Police Clearances (Arrest and Criminal History Section)

The Arrest and Criminal History Section provides police clearances to the general public for many of the following needs: employment, licensing, adoption, apartment rental, hackers (taxicabs), or FL-20 for overseas or domestic travel.

At least 95 percent of the people served at our public service counters are seeking a police clearance. If you have an arrest record, your wait may be somewhat longer than others.

To get a clearance, you will need to complete a PD Form 70 (Criminal History Request) for a record check. This form is available when you visit the Arrest and Criminal History Section, on the first floor of Police Headquarters. Most requests will take approximately 24 hours to be processed.

Please identify which type of arrest history you are requesting:

Option A
An individual may request production of his or her arrest record for the purposes of determining eligibility for sealing or expunging that record pursuant to Chapter 8 of Title 16, or similar sealing statutes in the District or in another jurisdiction, and may request production of his or her arrest record for filing a sealing or expungement motion. This document will contain a listing of all adult arrests, regardless of the disposition of each arrest, and regardless of the date on which the arrest, conviction, or completion of the sentence occurred.

What's Needed
To make a request, you will need one of the following:

• Driver's License
• Non-Driver ID
• Original Birth Certificate AND Social Security Card

Things to Remember:

• You must be 18 years of age to retrieve a police clearance.
• You can ONLY get information about yourself.
• Read over information on your record before leaving service counter.
• Note the name of the clerk who served you.

Individuals must make an appointment through the link below to obtain requests for records in person.

Schedule an Appointment

Arrest and Criminal History Section

Address

441 4th Street, NW, Room 550 South
Washington, DC 20001
(202) 727-4245

Contact

Records Manager
(202) 715-7539 (office)
(202) 727-4429 (main)
[email protected]

Hours: Monday-Friday: 9 am - 5 pm

Fee: $7 (cash or credit card; NO money orders or personal checks)

To Request a Local Background Check by Mail

Persons living outside of the District, or who are otherwise unable to come to the office in person, may do the following:

Submit a NOTARIZED letter requesting a background check AND a copy of your ID to:

Metropolitan Police Department
Criminal History Section
441 4th Street, NW, Room 550 South
Washington, DC 20001

The letter must include the following information:

• Full Name
• Date of Birth
• Social Security Number
• Phone Number
• Email Address
• A copy of your ID
• Self-addressed Stamped Envelope
• $7 Money Order payable to the DC Treasurer (Checks Not Accepted)

Letter must be notarized by a Notary Public prior to mailing. Please allow six weeks for processing from the date the request is made. For more information or additional assistance, contact (202) 727-4245.

(NEW) DROP-OFF SERVICE

A Drop-Off Service is now available without an appointment. Processing time is approximately 2 weeks. Designation will need to be made at the time of drop-off if you would like to return for pick-up or if you would like your report mailed back to you. You must appear in person to Drop-Off your request for a police clearance and you will need the following:

• Driver's License or Non-Driver ID
• Original Birth Certificate AND Social Security Card
• Your Email Address
• Callback Telephone Number
• Self-addressed Stamped Envelope

For more information or additional assistance, contact (202) 727-4429.