The Serve America Act requires programs receiving assistance under national service laws to conduct criminal history checks on people working with vulnerable populations (children age 17 years or younger, adults age 60 years or older, or people with disabilities). 

The criminal history check must include:

• A name-based search of the National Sex Offender Registry. 
• A search of the state criminal history repository in the state in which the program is operating, AND the state in which the person resides at the time of application.
• Submission of fingerprints for a national criminal history background check. 

National Sex Offender Registry information may be obtained on the National Sex Offender Public Website. 

Criminal history record information requested under the Serve America Act must follow these specific guidelines in order to be processed:

• The applicant must complete a consent form for a background check. Here is a sample of the form that your agency can use: Serve America Act Consent Form.
• A check for the required fee made payable to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA).
• A good quality set of fingerprints on an FBI applicant fingerprint card (available from the BCA or local law enforcement agencies). 
  • The applicant fingerprint card should be completed with the full name, date of birth, and identifying information of the applicant. A sample fingerprint card is available here.
  • The OCA field on the fingerprint card must be completed with your "account” number (if your organization does not yet have an account number, one will be assigned at the time of your initial FBI request).
  • Employer name and address should be the department that the response will be forwarded to when returned from the FBI. For example, your human resources department.
  • In the "Reason Fingerprinted" block please reference SERVE AMERICA ACT.
  • Your agency’s assigned ORI number (MNSAA000Z).
• A stamped, self-addressed envelope. 

Send your background check request to:

Bureau of Criminal Apprehension
CHA Unit
1430 Maryland Ave. E.
St. Paul, MN 55106

National fingerprint-based background check requirements

Employers who conduct national fingerprint-based criminal history record checks are required to follow certain FBI processes. You must provide the applicant with the Privacy Act statement and the applicant must acknowledge receipt of that statement. Applicants who are the subject of a national fingerprint-based criminal history record check have certain privacy rights.

Per the Serve America Act, a person is ineligible to serve in a position covered under the Serve America Act if any of the following are true about the person:

• Refuses to consent to the criminal history check.
• Makes a false statement in connection with the criminal history check. 
• Is registered, or is required to be registered, on a state sex offender registry or the National Sex Offender Registry.
• Has been convicted of murder as described in section 1111 of title 18. 

Information contained in a Minnesota criminal history background check

Watch this video or read this document for a high-level overview of the information agencies and organizations receive when conducting a Minnesota criminal history background check.

Questions?

If you have any questions regarding the above outlined procedures or if you require assistance, you may contact the Criminal History Access Unit at 651-793-2400, option 1.