In today’s world, it’s more important than ever to be able to access police records quickly and easily.
With so much crime happening every day, it’s crucial to have all the information you need to keep yourself and your loved ones safe.
With that in mind, we’ve put together a list of the top 5 best free police records services in 2022.
Whether you need to access an old criminal record or stay up-to-date with current crime trends in your area, these sites have got you covered.
What Is a Police Records Service?
A police records service is an online database that provides access to criminal records, arrest records, and other public information.
These services are usually maintained by state or local law enforcement agencies.
Most police records services allow you to search for records by name, address, case number, or other identifying information. Some also provide mapping tools to see crime trends in your area.
There are many reasons you might need to use a police records service.
Maybe you’re considering buying a home in a high-crime area and want to know what kinds of crimes have been committed nearby.
Or perhaps you’re looking for someone with a criminal history and want to see if they have a record.
Whatever your reason, the five services on our list are the best in the business when it comes to free police records.
Read on to learn more about them and see which one is the right fit for your needs.
5 Best Free Police Records Services
1. TruthFinder — Best Overall
Truthfinder bills itself as the most reliable police records service, which is well deserved given that it has over 45,000 5-star ratings and conducts 9.5 million sessions per month!
You’ll get access to a large public records database where you can uncover information related to a criminal, a case, and other information that could be difficult to obtain otherwise.
Do you want to reconnect with someone you’ve lost contact with?
With People Finder, you can conduct an unlimited number of background checks on TruthFinder.
All that is required is their name, and you’re done! You can obtain information on their possible whereabouts, family, and even social media accounts.
Another interesting element is that you can use the dark web scan to determine if your personal information is being utilized for illegal purposes.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Free version available
- Various search parameters
- Members can conduct unlimited searches
- Accurate and up-to-date information
Cons
- Cannot buy individual reports
- Only available in the US
2. Intelius — Best For Criminal Records Searches
Intelius’s police records check reports are comprehensive, including information regarding phone numbers, email accounts, relationships, and other legal matters.
The reports provided by the service include many of the key pieces of information that a background check should, such as addresses, relatives, court judgments, criminal histories, bankruptcies, and assets.
Intelius covers all of the bases for the majority of searches.
Intelius’ reports are easy to read and neatly formatted, though the content is not ordered chronologically, which may be a concern depending on the report’s intended use.
When you receive a report from Intelius, you are instantly subscribed to a subscription service; thus, be sure to cancel the default Intelius Premier membership before the trial time expires, or your card will be charged.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Extensive database
- Fast results
- Interactive interface
- Free trial available
Cons
- Reports are not in chronological order
- Confusing pricing
3. Infotracer — Best For Targeted Searches
Infotracer has mastered the art of providing detailed police records reports, with perhaps the best-targeted searches.
Furthermore, you get access to over 5 billion public documents on a platform with an A+ BBB (Better Business Bureau) rating!
You can use the people search feature to do a self-background check on a date/roommate or learn more about old pals.
Find out about their social media, phone number, education, property ownership, and more!
Are you looking for a facial recognition search? You can quickly get a background check report by using someone’s photo.
This becomes quite a sport when you need to look someone up quickly.
Even better, you can conduct a license plate search to learn about a vehicle’s VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) and traffic offenses.
That is very useful in the event of a hit-and-run car accident.
However, Infotracer seems to provide limited criminal records, which shouldn’t be a problem if that’s not what you’re searching for.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Access to national and state criminal databases
- 24 search types
- 5-day trial available
- Up-to-date information
Cons
- Premium data will cost you extra
- No mobile app available
4. US Search — Best For Free Police Records Searches
If you want to get reports without a membership, US Search is a good place to start.
Even if you merely want to find a long-lost family member, the full-service background checker provides a plethora of check options for you to choose from.
US Search is simple to use, which may result in a pleasant user experience. Their findings are accurate, at least when compared.
If you wish to customize your search results, this won’t be an issue. If you decide to leave, they will gladly refund your money.
Nonetheless, they do not have a mobile app, so if you are always on the move, you may be unable to use the platform.
Searches are also not available in some states, which may be inconvenient if you live in one of the impacted areas.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Up-to-date and accurate information
- Several options to customize your search
- Allows free searches
- Detailed reports
Cons
- Lacks mobile app
- Not the best customer service
5. PUBLIC SEEK — Best For US-Wide Police Records
Looking for a background checker that has information for all 50 states? PUBLICSEEK is here to help!
They claim to have over 10 billion databases, which include social media accounts, contact information, and police records.
They also check these on a regular basis to ensure they are up to date.
PUBLICSEEK offers a variety of subscription tiers, each of which includes unlimited searches.
Unlike some of our other top options, this platform allows you to buy individual reports.
If you like, you can try out full functionality for free for a day before paying for the premium version.
While PUBLICSEEK may be useful for obtaining information here and there, it may not be useful for commercial searches.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Over 10 billion databases
- Up-to-date information
- Option to buy individual reports
- Free 1-day trial available
Cons
- Not ideal for commercial searches
- Their search rolls do not meet some compliance requirements
How Do We Rank Free Police Records Services?
We looked at several different factors when ranking these free police records services. Here are the most important ones:
- Search options: We only considered platforms that allowed you to conduct a variety of searches, including people, property, and criminal records.
- Accuracy of information: We only considered platforms that provided accurate information.
- Ease of use: We only considered platforms that were easy to use.
- Price: We only considered platforms that provided free searches or at least free trials.
Conclusion
Conducting a police records search has never been easier, thanks to the number of free resources now available.
If you want to get started quickly and easily, we recommend using the above-listed platforms.
FAQs
Is it legal to use a police records service?
Yes, it is legal to use a police records search platform. Just be sure that you are using the service for personal reasons and not commercial purposes.
How do I get a police record?
There are a few different ways to get a police record. The easiest way is to use an online records search platform like those listed above.
You can also visit your local police station or courthouse to request a copy of the record in person.
Are police records public?
Yes, police records are public. However, there may be some restrictions on who can access certain records. For example, juvenile records are usually not available to the public.
Amit Gupta is the founder of PublicRecordsSearch.org. Amit has spent half a decade learning about and working in the background screening industry. After completing his high school certification, Amit decided to focus on helping others make informed decisions by creating PublicRecordsSearch.org.