A federal criminal records search provides access to information from U.S. Federal District Courts, which handle cases involving violations of federal law. Unlike state or county-level searches, this check scans the Federal Court system’s Master Name Index to identify any records tied to the individual in question.
Because federal searches are name-based, common names can produce multiple potential matches. Each report may include key details such as:
Case numbers
Filing and disposition dates
Offense level and type
Court verdicts and sentencing outcomes
Verification method used to confirm the match
This type of search is valuable when screening applicants for roles involving national security, finance, government contracts, or any high-trust position.
Federal crimes are offenses that break U.S. laws enacted at the national level. These cases are prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office and are typically handled in federal court. A crime falls under federal jurisdiction if:
It occurs on federal property
The accused is a federal employee
The offense crosses state lines
It involves federally regulated industries or activities
Federal offenses often carry steeper penalties than their state counterparts and are usually more complex in nature.
Several federal agencies are responsible for investigating and filing charges in federal cases, including:
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
U.S. Secret Service
Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
Some examples of crimes that fall under federal jurisdiction include:
Identity theft and fraud (e.g., bank or tax fraud)
Drug trafficking and distribution
Illegal weapons possession or sales
Counterfeiting and forgery
Kidnapping across state lines
Money laundering
Cybercrime
Immigration-related offenses
Federal criminal data is updated regularly and includes court filings typically from the last 7 years, with a 10-year search option available upon request. It’s important to note:
Not all U.S. District Courts contribute data-Alaska, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Southern District of Indiana, and Western District of Arkansas currently do not report to the centralized database.
Federal court records may lack personal identifiers, making exact matches more difficult in cases involving common names.
While this search provides a thorough look at federal-level offenses, it should be used alongside other screenings (state, county, SSN trace, etc.) for a more complete background check.
When hiring for positions of trust or those that involve access to sensitive data, confidential information, or large financial assets, conducting a federal records check adds a crucial layer of due diligence. It helps ensure you’re aware of any serious offenses that might not show up in standard criminal background checks.