HOW CAN YOU RUN A BACKGROUND CHECK ON YOURSELF OR SOMEONE ELSE?
April 20, 2020
As somebody who runs background checks (pre-employment) quite regularly, I'll be the first to tell you that not all background checks are made equally. Many people have become too comfortable 'Googling' everything, so naturally, they think Google will somehow generate a 'background check,' or the other very common thing you will see today is the 'Intellus' or 'PeopleSearch' websites that are sure to pop up front-and-center after an 'online background check' is Googled. These sites are nonsense; all they do is cross-reference a birthday, location, and of course name. It's all automated based on public records. I have even tried this for '$28 instant results.' It's a scam, and the same company owns all of those sites, so results are the same on all of them. You do not want this - stay away from the Internet!
It may be good for me to know why you're conducting a background check on yourself. But I'll guess it has to do with wanting to know just what may come up. Usually I see people do this for employment purposes, out of pure curiosity, or they had a charge 'expunged,' dropped, and/or simply don't know/ can't remember the exact details ("Was that a DUI? Did that felony get dropped? It was expunged, but can people see it?" - all common questions). So we'll assume you do remember what's in your court records and want to see what comes up - pre-employment is what we'll assume. This apples even if it's for something else..
First step is to determine just how in-depth of a search you need. In the event of a pre-employment background check, it's important to realize that employers must pay money everytime they run a check, so they will often do a 'surface check' to weed out felons, violent offenders, drug distribution/ manufacturing, and multiple DUI offenders. With some other exceptions, these are the charges (misdemeanor or felony) you don't want showing up. At any rate, many companies do a 'simple' state-wide search. In many states (WI, for example), all arrests are public record, so all you need is a name, and the Internet website of the STATE; nothing else - but other people may show up in the results. Be careful of this. A birthday also helps immensely (particularly with a common name: e.g., John Smith). In states like MN, they are public record, and accessible, but you need a name and a birthdate. This will bring up all public records (criminal, probate, family or divorce, civil).
Many companies - usually larger, or for top/ high-level positions, even for all background checks - contract with outside firms who specialize in conducting background checks. They can get as detailed as to search exact counties/ locations where you have lived, or be as broad as a 'nation-wide database search.' The nation-wide DB search is what I would recommend as this will likely be what a 'thorough' employer would use (instead of just a state-wide search). This means that all nation-wide records can be accessed by cross-referencing your name (with middle name and even your mother's maiden name), birthday, and social security number. These are fairly accurate, and they are immediately available. In the more detailed searches, the actual prosecuting body can even send your court records (which you consent to when signing a background check). These often take a few days to receive; even up to 3-5+ business days.
So, with the info above, the steps you would take - in my opinion/ experience - to run a background check on yourself would be: find your local background check agency (Internet is OK for this!) and let them know you would like to run a background check on yourself. (Please note: to legally do a background check on somebody else - aside from a 'public records search' - you must obtain their written consent).
When you contact this company, they may ask you to fax or email a 'consent' form: including a Drivers License number, address, full name social security number, and birthday with a signature. They should be able to provide you with one.
If you get the 'nationwide database search' (or what they call it) it shouldn't be more than $20/ $25. This should give you a pretty good picture of what's showing up to others - particularly employers. If you'd like to get more involved/ detailed, get down to the county level. They can also help you - and rest assured they are accurate - not like an 'Internet search.'
Best of luck.
HOW CAN YOU RUN A BACKGROUND CHECK ON YOURSELF OR SOMEONE ELSE?
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