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How to Get Arrest Records

Booking records, mugshots, and criminal history — who holds them, what is public, and how to request them in every state.

📅 Updated 2025✅ All 50 States

Types of Arrest Records

Arrest records encompass several distinct document types, each held by different agencies:

  • Booking record — Created at the time of arrest, documenting the charges, arresting agency, date/time, and personal information
  • Mugshot / booking photo — Photograph taken at the time of booking
  • Arrest report — Officer's written account of the circumstances leading to arrest
  • Criminal history record (rap sheet) — Compiled record of an individual's arrests and dispositions across multiple incidents
  • Jail inmate record — Current or historical record of incarceration in a county jail

Who Holds Arrest Records?

  • Booking records and mugshots — County jail or the arresting agency's booking division
  • Arrest reports — The arresting law enforcement agency (city police, county sheriff, state police)
  • Criminal history records — State bureau of investigation (e.g., Florida FDLE, Texas DPS, California DOJ). Full criminal histories often require a formal background check request.
  • Federal arrests — U.S. Marshals Service, FBI, or the arresting federal agency

What Is Typically Public

In most states, the following are generally public record:

  • The fact of an arrest (name, charges, date, arresting agency)
  • Booking records (without sensitive personal information like SSN)
  • Mugshots — though some states now restrict mugshot publication
  • Jail rosters (current inmates) — many jails publish these online

What May Be Restricted

  • Arrests that were expunged or sealed
  • Juvenile arrest records — protected in virtually every state
  • Arrests that did not result in charges (varies significantly by state)
  • Identity of victims in certain crime types

How to Request Arrest Records

Online Jail Rosters

Most county jails publish online inmate rosters showing current and recent inmates — no request needed. Search "[County Name] inmate search" or "[County Name] jail roster."

Formal Records Request

For historical records or documents beyond the online roster, submit a formal public records request citing your state's open records law. Use our Letter Generator to create a properly formatted request.

State Criminal History Requests

For a full criminal history, most states require a request to the state bureau of investigation. Some states allow self-request (requesting your own record); third-party requests for another person's full history typically require fingerprints and a fingerprint-based background check process through CJIS.

Frequently Asked Questions

In most states, booking photos are public records. However, several states have passed laws restricting the commercial use of mugshots — particularly targeting websites that charge removal fees. Florida, Colorado, Georgia, Oregon, and Texas among others have passed anti-mugshot extortion laws. The photo may still be a public record even in these states; the restriction is on commercial publishing rather than public access.
Yes. Every state allows individuals to request their own criminal history record. This is typically done through the state bureau of investigation and may require fingerprints and a fee of $15–$35. This is different from a standard public records request — it goes through the state's criminal justice information services division.
The arrest record may still exist even if charges were dropped or you were acquitted — an arrest record reflects the arrest, not the outcome. If you want the record removed, you need to petition for expungement or sealing through the court system. Expungement is a separate legal process from a public records request and typically requires an attorney or at minimum a court filing in the jurisdiction where the arrest occurred.
Disclaimer: General informational guidance only. Laws vary by state. Not legal advice.