Category: How To Check Criminal Records

How to Check County Court Records to Discover Surprising Information About Someone

How to Check County Court RecordsCounty court records can reveal surprising information about someone. Background check websites might check federal and state databases, but they may not check county records.

County courthouses contain plenty of background information. If you were arrested in that county, for example, then you might have a record in that county – even if your record in your home county seems clean.

County records can also contain marriage and divorce certificates, speeding tickets, parking tickets, dropped charges, and more.

Today, we’re explaining everything you need to know about county courthouses, including how to request county court information, how much it costs, and what you’ll learn.

Some States Have State Databases, While Others Have County Databases

Why do you need to check county databases? Isn’t this information held in federal or state databases?

Some states collect all statewide information into one convenient database. You can request information at a state level about any individual within that state.

Other states, however, separate it by county. You must request individual records by county. You cannot perform a statewide search. You must search records county-by-county. Or, if you know the county where someone lived or was convicted, then you can narrow your search to that county.

County or state databases may include the following information:

  • Civil and family case information
  • Traffic case information
  • Criminal case information

Case Information May Not Be Available Online

You may think Google gives you all the information you need about someone, but that’s not the case. Instead, most states and counties do not openly publish case information online. You need to request information specific to each case or individual.

This information is stored in private databases. It’s available upon request, but it’s not openly available for anyone to access via the internet.

How to Request Information from County Courthouses

Each county courthouse has a specific information request process. This process varies between courthouses, although there are certain similarities at most major courthouses in the United States.

Things to know before requesting information from a county courthouse:

  • Some county courthouses publish certain information online for free. A county courthouse might not publish criminal convictions online, for example, but they might publish traffic and local ordinance cases or family case information online.
  • Many county courthouses require you to visit the courthouse in-person – or request information by mail.
  • You should be able to request to view information online (via a database portal or platform) or have it delivered via other means. Some courthouses still use CDs to share data, for example, while others print paper copies of information you request.
  • If requesting information about a specific case, you may need to provide the case number, case name, and the title of the documents requested.

How Much Does It Cost?

County courthouse pricing varies. Typically, you pay a nominal fee to access county records.

Fees vary depending on the medium you are requesting. You may need to pay $0.50 per page, for example, or $5 per CD.

Expect to pay a higher fee for each certified document. A certified document contains information verified by the courthouse. You may have to pay a $40 certification fee for a certified document, for example, plus $0.50 for each page within the document.

Most courthouses also charge for more detailed searches. If your search lasts longer than 10 minutes, for example, then you might have to pay a $15 fee.

How to Request State Court Information

County courthouses can reveal crucial information about someone. However, you may want to start your search at the state level before narrowing it by county.

State courthouses have different rules and requirements. Certain state court information is public record, while other information is private. Some information is openly available online, while other information is only available by request.

Typically, the opinions of the state’s Supreme Court and the Courts of Appeal are public record, whether published or unpublished.

You may also be able to search case information via an online form.

The California state court system, for example, allows you to search case information online through courts.ca.gov. You can search the system for an opinion, for example, or other information in a specific case.

Use a Background Check Service to Simplify County Court Record Searches

County court record searches can be complicated. Rules and fees vary between courts.

Instead of individually requesting information from each state and county, consider investing in an online background check. A good online background check costs money – but it can reveal specific information about someone.

Just enter someone’s name into an online form, then let the site do the hard work for you. Instead of individually requesting info from each court – and paying each fee – you can pay one fee and let the professionals do the hard work.

Reasons to Hire Someone With a Criminal Record

Reasons to Hire Someone With a Criminal RecordEmployers perform criminal record checks on new employees. In many cases, employers immediately deny anyone with a criminal record.

However, evidence suggests that companies may be missing an opportunity by not hiring reformed criminals. Hiring someone with a criminal record can help companies qualify for a tax credit, for example. It can also get employers an excellent employee at a bargain price.

As the economy nears full employment, companies are looking for unique ways to attract talent.

Here are some of the reasons to consider hiring someone with a criminal record.

1 in 3 Americans Have a Criminal Record

When you think of a criminal, you have a certain image in your head. However, having a criminal record is much more common than many people realize.

According to the FBI, 73.5 million Americans have a criminal record, or about 1 in 3 adults. Roughly 11,000 names are added to the FBI’s criminal database every day.

Many of these people were arrested without being convicted, yet the incident still appears on a criminal record check.
Approximately 2.2 million Americans – or about 3 of 100 people – are currently in prison.

No matter how you look at it, many Americans have some connection to America’s prison system or criminal databases. Being a criminal is more common than you think.

Employers who ignore people with criminal records are eliminating a significant portion of the population – including people with unique skills, experience, or talent that cannot be found elsewhere.

You May Qualify for Tax Credits

Companies that hire people with a criminal record may qualify for the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC). This tax credit can give your business an additional $1,200 to $9,600 every year. Plus, hiring multiple employees can raise the savings even further. For small businesses, this tax credit can make an enormous impact on the bottom line.

The Work Opportunity Tax Credit does not apply to all businesses in all situations. If your business qualifies, however, then you can save a substantial amount of money.

They’re Loyal and Hardworking

“If you knew that the only way that you could survive is if you did well at your job, would you work really hard? Of course you would,” explains Ron Stefanski, who runs a website called JobsForFelonsHub.com, in a chat with GoodHire.com.

“And this is the exact situation that people who have records face. They understand that they don’t have a lot of opportunities in the job market and will do anything they can to go above and beyond expectations.”

Studies back up the idea that felons work harder. One SHRM study showed that HR professionals believe people with criminal histories have an equal or better quality of work as people without criminal histories.

It’s Becoming More Common and Acceptable to Hire People with Criminal Records

Today’s labor market is tight. That’s one reason why a growing number of employers are hiring people with criminal records.

The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and the Charles Koch Institute (CKI) recently released a study showing that employers are willing to hire someone with a criminal record if that person is the best person for the job.

“Two-thirds of managers and three-fourths of HR professionals have hired people who committed misdemeanors or substance-related felonies such as DUIs,” explains SHRM.org.

“And more than two-thirds of HR professionals who have hired people with criminal histories think their quality of work is as high or higher than the work of employees who don’t have a criminal record.”

The report also found that only 14% of human resource managers would not consider hiring ex-criminals.

That’s why more American companies, including McDonald’s, Comcast, and Delta Air Lines, are hiring ex-criminals as part of a specific inclusion strategy.

They Have Already Served Their Time

For many criminals, the justice system works as intended. The person got caught committing a crime. The person does their time, gets reformed, and never commits a crime again.

People with criminal records have already served their sentence. In the eyes of the law, they received a punishment for the crime and did everything that was asked of them. According to the law, further punishment is not required.

Punishing someone with a criminal record after they have already served their time does not make sense.

Hiring Ex-Criminals Can Genuinely Help Someone

People with criminal records are often discouraged while searching for work. It’s hard enough to find a job, but finding a job with a criminal record can be significantly more challenging.

People with a criminal record may have many rights stripped from them. They may be unable to work or find a place to live, for example. Some can no longer vote.

When a company hires someone who has a criminal record, it makes a genuine difference in that person’s life.

Statistics back up this idea: studies show that employment reduces recidivism. Ex-criminals who get a job are significantly less likely to re-offend than ex-criminals without a job.

Approximately two-thirds of ex-offenders in the United States are arrested for a new offense within three years, creating a vicious and unbreakable cycle. America has one of the highest recidivism rates in the world, which means criminals are much more likely to re-offend in the United States than, say, Norway, where fewer than 20% of criminals re-offend.

By hiring an ex-criminal, employers can help break that cycle – and get a loyal, hardworking employee.

Obtain Equal Talent at a Cheaper Salary

Finding cheap talent in this competitive labor marketplace can be tough. Ex-criminals may be a bargain for employers.

Many ex-criminals are willing to accept a lower salary – even if they have the same experience and qualifications as other potential hires. Candidates with felony convictions just want a job regardless of wages. Many want a chance to prove themselves through full-time work.

Employers who take a chance on a reformed criminal may get great talent at a reduced cost.

They’re Not Necessarily Dangerous

The word ‘felon’ creates certain images in your head. However, many people with felonies have non-violent convictions.

There are plenty of dangerous ex-criminals who re-enter the population, but many people with criminal records are not dangerous and have not committed a violent crime.

Final Word

Employers can enjoy unique benefits by hiring someone with a criminal record.

Consider all of the benefits above before hiring someone with a criminal record.

Why You Should Run a Background Check on Your Contractor

Why You Should Run a Background Check on Your ContractorMillions of Americans hire contractors every year. You trust a contractor in your home – but do you really know everything you need to know about your contractor?

A growing number of Americans are running background checks on contractors. Whether it’s a small renovation or a large project, your home is safer when you know your contractor.

You’re trusting a contractor – and the contractor’s employees – with access to your home or business. In many cases, the contractor has unrestricted access to your home while you may or may not be present.

Most contractors are good, hardworking people. Every year, however, thousands of Americans are victimized by malicious contractors.

A background check can verify a contractor’s personal, professional, and criminal history. You might assume a contractor is the person they claim to be – but until you run a background check, your contractor could be anyone.

Today, we’re explaining some of the most important reasons to run a background check on your contractor.

Criminal Background Checks

A criminal background check tells you if a person has been convicted of any crimes. Arrest records, criminal convictions, and major crimes or felonies can all appear on a criminal background check.

Your contractor has intimate access to your home. A background check can alert you to any violent crimes, sex crimes, or break-ins. It can also alert you to fraud or embezzlement convictions.

Employment Background Checks

Employment background checks can verify an individual’s work history, education, credit score, driving record, criminal record, medical history, and drug usage. Increasingly, professional employment background check organizations now add social media checks as well.

An employment background check can verify your contractor is qualified to work on your property. A contractor might claim to have 20+ years of experience, for example, when they really only have 2-3 years of experience.

Professional License Checks

Education verification checks or professional license checks can verify an individual has a valid license for the work they’re applying for. Some industries require a professional license check before employing anyone.

A professional license check verifies the individual has the experience, knowledge, and credentials to perform their job. A professional license check helps you avoid hiring an unlicensed or unqualified contractor.

Professional license checks are particularly important for contractors: if your contractor is unlicensed, then you become the general contractor for the job. If a worker gets hurt or breaks a sewage line, then you are responsible. Plus, unlicensed contractors typically do not have insurance. All of these factors can significantly increase your liability.

Fingerprint Check

Fingerprint background checks are required in certain professions. Many people who work in schools, airports, law enforcement agencies, hospitals, or fire departments require a fingerprint check. Certain professionals – including realtors, financial professionals, pharmacists, and even casino dealers – may also require fingerprint checks prior to employment.

A fingerprint check works by running an individual’s fingerprints through the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS). Fingerprints are nearly impossible to fake, which means you get the most accurate image of a person’s criminal history.

Benefits of Running a Background Check on Your Contractor

Some people hire contractors for home renovation projects. Or, a business may hire a contractor for a short-term gig.

No matter why you’re hiring a contractor, you can enjoy certain benefits, including:

Ensure the Job Gets Done Right

A low-quality contractor can ruin your home. One mistake – like a broken sewer pipe – can cause enormous damages throughout your home. You might save a few hundred dollars by hiring a cheaper contractor – only to cause thousands of dollars of damage to your home.

Avoid Insurance Fraud

Some malicious contractors will approach vulnerable homeowners and take advantage of their home insurance policy. A contractor may approach a home after a hurricane, for example, and offer to manage the entire claim from beginning to end. The contractor performs a low-quality job on the property, then sends a costly bill to your insurer. This is insurance fraud, and it could cause your entire claim to be denied.

Maintain a Safe Work Environment

If someone is injured in your home, then you may be liable – especially if the contractor you hired was unlicensed and uninsured. Similarly, workplaces that hire contractors without a background check could expose employees to theft, property damage, workplace violence, and more.

Protect Brand Reputation

If your company hires a contractor, then that contractor could become the face of your company. If that person does something negative – like commits a crime – then it reflects poorly on your company. Running background checks on contractors is particularly important for positions where the contractor is interacting with your customers daily.

Reduce Legal Liability

Customers who had a poor experience with your contractor may file a lawsuit. Or, if a contractor damages your home or gets hurt in your home, then you may be on the hook for damages.

How to Run a Background Check on a Contractor

To run a background check on a contractor, you will need the contractor’s permission. Since you are hiring the contractor, you will also need to work with an FCRA-compliant background check service.

The Fair Credit Reporting Act verifies certain background check services for their accuracy and completeness. If you’re making important decisions about someone’s future – say, by hiring them or approving them as a tenant – then you need to work with an FCRA compliant background check service.

Background screenings vary widely among employers. Some employers perform a cursory background check on new contractors. Others use detailed screening procedures.

CheckCriminalRecord.com is a public record and criminal background search service for anyone. However, we are not a Consumer Reporting Agency as outlined by the FCRA. By using this website or our criminal record search services, you agree to our full terms of use and privacy policy.

Contractor Crime is More Common Than You Think

Most contractors are law-abiding people. However, as with any industry, there are some people who take advantage of your trust.

You don’t have to look far to find stories of contractors taking advantage of homeowners.
In the last week, for example, the owner of a local contracting company in Pennsylvania was charged with felony stealing after a man reported paying for construction services he never received.

Another contractor, meanwhile, was charged with fraud after taking $15,000 for a project and never completing the work.

This Sioux City contractor was charged with a felony after taking more than $11,000 from a client and failing to perform any work.

These charges are all from the last week. All of these issues may have been avoided with a proper background check.

Final Word

You trust contractors with your property. Unfortunately, some contractors violate that trust.

Consider running a background check on your contractor to verify work history, work experience, and criminal record.

 

5 Free Ways to Check Someone’s Background Online in Seconds

Running a free background record check on someone may be easier than you think. Today, there are several online resources you can use to find arrest records, divorce certificates, birth certificates, and more.

Woman Checking Criminal Record Website Online

Some people use these resources to lookup their own criminal record. Others use it to check the criminal record of a neighbor, coworker, boss, teacher or someone else. You can even use these resources to check a celebrity’s criminal record.

Today, we’re highlighting some of the best online resources you can use to check someone’s criminal record online.

Criminal Record Check Websites

There are plenty of criminal record check websites out there. Check Criminal Record is popular, and all it requires is a first name, last name, and state to get started.

Most other criminal record check websites work in a similar way: you enter the person’s name and location, and the website does the rest of the work.

Sometimes, criminal records are split across multiple states. Somebody might have lived in one state, committed a crime, and then moved to another state. That’s why these free criminal record check websites are useful. You can enter the same name for multiple states and get instant feedback for each state.

Sometimes, the criminal record check website will charge a fee. There’s a good reason for that fee: some courts charge a fee to access records, and this fee gets passed onto you, the user.

The advantage of using a criminal record check website is that the site combs through an extensive range of databases at once. Instead of forcing you to manually check each database and each county courthouse, you can run one scan to unveil countless records.

The National Sex Offender Public Website (NSOPW.gov)

The United States Department of Justice runs the National Sex Offender Public Website. The website makes it easy to search for sex offenders in your neighborhood. You can also verify that a coach, teacher, friend, date, or partner has a clean record.

Using NSOPW.gov, you can:

  • Search by name (using a first name and last name)
  • Search by location (using an address, city/town, and state)
  • Search by radius (within 1, 2, or 3 miles of a given address)

The NSOPW even has a map you can use to scroll around the neighborhood. You may be surprised at the number of people living around you that are in the sex offender database.

Some people use the NSOPW website for general curiosity. They’re checking a new neighborhood before moving in, for example.

Others use it to search specific individuals. However, you want to use the website, however, the NSOPW is one of the best free ways to check someone’s background online.

The National Center for State Courts (NCSC)
If you don’t want to pay a professional criminal record check service, then we recommend visiting the National Center for State Courts (NCSC) official website.

Many state courts across America allow you to access court records online. It’s easy and free to lookup someone’s history with a specific court. If you know someone was charged with a crime in a specific state, or if you know someone lives in a specific state, then you can narrow your search to the state level and find any criminal records or arrest records.

PeekYou

Sure, you could scroll through Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and other social media until you find the people you want. Or, you could use a single search service like PeekYou. The website is free-to-use and offers a searchable collection of a person’s social media profiles.

  • Just enter a first name, last name, and location to get started.
  • You can also search someone based on their username.

Within seconds, PeekYou will crawl the internet for all public information about someone. With just a username, you can find someone’s location, for example, other known aliases, and any other information the person has shared online.

PeekYou isn’t always accurate, and you can tend to get multiple search results for each person. However, it’s great at providing at-a-glance information about anyone.

County Court Registrar Databases

Want to find out if a coworker is really married? Want to find out if your boss just got a divorce? Want to check someone’s birth certificate to see if they’re the age they claim to be?

Many are surprised to find that most marriage certificates are public, which means that anyone can access them freely and legally – if they know where to look. County court registrar databases hold this information for millions of Americans across the country.

The problem with county court registrar databases is that you may need to look at the county level. If you know the county in which a person got married, then that shouldn’t be an issue.

If you want to look up marriage records in Los Angeles County, for example, then you can submit an online request through the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk.

Most counties have similar online request systems.

Alternatively, VitalChek (a LexisNexis company) collects birth certificates, death certificates, marriage records, divorce records, and other public records in one convenient location here, although you need to pay to access these records.

Is Checking Someone’s Criminal Record Online Legal?

Checking someone’s criminal record online is legal for some purposes but not others.

Generally, if you’re checking someone’s criminal record out of curiosity and not making a major decision about the person with that information, then it’s legal to check without permission.

However, if you are a landlord verifying a tenant or an employer checking an employee, then you need to meet additional standards. Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, you have to use a Consumer Reporting Agency (CRA), which maintains certain standards for data protection and offers dispute resolution. Many of the free online criminal record check websites listed above are not Consumer Reporting Agencies.

For most casual purposes, however, it’s free and legal to check someone’s background online.

Final Words About Online Record Checks

Use the resources above to verify background information today. Many people are surprised to discover how much information is out there.

Take advantage of these free record check resources above and discover real background information about the people around you.

Top 5 Free Online Resources for Finding Arrest Records

Thanks to the internet, finding someone’s arrest record is easier than ever. There are plenty of online databases available to the public.

Yes, you can legally check someone’s arrest record. As long as you’re checking the record for personal reasons (and not to hire someone or enter into a contract), it should be legal.

Where can you get started? Keep reading to find the five best free online resources for performing a background check.

Resources For Finding Arrest Records

National Sex Offender Registry (NSOPW.gov)

The National Sex Offender Registry, found online at NSOPW.gov, is a website created by the United States Department of Justice. The website offers a free nationwide search for sex offenders registered anywhere in the United States.

You can search the registry with just a name. Enter a first name and last name and see all sex offenders registered under that name.

You can also search by location. If you want to check a neighbor’s address, for example, then you can enter that address into the registry.

All sex offender information is available to the public. Specific information, however, varies from state to state. Generally, you’ll be able to see a photo of the sex offender, the offender’s current or last known location, the type of crime committed, and the date the crime was committed.

The National Sex Offender Registry also links to the public registries for each state. In most states, you can view a map showing all sex offenders in your area.

Each State’s Department of Public Safety

Each state has its own Department of Public Safety (or an organization with a similar name). This organization typically has a division dedicated to tracking arrest records and criminal convictions.

In Texas, for example, criminal convictions are accessible through the Texas Department of Public Safety. The organization offers a simple online search database. You register for that database, then enter a name to view the arrest records and convictions of anyone, anywhere in the state.

Most states have similar systems. Specific search processes vary between states. Some states limit access to certain information – say, only arrest records from the last seven years.

The California Public Records Act and the California Constitution, for example, give Californians the right to access public information maintained by local and state government agencies, including arrest and conviction records collected through the Department of Justice. You can view specific information on how to access those records in California here through OAG.ca.gov.

Some states, meanwhile, do not provide public access to arrest records. They only allow access to certain qualified organizations or corporations.

Check the Department of Public Safety website for any state of residence for the person you’re trying to check. You can also check arrest records for any state the individual visited. Someone might have traveled from Nevada to California and been arrested, for example, in which case the arrest record will show up on a California Department of Public Safety database search but not a Nevada DPS database search.

The National Center for State Courts (NCSC.org)

The National Center for State Courts is an organization that offers easy access to private and public court records. If you want specific case information from specific courtrooms anywhere in the United States, then the NCSC website is a good place to start.

Visit the state public access links page here, then click on any state you want to check. You’ll be able to view any online records currently available for that state, including official government sources and unofficial databases.

People Search Websites and Social Media Websites

You don’t have to search a government database to find secret information about someone. Instead, you can turn to public, free websites for that information.

People search websites like WhitePages and People Search, for example, all provide information about millions of Americans. These websites collect public information – including addresses and phone numbers – and then allow anyone to search for it. You can search by phone number with a reverse search. Or, you can search by name for a standard search.

Using social media websites for background checks is self-explanatory. Check someone’s Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and other profiles to discover all sorts of information they have volunteered online.

Check Criminal Record (CheckCriminalRecord.com)

If you are looking for a no-nonsense criminal record check service, then CheckCriminalRecord.com is a great all-in-one resource. You can avoid manually checking all of the online resources listed above. Instead, you can simply enter a name and get a complete background profile on any individual.

Checking someone’s criminal record should be easy. With CheckCriminalRecord.com, it’s never been easier.

Final Tips On Finding Criminal Arrest Records

Use any of the free online resources above to check any criminal record at no cost.

With more online databases available than ever before, it’s easy, free, and legal to uncover someone’s criminal record or arrest history background report online.

What Do I Need to Check Someone’s Criminal Record?

Checking someone’s criminal record is a legal and common thing to do. Every day, thousands of Americans check criminal records for personal reasons. With someone’s permission, you can also check someone’s criminal record for professional reasons.

What do you need to check someone’s criminal record? What type of information can narrow down search results? Today, we’re explaining what you need to bring when checking someone’s criminal record.

What is Needed To Check For Criminal Records

A Name

In most cases, all you need is a name to get detailed information about a person’s background. With just a first and last name, you can learn surprising information about an individual. You can search state and county databases for any criminal records, marriage and divorce certificates, and more, for example.

Having additional information – like a date of birth, current address, or birthplace – can narrow down your search results. This information can be particularly useful if the individual has a common name. However, it’s not required for many criminal records searches.

Keep in mind that you do not need the person’s consent for most personal criminal records searches. If you are simply curious about a neighbor or teacher, for example, then it should be legal to run a criminal background check on that individual.

As soon as you start using the person’s criminal records check to make decisions about that person’s future, however, you may need that person’s consent. Landlords need a person’s consent prior to running a background check on a prospective tenant, for example. Employers need consent if preparing to hire a new employee.

The Person’s Consent (Required for Employment Screenings)

If you are running a criminal background check on someone for professional reasons (say, if preparing to hire them or rent a condo to them), then you need that person’s consent.

The background screening industry is highly-regulated, and an individual’s privacy is protected by various regulations. Nationwide, background checks are regulated by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Additionally, employers cannot look at information that is older than seven years for civil judgments, arrest records, collection records, and paid tax liens (although bankruptcies stay on your record for ten years).
You can’t just have the person check a box saying, “I consent to this background check”. The consent must clearly explain that you are performing the background check and that the results of the background check will be used for hiring, promotion, or retention. After providing this notice, the employer must receive consent (either on paper or online) from the individual to run a background check.

Additional Information Can Narrow Down Search Results

Additional information is not required before checking someone’s criminal record. However, it can certainly help narrow down search results.

If the individual has a common name or has lived at multiple addresses, for example, then it may be tricky to track down arrest records across the country. Some people have changed their names or used different aliases. Others have changed their name after getting married.

Some of the additional information you can use to narrow down a criminal records check includes:

  • Full name (first, middle, and last name)
  • Known aliases
  • Maiden name
  • Social Security Number
  • Date of birth
  • Birthplace
  • Current and past addresses
  • Driver’s license number

Armed with all of this information, you can run a detailed criminal background check on someone.

Is It Legal to Look Up a Criminal Record for Anyone?

It’s easy to look up someone’s criminal record online. But is it legal to check someone’s criminal record?

It’s perfectly legal to check someone’s arrest record in some situations but not others.

Today, we’re explaining everything you need to know about the legality of looking up someone’s criminal record.

Woman Looking Up Criminal Records

It’s Legal to Check Someone’s Criminal Record for Personal Use

Are you curious about a neighbor’s marriage or divorce? Do you want to check if your daughter’s new coach has any previous criminal convictions? Are you interested in learning how old your coworker really is?

These are all considered personal requests. In most states and in most cases, it’s perfectly legal to check someone’s criminal record if you’re using the information for personal use.

If you’re not hiring someone or renting a house to someone, for example, then you can run a criminal record check on virtually anyone as long as you have that person’s first and last name.

You Need Consent to Check Someone’s Criminal Record for Professional Use

If you plan on using someone’s criminal record check for employment or housing, then you will generally need that person’s consent.

An employer needs the consent of the prospective employee before running a criminal record check, for example. A landlord needs the consent of the potential tenant before a background check.

If the criminal record check is going to be used to make important decisions about the future of the individual, then consent is generally required.
If you are requesting consent from an individual to perform a background check, then that consent form needs to indicate how the background check works. The consent form must explain how the information will be used, for example (say, to approve employment or a lease application).

Once you have received consent in writing (either online or in paper), you should be able to proceed with the background check.

‘Ban the Box’ Laws Restrict Employers from Asking About Criminal Convictions

Certain states have passed ‘ban the box’ laws. These laws prevent employers from requesting a criminal background check until the later stages of a job application process.

California’s ban the box law, for example, took affect on January 1, 2018. The law makes it illegal for private and public employers with five or more employees to ask about criminal history until the later stages of the application process.

The purpose of the law is to encourage employers to assess each applicant’s fitness for the job instead of immediately denying someone based on a criminal past.

As of December 2019, thirteen states (and the District of Columbia) have passed ban the box laws, including California, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington.

Employers Must follow Additional Anti-Discriminatory Regulations with Background Checks

Only thirteen states have passed ban the box laws. However, employers in all states must follow other laws. There are federal anti-discrimination laws, for example. Certain states have passed laws restricting questions about an applicant’s criminal history.

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), for example, has warned that employers that ask about an applicant’s criminal history may be violating anti-discrimination laws.

In order to avoid discrimination during the hiring process, the employer must individually verify each applicant’s crimes. If someone committed a non-violent, unrelated misdemeanor seven years ago and is otherwise qualified for the job, for example, then you may be discriminating against that applicant if you choose a less-qualified applicant with a clean record.

Some States Restrict Background Checks for Cases Older Than Seven Years

If you committed a crime eight years ago, then that crime may not appear on a criminal background check. In fact, many states have passed laws preventing employers from seeing someone’s criminal record back more than seven years.

In California, for example, employers are not permitted to check someone’s criminal record more than seven years in the past and use that information to make an employment decision.

Twelve states follow the ‘seven year rule’ and restrict reporting on any case older than seven years, including California, Colorado, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, Texas, and Washington.

Outside of these states, most employers check an applicant’s history over the last 5 to 10 years.

Types of Criminal Background Searches

Depending on the type of criminal background search being performed, laws can vary widely. You might have to follow California’s background check laws when scanning criminal records in California, for example, but not in Texas.

The four major types of criminal record searches available today include:

  • Nationwide criminal databases (includes state and local crimes)
  • Federal criminal court (U.S. district and appellate courts for federal crimes)
  • County criminal court (County courts for charge and disposition cases)
  • Statewide criminal records (State courts and police records)
Consider Using a Professional Criminal Record Search Service to Avoid Legal Headaches

Confused by all of this legal information? That’s okay! There are professional criminal record search services that have compiled all of this information for you.

Professional criminal record search services like CheckCriminalRecord.com will scan millions of criminal records across federal, state, and county databases.

Thanks to these services, you don’t have to manually check each record and worry about legal problems along the way. Instead, these services take care of everything.

In many cases, you can actually save money by using these professional arrest record search services. Instead of paying a fee for each county or state record, you pay one simple fee, then rely on the search service to collect all of this information for you.

Final Word

It’s generally legal to look up a criminal record for anyone for personal reasons.
For professional reasons, however, like for landlords or employers checking the backgrounds of applicants, you generally need the consent of the applicant.

As with any legal questions, we recommend consulting with a lawyer to determine if your unique situation qualifies as a legal or illegal criminal record check.

If you need professional, instant, and fast criminal background check services, then use CheckCriminalRecord.com.

How to Search Arrest Records for Anyone: The Ultimate Free Guide

Searching for someone’s arrest record is easier than you think. Arrest records are stored online, and checking someone’s criminal record is a common and legal thing to do.

Today, we’re explaining everything you need to know about how to search arrest records for anyone, including how much it costs, where to look, and what information you need.

Man Performing Criminal Arrest Background History Search

Before You Start Searching Records

Before you perform a background check on someone, you need to consider the possible risks. As an employer or landlord, laws affect how you can perform a background check

Employers and Landlords: Consent Required

The federal Fair Credit Reporting Act requires employers to follow certain procedures and obtain a job applicant’s written consent when ordering a criminal history check from a consumer reporting agency. This same law applies to landlords running a background check on potential tenants.

You need to inform the applicant that you are running a personal background check. You need to ensure the applicant understands that this background check will be used to make an important decision about the applicant’s future.

After receiving the applicant’s consent in writing, the employer or landlord can proceed with the background check.

Personal Background Checks: No Consent Required

The same laws do not apply if searching someone’s criminal record for personal reasons. It’s legal to check someone’s criminal record for personal reasons.

It’s legal to check a neighbor’s criminal record because you’re curious, for example. It’s also legal to check the marriage or divorce records of a coworker or boss. You can check if a child’s teacher or coach has a history of sexual offenses.

In these situations, consent should not be required. As long as you have a first and last name, you should be able to proceed with the background check without issue.

Step 1) Check Sex Offender Registries

Start by checking sex offender registries. These are the easiest registries to search. They’re wide open to the public, and anyone can check these records at no cost.

The federal government maintains a sex offender registry, as does each state. These registries are used to track and monitor individuals with previous sex offense convictions.

Each registry in the database will contain a photo of the individual. Depending on your state, you may also be able to see the type of crime committed, the date of the crime, the release date from prison, and other information.

Start by checking the Department of Justice’s National Sex Offender Public Website.

From that site, you can find the public sex offender registries for each state. You can search a specific jurisdiction, for example, or run a national search that checks all registries for a specific name.

Step 2) Check the Arrest Record Database for Your State

Each individual’s criminal record is available to the public. However, criminal records are not easy to find via Google.

In most cases, you need to make a request to your state’s Department of Public Safety for more information about a specific individual. Each state has slightly different rules governing how these requests work.

In some states, checking someone’s criminal record is easy.

Let’s say you want to check someone’s criminal record in Texas:

  • Visit the Texas Department of Public Safety’s Conviction Database here: https://records.txdps.state.tx.us/DpsWebsite/CriminalHistory/
  • The database lists all arrests and prosecutions for misdemeanors and felonies committed in the state of Texas
  • Sign up for the database as a new user (choose an individual or company account)
  • Search the database by typing in the individual’s first and last name
  • Enter other identifying information to narrow search results

That’s it! Just like that, you can view misdemeanors and felonies committed in the state of Texas.

Most states have a similar system through the Department of Public Safety, although it may go by slightly different names.

Step 3) Repeat for Each State

If someone has committed crimes in multiple states, then you will need to run multiple criminal record searches through each state’s Department of Public Safety (or an equivalent agency).

Each state has a slightly different process. Generally, you sign up for the database, then run a search. Some states require you to pay a fee.

Step 4) Check County Records

For more information about specific crimes, or to check marriage and divorce records, you may need to run a county-level search.

Again, each county has a different process for checking records. Some counties actually require you to visit the county courthouse in person. Most counties, however, have some type of online or mail-based checkup service.

If you know the county in which someone lived, or the county where they committed a crime, then you can check that county’s records for further information. These records are not openly available to the public (say, via Google), but they are available to any member of the public upon request.

Some county and state criminal record databases charge a fee for accessing records. You may need to pay an administrative fee or delivery fee, for example.

Step 5) Use a Professional Criminal Record Search Service for Comprehensive, Instant Results

There are hundreds of professional criminal record search services available over the internet today.

Some criminal records are only available to government organizations or private agencies. Many of these search services also have special partnerships in place to secure the latest, most up-to-date criminal record information from national and state databases.

Without a professional search service, you may need to check each state and county individually to get someone’s complete record.

With a professional criminal record search service, you can provide just a name and learn a surprising amount of information about someone. The search service instantly checks millions of public records across the United States, saving you time and money.

Visit Check Criminal Record (CheckCriminalRecord.com) to run a complete criminal record check on anyone using just a first name and last name.

 

 

 

How to Search Arrest History Records

Searching Arrest History Records

Searching for someone’s arrest history or arrest records online can be challenging, time-consuming, and frustrating. Fortunately, there are plenty of easy to use government websites and online resources that can help you get the job done.

Today, we’re explaining some of the best options for finding your own criminal record or arrest history, or finding someone else’s arrest history record, by using online sources.

Request Your Own Federal Records Through the FBI

The FBI lets anyone request arrest records – but you can only request your own. The FBI calls this your Identity History Summary, which is just fancy bureaucratic-speak for your criminal record. The FBI only allows you to request a copy of your own criminal record, and you will not be able to look at someone else’s federal criminal records during your search.

Why would you want to look up your own criminal record? Well, you may want to double check to make sure you know what’s on there – especially if you have a criminal past, if you’ve had records expunged, or if charges were dropped. You never know what could appear on your own record.

At the time of writing, the FBI’s processing time was 12 to 14 weeks. If you don’t have a federal criminal record or arrest record, then the FBI will send you proof that one does not exist.

Start requesting your federal criminal record from the FBI here.

You’ll need to jump through some hoops, like submitting your fingerprints and completing an application form. You’ll also need to pay the FBI $18, so it’s not quite free.

Check State & Federal Courthouses For Someone’s Arrest History Records

This is where things get a little more complicated: if you want to search arrest history records for someone else, then you can go to a local, state, or federal courthouse – ideally, the courthouse in the jurisdiction where the crime took place (or where you believe the crime took place). The records are almost always kept at the courthouse where the individual was tried.

Courthouses have a clerk of courts. A clerk of courts will be able to access someone’s criminal record provided you give them the information they need to retrieve that record.

That means you need to come prepared with the person’s name and birth date. The more information you have, the easier it will be to find someone’s record. Case numbers, the types of charges held against them, and and when the crime took place are all helpful information.

If the person committed crimes in multiple jurisdictions and was tried across multiple courthouses, then you may need to make a few trips or phone calls to get a complete record.

Using PACER Or NSOPW To Search Records

The US federal government maintains two public criminal record database websites anyone can view online. Those websites include the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) database and the National Sex Offender Public Website (NSOPW).

PACER lets the public view docket information from federal courts. You’ll need to register and use the individual’s information to search court records. PACER is not free, unfortunately, and you’ll need to pay fees to access certain records.

The NSOPW site, on the other hand, is perfectly free to use. You don’t even have to register. All you need to do is go to the homepage (or download the mobile app) and enter your zip code or area. You can also search using first name and last name.

Good Old Google Search

One of the weird online search tricks that can often be used to find someone’s criminal record is to type their first name and last name into Google followed by “mugshot”.

This works particularly well for high-profile cases or famous people with criminal records, but it can also turn up some surprising results for minor cases. It’s good to check if you’re looking for a free and easy option to search arrest history records.

How To Find Someone’s Criminal Record

How To Find Someone's Criminal Record OnlineFinding someone’s criminal record isn’t as hard as you may think. Thanks to the internet, you can learn a lot about someone without ever leaving your office chair.

If you want to know more about the process of finding someone’s criminal record information, you’ve come to the right place. Here’s our ultimate guide to finding anyone’s criminal record.

The National Driver Register (NDR) And The DMV

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) keeps a record of every driver in the United States. It’s called the National Driver Register (NDR).

Anyone – yes, even you – can browse through those records to find someone with a registered driver’s license in the country.

The NDR is part of the National Center for Statistics and Analysis. You can look through the Problem Driver Pointer System (PDPS) to find information about individuals whose drivers’ licenses have been revoked, suspended, canceled, or denied. Anyone who has been convicted of a serious traffic offense will also show up.

Driver License IdentityWhether your target has a compromised driving record or not, the NDR provides valuable information about someone. You can search through the NDR to find all of the following information about someone:

-Name

-Date of birth

-Gender

-Driver’s license number

-Reporting state

Basically, you get all of the same information you would see if you took a picture of someone’s driver’s license (aside from their physical characteristics).

Meanwhile, the DMV knows more about you than virtually any of the other government agencies. They keep track of a lot of personal information: from your criminal records to your marriage and divorce certificates.

The only thing that doesn’t pop up when you search for someone through the DMV is their “confidential information”, which includes home address, home telephone number, physical/mental information, social security number, and photograph. Aside from this, a surprising amount of personal information is readily accessible by anyone.

To get in touch with the DMV in your state and request someone’s record, visit this link: http://www.nhtsa.gov/Data/National+Driver+Register+(NDR)

That takes you to the NDR homepage. Just click on the “Contact information for State Departments of Motor Vehicles” link on the right-hand side of the page. You’ll automatically start to download a PDF document with your state’s DMV contact information.

From there, contact your state’s DMV (or the DMV in your target’s state) and request the record of anyone you want to learn more about.

Your Local Town Hall, City Hall, Or County Courthouse.

County CourthouseCriminal record check processes vary widely across the United States.
But one thing is common: you can always find information at your local town hall, city hall, or courthouse. These administrative organizations keep criminal records for all cases that have occurred within their administrative area. They’re trusted with keeping public records. Part of that responsibility is providing public records to the, well, public.

Using this method, you’re able to access anybody’s public record.

That doesn’t mean checking someone’s criminal record is easy with this method. You’ll often run into roadblocks. In North Carolina, you may encounter the Public Records Law, for example. in Maryland, they have the Public Information Act.

Certain states also make this process notoriously difficult. Florida, for example, may force you to deal with three different government laws, including the Statutory Public Records, Statutory Public Meetings, and Judicial Access Decisional Law.

Ultimately, your local town hall or county courthouse handles criminal record checks all the time. If you contact that organization, they’ll be able to tell you what you need to do, who you need to call, and how you need to proceed with your criminal record check.

Submitting A Request Through The FBI

The FBI provides criminal record checks – although they’re only available if you’re checking your own criminal record.

The FBI calls this your “Identity History Summary”, although it’s better known as your criminal record. It’s specifically defined as “a listing of certain information taken from fingerprint submissions kept by the FBI and related to arrests.”

You can submit a criminal record check request here through the FBI.

Using The Freedom of Information Act To Learn More About Someone

The last and best way to check someone’s criminal record is to submit a request to the US government citing the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

There’s a reason this act exists: it’s to promote transparency in the government. Agencies are hesitant to deny a FOIA request (unless you’ve stumbled upon something really secretive). Even if information may not appear to be accessible to the general public, you can often get past this barrier with a FOIA request.

Keep in mind that the FOIA also allows agencies to block a certain request. One of the most-likely reasons your request would be denied is if it’s an “unreasonable invasion of privacy”. In other cases, you’ll only receive a partial answer to your request.

Checking Someone’s Record May Not Be As Hard As You Think

Remember: criminal records are public records. You’re a member of the public. In most cases, the only thing preventing you from learning more about someone’s criminal record is a little hard work and a bit of time.

Want To Know More About Criminal Records? We Have The Answers

Woman Finding Information About Criminal RecordsCriminal record checks are a complicated subject. Understandably, people ask a lot of questions about how our services work. Here are some detailed answers about our criminal record search services.

Why Do I Need a Criminal Record Check Service If Records Are Publicly Accessible?

Criminal records are part of the public record. When a record is a “public” record, it means general members of the public can access them.

However, there’s a big difference between a public record and a widely-available public record. For example, most criminal records aren’t just stored online and available with the click of a button.

Instead, to access someone’s public record, you typically have to work with a court researcher and other county-level officials. These individuals will scan the public record for the individual and then give you a result.

In many cases, courts and other organizations don’t easily give up information to the public. They may require you to be a member of an authorized organization, for example. Or, you may just get bumped around from office to office until you finally talk to the person you need.

Ultimately, a criminal records search service has the contacts, databases, and systems needed to find a criminal background.

Why Are Some States More Difficult for Criminal Background Checks?

Different states have different regulations. That’s why some states are notoriously difficult for background checks.

California, for example, makes it difficult for an ordinary individual to access criminal records. In California, heavy regulatory restrictions and lengthy turnaround times can frustrate criminal records searches. California has 58 courts and most allow employers to clear a candidate online – which is good. However, if a criminal record is found in any court, then all the other courts must use their court researcher to retrieve the entire record.

California isn’t the only state with this complicated process: New York, New Jersey, Kentucky, New Hampshire, and Nevada are also notoriously difficult.

Why Do Two Separate Criminal Record Checks Return Different Results?

Sometimes, a criminal record may change between searches – even if the searches were conducted in a short period of time. There are a number of reasons for this.

First, the individual could have committed a crime in the time between your searches. In other cases, changes may have occurred at the courthouse or a case may have progressed to a certain point where it appears on a criminal record check.

In some cases, there may have been changes in the law that affect how someone’s information is presented on their criminal record.

To help combat this, some employers introduce post-hire monitoring, where an employee’s criminal record is monitored after they’re already hired.

How Soon Can I Receive My Criminal Record Search Results?

Many criminal background searches are returned right away. We have a fast, automated, and highly thorough process for criminal record searches. We automate our searches wherever possible to make sure you get the information you need as quickly as possible.

In cases where you’re searching multiple counties, multiple individuals, or in a particularly difficult state, searches may take a little longer to perform.

Are Your Criminal Searches 100% Accurate?

Unfortunately, no (honest) criminal record search provider will guarantee a 100% accurate background check. There are too many different moving parts and too many areas of ambiguity to guarantee 100% accuracy every time.

For example, if a state or county court records an error in their submission (like one wrong letter in a last name), then that throws off our accuracy – even though it’s not our fault.

We cannot alter county or state records. We can only report on them. However, we strive for accuracy every time and in most cases, criminal background searches performed through our service are 100% accurate.

Do You Really Know The Person You’re Dating?

Domestic Abuse Relationship - Dating A Criminal

We live in a world where you can get a date for tonight on Tinder without leaving your couch. But how well do you really know the new person you’re dating?

Whether you met on Tinder, Grindr, Bumble, Instagram, Match, or any one of the dozens of other social media / dating platforms available today, you probably don’t know everything about your new fling.

Sometimes, it’s nice to keep things casual. But if you want to get more serious, then you need to know who you’re dating. Remember: 60% of all violent crimes in America are committed by loved ones or acquaintances.

With that sobering thought in mind, let’s take a look at how you can easily learn more about the person you’re dating.

1) Google Their Name, Phone Number, Address, And All Other Personal Information

The first and easiest step is to use a search engine like Google to learn more about the person you’re seeing.

Yes, this can feel a bit stalker-ish. But hey, you’re doing it to protect yourself.

If you’re dating someone new, then you’re probably already Googled their name at least once. Google their name again and look at news stories mentioning their name. Make sure they’re using a real name that shows up in search results. Look at the images tab to find things that may not show up in the general search – you may be surprised what you find.

You should also be wary if they’re using a name that’s suspiciously common – like John Smith or James Miller (sorry to all the real John Smiths and James Millers out there). A common name isn’t enough to immediately make you suspicious of that person. However, if they have a common name and you can’t find any specific information about that person online, then you may want to take a closer look.

After Googling their name, Google their phone number. Typically, phone number searches won’t reveal anything but websites with lists of all phone numbers in a region. However, you can sometimes find an old business or other organizations with which your new friend is/was associated.

You’ve come this far on your stalking binge, so you might as well go all-in: Google every piece of personally identifiable information about the person – like their address, workplace, and anything else you find or can think of.

Even if you don’t turn up anything nefarious, you’ll at least know a lot more about your boyfriend/girlfriend the next time you get together!

2) Search For A Criminal Record

This might seem a bit intense for a new relationship, but it’s something thousands of men and women do every day.

Running a criminal record search on someone is perfectly legal. There’s nothing to stop you from doing it. Criminal records are public records, and that means someone like you is allowed to look at them.

Today, online services like CheckCriminalRecord.com have made finding someone’s criminal record incredibly straightforward. These criminal search services let you enter a name and find out everything you need to know about that person’s background.

You can check their background in a specific state and county. Or, you can scan the entire country for results.

All searches are performed anonymously and they leave no trace. One criminal records search can turn up information about someone’s criminal record. Or, even things like parking tickets, misdemeanors, and charges that were dropped can appear during a public records search.

We specialize in checking public records and criminal records for new boyfriends and girlfriends. In fact, thousands of people have used our service for precisely that reason.

To get started today, fill out the person’s first and last name using the online form on CheckCriminalRecord.com.

3) Casually Ask About Their Daily Schedule

Is the new person you’re dating really a lawyer at that big law office downtown? Or are they really just a janitor at a bar?

The next time you hang out, ask about their daily schedule. Maybe see if they can meet up to grab coffee on a lunch break, for example. Ask what they did today. You’d be surprised by how many people lie about their jobs. Some people are just insecure about their jobs, while others are hiding something more nefarious.

4) Gently Probe Their Positions On Key Issues

You may think somebody is “the one” – until you hear their stance on abortions, capital punishment, immigration, or some other contentious issue.
Now, it’s probably not a good idea to ask these kinds of heady questions on a first date. But over the next few dates, it’s important to casually probe about serious topics – after all, these are thing that make or break a relationship.

But you want to do it gently.

Instead of coming straight out and saying, “immigrants are the scourge of our nation”, for example, start with something a little softer like “Trump sure has some interesting ideas on immigration, hey?”

5) Talk To Them About It – There Could Have Been A Mistake Somewhere Along the Way

Ultimately, you could find a lot of bad information about someone while Googling or checking their criminal record – only to realize you’ve been looking at the wrong person the whole time.

In other cases, criminal records can be mistakenly placed under someone’s identity, potentially ruining their reputation for life.

If you’re concerned about the results you found, then talk to that person first before doing something drastic – like breaking up over one search result. In some cases, there’s a good explanation. In other cases, there may have been some error along the way.

And then there are some situations where the person was deliberately trying to hide something really bad from you. You never know until you check.

Top 7 Commonly Asked Questions About Criminal Record Checks

Here at Check Criminal Record, we get plenty of questions from customers about all different aspects of searching criminal records. We’re happy to answer all emails! But to make things easier for everyone, we’ve gathered some of our most common criminal record check questions here.

1) How Long Will It Take to Get a Criminal Record Check in My State?

Public Records StorageGetting a criminal record check varies between states. Remember that different states have different rules regarding how criminal records are stored and who has access to those records.

Some of our searches can be completed in a matter of minutes. Others can take several weeks to fully uncover the truth.

California, for example, is one state where background checks take a particularly long time. The state of California has 58 different courts, all of which allow employers to conduct criminal record checks on future employees. However, when you make a request in one court in California, all counties in the state must use a court researcher to retrieve the entire record. This can cause lengthy delays while a court researcher takes the time to comb through records across all requests.

California isn’t the only state where records take a long time: New York, New Jersey, Kentucky, New Hampshire, and Nevada also require the use of court researchers.

Keep in mind that you cannot use our service to determine someone’s employability (or for any other reason that would require FCRA compliance) because we are not a Consumer Reporting Agency.

2) Does My County Require a Court Researcher?

Court ResearcherCourt researchers are on their way out of the system across America. Today, automated search programs speed up the record recovery process. Nevertheless, many counties still require the use of a court researcher. This varies widely from county to county. However, the number of courts requiring court researchers is certainly dwindling as more and more courts automate their records.

Fewer court researchers means an easier and faster recovery process for our team. However, in cases where records are pulled automatically, our team will still double check to make sure the automated search returned results as complete as any manual search – so all your bases are covered.

3) Should I Request a Country-wide Search or Search in Specific States and Counties?

Some people use criminal record search services to identify a specific crime. They may know where the exact crime was committed, or where the public records are stored. Say, if someone has lived in one county for their entire lives, then you know that their marriage certificates, divorce records, and other public records are probably stored in that county.

On the other hand, most people want to get the full report on someone. Maybe the individual committed a crime while they were on vacation in Hawaii. Maybe they’ve moved around a lot. There are all sorts of good reasons to perform a countrywide criminal records search. If you only search in a specific state or county, then you may be missing a significant chunk of that person’s history.

4) What Are the Advantages of a County Records Search?

The major advantage of a county search is that county courthouses contain the most up-to-date records. Crimes and charges are processed at the county courthouse first. When you ask a county courthouse for a criminal record check, they’ll return the most up-to-date data.

State records are still fairly up-to-date, although it may take some time to process data from county courthouses.

On the other hand, some states and regions will block county records searches, in which case a state search is your only option.

5) What’s More Expensive? State Searches or County Searches?

The costs of public records searches vary widely across America. Sometimes, state searches are more expensive. In other cases, county searches are more expensive. It depends on the fees charged by the court, including processing fees.

6) How Do You Ensure You Found the Complete Criminal Record?

We’re proud of our team of researchers and of our proprietary search program. Find Criminal RecordsTogether, they’re among the best in the country at finding criminal records. If a public record is out there and legally accessible, they’ll find it. To ensure complete accuracy, our team works in the following ways:

-We search through thousands of data sources and 34 billion public records across the United States, telling us whether or not a crime has been committed in a jurisdiction where the individual is living (or has previously lived)

-Next, we search nationwide (or statewide, depending on your request) to see if crimes have been committed by the individual in other counties or states where they have never lived (say, if they were working or traveling and committed a crime).

-Our proprietary technology searches through over 2,000 more third party booking and incarceration websites to ensure we haven’t missed anything

-We double check our findings with the county court records to ensure authenticity. County courts have access to over 75% of all US criminal records, so they’re a good primary source of information about the candidate.

7) How Accurate Are Criminal Records Checks?

No criminal record check service will guarantee 100% authenticity or 100% accuracy. In some cases, this is the fault of the person checking the criminal record. But in many cases, it’s actually the fault of the source itself. A court may have entered a digit wrong in the date of birth, for example, causing records to get mixed up or return inaccurate results.

Among criminal background check services, Check Criminal Record is considered to be among the most-accurate available online today.