Global Entry old charge: getting court records

Start with what CBP actually told you, then ask the court that handled the case for a written record of how it ended. That is the practical path. What follows separates what the regulation says from what you will have to work out for your own case, because we could not verify any CBP records-retrieval procedure.

Why an old arrest comes up at all

Under 8 CFR 235.12(b)(2), an applicant can be found ineligible for Global Entry if they have been arrested for, or convicted of, any criminal offense, or have pending criminal charges or outstanding warrants in any country. The wording covers arrests, not just convictions. An old misdemeanor is therefore something CBP can weigh.

That is a risk assessment, not an automatic disqualification. We found no official statement that specific old misdemeanors, marijuana charges included, are treated one way or the other. Do not assume either outcome.

CBP also says every applicant goes through a background check, and that criminal history can stretch processing, with some cases taking up to 12 months or longer. Plan around that, not around a quick answer.

Start with the denial notice or the request itself

If you were denied, the regulation says CBP will notify you of the denial and the reasons for it. That notice is your checklist. It tells you which arrest or charge CBP is looking at, which is more reliable than your memory of a case from years ago.

If you have not been denied and were simply asked for documents, treat the request the same way. Work from exactly what CBP named, not from what you think it should want.

What a final disposition is

We could not find an official CBP definition of "final disposition". In ordinary court usage it means the recorded outcome of the case: dismissed, charges dropped, acquitted, convicted and sentenced, or something else. A record showing only that you were arrested or charged does not answer that question.

So aim for a document that states the outcome, names the court, and carries the case number. If CBP's request says more than that, follow CBP's wording over ours.

Where to ask

We have no sourced fee schedules or official procedures for any court or state records office, and they vary by jurisdiction. What follows is a way to organize the search, not a verified process.

• The court that heard the case. This is the logical first stop, since it generated the outcome. Use the arrest date, the location and your full name at the time, including any prior surname.
• The arresting agency. If you do not know which court handled it, the police or sheriff's department may have the case number that points you there.
• Your own files. Old sentencing paperwork, bail receipts, or a lawyer's closing letter can fill gaps or give you the case number.

When you ask, say what the document is for and request the outcome in writing. Ask the clerk what format they issue it in, since you will need to submit a copy to CBP.

When the records no longer exist

Old files do get purged, and we found no authoritative source describing a workaround or how CBP treats a missing record. Do not rely on anyone, including a forum post, who claims to know exactly what CBP accepts.

What you can do is ask the court or agency to state in writing that no record exists, and keep everything you gather along the way. A written response showing you looked is better than no paper at all. Whether CBP accepts it is CBP's call, and we cannot tell you it will. If you were denied, say plainly in your reconsideration request that the records were unavailable and attach what you have.

Getting the paperwork to CBP

The regulation provides no formal appeal. Under 235.12(k), redress is wholly discretionary and runs through DHS TRIP or a reconsideration request to the CBP Trusted Traveler Ombudsman, submitted through the online TTP system or another CBP-approved process. Any missing court documents have to go in with that request.

We could not verify the upload steps, file limits or what to bring to an interview appointment. Check the instructions inside your TTP account, and the TTP FAQ for current guidance.

A denied applicant also gets no refund of the processing fee under the regulation, so collect the records early rather than after a denial.

Short version

1. Read the denial reasons or document request and identify the exact charge.
2. Find the case number and court from your own files or the arresting agency.
3. Ask the court for a written statement of the outcome, or of the absence of a record.
4. Submit it through the TTP system with your reconsideration request.

For the rest of the process, see the Global Entry guide library.