Request New Jersey Arrest Records for Pre-Employment Checks

Arrest records are maintained in the State of New Jersey just as in all other states in the U.S. But in this state, the records are more protected than in some others. Hence, accessing the arrest records is relatively more difficult with stringent rules maintained by the New Jersey State Police. Not everyone can request information regarding the arrest record of an individual.

Where to Find New Jersey Arrest Information

The State Bureau of Identification (SBI), New Jersey State Police, Identification and Information Technology Section is authorized by the 'New Jersey Administrative Code 13:59-1 et seq.' to distribute New Jersey arrest information. As a rule, any arrest information can be accessed for non-criminal justice purposes only. You can request your own arrest record as well.

For an arrest record check in New Jersey, you must contact the office of the Division of State Police located at:

Division of State Police
Attn: CIU
PO Box 7068
West Trenton, NJ 08628-0068

Who Can Access Arrest Records

You have to be eligible to be able to view the records on New Jersey arrests. Access to arrest records is allowed in the following cases:

1.    Any person or non-government body of the state looking for records of an individual he might appoint for a job. An arrest background check in this case helps him verify the individual’s qualifications and know about his past records.
2.    The state police-licensed private detectives can obtain background information on any person as provided by the N.J.S.A. 45:19-8 et seq.
3.    General public can access their own records for personal reference
4.    The federal government of any other state in the U.S. and any government body of New Jersey can view arrest reports for the purpose of issuing licenses or employment.

Reasons for Requesting Arrest Records

You may want to know about a New Jersey arrest for a number of reasons. If you are requesting for a personal arrest record check, the document can be useful while going through immigration formalities, VISA verification, and international adoption procedures. It can be proof of good conduct and you can also do it for your personal record. You can request your own arrest records if you were previously arrested in New Jersey. Upon fulfilling the terms and conditions, you may expunge your previous records which then will not be accessible by anyone else again.

How to Request the Records

Since the rules of procuring New Jersey arrest records are very difficult you must abide by the specific rules of the state.

•    In New Jersey you may obtain an arrest record search through an electronic live scan. For this, you have to go through a live fingerprint scan. There are many government-approved sites that can come to your aid.


•    You can schedule your appointments online at www.bioapplicant.com/nj. One advantage of online booking is that it can be done twenty-four hours a day. If you do not have access to the Internet, call 1-877-503-5981 to make an appointment. The line is available Monday to Friday from 8.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. and on Saturdays you can call between 8.00 a.m. and 12.00 noon.


•    You will be charged a fee of $41 for the live fingerprint scan. You can pay by money order, credit card or electronic check.


•    Download the Universal Form and carry it with you on the day of your fingerprint appointment. You must also be able to present proper identification upon request. Fill in the form carefully. Your mailing address that you write on the form must be identical with the one present on the identification that you carry. The reports will be mailed to you at that address.


•    Failing to provide proper information in the form may make you bear more expenses as you may have to obtain the fingerprint scan again.


•    Depending on the type of record search that you want to perform, you will have to download the appropriate form. Form A is for applicants who want a fingerprint-based check on good conduct, immigration issues, for VISA formalities, expungement or for personal record. Go to http://www.state.nj.us/njsp/info/pdf/092509_universforma.pdf to download Form A.


•    If you need a fingerprint-based arrest record check for international adoption or for foreign business and need to have your reports notarized, you have to download Form B. It is easily downloadable from the page  http://www.state.nj.us/njsp/info/pdf/092509_universformb.pdf.


•    You may be required to perform the live fingerprint scan for a pre-employment check. There are two forms for this. If you are applying for the fingerprint-based records and want the reports to be mailed back to you by the company, download Form C from http://www.state.nj.us/njsp/info/pdf/092509_universformc.pdf. If on the other hand your report needs to be mailed to your employer directly, Form D would be appropriate. The link to form D is http://www.state.nj.us/njsp/about/serv_http://www.peoplepublicrecords.org/chrc.html.


•    If you wish to cancel your appointment, do so at least one working day before the day of your appointment. Otherwise, you will incur an $11 fee. Also, in case you are unable to produce the original Universal Form or adequate identification at the time of your fingerprint scan, you will pay a penalty of $11.

For any queries regarding the live fingerprint scan, call the Criminal Information Unit of the New Jersey State Police at 609 882-2000, ext. 2918. You should receive your reports within ten working days after your fingerprint check. Contact the given number in case of failure.

For a more comprehensive search, a SBI 21 2B form is used. Often, employers want a  thorough background check of prospective employees. These checks based on fingerprint comparison are directly mailed to the employers. An SBI 21 2B form can be submitted by paying a fee of $18.

It must be noted that these forms are color-coded, so no photocopies are acceptable. Also, an original signature of the applicant on the form is a must.

Nearly all the counties in New Jersey provide arrest records on misdemeanor and felony convictions. Access to arrest records can not only help you to expunge your own records but also assure you about an individual’s past. You may learn of the convictions he was arrested for, and if he was found to be guilty or not. By following the state's rules and regulations you can begin your search and ensure greater safety.