A background check is part of everyday life.
If you want to apply for a new credit card, someone is going to pull a credit report to decide if you’re eligible for a new credit card.
New apartment?
Tenant screening requires looking at public records and any criminal justice agency applicable to ensure that there are no felonies hiding in your background, nor any evictions.
Here’s what you need to know about those background checks, both free and paid, along with what information you can get on other people.
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Is There a Truly Free Background Check Without Paying?
If knowledge is power, as the old saying goes, then it makes sense to want as much power for yourself as possible.
Not only should you know what information exists about your personal life online, but you should also know how to access it.
A background check is not just for fun; these records are out there for other people to not only find, but use that information positively, as well as negatively.
In other words, it’s time to know what’s really inside a background check.
You can get a free background check on yourself as well as other people.
A free background check isn’t too good to be true.
It’s a key tool in your professional life, your personal life, and your social life.
Most Common States for Background Check Requests
Background check requests are common in all 50 states, but some states definitely lead the way compared to others.
For gun background checks, the statistics are very interesting.
Background checks for firearms requests skyrocketed in early 2021 due to concerns over the ongoing pandemic in New Jersey, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire.
However, other common states for background check requests include Florida, Illinois, and Georgia.
Given the total populations of these three states, it makes a lot of sense that background requests are pretty common.
Free Background Check in Florida
You can get a free background check in Florida simply by going online.
Information is free; the background check sites are simply looking for public records within the state of Florida.
Common information would include not just your name, but addresses, phone numbers, and others that are related to you.
You can check to see if someone is a sex offender or has a record for violent crimes. Court records are also great searches.
What if you meet someone new, and you want to see if they’re married?
Those records are public.
Free Background Check in Illinois
A background check in Illinois is not only typical, but you can do it for yourself.
If you’re in the state of Illinois, you may find comfort in knowing that others can’t just initiate a background check for employment without a few conditions.
There has to be a conditional offer of employment or a qualified interview before a background check request is granted.
This is designed to protect those with criminal records from being discriminated against.
Employers have to tread lightly and be aware of privacy laws.
Free Background Check in Georgia
Living in the land of peaches and looking to see what information is floating out there about you?
You can get a free background check in Georgia.
TruePeopleSearch is a great site for those looking up their information in Georgia.
It gives some information for free; more detailed information will come with a fee.
How Can I Get a Free Background Check on Somebody?
In some scenarios, you’re just trying to find out more information on somebody before you get to know them better.
That’s perfectly normal and very understandable in the digital age.
To get a free background check on somebody, you just have to go online.
We recommend Spokeo for getting quick and easy information.
Spokeo has a lot of free information, but they do offer some information at a premium.
You can use the free information to refine your target results.
Sometimes multiple pieces of information will come up for people that all have the same name.
If you’re going to have to pay money in the future, you want to know exactly whose information you’re getting.
How to Get a Free Criminal Background Check
Here’s the truth: you aren’t going to be able to get a free criminal background check.
You can get a low-cost background check, but a completely free search may not apply to your area.
Here’s the problem: a criminal background check is based on not just one database but several.
You will need to check county and state records.
Some counties make this information completely available for free, and others will require a small fee to access the information in full.
Is There a Free App for Background Checks?
Thankfully there’s a free app for background checks, where you can get real information on yourself and other people.
Of course, it’s going to be based on what’s already out there, and not all of the information is up to date.
Truthfinder has an app to let you conduct background check requests on yourself as well as other people.
Instant Checkmate is also a great site for this information, and they also have an app.
Keep in mind, however, that you won’t be able to see someone’s driving record, as that information often requires having a reason to see their driving history.
This exact policy will vary according to location.
Even though you won’t be able to see someone’s driving history, you can see if any traffic violations have been logged in court records.
How to Get a Free Printable Background Check
It’s easier to get a free printable background check if you’re using a website compared to an app, as they often have a quick way to turn the report requested into a PDF.
These are files that are printable and fixed; the formatting is perfectly preserved no matter how many times you print it.
7-Day Free Trial Background Check
If you know that you have many people that you want to look up, it’s time to think about the 7-day trial background check sites.
These are sites that generally charge a monthly fee, but they offer a trial to let you check out the site.
It’s better to have a plan to use the 7-day free trial to your advantage.
For example, do you have multiple records to search for?
Each record for a person will tell you more information.
What is the Best Free Background Check App?
In a way, asking for the best free background check is like asking someone which child is their favorite.
Each child has their own personality, and the same can be applied to background checking apps.
Some apps give a great deal of information, while others aren’t nearly as accessible when trying to find out if there’s a public record for someone or not.
Remember that some people will come up without much information.
Be sure to double-check their information while you’re using any background search service.
Types of Background Check Forms
If you want to get specific information on someone, you need to get their consent first.
This is the case if you’re doing an employment history check and you have to speak to their former employers.
If you’re trying to directly contact the state police, this is also required.
Most of the online background check sites will warn that you cannot use the information for anything that is protected under the FCRA (Fair Credit Reporting Act).
The FCRA is very strict in how information can be used in terms of employment, including credit information.
Pre-Employment Background Check Form
A pre-employment background check form is designed to make it easy for someone to give you permission to reach out to their employers and also to access other data sources.
Pre Employment Background Check Format
For most background check services, the format will include notations on any criminal record, any public record of interest, arrest records, court records, and more.
If someone has been on the sex offender registry, this will show up as well.
Potential employees have the right to see a copy of their report, especially if the information contained within leads to them not getting the job.
If a credit report is pulled along with the background check, they have a right under the FCRA to get a copy of their credit report.
Background Check Authorization Form
Authorizing a background check is something that is voluntary but necessary when you’re trying to rent a house.
Landlords take tenant screening very seriously because you will be directly using their property and controlling it for the entire length of your lease.
Since the background search will require looking through multiple records, there is a fee associated with tenant screening.
Background Check Authorization Form Format
The background check service will have a form for you to fill out.
This will include not just your name but your address, your social security number, and your date of birth.
Free background checks are fine for cursory information, but companies trying to get confirmed information will need to do more than that.
Background Check Form Templates
If you’re trying to get information on someone and you need to take it to the next level, you will have to get their consent to get more information.
If you’re trying to do a criminal history record check, you can often do this with just their name and which county and state the incident occurred in.
Microsoft Word Background Check Template
Here’s some good news: a background check template doesn’t have to be fancy.
In fact, it can be a Microsoft Word document with the background information.
The important point here is that a background check template includes not just the requested information but a signature from the other party consenting to the search.
Background Check Authorization Form Template
Authorization form templates can vary depending on your specific needs, but a good template can save you time and a headache.
If you’re trying to do a credit check, you’ll need to get an authorization form first.
Wrapping Up
A background check should be used as one of many tools to get more information on a person.
A record doesn’t mean that someone is a bad person.
You just have to view the information against your observations on the people in question.
Getting your own data also gives you the power to know what’s out there so you can work on correcting information that’s out of date.
If you want to get real criminal history records on someone or just see what’s out there for yourself, there’s no time like today to get started.
