Criminal History Records in Alabama
Criminal histories in Alabama include records from the state police and FBI and can be obtained from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency under three situations.
- Individuals may request copies of their own criminal history records
- Law enforcement may request criminal records
- Employers may request background checks on potential and current employees, which may include a criminal history section
You may not obtain a criminal history of another person without their consent
The criminal history record includes felony and misdemeanor records to include:
- If you’ve been arrested
- Charges
- Convictions
- Mugshots
- Inmate records detailing if you’ve been to jail and mugshots
The background check report may also include:
Requesting Background Checks in Alabama
Employers are eligible to use the Alabama Background Check System ABC to access the most current and accurate criminal record history for employment purposes.
Gun Background Check
The federal government requires gun background checks for people in Alabama who may purchase firearms. The report indicates if the individual has convictions and other records that may indicate that a firearm cannot be legally purchased. Arrests do not necessarily mean that an individual cannot purchase firearms in Alabama.
Alabama Background Check Laws
In order to obtain an employment background check in the state of Alabama, a company must meet one of the following requirements:
- Have one or more workers who have worked on at least one day during at least 20 weeks of the quarter for a previous or current year (the weeks do not need to be consecutive)
- Have one or more workers that were paid combined wages of at least $1,500 during a quarter of the current or previous years
- Have paid domestic helpers who were paid at least $1,000 during any quarter of the current or previous year
- Have 10 or more workers in the field of agriculture who worked at least one day during 20 weeks per quarter of the current or previous year
- Have 10 or more workers in the field of agriculture who were paid combined wages of at least $20,000
- Is a political subdivision or an agency of the state or federal government
How Far Does a Background Check Go in Alabama?
Most background checks go back at least seven years. Employers may be able to request a longer period of time for the report.
How Long Does a Background Check Take in Alabama?
The time that it takes to perform a background check varies, but you should expect the process to take at least two to four weeks.
Requesting a Background Check
If you qualify as a business or individual who can obtain a background check, you will need to subscribe to the Alabama Background Check System ABC. The online portal allows you to submit all of the required documentation. You will need to pay an annual subscription fee and a separate fee for each background check.
Errors on Alabama Background Checks and Criminal Histories
If you find that the background check or criminal history record indicates erroneous information, you can request corrections. You have one year from the date that the report was requested, and there is no additional fee to challenge the information in the reports. If you file the challenge more than one year after the original report, you may be required to pay a fee.
