Fingerprinting & Criminal Background Checks

The Police Department conducts State and Nationwide criminal background checks upon request by Hopkinton residents who are applying to become foster parents, adopt a child through the State, or who are prospective employees in Child Care, DCYF, Massage Therapy, Mental Health Facilities, Nursing, and/or Schools (see list below under Types of Backgrounds). By law, most of the below listed backgrounds require FINGERPRINTING and the applicant is assessed a $45 fee for that service. The Hopkinton Police Department possesses a LIVESCAN fingerprinting computer that interfaces with the FBI's Criminal Justice Information Services Division (CJIS) and the Rhode Island Department of Attorney General's Office. While there is a Live-Scan fingerprinting fee for most employment/adoption backgrounds, there is no fee if the applicant requires assistance in completing a traditional FINGERPRINT CARD, upon which fingertips are rolled in ink and then the card.

Applicants seeking backgrounds must submit two (2) forms of identification (one with photograph), and complete this form: Fingerprint Request Form The applicant shall receive a formal written response from the police department as to the results of the background investigation. Responses are sent by United States Postal Service unless the applicant requests to pick it up at the station.

Types of Background Checks

Foster Care: Free pursuant to RI Gen Law 14-1-34 § 14-1-34

Adoption: $45 Fee - pursuant to RIGL § 15-7-11

Mental Health Facilities: $45 Fee - pursuant to RIGL § 40.1-25.1-3

Child Care Employees: $45 Fee - pursuant to RIGLS 40-13.2-5

DCYF Employees: $45 Fee (paid by DCYF for active RI State employees) - pursuant to RIGL § 40-13.2-5.2

School Employees: $45 Fee - pursuant to RIGL § 16-2-18.1 - NOTE: All NURSERY SCHOOL & PRESCHOOL Employee backgrounds must be processed by RI Department of Attorney General's BCI Unit, pursuant to RIGL § 16-48.1-5 - All SCHOOL VOLUNTEERS No fingerprinting required - Statewide background (not Nationwide) - pursuant to RIGL § 16-2-18.4

Nursing Employees: Processed by RI AG Office $45 Fee

Massage Therapist: $45 Fee - pursuant to RIGL § 23-20.8-3

Medical Marijuana: $45 Fee - pursuant to RIGL § 21-28.6-14

Medical Cultivator: $45 Fee - pursuant to RIGL 21-28.6-16

Firefighter Employment: $45 Fee - pursuant to RIGL 45-2.3.4

Religous Organizations - Employees and Volunteers: $45 Fee - pursuant to RIGL 12-1-17

Youth Protection Act: $45 Fee - pursuant to RIGL 40-13.2-5.1