Background Check Basics
Checkers Background Check
Learn where to start a background check, how official state and court sources compare to private background-checkers, and what you can realistically access online without mixing them up.
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Check Guide:
Your Starting Point
Figure out the right starting source and how official routes compare to private background-check sites.
Quick Answer
- Start with the state criminal history repository for the person’s state; it is the official first stop for a background check.
- Check the court index and case-search route next to confirm case details and outcomes.
- Commercial background-check or people-search sites can help find addresses and aliases but are not official criminal records.
Best Starting Point
title
state criminal history repository route
best for
An official statewide criminal-record check from one source.
why this is usually first
It is the central state record system and more authoritative than private databases; some states allow public name-based searches online.
when to move on
Move on if the state restricts access, you need detailed case documents, or the person lived in multiple states.
Official vs Private Sources
| Check Type | Best For | What It Shows | Main Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| state criminal history repository route | Official statewide arrest and conviction history where public access is allowed. | Arrests, charges, and dispositions reported by state agencies. | Reporting gaps exist; may require fingerprints or consent; not all states allow public searches. |
| court index and case-search route | Verifying cases, charges, outcomes, and docket activity. | Case listings, party names, charges, status, and basic docket entries. | Often county-by-county; name matches only; older or sealed records may be missing. |
| local police records request route | Incident or police reports from one city or town. | Incident summaries, narratives, and call logs when releasable. | Not a criminal history; limited to that jurisdiction and subject to request rules. |
| FBI identity history summary route | Self-checking your own fingerprint-based identity history. | Arrests and dispositions reported to federal systems. | Self-request only; not for screening others; state-only events may not appear. |
| commercial background-check site | Fast lead-finding like prior addresses, aliases, and basic public listings. | Compiled data from many public and private sources. | Not an official record; data can be outdated or incomplete and must be verified. |
Access Notes
- There is no single public national criminal database; “national” checks combine multiple searches.
- Name-and-DOB matches can misidentify people with common names; confirm with case numbers or fingerprints when available.
- Some records are sealed, expunged, or juvenile and will not appear in public sources.
- If information about you looks wrong, use the self-request route, then follow up with the reporting court or agency to correct it.
Practical Search Flow
Scope the Search
List recent states of residence and any known court locations; gather full name, date of birth, and past names.
Run Official Sources
Search the state criminal history repository first; then check each relevant court index for case details; add the sex offender registry if needed.
Fill Remaining Gaps
If relevant, check federal court dockets and corrections or inmate locators; use a people-search only to find leads, then verify with official sources.
Common Questions
Is there a single national background check I can run online?
No. You need a mix of state repositories, court indexes, and registries. Private sites can help find leads but are not official records.
What if my state repository is not open to the public?
Go straight to the court index and case-search route for the counties involved, and request local police records when incident details are needed.
Can I use the FBI route to check someone else?
No. The FBI identity history summary is a self-request process. To screen others, rely on state repositories and court records.