NJ Criminal History Records Information
Volunteer Review Operation (VRO) - Fingerprint-Based New Jersey and Federal Criminal History Record Checks
**New Jersey Based Youth Serving Organizations ONLY**
Volunteer Review Operation (VRO) - State and Federal Fingerprint-Based Criminal History Record Checks Requires nonprofit Youth Serving Organizations to register with the VRO for the purposes of obtaining criminal history record checks pursuant to P.L. 1999, c. 432 (C. 15A:3A-1). The organization must provide the following to register:
- Short Form of Standing from the Dept. of Treasury: (Division of Revenue Web Site)
- Federal Tax Exemption with the IRS - Letter of Determination; and
- Agree with and Execute the Memorandum of Understanding.
* If organizations are church or recreation, they only need to provide the executed Memorandum of Understanding *
- Application Document for Non-Profit Organizations Only - PDF
- Application Document for Church/Government Use Only - PDF
Upon receipt of documentation, the VRO will supply the organization with an organization specific identification number (6 digit VRN), and detailed instructions for submission.
The VRO will process the applicant fingerprints, review records, and respond to the registered organization with a letter reporting a recommendation of approval or denial.
** The registered organization will not receive a copy of the applicant's record under this program. The VRO will review and make a determination based on disqualifiers enumerated in law.
VRO Fees:
**Please be advised that effective January 1, 2025, the VRO fees for background checks will be updated as follows:
- Employees - $57.73
- Volunteers - $25.73
All fees will be made at the fingerprinting site on the day of the appointment by
credit card or electronic debit card.
No personal checks will be accepted.
It is Paramount that the Youth Organization informs Applicants to use VRN number as Contributor Case when scheduling Appointment with IDEMIA. This can affect a letter being mailed to the Youth Organization and result in the Applicant being fingerprinted again utilizing the correct VRN number.
Applicants are required to use the contracted vendor IDEMIA, which provides the electronic fingerprint live scan services for VRO background checks.
The Applicant’s fingerprints will be processed within 24 to 72 hours
from date fingerprinted and a letter will be mailed to the Organization within 7 to 10 business days
from date received.
If letter is not received within 10 business days, please, contact Criminal Information,
Volunteer Review at 609-882-2000 ext. 2891. The Applicants and/or Organization will have up to
90 days from the date fingerprinted to contact the Volunteer Review unit to request a copy
of Applicant's letter. After 90 days, the Applicant will need to repeat the Volunteer Review
process and be fingerprinted again.
The following service codes below are to be used for registered youth serving organizations ONLY!
Youth Serving Organization Employee
Service Code 2F1J2GContributor case number: VRN number specific to each registered organization
Youth Serving Organization Volunteer
Service Code 2F1J3YContributor case number: VRN number specific to each registered organization
Questions regarding obtaining noncriminal justice criminal history record checks should be directed to the VRO at (609) 882-2000, extension 2891 or volreviewops@njsp.gov.
