Chart 1 is a comparison of what popular commercial background screening services offer and the cost of conducting a background check. Your program can use this chart to see screening packages that already exist and assess whether one of the companies offers a fitting package for you. The Mentoring Partnership does not endorse any other these services, we are simply passing our research on to you.
Click here to download the PDF of FBI Check Process Flowchart
Chart 2 is a flow chart of how to conduct an FBI fingerprint-based background check. There is a key difference between a “national” background check and a “federal” or “FBI” background check. A national background check will check the state registries of either all 50 states or in some cases, only the states bordering the state where the check is being conducted. These “national” background checks will often use the public records of states, meaning that information that doesn’t appear to the public[1] won’t show up on the national checks. The only way to ensure a complete screening is to conduct an FBI fingerprint-based background check. Any organization that serves youth is eligible to request an FBI fingerprint check; the flow chart will guide your program through that process.
*The BCA refers to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension
Frequently Asked Questions About the FBI Fingerprint Process
How to fill out a Fingerprint Card under the Child Protection Statute…
The name and address of the requesting agency should be printed in the "Employer name and address" field on the fingerprint card. The Child Protection Statute number 299C.62 must be written in the "Reason Fingerprinted" field of the fingerprint card. Each individual's social security number must also be included on the cards, as well as your "account" number in the OCA field. (This number will be assigned upon your initial FBI request.)
How to take an effective set of fingerprints
Does the Minnesota BCA Child Protection Act form need to be notarized?
No. Unlike other release forms for background checks, the Child Protection Statute has a clause where the release form does not need to be notarized.
Where can I get fingerprinting done for free?
Your program can take a set of fingerprints on your own for free. However, if you do this, make sure that you have plenty of practice taking effective prints or they may be rejected by the FBI and your program will need to retake them, delaying the process.
If your program isn't comfortable taking prints, but still want them done for free, your program can approach your local police or other agency and see if they will donate fingerprinting services in-kind because they support your cause, or they have a prior relationship with your organization.
If I’m sending in multiple background checks at one time, do I need to send in individual monetary checks for each mentor?
No. The BCA actually prefers that your program sends in one payment for all the background checks being run at a time.
[1] From the Minnesota BCA: Public information includes: offense, court of conviction, date of the conviction and sentence information. Information not available on this website includes: arrest data, juvenile data, criminal history data from other states, federal data, data on convictions where 15 years or more have elapsed since the completion of the sentence, and other data deemed private or confidential.