You can get a copy of your own Nevada criminal history record (“NV background check”) from the Nevada Department of Public Safety to review with $27, paper, an ink pad and about half an hour of time.
Sample Nevada criminal history record of an applicant with no criminal record
If you have no criminal history in Nevada, you will receive proof that a record does not exist. You may want to do this if you want to apply for second citizenship or an immigration benefit and you’ve been a) arrested, b) charged or c) convicted of a crime in Nevada.
Article Outline:
This article is a step by step guide on how to order your report, including common mistakes to avoid and how and when to expect the record after ordering it.
How to Request the Nevada State Criminal
Background Check
Step 1 - go to the Nevada Department of Public Safety website.
Step 2 - Download, carefully fill out, and print the DPS-006. Follow the instructions carefully and don’t forget to sign it.
Page 1 of the DPS-006. You must fill out pages 2 &3.
Step 3 - Get a blank paper FD-258 by either downloading it for free here, or ordering cards on amazon here for a few bucks. Either option works just fine.
Sample FD-258 fingerprint card
You’ll also need a fingerprint ink pad to take your own fingerprints. At Malakouti Law, we use this fingerprint ink pad from amazon shown below, which costs a budget-friendly $4.99.
This is the ink paid we use at Malakouti Law when necessary!
Step 4 - Apply your fingerprints to the DS-258 and fill out the relevant boxes, avoiding the boxes that are clearly marked “leave blank.”
Completed NV Criminal History Records
Application Package
When you’re finished preparing your application, your package should have three elements if you are taking your own fingerprints:
A completed, and signed DPS-006
A completed and signed FD-258 with clear prints
A certified check or money order for $27 made payable to the Nevada
Put the 3 items above into an envelope and drop it in the mail. Then you wait.
2 Common Mistakes to Avoid
The most common issue we see from people who have requested their own background check, whether from Nevada, California, or the FBI CJIS is that their request is rejected due to poor fingerprint quality.
Our recommendation is that you read and follow this one page guidance on the back from the FBI regarding proper fingerprinting technique.
Fingerprinting instructions for the FD-258
For redundancy, you may want to take two sets of fingerprints and send in two separate requests with two separate fees.
The second most common mistake we see is messing up the payment, by including a personal check rather than a money order or certified check.
As we like to say at Malakouti Law, make sure to take care in your request so that you “read twice, send once."
Receive Your NV Criminal History Record
In about four to eight weeks, you’ll receive your NV criminal history record back in the mail in the envelope looking like the one shown below.
Unlike many other background check requests, Nevada doesn’t ask the applicant to include a return envelope with postage.
Envelope containing Nevada criminal record history report
Applicants with no criminal record will receive a one page record stating:
“A technical fingerprint of the above individual’s fingerprints was performed through the western identification network automated biometric identification system (WIN-ABIS) and/or the FBI next generation identification (NGI).
Pursuant to NRS 179A.100, the search failed to disclose a matching criminal history record based on information received on the background check.”
Good luck!
Request a Consultation With Malakouti Law
If you’re an American pursuing second citizenship, request a consultation with Malakouti Law here to start getting answers on what’s possible.
Each immigration and citizenship case is particular and you should consult with a qualified immigration and citizenship lawyer about your case before taking any steps. The Law Office of Parviz Malakouti does not guarantee the accuracy of information presented nor assume responsibility for actions taken in reliance of this information. The information in this page could become outdated. Attorney marketing.