If you’re ever in the market for a free public criminal record check, you’ll want to know where to start.
There are many options out there, and it can be tough to figure out which one is right for you.
We’ve done the hard work for you and compiled our top five picks for the best free public criminal record checks.
What Is A Public Criminal Record Check?
A public criminal record check is an investigation of a person’s criminal background.
Most of the time, criminal justice agencies’ records are the only sources of information for this sort of background check.
Details of arrests, imprisonments, indictments, convictions, and fines can all be found in a criminal background check.
A criminal background check is typically part of an employer’s official evaluation of a potential employee.
Checking a criminal record is sometimes known as a criminal history check, criminal background check, or an identifying history report.
Read: Top 5 Best Background Check Free Trial – Honest Review
5 Best Public Criminal Record Check Services
1. Intelius
Intelius is a popular provider of public criminal record check services, as well as reverse phone and address lookups.
With the help of Intelius, people were successful in identifying long-lost friends or family members, and potential employers were able to gain thorough education backgrounds of future employees.
It is recommended that first-time users who want background checks on criminals or just one person use Intelius since the company provides a single report payment plan.
Intelius differs from many other services, which require you to pay a monthly subscription (which may often be rather substantial).
In addition, it is fully confidential, so you don’t have to be concerned about your search field becoming public.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Budget-friendly
- Identity theft protection
- Single report subscriptions are available
- Includes reverse address lookup
Cons
- Mediocre customer service
- May sometimes report inaccurate results
2. TruthFinder
TruthFinder provides a variety of background checks, including criminal records, and covers both personal and public databases.
Their services are professional and private, and users can access them via the website or mobile app.
The website also includes detailed instructions on how to use the background reports.
Truthfinder has a user-friendly interface. Customers can sign up for either a monthly or a two-month plan, with the last one offering a significant discount.
When users sign up with this company, one of the first things they notice is how easy it is to use.
Operating background checks, as well as a variety of other searches, is simple with this site.
Additionally, because the company allows different sign-in sources, the customer will be able to log in quickly.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Various search parameters
- Fast results
- Includes free dark web monitoring service
- Gives accurate reports
Cons
- Paid version is expensive
- Limited free features
3. Spokeo
Spokeo is among the most well-known background check companies in the United States, particularly among those who are hiring employees or looking for friends and family members.
Spokeo provides a plethora of options for doing regular background checks, including a social network search, criminal records, dark web surveillance, and reverse lookups.
Spokeo is simple to use, and its interface is straightforward. The customer service provided by the platform may also be dependable.
Spokeo informs users that the data they are viewing may not be relevant to the person in question.
Unfortunately, the report doesn’t detail the person’s criminal cases, citing simply the type of the crime, the country in which it occurred, and the sources from which the records were compiled.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Basic services are free of charge
- Popular for finding lost connections
- The site is up to date
- Easy to use
Cons
- No unlimited search plans
- Reports lack information
4. People Finder
People Finder, which was founded in 1999, is among the oldest criminal record check services available.
With age comes expertise, and this company’s tenure in the field means it can be trusted to provide high-quality service to its users.
People Finder is a wonderful choice for those who aren’t as tech-savvy. Users can sign in from their PC or smartphone, and the UI is simple to use. You may sign in using either your desktop browser or your smartphone.
Additionally, there is an email verification feature that comes in helpful when users get an anonymous email in their trash or junk folder.
Furthermore, the company’s property searches and other search choices make it incredibly adaptable.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Includes a three-day trial
- No membership required
- Easy to use
- Very adaptable
Cons
- Heavy cancellations fees
- Only available in the US
5. BeenVerified
Customers can rely on BeenVerified’s extensive network of databases, which has been in operation since 2007, to provide accurate and thorough information about the person they are searching for on their behalf.
BeenVerified’s expertise is finding long-lost relatives and acquaintances, as well as researching criminal records and a variety of other things.
The most distinguishing quality of this company is its simple and easy operation.
Simply enter some basic information about the person, and that will search thousands of databases to provide you with anything relevant to the precise search you want, including criminal records.
BeenVerified also provides other services, such as reverse address and mobile number lookups, in addition to providing its customers with a court runner service.
Aside from that, the website offers a handy iOS and Android app that is particularly beneficial for customers who want to study reports while on the move.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Available apps for iOS and Android
- Unlimited membership use
- Multiple search options
- Includes a court runner service
Cons
- No free trial
- Occasionally lags
How Do We Rank Public Criminal Record Check Services?
There are many factors to consider when ranking public criminal record check services. The list above is in no particular order, but here are some of the qualities we looked for:
- The ability to find a variety of different types of information
- A wide range of search options
- Accuracy of reports
- Ease of use
By taking all of these factors into account, we believe that the services on this list are the best of the best when it comes to public criminal record checks.
Final Thoughts
There are many criminal record check services available, but the best ones share some qualities.
They should be simple to use, have a variety of search options, and provide accurate information.
The background check companies on this list all have these qualities and more.
All in all, any of the companies on this list would make a great choice for those in need of a criminal record check service.
FAQs
Is it legal to perform a background check online?
Yes, doing a background check is legal.
Employers have a right to know what type of people they’re hiring. New roommates have the right to check each other’s credentials.
You could also want to look into a prospective internet date or find out where an old friend is.
What is the time frame for online background checks?
There are a variety of background checks available, each with a varying turnaround time based on regulatory requirements, data source constraints, and the type of information required.
A background check can take anything from minutes to a few hours.
How much does a public record search service cost on average?
The cost of a public records search service varies based on the type of search you want.
Free public record search services are good for basic searches, whereas paid searches can range from $5 to $50 per report.
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.