Information on Criminal History is kept and disseminated by the Utah Department of Public Safety. However, the Utah Division of Criminal Identification which hosts the state’s CJIS database does not offer information on arrest records online. There is an internet based facility to conduct a warrant search. However, the records in this searchable repository are obtained from the judiciary as opposed to the various law enforcement units in the state.
For a complete crime background check, applicants will have to visit the office of the DPS in person or send in their requests for information on outstanding warrants and arrests through mail. Information offered will vary depending on the status of the applicant. For instance, regular civilians who are interested in crime history data can look up their own records. However, when it comes to third party inquiries, they will only be allowed access to generic information such as the sex offender registry, the statewide database of wanted criminals and missing people.
Who can look up crime history records in the state?
Utah follows the close records policy, so only certain constitutionally approved applicants are allowed the facility to research crime history data. Generally, the agencies that are allowed to access complete background reports include:
Organizations that work with the weaker sections of the community: Utah Code 53-10-108 allows commercial and nonprofit entities that work with vulnerable adults and children the right to request information on the criminal past of a prospective employee or volunteer. In fact, these agencies can also request a fingerprint based national crime history search. If you qualify for such an inquiry, use the form available at http://bci.utah.gov/criminal-records/criminal-records-forms/ .
National security agencies, Fiduciary Funds and Entities that enjoy statutory authority: Justice agencies working with criminal and non criminal cases are also allowed to procure information on criminal history. Further information on whether your organization qualifies for this facility can be gathered by visiting the webpage at https://publicsafetyutah.govqa.us/WEBAPP/_rs/ . If you do, then use the form given at http://bci.utah.gov/criminal-records/criminal-records-forms/
If you are not part of one of the two categories given above, you will have to tell prospective job candidates to get a personal background report and submit this to you. Information on how to obtain personal crime history records has been given below.
How to find information on UT arrest records and outstanding warrants?
If you are looking for a personal background report, there are two ways to initiate the warrant search, you can download the form available at https://bci.utah.gov/ , fill it and take it in person to the:
Bureau of Criminal Identification3888 West 5400 SouthSalt Lake City, Utah 84129
A fee of $15 will be charged for the service which can be paid through credit card, cashier’s check or money order. You will need to show a government issued photo ID to get the inquiry started. The public window at the office is open from Monday through Friday between 8 am and 5 pm except on state holidays.
To request the same facility through mail, you can send in a duly filled copy of the form above to the address of the Bureau. For additional information, the agency can be contacted at 801-965-4445. Forms for all the crime history search facilities offered by the agency are available at http://bci.utah.gov/criminal-records/criminal-records-forms/ .
What information can be expected through such an inquiry?
Employers who are allowed access to crime history data will be told about all criminal cases open as well as those that have been disposed off in the name of the subject. Applicants will be told about all outstanding warrants against this person and arrest records that are linked to open cases and those that culminated in a guilty verdict.