Fingerprint and Background Check

National background checks/fingerprinting is conducted at the Bristol Police Department for Bristol residents only on Thursdays between the hours of 8:00 AM to 11:20 AM (in 20-minute intervals). Please call the department at (401) 253-6900 option “0” to schedule an appointment.

Individuals requesting to be fingerprinted via a national criminal history check must have a valid form of identification at the time of fingerprinting.

For non-Bristol residents, the Office of Attorney General performs national background fingerprint checks Mon – Fri, 8:30 am – 4:15 pm at their Customer Service Center, 4 Howard Ave, Cranston, RI 02920 (corner of Pontiac Ave and Howard Ave). This is a walk-in service only, no appointments are accepted. For complete information please visit the Rhode Island Attorney General’s website here. You may also inquire with your local police department regarding their national background check service.

Any person being fingerprinted as part of a background check must complete the Bristol Police Department Fingerprint Form prior to your appointment and present it to the officer at the time of fingerprinting. Also required are any conditional letters of employment or an employer authorization form on company stationery or letterhead.

A fee of $50.00 in the form of a check or money order is assessed for; massage therapists, mental health facilities employees, firefighter employment, medical marijuana,  Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) employees NOT CURRENTLY EMPLOYED BY THE STATE OF RI and school employee applicants.

There will also be a $50.00 fee in the form of a check or money order assessed for childcare/daycare employees only, adoption, foster care, and Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) employees CURRENTLY EMPLOYED BY THE STATE OF RI.

There is a fee of $10 for residents seeking fingerprints without a criminal history check (fingerprint card only). Residents may supply their own fingerprint cards with identification.

Required payments must be by check or money order; please make checks payable to ‘Town of Bristol’. We do not accept Credit/Debit cards.

Employment criminal history checks (Rhode Island State Bureau of Criminal Investigation checks without fingerprints) are limited by Rhode Island State Law.

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Address: 395 Metacom Avenue, Bristol, Rhode Island 02809
Lobby Hours of Operation: 24/7
Records Office Hours of Operation:
Monday-Friday | 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Saturday, Sunday & Holidays | Closed

Emergency Number: 911
Emergency Fire & Rescue Number: 401-253-6611 or 911
Non-Emergency Number: 401-253-6900
Alternate Non-Emergency Number: 401-254-6900
Anonymous Tip Number: 401-254-2229
Accreditation Office: 401-253-6900 Option 6

Fax Numbers:
Detectives: 401-253-1190 | Dispatch: 401-253-1540