Nationwide Criminal Record Checks
Get fast, accurate, and compliant criminal background checks for hiring, renting, and due diligence. Search county, state, and federal databases to protect your business and community.
What’s Included in Criminal Record Checks
Comprehensive criminal history search across multiple databases and jurisdictions.
National Criminal Database
Search our proprietary database of 500+ million records aggregated from multiple states, corrections departments, and court systems.
- ✓Multi-state criminal records
- ✓Felony & misdemeanor history
- ✓Arrests & convictions
- ✓Incarceration records
⏱️ Turnaround: Instant to 24 hours
County Court Searches
Direct searches of county courthouse records for the most accurate, up-to-date criminal history information available.
- ✓3,000+ counties nationwide
- ✓Current pending cases
- ✓Case disposition details
- ✓Sentencing information
⏱️ Turnaround: 1-3 business days
State Criminal Records
Access statewide criminal repositories maintained by state law enforcement agencies for comprehensive coverage.
- ✓State police databases
- ✓Department of corrections
- ✓Statewide court systems
- ✓Probation & parole records
⏱️ Turnaround: 1-5 business days
Federal Criminal Records
Search federal district court records for crimes prosecuted at the federal level including fraud, tax evasion, and drug trafficking.
- ✓94 federal district courts
- ✓Federal felonies
- ✓White collar crimes
- ✓Immigration violations
⏱️ Turnaround: 1-3 business days
Additional Criminal Screening Options
Enhance your criminal record check with these specialized searches.
Sex Offender Registry
National and state sex offender database search for enhanced safety screening.
Global Watchlists
OFAC, FBI, Interpol, and international sanctions list screening.
Adverse Media
Search news sources for negative coverage related to criminal activity.
Terrorist Watchlist
Screen against government terrorist watchlists and no-fly lists.
Why Run a Criminal Background Check?
Criminal record screening is a key part of risk management and due diligence.
🛡️ Reduce Liability
Protect your organization from negligent hiring claims. Employers can be held liable for harm caused by employees with undisclosed criminal histories.
🏢 Workplace Safety
Create a safer environment for employees, customers, and visitors by screening for violent crimes, theft, and other concerning behavior.
📋 Regulatory Compliance
Many industries require criminal background checks by law, including healthcare, finance, education, and transportation.
🏠 Property Protection
Landlords can screen tenants to protect property and other residents from individuals with histories of property crimes or violence.
✅ Verify Honesty
Confirm that candidates have been truthful on applications. Studies show a significant percentage of applicants omit or misrepresent criminal history.
🤝 Build Trust
Demonstrate to clients, partners, and stakeholders that you take security seriously with thorough screening processes.
How Criminal Record Checks Work
Simple process from request to results.
Submit Information
Enter the subject’s name, date of birth, SSN, and address history. Select database and/or county court searches.
We Search Records
Our system queries criminal databases and court records. Database searches are instant; court searches take 1-3 days.
Review Report
Receive a clear report with any records found, including offense details, dates, dispositions, and case numbers.
Who Uses Criminal Record Checks?
Organizations across all industries rely on criminal background screening.
HR & Staffing Firms
Ensure candidates meet your compliance, safety, and integrity standards before extending offers.
- ✓Pre-employment screening
- ✓Contractor verification
- ✓Periodic re-screening
Landlords & Property Managers
Protect your rental properties and other tenants by screening for criminal history.
- ✓Tenant screening
- ✓Property protection
- ✓Community safety
Volunteer Organizations
Maintain a secure environment for youth programs, churches, and community organizations.
- ✓Youth program screening
- ✓Church volunteers
- ✓Nonprofit staff
Compliant, Secure & Confidential
All criminal record checks follow strict legal and security protocols.
FCRA Compliant
Full compliance with Fair Credit Reporting Act including consent capture, disclosures, and adverse action support.
Secure & Encrypted
256-bit encryption protects all data. SOC 2 certified security controls for confidentiality.
Legal Compliance
We follow state and local ban-the-box laws and reporting limitations to keep you compliant.
Important Compliance Note
Criminal background checks for employment purposes require written consent from the subject. We provide FCRA-compliant authorization forms. If you find adverse information and decide not to hire, you must follow the adverse action process including providing a copy of the report and notice of rights.
Criminal Record Check Pricing
Transparent pricing. Choose the level of search you need.
Database Search
$15/search
National criminal database only
- ✓500M+ record database
- ✓Multi-state coverage
- ✓Sex offender registry
- ✓Instant results
Database + County
$35/search
Most comprehensive option
- ✓National database search
- ✓County court search
- ✓Current pending cases
- ✓Disposition details
Full Criminal Package
$59/search
Maximum coverage
- ✓Database + county search
- ✓Federal court search
- ✓Statewide search
- ✓Global watchlists
Volume discounts available. Additional county searches $12/county.
View Full Pricing →Criminal Record Check FAQs
Common questions about criminal background screening.
What’s the difference between database and county searches?
Database searches query a large aggregated database of criminal records—fast but may have gaps. County court searches go directly to the courthouse for the most current, complete records. We recommend both for comprehensive coverage.
How far back do criminal record checks go?
Most searches cover 7-10 years of criminal history. Some states limit reporting of non-conviction records to 7 years. Convictions may be reported indefinitely depending on state law and the nature of the offense.
What shows up on a criminal record check?
Criminal record checks may reveal felonies, misdemeanors, arrests, convictions, pending cases, incarcerations, probation, and sex offender status. What’s reported depends on state law and reporting limitations.
Do I need consent to run a criminal check?
Yes. The FCRA requires written consent before running criminal background checks for employment, housing, or credit decisions. We provide compliant authorization forms.
How long does a criminal record check take?
National database searches are instant to 24 hours. County court searches take 1-3 business days. State repository searches may take 1-5 days depending on the state.
Are expunged or sealed records reported?
No. Expunged and sealed records should not appear in background checks. We follow all state and federal laws regarding record reporting restrictions.
Start Screening with Confidence
Thousands of businesses, landlords, and organizations trust BackgroundChecker.com for accurate, easy-to-read criminal record checks. Begin your screening process in minutes.
Start a Criminal Record CheckNo subscription required • Pay per search • Results in minutes
