Is There a Totally Free Background Check? – Find Out Now!

In a society where personal safety is a top priority, it's common for people to run background checks. Whether you're meeting someone new or moving to a different neighborhood, knowing a person’s history can provide valuable insights to help you make informed decisions.

However, professional background check services can get expensive quickly, leading many to wonder if truly free options exist. We'll explore the world of free background checks and whether it's possible to access important information without spending a dime.

What Is a Background Check?

A background check is a way to verify and gather details about a person’s personal, professional, educational, and criminal history. It’s commonly used by landlords, employers, and government agencies to determine if someone is eligible for a job, rental, or license.

These checks can cover a range of information, including criminal records, credit history, education verification, and references. Depending on the situation, additional screenings like drug tests, driving records, or social media reviews might also be included.

Is There a Totally Free Background Check Available?

While some websites claim to offer free background checks, many are unreliable or incomplete. Some sites may offer basic information for free but charge a fee for more detailed reports, while others rely on public records that may be outdated or inaccurate.

Public records like criminal history are accessible to anyone, and comprehensive background checks are time-consuming and costly to produce. 

Paid background check services like BeenVerified, PeopleLooker, or TruthFinder usually provide more detailed and accurate information by covering court costs, fees for direct criminal records checks, and access to more comprehensive databases.

Can You Get a Free Background Check?

The answer is both yes and no. If you're just looking for basic information about someone, such as their address or phone number, you may find what you need through a free online search. 

However, if you need more detailed information, such as criminal records, then you'll likely have to pay for access to that data.

Be wary of websites that claim to offer completely free background checks. While they may not charge upfront fees, they often use tricky language and unclear terms to make it seem like you're getting more than you are. In reality, they may only provide basic information that’s available through public records.

Ultimately, the best approach is to understand your needs and the limitations of free background checks. If you need comprehensive and accurate information, it may be worth investing in a professional background check service or conducting your research using public records.

How to Access Public Records Without Paying Fees?

If you're looking to learn more about someone without paying for a background check, you can turn to public records. These records are accessible to anyone and are not considered confidential.

However, keep in mind that they may not always contain all the information you're seeking. For example, in California, individuals can choose whether to keep their marriage license application and related records public or confidential.

Finding public records without paying depends on what kind of information you're searching for. Many states have online databases that allow you to access basic information about individuals for free. 

Some sites offer basic people searches without payment, and some paid background check services provide this as well. However, be aware that some free sites overpromise and underdeliver, hoping to entice you to sign up for paid services.

For example, looking up someone's criminal record for free can be more challenging. Criminal records are not always updated regularly, and there are restrictions on what information you can access, particularly for individuals without prior charges or those whose records have been expunged. 

Overall, conducting a free public record check takes some effort, and the information you gather may be limited. For a more comprehensive background check, consider a paid service or recruiting a professional.

How Much You Can Expect to Pay for a Background Check?

As previously mentioned, relying on websites that offer free background checks may not always provide sufficient information for your needs. In such cases, you may need to use a paid background check service to obtain a more comprehensive report.

The Cost of Background Checks

However, the cost of a background check can vary greatly depending on the service provider and the level of detail required. While some websites offer background checks for as low as $10, others may charge as much as $500. The quality of the information provided often corresponds to the price paid.

Moreover, the payment plans and pricing structures offered by these services can be confusing, with many different options available. Some services may offer one-time reports, monthly subscriptions, 24-hour or quarterly plans, or even charge per state you want to check for criminal records.

Additionally, the cost of a report may also depend on the scope and type of information requested.

Top 6 Background Check Sites

Identifying the top sites for conducting background checks can be a daunting task due to the wide variety of options available. Each website has its unique features, and it's essential to choose one that meets your specific requirements.

Here are some of the most widely used background check sites currently available. If you're still wondering about the cost of a background check, here are some examples below.

BeenVerified

BeenVerified is not a completely free background check website. It offers a free trial, which allows you to perform basic background checks on individuals. However, to access more detailed information, you'll need to subscribe to one of their paid plans. Their pricing varies depending on the length of your subscription and the features you need. 

PeopleLooker

PeopleLooker is a legitimate background check service, but it's not as comprehensive as some other options on the market. It’s not a completely free background check website. 

While it offers a basic search option that allows you to find information such as contact details and social media profiles, to access more detailed reports, you have to pay for a subscription. The cost of the service depends on the duration of the subscription and the level of access you want to various features. 

TruthFinder

TruthFinder is our top recommendation for a background check website. It offers a unique dark web monitoring feature that alerts you if your personal information is found on shady parts of the internet. Additionally, it has a family tree builder tool that creates a graphical representation of your family lineage.

While there are no free memberships or trials, the in-depth reports provided by TruthFinder make the cost worthwhile. However, it does provide free basic people searches that include name, age, location, and possible associates.

Intelius

Intelius is a renowned information broker in the United States, possessing a vast collection of over 20 billion public records. The website has become increasingly popular thanks to its identity protection feature and comprehensive reports.

Unfortunately, Intelius doesn't offer free online background checks. If you want to access their reports, you will need to pay a fee. 

Instant Checkmate

Instant Checkmate is a background check site with a user-friendly interface and some unique features not found on other sites. One of these features is the ability to search for inmates across the United States using just a name and last known location.

If you're looking for affordable background check services, you might be interested in their 5-day trial offer, which costs only $1. During the trial period, users can access unlimited reports. 

US Search

US Search is a popular site for people who want to verify background information or locate individuals. The site offers a range of features, including reverse phone number lookup and social network search.

Although US Search doesn’t provide free background checks, it offers affordable pricing options. 

Is There a Totally Free Background Check: Final Thoughts

Free background checks might seem like a convenient option, but they don’t always provide the most accurate or complete information.

Paid background checks, on the other hand, offer more reliable and up-to-date data, which is why they’re often preferred by individuals and organizations that need thorough verification.

If you just need a basic identity check, a free option might be enough. However, before spending money on a background check, consider what information you truly need. While quality information can come at a cost, it’s often a worthwhile investment in the long run.

DISCLAIMER: You may not use the non-FCRA approved services mentioned in this article or the information they provide to decide about consumer credit, employment, insurance, tenant screening, or any other purpose that would require FCRA compliance. These services don’t provide consumer reports and are not consumer reporting agencies. (These terms have special meanings under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, 15 USC 1681 et seq., (“FCRA”), which are incorporated herein by reference.)

The information available on our website may not be 100% accurate, complete, or up to date, so do not use it as a substitute for your own due diligence, especially if you have concerns about a person’s criminal history. The services we mention do not make any representation or warranty about the accuracy of the information available through our website or about the character or integrity of the person about whom you inquire. For more information, please review each service’s Terms of Use.