Online HHS Background Checks Go-Live November 3, 2025!
(This does NOT include background checks for ND DHHS Employment)
We’re excited to streamline this process, allow you to track your background check request, and make it easier for everyone involved. Beginning November 3, 2025, North Dakota Human Services (NDHHS) background checks will move online through the ND Gateway Portal. Click here to download the User Process Guide for step by step instructions.
What’s changing
- People needing a background check must create a ND Login account to submit their request. Click on ND Gateway Portal above to be directed to the online portal.
- All HHS background check requests and fingerprint appointments will now be completed and submitted online.
- Fingerprint appointments can be made online after submitting the background check through the ND Gateway Portal.
- Results will no longer be sent via email and can be accessed through the system (see attached Process User Guide)
- Businesses employing people needing HHS background checks must be registered in the ND Gateway Portal prior to their employees submitting a background check request (see Business Registration User Guide).
What’s Not changing
The reasons for HHS background checks remain the same:
- Adoption
- Adult Foster Care (Adult Foster Care Provider Handbook) (Agency Foster Home for Adults Handbook)
- Child Care
- Children’s Advocacy Center
- Foster Care Related
- Guardianship of Children
- Guardianship of Adults
- Licensed Child Placement Agency (LCPA) Employment
Residential Facility and Certified Shelter Care Employment (SLIP, Certified Shelter, QRTP, PRTF)
Reminder for child care providers: Make sure you have registered your business in the ND Gateway Portal in order to be ready to use the new system. Step-by-step instructions are provided in the Business Registration User Guide
Where can I get fingerprinted?
- ND DHHS provides 8 fingerprinting locations throughout the state. Please check the table below for the location that covers your county.
- No fingerprinting fee.
- Appointments are scheduled through the CBCU System. (After you have submitted your background check request, you will be prompted to schedule an appointment.)
- You must bring a valid government issued photo ID (driver’s license, state ID, military ID, passport, tribal ID). If you do not have a valid photo ID, you will not be fingerprinted.
- Law enforcement agencies, or any other agency that is authorized to conduct fingerprinting
- You are responsible for paying any fees charged for fingerprinting.
- Contact the agency for days and times they do fingerprinting.
- You must bring a blank Fingerprint Identity Verification Form (SFN 836) to be completed by the official that rolls your prints.
- You must bring a valid photo ID (driver’s license, state ID, military ID, passport, tribal ID). If you do not have a valid photo ID, you will not be fingerprinted.
- Ink-rolled fingerprints MUST be sealed in an envelope by the official that rolled your prints BEFORE giving you the print cards.
- You are responsible for mailing all your authorization forms, authorization forms for other states and fingerprints to the Criminal Background Check Unit in Bismarck.
ND DHHS Fingerprinting Locations and Phone Numbers
Northwest Human Service Center – Williston
316 2nd Ave W, Williston ND
(701) 774-4600
Counties:
Divide, McKenzie, Mountrail, Williams
North Central Human Service Center – Minot
1015 S Broadway Suite 18, Minot ND
(701) 857-8500 (For fingerprinting questions only, appointments must be scheduled online)
Counties:
Bottineau, Burke, McHenry, Mountrail, Renville, Pierce, Ward
Lake Region Human Service Center - Devils Lake
200 US-2, Devils Lake ND
(701) 665-2200 (For fingerprinting questions only, appointments must be scheduled online)
Outreach Office - Rolla
1102 Main Ave W, Rolla ND
(701) 477-9050 (For fingerprinting questions only, appointments must be scheduled online)
Counties:
Benson, Cavalier, Ramsey, Rolette, Towner
Northeast Human Service Center – Grand Forks
151 S 4th St, Grand Forks ND
(701) 795-3000 (For fingerprinting questions only, appointments must be scheduled online)
Counties:
Grand Forks, Nelson, Pembina, Walsh
Vocational Rehabilitation Services – Fargo
1655 43rd St S, Suite 208, Fargo ND
(701) 298-4623 (For fingerprinting questions only, appointments must be scheduled online)
Counties:
Cass, Ransom, Richland, Sargent, Steele, Traill
South Central Human Service Center – Jamestown
520 3rd St NW, Jamestown ND
(701) 253-6300 (For fingerprinting questions only, appointments must be scheduled online)
Counties:
Barnes, Dickey, Eddy, Foster, Griggs, LaMoure, Logan, Stutsman, Wells
Badlands Human Service Center – Dickinson
1463 Interstate 94 Business Loop E, Dickinson ND
(701) 227-7500 (For fingerprinting questions only, appointments must be scheduled online)
Counties:
Adams, Billings, Bowman, Dunn Golden Valley, Hettinger, Slope, Stark
West Central Human Service Center – Bismarck
1237 W Divide Ave, Suite 5, Bismarck ND
(701) 328-8862 (For fingerprinting questions only, appointments must be scheduled online)
Counties:
Burleigh, Emmons, Grant, Kidder, McIntosh, McLean, Mercer, Morton, Oliver, Sioux
FAQs
Q: Can I reschedule my fingerprinting appointment?
A: Log into ND Gateway. Delete your appointment under My Appointments. After you have deleted your appointment, click on Book an Appointment to schedule a new appointment.
Q: What if the child care provider is not in the list of child care programs?
A: The child care provider has not registered their child care program. Please contact the child care provider.
Q: What records will be reviewed?
A: All background checks will include the following:
- ND criminal record (non-public)
- FBI Criminal Record (non-public)
- ND Child Abuse/Neglect Index (non-public)
- ND Sex Offender Registry
- ND Offenders Against Children Registry
- Interstate Child Abuse/Neglect Registry for each state of residence during the previous 5 years.
- ND Courts Records Inquiry Website
- MN Trial Court Public Access Website
- Tribal Court, Child Welfare and Sex Offender Registry (as needed)
Child Care background checks will also include the following:
- National Sex Offender Registry (non-public)
- Interstate Sex Offender Registry for each state of residence during the previous 5 years (non-public).
- Interstate criminal repository for each state of residence during the previous 5 years (non-public).\
Q: How many years back do you look for convictions?
A: Lifetime, regardless of age (excludes juvenile adjudications), the length of time that has passed since conviction, or location of conviction.
Q: Do I have to report all criminal convictions or just felonies?
A: All convictions. Failure to disclose a criminal conviction may result in your background check being returned unprocessed.
Q: I was fingerprinted for a concealed weapons permit, teaching license, etc., can I use those finger prints or do I have to have my fingerprints re-done.
A: No. Fingerprints, and the results derived from those prints, can only be used for the purpose stated at the time you were fingerprinted. If you need fingerprints for another purpose, new prints must be submitted.
Q: Can I use background check results from another state?
A: No. Background check results or criminal record search results are not transferable from state to state.
Q: Does my adult child have to complete a background check if they are home for the summer and living in my home?
A: Yes. Any adult living in the home must complete a background check.
Q: Does my minor child living in my home have to complete a background check if they work in my child care?
A: Yes.
Contact Information
Criminal Background Check Unit
600 E. Boulevard Avenue, Department 325
Bismarck, ND 58505-0250
Phone: (701) 328-7575
Toll-Free: (800) 472-2622, 711 (TTY)
Fax: (701) 328-0358
Email: dhscfscbc@nd.gov