NCIC Customer Service Number — How to Contact, Challenge Records, and Escalate Issues

What the NCIC Is and Who Runs It

The National Crime Information Center (NCIC) is the FBI’s centralized electronic database for criminal justice information, originally launched in 1967 to allow immediate nationwide access to wanted persons, missing persons, stolen property, and other records. NCIC is maintained by the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Division; access is restricted to criminal justice agencies, courts, and authorized providers. NCIC holds millions of active records across multiple file types (person files, property files, protection orders), and it is updated continuously by the more than 18,000 participating agencies in the United States and U.S. territories.

Because NCIC is a shared criminal justice resource, it is primarily a tool for agencies to query and update records in real time. The FBI CJIS Division provides technical support, policy guidance and training to those agencies. The public cannot directly query NCIC; instead the public works through local law enforcement, state identification bureaus, or the FBI for specific processes such as record challenges or identity history requests.

Why There Is No Single Public “NCIC Customer Service Number”

NCIC was built as an interagency operational system, not a consumer database, so there is no public “customer service number” akin to a corporate helpline. If you are a member of the public with a question about an NCIC entry that affects you (for example an incorrect warrant, a misidentified wanted person or a stolen-vehicle entry), your first step is to contact the arresting agency or the agency that made the NCIC entry. That agency owns the record and is responsible for updating or canceling it in NCIC.

For general inquiries, escalations, or technical support for criminal justice agencies, the FBI CJIS Division maintains webpages, policy documents and agency-facing support channels. For public-facing matters that rise to the FBI level—such as identity-history requests or formal record challenges—use the FBI’s public contact points rather than expecting a consumer-style NCIC line.

Practical Steps to Correct or Remove an NCIC Record

If you discover an NCIC record involving you (a warrant, missing person flag, or stolen property entry), follow a documented workflow to resolve it. Step 1: Obtain a written copy of the police report or the agency’s NCIC entry confirmation (ask for the incident number, ORI — Originating Agency Identifier — and the Transaction Control Number (TCN) if available). Step 2: Ask the agency to correct or cancel the NCIC entry; in most cases the originating agency can cancel the entry immediately. Always request written confirmation (email or printout) showing the NCIC action and the TCN for your records.

Step 3: If the originating agency refuses or cannot fix the record, escalate to the state identification bureau (state police or bureau of identification) which typically controls statewide NCIC point-of-contact responsibilities. As a final recourse for identity-history or FOIA-related matters, you can submit an Identity History Summary Check or FOIPA request to the FBI. The FBI’s public pages for these procedures are at https://www.fbi.gov/services/cjis and https://www.fbi.gov/services/information-management/foipa. Note: the FBI’s fingerprint-based Identity History Summary request has a processing fee (commonly $18 as of recent practice) and requires an FD-258 fingerprint card or an approved electronic submission.

Useful Contacts, Typical Fees, and What to Prepare

Below is a compact list of high-value contact points and the documents or data you should have before you call or email. Start with the local agency that entered the record; if you do escalate, the FBI main switchboard is a public starting point for direction to the appropriate CJIS office.

• FBI Headquarters switchboard (public): (202) 324-3000 — use this to be directed to appropriate FBI public offices or to obtain mailing addresses for formal submissions.
• FBI CJIS information and NCIC policy pages: https://www.fbi.gov/services/cjis/ncic — review policy, ORI formats, and contact procedures for justice agencies; public FOIA/FOIPA info: https://www.fbi.gov/services/information-management/foipa.
• Identity History Summary Check (fingerprint-based) — commonly requires an FD-258 or electronic submission and a processing fee (approx. $18; verify current fee on FBI site). Local fingerprinting services usually charge $10–$30 for card rolling.
• What to have ready: agency name and ORI, incident or case number, transaction control number (TCN) if provided, full descriptive data (VIN, serial numbers, DOB), and any official ID or fingerprint documentation you will use for identity verification.

Example Workflow: Stolen Vehicle Appears in NCIC

1) Report the theft immediately to your local police department and obtain the report number and the officer’s name. Ask the officer to confirm that a “stolen auto” entry was made into NCIC and request the TCN and ORI. Agencies can enter or cancel a stolen-vehicle record, and an immediate correction can resolve car-stop and registration problems.

2) If the local department does not act, escalate to the state police/state identification bureau. If neither corrects the problem, prepare an Identity History Summary request or a FOIA/FOIPA submission to the FBI explaining the situation and enclosing the police report, vehicle title, VIN, and any other supporting documents. Typical resolution times vary: simple cancellations are near-instant when the originating agency acts; escalated administrative corrections can take 24–72 hours or longer if additional verification is required, and FOIA/Identity History processing follows published FBI timelines under federal law.

What is ncic phone?

NCIC Correctional Services (NCIC) is an American inmate telephones and prison education company. It is an employee owned company headquartered in Longview, Texas, United States. NCIC Inmate Communications. Company type. Privately held company.

Can inmates text from jail?

An AI Overview is not available for this searchCan’t generate an AI overview right now. Try again later.AI Overview Yes, inmates can receive and respond to “texts” through specialized electronic messaging services like ConnectNetwork or Smart Inmate, although they do not use traditional cell phone texting. You can send electronic messages and photos by creating an account with a service provider, adding the inmate, and paying for message credits. Inmates access these messages on in-facility tablets or kiosks and can often send replies, though messages are always subject to facility screening.  How the Services Work

1. Create an account: Sign up with a service provider like ConnectNetwork or GettingOut. 
2. Add the inmate: Find and add the inmate to your contacts, usually by their name or booking number. 
3. Purchase message credits: Use a credit or debit card to buy message credits to send and receive messages. 
4. Send the message: Compose and send your message from the service provider’s website or mobile app. 
5. Inmate receives the message: Inmates view messages on facility-provided kiosks or tablets. 
6. Inmate responds: Depending on the facility, inmates can view, print, or send an electronic response. 

Key Differences from Traditional Texting

• No Personal Devices: Inmates do not have personal cell phones or internet access. 
• Facility-Specific Kiosks/Tablets: Communication occurs through secure, inmate-specific devices. 
• Screening: All messages are screened by facility staff and software for security and compliance. 
• Cost: Messages typically cost money to send, though some services may offer free options. 

Considerations

• Availability: Not all facilities offer electronic messaging, and access can vary. 
• Security: The systems are designed to be secure and prevent unauthorized internet access. 
• Facility Rules: Facilities have the discretion to terminate services if inmate behavior is problematic. 

AI responses may include mistakes. Learn moreCan Inmates Text From Jail? – CountyOffice.orgMar 4, 2025 — welcome to County Office your ultimate guide to local government services and public records. let’s get started can inm…YouTube · County Office LawSend messages to loved ones – ConnectNetworkMessaging. Share some good news, tell the latest and greatest story, or just say a quick hello. Communicating with your incarcerat…ConnectNetwork(function(){
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How much is a NCIC call?

NCIC charges a low, per-minute rate of $0.25/Minute for all Local and In-State calls. A 1-Minute Local call with NCIC costs $0.25. A 15-Minute Local call with NCIC costs $3.75. NCIC allows Friends and Families of inmates to add up to ten (10) different numbers per Pre-Paid Account, with only one applicable fee.

How to get access to NCIC?

All requests for review must be made by the subject of the record through a law enforcement agency which has access to the NCIC III File. That agency within statutory or regulatory limits can require additional identification to assist in securing a positive identification.

What is the phone number for NCIC help desk?

You, the Account holder, will be notified that the balance is insufficient on the Account and you will have the opportunity to replenish the Account by contacting the Customer Service Center at 1-800-943-2189 or visiting ncic.com.

What number is 800-943-2189?

NCIC Calls
If you missed a call from (800) 943-2189, it means a detainee was trying to reach you. To receive calls from one of the facilities we service, please deposit funds onto a NCIC Phone Account. Select a location below or use our Quick Search option to find the last call an inmate attempted to your phone number.