Background Check Basics
Where To Get A Background Check
Start here to choose the right background check route, compare official options with private sites, and understand what you can request online versus through police, courts, or repositories.
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Check Guide:
Your Starting Point
Find the right place to request a background check
Quick Answer
- Start with the state criminal history repository for official criminal records.
- For incident or accident reports, use the sheriff or local law-enforcement records route.
- Use court index and case-search tools to see filing details and outcomes.
- Use a people-search site only to gather names, addresses, and past locations before checking official sources.
Best Starting Route
title
State Criminal History Repository Route
best for
An official statewide criminal background check on a person.
why this is usually first
It is the primary statewide source for reportable arrests and convictions and is often what formal checks require.
when to move on
If you need a police incident report, detailed court dockets, a federal identity history, or the repository is not open to the public.
Official vs Private Routes
| Check Type | Best For | What It Shows | Main Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| state criminal history repository route | Official statewide criminal history checks. | Arrest and conviction information reported by agencies, sometimes with dispositions. | Covers one state; reporting can lag; may require consent or fingerprints. |
| court index and case-search route | Checking case filings, charges, and outcomes. | Dockets, case numbers, parties, charges, and status. | Not a background check by itself; multiple courts may need searching; identifiers can be limited. |
| sheriff or local law-enforcement records route | Obtaining police incident or accident reports. | Incident reports, narratives, and calls for service where available. | Not statewide; some details may be restricted; request must go to the agency that took the report. |
| FBI identity history summary route | Your own fingerprint-based federal identity history. | Arrests and submissions tied to fingerprints from participating agencies. | Not a general nationwide public criminal search; typically for self-requests. |
| people-search site | Finding names, aliases, addresses, and research leads. | Contact details, address history, possible associates. | Not an official criminal record source; data may be outdated or mismatched. |
Access Notes
- There is no single public nationwide criminal database; check states and courts tied to past addresses.
- Name-only searches can misidentify people; confirm with date of birth or other identifiers.
- Some official checks need fingerprints or written consent; follow the request instructions.
- To fix an error, contact the agency that maintains the record and follow its correction process.
Search Flow
Decide the record type
Choose criminal history, police report, court records, or contact details as your starting point.
Run the official first check
For criminal history, use the state criminal history repository; for police reports, contact the local law-enforcement records office.
Fill gaps with next sources
Use court indexes for case detail, the FBI route for your own identity history, and people-search sites only for leads.
Quick FAQs
Can I do a background check online?
Many states let you start online, but some requests require mail, in-person steps, or fingerprints. Court indexes are often searchable online.
Is there a national background check I can buy from the government?
No single public nationwide search exists. Combine state repositories and court searches for places the person has lived.
When should I use the FBI identity history summary?
Use it for your own fingerprint-based identity history or when a fingerprint self-check is required.
How do I get a police report?
Request it from the sheriff or local law-enforcement records office that took the report, with a case number or date and location if possible.