Miami University Police Department offers a convenient background check service for individuals, MU Departments, and outside organizations. Civilian Background Checks can be obtained electronically through the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation and the services include fingerprinting for both Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) background checks. 

See below for important information about this service as it relates to the Minors on Campus Policy.

All Responsible Adults having direct contact with minors shall undergo a criminal background check prior to engaging in such activity. Where required by Ohio law, or where the Responsible Adult is engaged at a facility or in a Program that involves showering, changing or sleeping facilities, the background check shall include a criminal background check conducted by the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation (BCII) and an FBI records check.

Lead Time

Results are mailed from London, Ohio to the address you provide at the time of service and typically take 7-10 business days. Please note that on occasion results may be delayed and could take up to 30 days to receive. Black Ink cards may take 6 to 8 weeks to process.  The results must be received back before an individual can be involved in a Minors on Campus Program.

Services Required

At a minimum, an Ohio BCI fingerprint background check must be completed. Both an Ohio BCI and FBI check will be required when the applicant has not lived in Ohio for the last 5 consecutive years or when the minors activity or program requires both. 

Reason for Background Check

Please denote working with minors at University Program, Conference, MU Academic Camp, MU Rec Camp, MU Athletic Camp, Student Org Program, or the name of the non-University Program.

Recipient of Results

The background check application requires designation of a recipient for the results. University Sponsored Programs and Student Organization Programs are sent to Miami University Human Resources. Those in Non-University Programs must seek guidance from their program coordinator. This information must be provided before the application can be completed.

ID Required

Applicants will need to bring a valid driver's license. If you do not have a driver's license, we will need you to bring one of the following along with a current photo ID: a passport, a state ID card, or a birth certificate. If you are under the age of 18, a parent/guardian consent form must be filled out before we can process the background check, please call MUPD to make arrangements.

Prepayment Required

Prepayment is required before a background check can be completed. Each MU Department sponsoring a minors program will decide if the cost of the background check will be the responsibility of the individual or if the cost will be covered by the department. 

For those paid by a MU Department, select: Charge to University Department on the waiver and enter the MU Index Number/Account Number provided to you. If no billing number was provided, please identify the name of the program/camp for MUPD follow-up. Do not pay in advance by e-check or credit card.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you have lived in Ohio for 5 years consecutively, then the Ohio BCI background check would be processed. 

If you have not lived in Ohio for 5 years consecutively, then both the Ohio BCI background check and the FBI background check would be needed.

What steps do I need to complete this?

Find a fingerprint location

To locate an approved fingerprint background check facilities, visit an Ohio Webcheck Agency.

Individuals who are unable to physically report to an Ohio Webcheck Agency will need to follow the black ink submission process. 

Locate a local Law enforcement agency that offers the blank ink card service in your area.

Documents needed to bring to fingerprint location

• State ID
• BCI fingerprint card
• FBI finger print card as determined by the above scenarios. BCI Fingerprint cards must be printed in advance from the Ohio Attorney General.

Please enter the following information on the printed fingerprint card.

• Civilian Background Check side of card.
  • Send background results to-Theresa Murphy, Miami University Human Resources, 501 E High St., Room 15, Oxford, OH 45056
  • Agency Code/ori- 1AB002
  • Reason Fingerprinted- check other and enter ORC 2151.86
• Applicant side of card
  • Employment Address- Theresa Murphy, Miami University Human Resources, 501 E High St., Room 15, Oxford, OH 45056
  • Reason Fingerprinted- Employee or Volunteer working with children
  • Your No.-1AB002

After receipt of inked fingerprint cards

Mail inked and completed fingerprint cards to the address below:

• Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation, PO Box 365, London, OH 43140
  Include check made out to Treasurer of Ohio for the required amount.

Both the State (BCI fingerprint card) and FBI (finger print card) would be processed. 

Steps do I need to complete

Find a fingerprint location

1. To locate an approved fingerprint background check facilities, visit an Ohio Webcheck Agency.
2. Individuals who are unable to physically report to an Ohio Webcheck Agency will need to follow the black ink submission process.
   • The FBI check can only be conducted when state legislation has been passed requiring the FBI check. The state legislation must be approved by the FBI. Please note:  Ohio BCI cannot process FBI background checks for individuals seeking employment, licensing, or volunteering in other states.
   • If the reason for the background check request is not on the list of FBI reason codes on the Web Check workstation, a background check (black ink card) must be submitted to the FBI under the Freedom of Information Act. Additional information regarding the FBI's Identity History Summary Check instructions please visit Identity History Summary Checks.

Documents needed to bring to fingerprint location

• State ID
• BCI fingerprint card as determined by the above scenarios.

BCI Fingerprint cards must be printed in advance from the Ohio Attorney General.

Please enter the following information on the printed fingerprint card

• Civilian Background Check side of card
  • Send background results to-Theresa Murphy, Miami University Human Resources, 501 E High St., Room 15, Oxford, OH 45056
  • Agency Code/ori- 1AB002
  • Reason Fingerprinted- check other and enter ORC 2151.86
• Applicant side of card
  • Employment Address- Theresa Murphy, Miami University Human Resources, 501 E High St., Room 15, Oxford, OH 45056
  •  Reason Fingerprinted- Employee or Volunteer working with children
  •  Your No.-1AB002

  After receipt of inked fingerprint cards completed by the fingerprint location

Mail inked and completed fingerprint cards to the address below:

• Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation, PO Box 365, London, OH 43140
• Include check made out to Treasurer of Ohio for the required amount.

Miami University looks at each individual on a case by case basis so some minor offenses may or may not affect your ability to be hired at Miami. The MU Employment Director or Senior Employment Generalist will contact you by e-mail if items appear that need to be further discussed. You will be permitted to “tell your story” as to the circumstances and events. After speaking with you, a decision will be made.

Please note:

• Results from an FBI Check performed in Ohio cannot be mailed to another state since the reason codes used are tied back to Ohio Revised Code (state legislation) and do not translate state to state.
• State background checks are completed in the applicant’s state of residence and are then processed through the Ohio Attorney General’s Office.