Jefferson County Criminal Records

Jefferson County is the most populous county in Colorado, home to more than 580,000 residents across cities like Lakewood, Arvada, and Westminster. The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office Records Unit serves as the main source for background check data in the county. This unit handles the processing, storing, and release of criminal justice records under both state and federal law. Requests go through the Records Unit by phone, mail, or an online portal. The office sits at 200 Jefferson County Parkway in Golden. Staff are on hand Monday through Friday from 8am to 5pm to help with public records needs.

Jefferson County Records Unit

The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office Records Unit is responsible for processing, maintaining, archiving, retrieving, and releasing criminal justice information. All work follows strict federal and state regulations. Staff handle a wide range of background check requests from the public, law firms, and other agencies. The unit does not handle court records, probation or parole files, vehicle accident reports, vital records, or records from other Jefferson County agencies. Each of those areas has its own office with a separate process.

You can reach the Records Unit at 303-271-5542. Send emails to jcsorecords@jeffco.us for questions about your background check request. Walk-in service is at the North Precinct office in Golden. Hours run Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm. The jail lobby is open seven days a week from 8am to 9pm for certain services.

The Jefferson County Criminal Justice Records page has full details on what the unit can provide for a background check.

The Records Unit follows the guidelines in the page above to process each request. Walk-in and mail requests are both accepted at the Golden office.

Note: The Records Unit does not process court records, vehicle accident reports, or vital records for Jefferson County. Contact those offices directly.

Jefferson County Background Check Fees

Under C.R.S. 24-72-306(1), the Jefferson County Sheriff may charge reasonable fees that do not exceed the actual cost of providing records. Each request carries a base processing fee of $3.00. On top of that, costs for staff time, equipment, and materials apply no matter how the records are sent to you. These charges cover the real costs of pulling and preparing background check files.

There are some breaks built into the fee structure. If your request is denied, you pay nothing. The first hour of staff research time is free under C.R.S. 24-72-205(6)(a). After that first hour, research fees start. Large or complex background check requests in Jefferson County may require an initial deposit before work begins.

The office takes several forms of payment. You can pay with Visa or Mastercard. Personal checks, money orders, and cashier's checks are all fine. Cash works too, but coin is limited to $3.00. Plan your payment method before you visit the Jefferson County office to save time.

Fingerprinting for Jefferson County Background Checks

Many background checks in Jefferson County require fingerprinting. The Sheriff's Office provides public fingerprinting, but only for two specific purposes. The first is for liquor license applications. The second is for concealed handgun permit applications, which must be done through the online portal. For all other fingerprint needs tied to a background check, you must use a CBI Approved Vendor.

The Jefferson County fingerprinting page spells out who qualifies for in-house service. A form and fee are needed when you come in for public fingerprinting at the Records Unit.

The screenshot above shows the current fingerprinting rules at the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office. Check this page before your visit to confirm what you need to bring.

Two CBI Approved Vendors handle fingerprinting for background checks that fall outside the Sheriff's scope in Jefferson County:

• IdentoGO offers electronic fingerprinting at multiple locations near Jefferson County
• Colorado Fingerprinting provides mobile and walk-in print services for background checks
• Both vendors send prints straight to CBI for faster processing of your background check
• Golden Police does not offer public fingerprinting, so do not go there

Note: If you need fingerprints for anything other than a liquor license or concealed handgun permit, you must use a CBI Approved Vendor, not the Jefferson County Sheriff.

Jefferson County Records Request Portal

Jefferson County uses the NextRequest system for online records requests. This portal lets you submit, track, and receive background check records from your home or office. You do not need to visit the Records Unit in person for most requests. The system sends updates by email as your request moves through the process.

Visit the Jefferson County Sheriff NextRequest portal to start a new background check request. You will need to make an account with your name and email. Once logged in, describe the records you need and provide as much detail as you can. Staff review each request and may reach out if they need more info before they pull your Jefferson County background check records.

The portal shown above tracks every step of your request. You can check the status at any time after you submit it.

Response times vary based on the size of your request. Simple background check lookups in Jefferson County may come back in a few days. Larger requests that span many years or involve multiple people take longer. The $3.00 processing fee and any research costs still apply to online requests.

Colorado State Background Check Tools

The Colorado Bureau of Investigation runs a statewide criminal records database. This is a strong option when you need a background check that goes beyond Jefferson County records. The CBI online search tool lets you look up criminal history by name. Results pull from records across all Colorado counties, not just Jefferson County.

CBI also manages the main records and background checks page for the state. That site has forms, fee lists, and instructions for fingerprint-based checks. A fingerprint background check through CBI gives a more complete picture than a name-based search alone. It checks state and federal databases.

For court records tied to a Jefferson County background check, the Colorado Judicial Branch docket search covers cases from district and county courts. This tool is free to use and does not require an account. You can search by name, case number, or date range.

Note: A CBI fingerprint-based background check is the most thorough option in Colorado and covers records from all 64 counties, including Jefferson County.

Jefferson County Concealed Handgun Permits

Concealed handgun permit applications in Jefferson County go through an online portal. The Sheriff's Office does not accept paper applications in person. You must apply at jeffersonco.permitium.com to start the process. The portal walks you through each step, from filling out your details to scheduling your fingerprint appointment.

The portal above is where all new CHP applications begin for Jefferson County. You will upload documents and pay fees through this site.

Under C.R.S. 18-12-206, the Jefferson County Sheriff must approve or deny new concealed handgun permit applications within 90 days. The background check is a core part of this review. It includes a search of state and federal criminal databases, mental health records, and restraining order files. A clean background check is required for approval. Renewal applications follow a similar but shorter timeline in Jefferson County.

Jefferson County Payment Options

The Records Unit accepts several payment types. Bring one of these when you visit or include payment with a mail request for your Jefferson County background check.

• Visa or Mastercard credit and debit cards
• Personal checks, money orders, or cashier's checks
• Cash (coin limited to $3.00 per transaction)

Make checks payable to the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office. For mail requests, do not send cash. A money order or check is the safe choice. Include your contact details so staff can reach you if they need more information about your background check request in Jefferson County.

Walk-in visits to the North Precinct at 200 Jefferson County Parkway in Golden are the fastest way to get simple records. Bring valid ID. Staff can often pull basic background check records while you wait during normal business hours.

Cities in Jefferson County

Jefferson County spans a large area west of Denver. It holds some of the most populated cities in Colorado. All background check requests tied to the Sheriff go through the same Records Unit in Golden, no matter which city you live in within Jefferson County.

Other cities in Jefferson County include Golden, Wheat Ridge, Edgewater, Morrison, and Evergreen. All residents use the Jefferson County Sheriff Records Unit for background check needs.

Nearby Counties for Records

These counties sit next to Jefferson County. If you need a background check that covers more than one area, you may need to contact each county's records office on its own. Each has its own process and fees.