (£20) shows unspent convictions. India: a Police Clearance Certificate through Passport Seva (₹500) confirms whether police have adverse records. Checking first lets you fix errors before an employer sees them.

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Why check your own record?

Errors happen: a case that was dismissed still showing as open, someone else's conviction matched to your name, or an expunged record that wasn't updated. Checking first means you can correct it before it costs you a job or tenancy. If an employer's background check is already wrong, see how to dispute a background check.

United States: FBI Identity History Summary

The FBI's national record (often called a rap sheet) lists arrests and dispositions reported by fingerprint. Per a 2026 guide based on FBI instructions:

Direct from the FBI: $18, plus the cost of fingerprinting. Electronic requests take about 3 to 5 business days; mail requests 2 to 4 weeks.
Fingerprints: taken at a police station, a private fingerprinting company or a participating post office, by ink card or live scan.
Approved channelers: private companies that submit for you, usually faster, at around $40 to $100.

Results arrive by email with a secure link. Many records live only at state level, so also request your record from your state's criminal records repository, and check county court records where you've lived. See how court records show up in search.

United Kingdom: ACRO and DBS

Subject access request to ACRO: Unlock explains this is free and usually answered within a calendar month. It shows what the Police National Computer holds: arrests, charges, cautions, convictions and even “no further action” outcomes. It's the fullest view, and it's for you, not employers.
Basic DBS check: GOV.UK says it costs £20, is open to anyone 16 or over for jobs in England and Wales, usually takes up to 3 days to process, and shows only unspent convictions. You apply online with GOV.UK One Login and 5 years of addresses.
Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own routes (Disclosure Scotland and AccessNI).

If something is wrong, contact the police force that holds the record. You can also make a subject access request to any other organisation holding your data.

India: Police Clearance Certificate

India has no public self-service lookup. The closest is a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC). According to ClearTax:

Apply on the Passport Seva portal, book a Passport Seva Kendra appointment and pay ₹500 online.
Bring your passport, address proof and a photo; police verification follows.
It typically takes 21 to 30 days. It's mainly issued for jobs, long-term visas or residence abroad, not tourist visas.

Local police stations do the verification but don't issue the PCC themselves. For pending cases, search the eCourts portal by your name. Our guide to how employers run background checks in India explains what they look at.

Are criminal records public?

Partly. In the US, court records and many arrest records are public, which is why people-search sites show them; see which records are public. In the UK, police records aren't public, though court hearings usually are.

Background-check sites also mix in your phone, email and old addresses. A free email exposure check shows whether your email is in known breaches.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I check what is on my criminal record in the US?

Request your FBI Identity History Summary ($18 plus fingerprinting) and your state repository record, and search court records where you have lived.

How do I see my police record in the UK?

Make a free subject access request to ACRO for what the Police National Computer holds, or apply for a basic DBS check (£20) for unspent convictions.

How much is a basic DBS check?

GOV.UK lists it at £20. It is for people 16 or over working in England or Wales and usually takes up to 3 days to process.

How do I check my criminal record in India?

Apply for a Police Clearance Certificate through Passport Seva for ₹500. Police verify your record and the PSK or RPO issues it.

What if my criminal record is wrong?

Contact the agency or police force holding it with evidence, and dispute any background check report that repeats the error.

How to Check Your Own Criminal Record in the US, UK and India