How to Conduct a Free Criminal Background Check in 2024

A criminal background check is a record of a person’s criminal history. It lists arrests, convictions, and sometimes even dismissed charges or charges where the person was found not guilty. Criminal background checks are an important part of the hiring process for many employers, allowing them to make informed decisions about candidates. They are also commonly required for housing applications, volunteer work, and other situations where safety is a concern.

In the past, criminal background checks could be difficult and expensive to obtain. But with the internet and public records becoming more accessible, it is now possible for individuals to conduct background checks themselves for free. This guide will provide comprehensive information on how to perform a free criminal background check in 2024.

What is Free Criminal Background Check?

A free criminal background check is the process of searching public records to uncover someone’s history of arrests, charges, and convictions without paying a fee to a background screening company. This typically involves searching government databases, court records, inmate records, sex offender registries, and news articles for any criminal activity associated with a person’s name, birth date, locations, and other identifiers. Free services provide access to aggregated data from these sources, but it still requires manually checking primary source records for accuracy. Free checks can uncover criminal records, though paid services provide additional validation. When conducting free background checks, it’s important to follow laws, check multiple sources, evaluate records fairly, and maintain confidentiality.

Is it Possible to Free Criminal Background Check?

Yes, it is possible to perform a free criminal background check on someone in most cases. Here are some tips on how to do it:

  • Search state criminal record repositories – Most states have online databases where you can search for criminal records by name, date of birth, etc. These include arrests, charges, and convictions within that state.
  • Check county court records – County courthouses often provide online access to criminal records at the county level, which complements state searches.
  • Search for sex offender registries – The Dru Sjodin National Sex Offender Public Website links to sex offender registries in each state.
  • Look for inmate records – Check state Department of Corrections and county jail websites for inmate locators to find current or recent incarcerations.
  • Search news articles – Look for news stories about the person involving arrests or criminal cases.
  • Use free criminal record aggregators – Sites like Truthfinder and BeenVerified compile data from public sources but may lack complete records.
  • Request court documents – You can contact court clerks to request criminal records, but fees and restrictions often apply.
  • Search social media – Look for references to criminal history on public social profiles.

The main challenges with free checks are incomplete data, fragmented records across counties/states, common names causing mixups, and lack of primary source documentation in some cases. But it provides a good starting point to uncover red flags if done thoroughly. For maximum accuracy, a paid background check service can validate a free search.

Benefits of Conducting a Free Criminal Background Check

There are several key benefits to conducting a free criminal background check:

Peace of Mind

A free background check can bring peace of mind, knowing that you have taken proactive steps to evaluate a person before engaging with them. This is especially important when hiring employees, signing a new lease, or allowing someone to care for a child or elderly relative. A background check minimizes risks.

Save Money

Paid background check services can be expensive, ranging anywhere from $20 to $200 per report. Running your own free background checks allows you to obtain the same information without any costs. This is perfect for small business owners, landlords, families, and individuals who need to run multiple background checks.

Thorough Evaluation

Free criminal record searches allow you to dig deeper than a paid basic pre-employment screening. You can take the time to thoroughly evaluate results and follow up on any red flags. This gives you greater confidence in your decision-making.

Meet Legal Obligations

Many employers and organizations are legally required to conduct background checks. Doing your own free checks can satisfy legal screening requirements without paying a background check company.

How to Conduct a Free Criminal Background Check

Fortunately, with the rise of the internet and growth of public records access, conducting your own criminal background check is easier than ever. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Gather Identifying Information

To begin, you need to gather identifying details on the individual you are screening. This includes:

  • Full legal name
  • Previous names or aliases
  • Date of birth
  • Current and past addresses
  • Social Security Number (if available)

The more information you can collect, the more accurate your background check will be. Ask the individual to provide these details or gather the information from official documents and applications.

Be sure to collect details on locations where the individual has lived or worked for all states and counties you will need to search.

Step 2: Search Public Record Databases

With the identifying details, you can now conduct a criminal record search using public access databases. Useful free public records include:

Statewide Criminal Record Databases

Most states provide online access to their criminal record databases. You can search for an individual’s arrests, charges, and convictions anywhere in that state. Searches can be done by name, date of birth, and other details.

Here are direct links to a sample of statewide criminal record sites:

Check public record sites for each state where the individual has lived.

Federal Criminal Records

The FBI website provides access to Identity History Summary checks listing federal criminal history records. This costs $18 per report.

However, the FBI records are incomplete. They primarily include crimes prosecuted at the federal level, such as white-collar crime, bank robbery, and other federal offenses. The FBI files may miss state arrests and convictions. So a statewide check is still needed.

County Records

Many county courthouses offer online criminal record databases where you can search by name for arrests, court filings, and misdemeanors in that county. County records pick up crimes that may not appear in federal or statewide searches.

Conducting county courthouse searches involves looking up websites for each individual county where the person has lived. This can be time consuming but provides the most comprehensive check.

Here are some examples of county court record sites:

Check any counties where the individual has lived or been arrested. Regional court search sites like SearchQuarry can lookup records across multiple counties in a state.

Sex Offender Registries

All states maintain online sex offender registries listing individuals convicted of sex crimes. Check the Dru Sjodin National Sex Offender Public Website, which provides links to statewide registries. This allows you to search by name and location for any troubling sex crimes that may not show up on a criminal record.

Online Inmate Records

If the individual is or was recently incarcerated, you may find them listed on online inmate records available through state Department of Corrections websites or county jail roster lists. This can provide information on current or recent criminal cases and convictions.

Step 3: Search News Archives and Public Posts

Records can sometimes miss cases that are pending, were expunged, or did not result in conviction. So it’s also a good idea to search for any public news mentions of the individual’s name related to arrests or criminal investigations.

  • Search newspapers that cover the person’s home areas over the past several years. Many local papers offer free online archives.
  • Google the individual’s name enclosed in quotes to surface any relevant news items or public social media posts referencing criminal history.

Step 4: Obtain Court Documentation (optional)

For an even more detailed background check, you can attempt to directly obtain court documentation like arrest records, case filings, sentencing orders, and probation reports.

  • Contact the court clerk in jurisdictions where the person was arrested or convicted to ask about obtaining official court documentation through mail or in-person. This often involves paperwork, fees, and waiting periods.
  • Hire a local runner to handle retrieval of court documents for you. Services like CourthouseDirect.com offer this document retrieval process for a fee.

Reviewing original court filings can provide the most comprehensive criminal background picture. But the process is time-intensive and not always possible if records have been sealed or destroyed. For most basic background checks, searching databases and news archives will sufficiently uncover major criminal issues.

Step 5: Conduct Interviews and Seek References

As a final step, it can be enlightening to communicate directly with people who have known the individual, such as co-workers, employers, landlords, or acquaintances. Ask if they are aware of or can confirm any criminal history. With permission, reach out to references provided to see if their recollections align.

An interview and reference check can sometimes surface additional context beyond what any records may show. Use your judgement on when such direct outreach is warranted and keep privacy in mind.

What Shows Up on a Criminal Background Check?

Criminal records can include a wide range of details related to an individual’s history with the criminal justice system. Here are some key items that may be uncovered during a thorough background check process:

Arrest Records

Arrest records will list any apprehensions, charges filed, date of arrest, arresting agency, and basic facts about the case. Arrests remain on a record even if charges were eventually dropped or the person was found not guilty.

Conviction Records

These will provide specifics on convictions, the degree of crime (felony or misdemeanor), date of conviction, sentence received, and details on the crime and prosecution.

Dismissed Charges

Charges that were dismissed or acquitted may still appear on a criminal record along with arrests. This provides full visibility into a person’s criminal justice interactions.

Active Warrants

If the individual has any outstanding warrants, these will appear on statewide checks and often through county sheriff’s departments. Active warrants indicate legal issues that have not yet been resolved.

Sex Offender Registration

Any mandatory registration on state sex offender lists will be uncovered. This could be for major sex crimes or even some misdemeanors.

Corrections Records

If the person was incarcerated, corrections department records list their conviction history along with potential parole, probation, or supervised release statuses.

Non-Criminal Records

Civil court cases, minor traffic violations, and other non-criminal legal issues may also surface during a comprehensive background check depending on state and county disclosure rules.

Interpreting Criminal Records

Once you’ve conducted a free criminal background check, how do you interpret the results? How much weight should different types of crimes, convictions, and dismissed charges carry? Here are some best practices for evaluating what turns up:

  • Note the nature of crimes and patterns. Violent crimes and felonies should carry more weight than nonviolent misdemeanors. Search for tendencies of repeat concerning activity.
  • Consider circumstances. Was the person a minor when arrested? What was the stated reasoning and outcome? Were charges dropped? Context matters.
  • Check how recent crimes are. Old minor convictions from years past may be less relevant. But recent or serious crimes should raise scrutiny.
  • Talk to the individual for their side of the story. Let them explain outcomes and provide evidence of rehabilitation efforts.
  • Evaluate overall risk. Does the full record align with risks involved for a specific role like housing, employment, volunteering?
  • Follow laws and ethical practices. Never discriminate illegally based on criminal record. Weigh risks fairly.
  • Protect privacy. Only share background check details with those who need to know in order to make a fair decision. Destroy search records securely.

Criminal histories require thoughtful analysis. Records should inform decisions rather than automatically dictate unfair outcomes for those aiming to move past their record.

Challenges of Free Background Checks

While free criminal searches offer many benefits, they do come with some inherent challenges and limitations:

Incomplete Records

Public record databases are not perfect. Serious crimes can sometimes fail to show up while dismissed charges stay on a report. Depending on the jurisdiction, records may only stretch back 7-15 years as well.

Difficulty Accessing Documents

Trying to directly obtain court documents on arrests often requires in-person visits or complicated paperwork. Records may also be sealed or expunged if a case is dismissed or following a probation period.

Complex Name Searching

People with common names are difficult to accurately search. Name changes, aliases, and spelling variations can also complicate matching records to individuals. Advanced searching skills are required.

Jurisdiction Issues

Records are fragmented across hundreds of court jurisdictions. People who move around often may have arrests in multiple counties and states that take lots of digging to uncover.

Can’t Perform SSN/Fingerprint Search

Paid background checks utilize SSN and fingerprint analysis for definitive matching. Name searches rely more on public records availability and searching skill. There’s a higher chance of missing data.

Time Consuming Process

Doing the in-depth research required for an effective public records background check takes significant time. It can be a lengthy manual process of scouring websites and making calls.

So while free checks provide helpful screening information, they may lack some specifics compared to a paid screening by a background check company. You have to put in significant effort to get quality results.

Best Free Criminal Background Check Services

Rather than attempting to compile records entirely manually from scratch, many people use free criminal record lookup services that provide access to aggregated public records.

These free services have already compiled extensive criminal record databases that can be searched. They provide an interface to public records as a useful starting point for your screening.

However, understand their limitations. Free sites often lack original documentation, have advertising content, and may miss data. You generally still need to do your own legwork to confirm details and search state-specific records the aggregators lack.

Some top free services to consider using as a resource include:

  • Truthfinder – Provides a national criminal records database, sex offender registry search, inmate lookup, and address history lookup. Limited advanced info available without a subscription.
  • Instant Checkmate – Features a large criminal record database, sex offender registry checks, and jail inmate searches. Offers a free preview of basic results.
  • BeenVerified – Allows users to search for criminal records, sex offenses, arrests, incarcerations, and other public data points. Certain records require paid account.
  • US Search – Offers access to criminal records, contact information, address history, and other public data aggregated from multiple sources. Limited info in free version.
  • Dru Sjodin National Sex Offender Public Website – Free national search of officially registered sex offenders consolidated from state registries. Provides photos and conviction data.

These aggregator sites serve as a valuable starting point to identify which jurisdictions to target and what types of searches to conduct to dig up actual documentation from official primary sources.

10 Best Free Criminal Background Check Website in 2024

Here are 10 of the best free websites for conducting criminal background checks in 2024:

  1. FamilySearch.org – Genealogy site provides access to some criminal records databases.
  2. SearchQuarry.com – Searches public records across multiple states and counties.
  3. TruePeopleSearch.com – Aggregates court and incarceration records from multiple jurisdictions.
  4. BlackBookOnline.info – Public record portal with incarceration, arrest, and court datasets.
  5. LocalCriminalRecords.com – Allows county-level criminal record searches nationwide.
  6. CourtRecords.org – Contains criminal court dockets, arrest records and warrants.
  7. BustedOffenders.com – Covers arrests, charges filed, and conviction data.
  8. OffenderRadar.com – Searches all state sex offender registries in one place.
  9. JailBase.com – Directory of county jail inmate rosters searchable by name.
  10. Leagle.com – Includes access to some criminal court dockets and filings.

While these sites are helpful starting points, it’s important to follow up directly with official sources like statewide repositories and courthouses for complete accuracy. Free criminal record searches may have gaps in reporting, so consider adding a paid background check for validation if needed.

Tips for Running a Free Background Check on Yourself

Here are some tips for running a free background check on yourself:

  • Search your state’s criminal records database – Most states have an online portal where you can search for criminal records associated with your name and date of birth. This will turn up any arrests, charges, or convictions at the state level.
  • Check county court records – Use the online case search tools for counties where you have lived to find any criminal cases or charges at the county level.
  • Look for sex offender registries – Make sure you don’t come up in any state or national sex offender registries. The Dru Sjodin National Sex Offender Public Website provides a search.
  • Search state inmate locators – Look for your name in state Department of Corrections and county jail inmate databases to see if any incarcerations show up.
  • Review federal court records – Use the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) system to search for any federal cases associated with your name.
  • Check online record aggregators – Use free background check sites like Truthfinder, Instant Checkmate and BeenVerified to see what comes up, but verify any hits they find through official sources.
  • Search news archives – Look for any articles about yourself involving arrests or criminal cases.
  • Request copies from courts – You can contact court clerks to request copies of physical case files, but fees may apply.
  • Search yourself online – Google your name in quotes to surfaced any publicized cases or mentions of a criminal history.

Checking all of these sources provides a comprehensive overview of what a basic free criminal background check would find if someone else ran one on you. It’s a good way to identify and correct any inaccurate information that may be out there.

For Maximum Safety and Accuracy, Consider Adding Paid Checks

While free criminal background checks provide useful insight, for maximum accuracy in sensitive situations, it can be prudent to combine them with a paid background screening through an accredited consumer reporting agency.

Adding a comprehensive paid report that leverages fingerprint matching and primary source court clerks can validate information uncovered through free public lookups. This provides complete coverage.

Costs for paid checks through background screening services typically range from $30 to $150+ depending on the extent of the search. Look for agencies that are NTCRA or NAPBS accredited for reliable results. Some companies to consider for supplemental paid screening include:

Use free criminal record lookups to inform smart follow up with select paid checks when warranted. Combining both methods allows you to maximize insight while efficiently focusing spend only where absolutely necessary.

Performing Compliant and Ethical Checks

When conducting free criminal background checks, be sure to adhere to all relevant laws and best practices:

  • Comply with the FCRA – Understand mandates around adverse action notices if using checks for employment/tenant screening.
  • Check state limitations – Some states restrict use of records in hiring or have specific procedures. Know the laws.
  • Stick to necessary screening – Only conduct checks when truly relevant to a legitimate decision. Don’t overstep boundaries.
  • Evaluate holistically – Weigh criminal records as just one of many factors, not an automatic disqualifier.
  • Maintain confidentiality – Keep background check details private and secure. Only share info with those who need to know.
  • Provide appeals process – If denying a job or apartment based on results, offer the individual a process to dispute inaccuracies.
  • Destroy sensitive data – When finished, delete any criminal record reports and personal information uncovered.

Free criminal background checks require ethical practices and common sense. Take reasonable precautions without venturing into risky discrimination.

Free Online Criminal Background Check

Here are some tips for conducting a free online criminal background check:

  • Search your state’s criminal records database – Most states provide access to criminal records through online portals. You can search by name, date of birth, location, etc.
  • Check county court records – County courthouses often provide online case search tools to look up criminal charges and convictions.
  • Use the National Sex Offender Public Website – This site aggregates all state sex offender registries into a single national search.
  • Look for inmate records – State and county departments of corrections post inmate databases online that you can search.
  • Utilize free criminal record aggregators – Sites like Truthfinder, Instant Checkmate, and BeenVerified compile public data, but may not be comprehensive.
  • Search Google news articles – Use name search in Google News to find relevant arrest stories and reports.
  • Check federal court PACER system – PACER contains federal criminal case records, but requires registration and fees.
  • Consider a monthly subscription site – Paid sites like Intelius and MyLife access more records but cost money.
  • Search social media carefully – Look for potentially relevant photos, comments, hashtags referencing crimes.
  • Follow up directly with courts – You can request court files by mail or in-person, but delays and fees often apply.

While free online checks won’t be as thorough as an official paid report, they can still uncover useful information if you’re willing to put in the time and effort. But they should only be considered a starting point in the screening process.

How to Get a Free Criminal Background Check

Here are some tips for obtaining a free criminal background check on someone:

  • Search the state criminal record repository for each state they have lived in. Most states provide these online for free.
  • Check county court records for each county they’ve lived in. Many county courts offer online case search tools.
  • Run their name through the National Sex Offender Public Website to search all state sex offender registries.
  • Look for their name in state Department of Corrections and county jail inmate locators.
  • Use free criminal record aggregator sites like Truthfinder and BeenVerified to get a starting point, but verify any findings.
  • Search news archive websites for any articles mentioning their name and crimes.
  • Ask them directly if they’ll provide official court documents, but this may involve fees.
  • Search social media for any photos, posts, or hashtags that may indicate criminal activity.
  • Hire a local runner to retrieve court documents from jurisdictions you identify.
  • Consider paying for a background check report if more comprehensive screening is needed.

The major challenges with free checks are lack of primary source docs, fragmented data across states/counties, common names causing incorrect matches, and possible outdated records. But a diligent public records search can still uncover a lot without paying anything.

Background Check Free

Here are some tips for conducting free background checks on individuals:

  • Search the person’s name in Google – This can surface news articles, social media profiles and other online footprints related to criminal history.
  • Check state criminal record repositories – Most states provide access to criminal records through online databases that you can search for free.
  • Search county court records – County courthouses often provide case search tools to look up criminal charges and convictions in that jurisdiction.
  • Use the National Sex Offender Public Website – Allows you to search all state sex offender registries at once for free.
  • Look for jail and inmate records – State and county correctional facilities typically list current and recent inmates on their websites.
  • Utilize free public record aggregators – Sites like Truthfinder and Instant Checkmate compile public data but may not be comprehensive.
  • Search newspapers and news archives – Local news sites and papers often have crime reports and arrest info.
  • Check federal PACER system – PACER provides access to federal court records but requires registration and fees.
  • Ask for court documents – You can request criminal records from court clerks directly but delays and fees can apply.
  • Search social media carefully – Look for potentially relevant photos, comments and hashtags.

The main challenges with free background checks are lack of primary source documents, fragmented data across counties/states, and common names causing incorrect matches. But they can provide a good starting point for vetting someone.

Totally Free Background Check No Credit Card Needed

Here are some methods to potentially get a totally free background check without needing a credit card:

  • Search your own state’s criminal records database, if available for free public lookups.
  • Check Google News archives for any articles mentioning the person’s name and crimes.
  • Search the free national sex offender registry on NSOPW.gov.
  • Look for court cases on the person on county court online case search sites.
  • Search for incarceration records on state/county Department of Corrections websites.
  • Use aggregator sites like TruthFinder and Instant Checkmate which offer limited free previews.
  • Try sites like LocalCriminalRecords or SearchQuarry which provide some free searches without credit card.
  • Search the person’s name on niche sites like Mugshots.com, InmateAid, and OffenderRadar.
  • Monitor social media networks like Facebook and Twitter for any public posts about crimes.
  • Hire a local runner to retrieve court documents for you on a pay per document basis.

However, “totally free” background checks will likely not be very comprehensive or reliable. Key challenges are lack of primary source records and fragmented data from so many jurisdictions. For maximum accuracy, consider paying for at least one professional report. But the above methods can uncover some basics without any cost if you put in the time and effort.

Personal Background Check

Here are some tips for conducting a personal background check on yourself:

  • Search your name in Google to see what information is available publicly online. Look at news archives too.
  • Check court records for any civil or criminal cases involving you. Search state and county databases.
  • Look for your name in state and county incarceration records. Jails and prisons post inmate databases online.
  • Search sex offender registries to confirm you don’t appear. Check the Dru Sjodin National Sex Offender Public Website.
  • Review your credit reports from Equifax, Experian and TransUnion to see your financial history.
  • Search property records for any real estate you own or transactions you’ve made. County assessor sites provide this.
  • Look at state motor vehicle records for your driving history and any license suspensions or tickets.
  • Check with state licensing agencies for actions against any professional licenses you hold.
  • Search social media sites for accounts using your name or info and any concerning posts.
  • Consider hiring a background check company to run a comprehensive personal report if needed.

Regularly checking your own background gives you visibility into what others can find out about you and helps identify any inaccuracies that need correcting. Monitoring your digital footprint is wise.

Free Background Check for Employment

Conducting free background checks for employment purposes can be tricky, but here are some options:

  • Search the candidate’s name in Google and news archives for any mentions of crimes or concerning behavior.
  • Check federal court records using the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) system.
  • Search state court records if available. Some states provide free access to criminal records.
  • Look for sex offender registrations on the Dru Sjodin National Sex Offender Public Website.
  • Search for professional license verification on state licensing agency sites.
  • Have the candidate provide references and personally reach out to verify credentials.
  • Search social media carefully for any red flags. Look at photos, posts, friends/groups, etc.
  • Google addresses lived at for any nuisance filings or criminal reports at those properties.
  • Use “watchdog” sites like Mugshots.com, InmateAid, and OffenderRadar to search for crimes.

However, free employment background checks will lack critical information compared to a professional screening:

  • No SSN trace, fingerprint check or multi-jurisdictional criminal search
  • No education/employment verification services
  • No comprehensive credit check
  • No drug testing

For liability purposes, it is highly recommended to use a screening company for any official pre-employment background checks. But free searching provides some due diligence.

Conclusion

With free online public records and search tools, individuals and organizations have an easy and affordable option to conduct basic criminal background checks themselves in 2024. While not perfect, a diligent public records search can uncover critical information to make informed decisions and minimize risks.

Approach free background checks as a wise starting point by gathering personal details, thoroughly searching federal, state, and county-level databases, and confirming any hits through local courthouses or paid services if justified. Should any records raise concerns, evaluate them holistically against other factors while respecting privacy and ethical hiring practices.

Used judiciously, free criminal background checks continue providing citizens an empowering way to avoid harm, find answers, and promote fair opportunity. Just be sure to follow the guidance in this guide when accessing public records to conduct effective, legal, and respectful screening. With the right public information and search skills, you can take control over your own due diligence.

Also Read

Others Q&A for You

What is the best free criminal background check?

There is no singular “best” free criminal background check service, as they all have limitations in terms of accuracy and comprehensiveness. However, some of the better options to consider include:

  • FamilySearch.org – Genealogy site that contains some criminal records databases that can be searched for free.
  • SearchQuarry.com – Aggregates public records from multiple government sources across different states and counties.
  • Truthfinder – Provides a free preview from a large database of criminal records, sex offender registries and more.
  • Instant Checkmate – Allows free trial access to their database of criminal records, inmate records and other public data.
  • BeenVerified – Offers a limited free search of their criminal record sources. Paid subscription unlocks more.
  • LocalCriminalRecords.com – Lets you search county criminal records for free with registration.
  • Government Public Record Sites – Official state/county online record portals offer the most accurate source data.
  • Law Enforcement Agency Sites – Some local sheriff and police departments provide records online.

The tradeoff with free services is that they typically lack complete nationwide coverage, have advertising, and do not provide copies of original documents. But they can provide a useful starting point to identify records to follow up on directly with courts and agencies.

What is a background check?

A background check is the process of researching and compiling criminal, commercial, and financial records of an individual or organization. Background checks are often conducted by employers on job candidates or by lenders, but can be done by individuals as well.

What’s included in a background check?

Background checks can include a person’s criminal history, sex offender status, court records, incarceration records, employment history, educational history, driving records, credit history, bankruptcy filings, character references, photos, social media activity, and more.

What’s the difference between public records and a background check?

Public records include information like court cases, arrests, bankruptcies, marriages/divorces, tax liens, etc. that are available to the public. A background check takes things further by compiling and correlating public record data from multiple sources along with other information on a person’s background.

Where does all of the information found on a background report come from?

Background check information is gathered from sources like statewide criminal record repositories, federal courts, county courthouses, state licensing agencies, credit bureaus, employment/educational verifiers, and more. Much of the data comes from public records.

Should I search myself or use an online background check provider?

It’s always a good idea to start by Googling yourself and checking any public databases you have access to. But a paid background check service will provide a much more comprehensive report by accessing sources you can’t, making it worth the cost in many cases.

Free background check – does such a thing really exist?

There are definitely options for getting some types of background check information for free through public records and self-directed searches. But “free” checks will be limited in depth and accuracy compared to a professional report.

What kind of free background check info is out there if I want to search by myself?

The typical sources for self-directed free background checks include statewide criminal record repositories, county court and land record databases, jail/prison inmate locators, the National Sex Offender Registry, and news article archives.

Should I run a self background check?

Yes, everyone should do a self background check periodically to understand what’s out there on them online and in public data. This allows you to find and dispute any inaccuracies.

What if I want to run an employment background check?

Many online providers offer employment background screening packages that include services like criminal checks, credit reports, employment/education verification, sex offender registry searches, and drug testing.

Is there a way to delete my background check information?

Unfortunately, with public records it is very difficult to get accurate information removed. However, if you find mistakes you can dispute them with the source agency to potentially get them corrected or amended.