Fingerprinting and Criminal Background Checks

The police department conducts state and nationwide criminal background checks upon request by Richmond residents who are applying to become foster parents, adopt a child through the State, or who are prospective employees in Child Care, DCYF, Massage Therapy, Mental Health Facilities, Nursing, and/or Schools (see below list under Types of Backgrounds). By law, most of the below listed backgrounds require FINGERPRINTING and the applicant is assessed a $35 fee for that service. The Richmond Police Department possesses a LIVESCAN fingerprinting computer that interfaces with the FBI's Criminal Justice Information Services Division (CJIS) and the Rhode Island Department of Attorney General's Office. While there is a Live-Scan fingerprinting fee for most employment/adoption backgrounds, there is no fee if the applicant requires assistance in completing a traditional FINGERPRINT CARD, upon which fingertips are rolled in ink and then the card.

Applicants seeking backgrounds should submit two (2) forms of identification (one with photograph), then complete and submit the form that is attached to this link: Criminal Record Check Release Form (PDF)

The applicant shall receive a formal written response from the police department as to the results of the background investigation. Responses are sent by United States Postal Service unless the applicant requests to pick it up at the station.

Types of Backgrounds

FOSTER PARENT:

No Fingerprinting Fee -pursuant to RI General Law § 14-1-34

ADOPTION:

$35 Fee - pursuant to RIGL § 15-7-11

CHILD CARE employees:

No Fingerprinting Fee - pursuant to RIGL § 40-13.2-5

DCYF employees:

$35 Fee (paid by DCYF for active RI State employees) - pursuant to RIGL § 40-13.2-5.2

SCHOOL Employees:

$35 Fee - pursuant to RIGL § 16-2-18.1

NOTE: All NURSERY SCHOOL & PRE-SCHOOL Employee backgrounds must be processed by RI Department of Attorney General's BCI Unit, pursuant to RIGL § 16-48.1-5

**All SCHOOL VOLUNTEERS must be referred to the RI Department of Attorney General's BCI Unit

NURSING Employees:

$35 Fee - RIGL § 23-17-34 does NOT require applicants to be fingerprinted - FREE unless fingerprinted

Mental Health Facilities:

$35 Fee - pursuant to RIGL § 40.1-25.1-3

MASSAGE Therapist:

$35 Fee - pursuant to RIGL § 23-20.8-3