Background Check Guide
How To Get A Background Check
Learn the right first step, what you can do online now, and when to use state repositories, court records, police requests, federal identity checks, or private tools.
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Check Guide:
Your Starting Point
Figure out where to start and which official route to use.
Quick Start
- Start with the state criminal history repository for an official record; if online ordering is limited, use court index searches next.
- Add a court index and case-search to see filed charges, dispositions, and status in the counties where the person lived.
- Use a local police records request for incident or arrest reports; this is not a statewide background check.
- For a self-check across states, use the FBI identity history summary plus state repositories and court searches.
Best Starting Point
title
State Criminal History Repository Route
best for
Getting an official statewide criminal record for one state.
why this is usually first
It is the state’s central criminal record source and the most recognized official result for a standard background check.
when to move on
If public access is limited, you need incident details, federal cases, or the person has lived in multiple states.
Official vs Private Sources
| Check Type | Best For | What It Shows | Main Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| state criminal history repository route | Official statewide criminal record for one person in one state. | Reported arrests, charges, and dispositions submitted to the state repository. | May exclude recent cases, other states, some local incidents, or records not reported by agencies. |
| court index and case-search route | Verifying case filings and outcomes in specific counties or a statewide court system. | Dockets, case numbers, charges, status, and basic disposition details. | Name matches can be wrong; some courts lack full online access or require in-person verification. |
| sheriff or local law-enforcement records route | Incident or arrest reports from a specific city or county. | Police reports, arrest logs, or incident summaries. | Not a statewide history; access varies and may exclude ongoing cases or juvenile records. |
| FBI identity history summary route | Checking your own multi-state criminal history tied to fingerprints. | Arrest and disposition data reported to federal repositories for your fingerprints. | Generally for self-checks; does not include all state or court records. |
| commercial background-check site | Quick contact details, aliases, and address history to guide official searches. | Names, phones, emails, addresses, possible relatives, and public web references. | Not an official criminal record; data can be outdated or mismatched. |
Access Notes
- There is no single public national criminal database; combine state, court, and federal checks for broader coverage.
- Name-only searches can misidentify people; fingerprint-based routes reduce mix-ups but may require your own submission.
- Online portals often omit documents; you may need certified copies or in-person verification for formal use.
- Sealed, expunged, or juvenile records are usually not public and will not appear in standard checks.
How to Start
Pick the scope
Decide whose record you need and which states or counties to cover based on current and past residences.
Run the official record
Request a state criminal history repository search for each relevant state; if restricted, begin with that state’s court index.
Fill the gaps
Search court indexes, request local police records for incidents, and add a federal identity history summary if you are checking yourself.
Common Questions
Is there one place to get a national background check?
No public one-stop source exists. Use state repositories, court indexes, and, for self-checks, the FBI identity history summary.
Do I need consent to run a background check?
Some official routes are limited to self-requests. Others may require consent or authorization from the person or the agency.
What about federal criminal cases?
Federal crimes are filed in federal courts. Check a federal court index separately; these are not usually in state repositories.
How do I fix an error on my record?
Get a copy from the official source, then follow that agency’s correction process. You may also contact the reporting court or police department.