Online Background Check
Order A Background Check Online
Learn where to start a background check online, what official records you can request yourself, when courts or repositories are needed, and when private sites make sense.
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Check Guide:
Your Starting Point
Start a background check online the right way
Quick Start
- To order a background check online, pick the record type, use the matching official route, and add a people-search only for leads.
- There is no single public national database; expect to search court indexes and state repositories where available.
- For your own record, use the FBI identity history summary only when you need a federal identity check.
- For jobs or housing, use a compliant screening provider and get written consent.
Best Starting Point
title
court index and case-search route
best for
Fast online lookups of criminal and civil cases in places the person lived or worked.
why this is usually first
Many courts publish searchable dockets online, giving charge details, case status, and references you can verify.
when to move on
If the portal is limited or you need statewide results or arrest history, use the state criminal history repository or request local police records.
Official vs Private Sources
| Check Type | Best For | What It Shows | Main Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| court index and case-search route | Criminal and civil case details in specific counties or districts. | Docket entries, charges, dispositions, dates, and sometimes partial identifiers. | Coverage varies; recent, sealed, or archived cases may be missing. Name-only matches can misidentify people. |
| state criminal history repository route | Statewide conviction or arrest history where public access is offered. | Records reported by law enforcement and courts; may be fingerprint-based matches. | Access rules differ by state and may exclude sealed, juvenile, out-of-state, or federal records. |
| FBI identity history summary route | Your own federal identity history for licensing, travel, or adoption needs. | Arrests and dispositions reported to the federal repository tied to fingerprints. | Not a general nationwide court search and not available for checking someone else. |
| people-search site | Names, aliases, past addresses, and associate leads before official checks. | Contact info, address history, and possible associates from public and commercial sources. | Not an official criminal database; data may be outdated or mismatched and must be confirmed with official sources. |
Access Notes
- There is no single public nationwide background-check portal; combine several official sources.
- Names can match multiple people. Use middle name, date of birth, and address history to narrow.
- Online court portals may omit recent filings, expunged cases, or older archives.
- Private “national” reports are aggregates; confirm hits with the matching court or repository before decisions.
Online Order Flow
Pick record types
Decide if you need criminal cases, civil cases, identity history, or registry checks.
Search official portals first
Run court index searches where the person lived; add the state criminal history repository; check the sex offender registry if relevant.
Use private leads, then confirm
Use a people-search to map names and addresses, then confirm any hits with the matching court or repository; use a compliant screener for jobs or housing.
Common Questions
Is there one national background check I can order online?
No. You must combine sources like court indexes, state repositories, and registries. Private “national” checks are aggregates and need official confirmation.
Can I order a federal criminal check on someone else?
You cannot use the FBI identity summary for someone else. To find federal cases, use a federal court index and confirm details with the clerk.
How do I avoid mismatching people with the same name?
Filter by middle name, date of birth, and address history, then verify case details in the official docket before relying on a result.