About BackgroundChecker.com
An independent guide to background checks in the US: which check fits which situation, what the law expects from you and how providers compare.
What we do
Background checks come with rules that depend on who is checking whom, and why. We help you get that part right before you spend money.
Explain the rules
What the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requires from employers and landlords, how state and city laws change it, and where personal use ends.
Point you to the right check
Our free 4-question guide shows which type of check fits your situation: people search for personal use, FCRA screening for hiring and renting, or a check on yourself.
Compare providers and costs
Our cost guide and reviews compare published prices, turnaround and features, so you know what to expect before you sign up.
What we don't do
We are an information site, not a screening company.
We don't run checks
We are not a consumer reporting agency. We don't run background checks, sell reports or make screening decisions.
We don't ask who you're checking
Our guide never asks for the name or details of the person you are checking, and we don't hold reports about anyone.
We don't give legal advice
Our guides explain the rules in plain English. For a decision about a specific person or record, talk to a qualified attorney.
How we make money
Some links on this site are affiliate links. If you sign up for a service through one of them, the provider may pay us a commission. It never changes the price you pay, and links that can earn a commission are marked as sponsored.
We recommend services by situation, based on what each one is built and allowed for: FCRA screening services for employers and landlords, people-search services for personal use only, and official sources whenever a free option exists.
How we write our guides
Our guides draw on primary sources: the FCRA itself, guidance from the Federal Trade Commission, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and state and city screening laws. Prices come from providers' published pricing pages, and we update guides when rules or prices change.
Spotted an error or an outdated rule? Tell us through our contact page and we will check it.
Who publishes this site
BackgroundChecker.com is published by American Biologics LLC. See our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy for details.
Not sure which check you need?
Answer four quick questions to see which type of check fits your situation and what the law expects from you.
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