Thornton Criminal Background Checks
Thornton is one of the largest cities in the Denver metro area, located primarily in Adams County with portions extending into Weld County. Residents and organizations in Thornton can run a background check through the Colorado Bureau of Investigation. The CBI offers both name-based and fingerprint-based criminal history searches. These checks cover arrests, charges, and dispositions from agencies across Colorado. A Thornton background check pulls from the same statewide database used by law enforcement. The city's rapid growth over the past two decades has made record access an increasingly common need for Thornton residents.
Thornton Background Check Quick Facts
CBI Online Background Check
The fastest way to run a background check in Thornton is through the CBI Internet Criminal History Check. This is a name-based search. It returns results from the CBI criminal database, which includes records submitted by law enforcement agencies throughout Colorado. Thornton police submit arrest and booking data to this system. The online check costs $6 and delivers results quickly in most cases.
To start a Thornton background check online, visit the CBI records check portal at cbirecordscheck.com. You will need to enter the person's full name and date of birth. Payment is by credit or debit card. The system searches for Colorado criminal history records only. It does not include federal records or records from other states. For Thornton residents who need a broader search, a fingerprint-based check adds FBI records to the results.
Visit the CBI Internet Criminal History Check portal to begin your Thornton background check.
The CBI online portal processes most name-based background checks for Thornton within minutes during normal business hours.
Note: A name-based CBI check may not capture all records if the subject has used aliases or if there are common name matches. Fingerprint checks provide more reliable identification for Thornton background check requests.
Thornton Fingerprint Background Checks
Fingerprint-based background checks offer a higher level of accuracy than name-based searches. These checks match prints against the CBI and FBI databases. Many Thornton organizations require fingerprint checks for positions that involve working with children, vulnerable adults, or sensitive information. Two authorized vendors serve the Thornton area for fingerprint collection.
IdentoGO operates fingerprint collection sites across the Denver metro area accessible to Thornton residents. They handle both Colorado-only and Colorado-plus-FBI fingerprint checks. You can schedule an appointment online at uenroll.identogo.com or call 844-539-5539. Walk-in availability varies by location. Thornton residents typically use locations along the I-25 corridor in the north metro area.
IdentoGO is one of two CBI-authorized vendors that Thornton residents can use for fingerprint-based criminal record checks.
Colorado Fingerprinting is the second authorized vendor. They can be reached at 833-224-2227 or online at coloradofingerprinting.com/cabs. They offer mobile fingerprinting services, which can be convenient for Thornton businesses that need to process multiple people at one location. Both vendors submit prints electronically to the CBI for processing.
Background Check Fees for Thornton
The CBI sets standard fees for all background checks statewide. These fees apply equally to Thornton residents and everyone else in Colorado. The cost depends on the type of check you need. Online name-based checks are the cheapest option. Fingerprint checks cost more but provide broader results.
Current CBI background check fees are:
- Online name-based check (Internet Criminal History): $6.00
- Colorado-only fingerprint check: $16.50 to $17.50
- Colorado plus FBI fingerprint check: $39.50
- Name-based check by mail: $13.00
Vendor fees for fingerprinting may apply on top of the CBI processing fee. IdentoGO and Colorado Fingerprinting each set their own service charges. When budgeting for a Thornton background check, plan for the CBI fee plus any vendor fee. Most Thornton residents find that the online $6 check meets their basic needs, while the $39.50 fingerprint option covers situations that call for a more thorough search.
Note: These fees are set by the CBI and may change. Check the CBI records and background checks page for the latest pricing before submitting your Thornton background check request.
Thornton Court Records Access
Court records are a separate source of criminal history information for Thornton. Cases filed in Adams County courts are available through the Colorado Judicial Branch online docket system. This covers criminal cases, traffic offenses, civil matters, and other filings that originate from incidents in Thornton. Since Thornton sits mainly in Adams County, most court records are in the Adams County court system.
The Colorado Courts docket search at courts.state.co.us/dockets lets you look up cases by name, case number, or date range. This is a free tool. It shows basic case information including charges, hearing dates, and disposition outcomes. For Thornton cases that fall within the Weld County portion of the city, you would search Weld County records through the same portal.
Court records and CBI background checks serve different purposes. A CBI check in Thornton shows arrest records from law enforcement. Court records show what happened after charges were filed. Using both gives you a more complete picture of someone's criminal history in Thornton and Adams County. Court records also include case types that do not appear in the CBI database, such as civil protection orders and small claims cases.
Colorado Records Law in Thornton
Colorado law governs how criminal justice records can be accessed in Thornton. Under C.R.S. 24-72-304, criminal justice records may be open for public inspection. This statute applies to records held by law enforcement agencies, courts, and other criminal justice entities serving Thornton. The law balances public access with individual privacy protections.
Not all records are open. Sealed records, expunged records, and juvenile records in Thornton are generally not available through a standard background check. Colorado law allows individuals to petition for record sealing in certain circumstances. If a record has been sealed by a court in Adams County, it will not appear in a CBI background check for Thornton. The CBI follows state law on which records can be released.
Thornton residents who want to check their own criminal history can request a personal background check through the CBI. This is sometimes called a self-check. It uses the same systems and fees as any other background check. Reviewing your own record can be useful before applying for jobs, licenses, or volunteer positions in Thornton. If you find errors, the CBI has a process for challenging and correcting inaccurate records.
Note: The Thornton Police Department may also hold records related to local incidents. Contact them directly for records specific to Thornton law enforcement activity that may not yet appear in the CBI system.
CBI Contact for Thornton Checks
The Colorado Bureau of Investigation headquarters handles all statewide background check processing, including requests from Thornton. They are the central authority for criminal history records in Colorado. If you have questions about a Thornton background check, the CBI can help with status inquiries, fee questions, and record disputes.
| Agency | Colorado Bureau of Investigation |
|---|---|
| Address | 690 Kipling St Lakewood, CO 80215 |
| Phone | (303) 239-4208 |
| Online Portal | cbirecordscheck.com |
| Records Info | cbi.colorado.gov/records-and-background-checks |
Thornton is roughly 25 miles north of the CBI office in Lakewood. Most background check needs can be handled online or by phone without visiting in person. For fingerprint submissions, use the authorized vendors listed above rather than traveling to CBI headquarters. The CBI does not collect fingerprints at their Lakewood office for public background checks.
Thornton and Adams County Records
Thornton is the largest city in Adams County. The city was incorporated in 1956 and has grown from a small community to a major suburb with over 148,000 residents. Adams County government offices in Brighton handle county-level records that complement the state-level CBI background check. County records include court filings, arrest logs, and other public documents related to Thornton.
The Adams County Clerk and Recorder maintains certain public records. The Adams County Sheriff handles law enforcement for unincorporated areas near Thornton. Within city limits, the Thornton Police Department is the primary law enforcement agency. All of these agencies submit records to the CBI, which is why a CBI background check captures Thornton activity from multiple sources.
A small portion of Thornton extends into Weld County to the north. If a criminal incident occurs in that section, the records may be filed under Weld County rather than Adams County. A statewide CBI background check covers both counties, so a Thornton background check will capture records regardless of which county boundary the incident fell within. This is one advantage of using the CBI system over searching individual county databases.
Adams County Background Checks
Thornton is the most populous city in Adams County. The county court system and local law enforcement agencies work together to maintain criminal records that feed into the CBI database. For more on county-level records, court access, and related resources across Adams County, visit the Adams County background check page.