How to get SCOPE records from the LVMPD: 5 things to know

Posted on June 11, 2018

Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) uses for background checks. SCOPEs are printouts of a person’s past arrests and convictions, if any. A current and valid SCOPE is necessary in order to complete the petition for a Nevada criminal record seal.Below our Las Vegas criminal defense attorneys discuss five things to know in order to get SCOPE records from the LVMPD.

1. Where do I get a SCOPE?

SCOPEs are available at only one LVMPD location:

Records and Fingerprint Bureau
400 S. Martin L. King Boulevard, Building C
Las Vegas, Nevada 89106

Prior to going, call the Records and Fingerprint Bureau at 702-828-3271 for the most current address.

2. When can I get a SCOPE?

The Records and Fingerprint Bureau is open on Monday through Friday from 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. Depending on how many people are there, there could be a substantial wait.

Prior to going, call the Records and Fingerprint Bureau at 702-828-3271 for the most current hours.

3. What do I need to bring to obtain a SCOPE?

Bring your driver’s license or other state-issued identification. Once at the LVMPD, the the officer will ask you to fill out a SCOPE request form. The form requires you to reveal your:

name
social security number
date of birth
place of birth
complexion
eye color
hair color
height
weight
build
identifying marks, such as tattoos or piercings

4. How much does a SCOPE cost?

$10. The LVMPD accepts cash, check, or credit card.

Prior to going, call the Records and Fingerprint Bureau at 702-828-3271 for the most current prices and payment options.

5. How long is a SCOPE valid?

For the purpose of record sealing, SCOPEs are valid for only 45 days. Therefore, it is important that the person seeking a record seal complete and submit the record seal application within 45 days of obtaining the SCOPE.

It is highly recommended that people seeking record seals retain a private attorney to take care of the entire process from beginning to end. SCOPEs are very difficult to decipher as they use police shorthand and abbreviations that only law enforcement and attorneys may be familiar with.

Note that an attorney can go to the LVMPD to get your SCOPE for you. But first your attorney will have you fill out a letter authorizing the attorney to obtain the SCOPE, and you will need to get the letter authorized. Many attorneys have notaries in their office.

About the Author

Neil Shouse

A former Los Angeles prosecutor, attorney Neil Shouse graduated with honors from UC Berkeley and Harvard Law School (and completed additional graduate studies at MIT). He has been featured on CNN, Good Morning America, Dr Phil, Court TV, The Today Show and Court TV. Mr Shouse has been recognized by the National Trial Lawyers as one of the Top 100 Criminal and Top 100 Civil Attorneys.