Background checks are critical to the protection of children and are part of Diocese of Columbus policy.
“All parish, school, and diocesan employees, clergy, religious, applicants to formation for the priesthood or permanent diaconate, and volunteers must be fully compliant with Safe Environment requirements (which include Protecting God’s Children training and a civilian criminal background check) prior to the start of any service or ministry.”
Background checks are processed by the State of Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, or BCI. People that have lived in Ohio for less than 5 years, or those with specific requirements, such as teachers, must also obtain an FBI report.
How do I get a background check?
Easy: get your fingerprints taken. In Ohio, any “Web Check” location can be used. The Attorney General provides a list of locations.
The Safe Environment Office recommends using FastFingerprints. Please see below for the ‘Direct Billing Code’ used when registering.
IMPORTANT: All reports must be sent directly from the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation to:
Safe Environment Program – Diocese of Columbus
197 E. Gay St. Columbus OH 4321
Copies sent by individuals or other entities will not be accepted.
What type of background check is needed?
For individuals using FastFingerprints, the Direct Billing Code is also noted below.
Volunteers, Employees, and Clergy:
| Length of Residency | Volunteers | Parish/Diocesan Employee | Clergy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Resident of OH > 5 Years | BCI (IGHWKX) | BCI (IGHWKX) | BCI (IGHWKX) |
| Resident of OH < 5 Years | BCI & FBI (IGHWMZ) | BCI & FBI | BCI & FBI |
For School Employees:
| Background Check Needed | Licensed School Employee | Non-Licensed School Employee |
|---|---|---|
| New Hire | BCI & FBI (IGHWO1) | BCI & FBI (IGHWLY) |
| Renewal | FBI (IGHWNO) | FBI |
Already have a current Ohio BCI background check?
Great! In order for it to be valid with the Diocese, it must be no more than 10 months old.
Renewals
Diocesan policy was updated in August 2025, requiring all employees, clergy, religious, and volunteers in child-facing ministries to update their background check every 5 years. Failure to maintain a current background check will result in the individual being prohibited from working and/or volunteering in the Diocese!