Official
Police & jail
NSOPW, National Sex Offender Public Website
Search every state, territory and tribal sex offender registry at once, run by the DOJ.
Open official site NSOPW, National Sex Offender Public WebsiteGuide
What this guide covers
How to run a free background check yourself. Learn how to use public records, court records, criminal databases and other official sources to research a person at no cost. Every resource below links to a government site or to one of our state by state directories, and none needs a paid subscription.
Guide
Free Background Check Resources
The four federal searches (NSOPW, the BOP inmate locator, PACER and the OFAC sanctions list) are the cards under Official sources in this guide. The list below covers your own FBI record and the state and county records.
- FBI Identity History SummaryYour own fingerprint based FBI record, $18
- State Criminal Record RepositoriesOfficial state criminal history searches
- State Court Records DirectoryCounty and state court case searches
- State Inmate SearchState corrections department locators
- Sex Offender Registries by StateEach state registry
- Arrest Records DirectoryArrest record sources by state
- DMV and Driving RecordsState motor vehicle and driving history
Guide
How to Conduct a Free Background Check: Step-by-Step
Follow these steps to build a fuller picture using only free, official sources.
Step 1: Start with State Criminal Records
Most states maintain a free or low-cost criminal records repository through their state police or Department of Public Safety. Search your target state using our State Criminal Records Directory.
Step 2: Check County Court Records
County courts are where most criminal cases are filed. Many counties offer free online case search portals. Use our Court Records Directory to find the right county court system.
Step 3: Search Federal Court Records (PACER)
The PACER system provides access to federal criminal cases, civil lawsuits, and bankruptcy filings. Registration is free, and fees are waived for usage under $30 per quarter.
Step 4: Check Sex Offender Registries
The NSOPW searches every state, territory and tribal registry at once. Individual state registries may have more detailed information.
Step 5: Search Inmate and Corrections Records
The Federal BOP Inmate Locator covers all federal inmates from 1982 to present. Check our State Inmate Search Directory for state-level searches.
Step 6: Verify Identity with Public Records
Cross-reference findings using property records, voter registration databases, and vital records. These help confirm identity and uncover address history.
Important: No single database contains every record. A thorough free background check requires searching multiple sources across different jurisdictions.
Guide
Free vs. Paid Background Checks
| Feature | Free (DIY) | Paid Service |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | $0 (PACER waived under $30/qtr) | $20 to $100+ per report |
| Turnaround | 1 to 4 hours of manual searching | Minutes to 3 business days |
| Coverage | Depends on states/counties checked | Multi-state, multi-county bundled |
| FCRA compliant | Not applicable (personal use) | Yes (through CRAs) |
| Best for | Personal due diligence, self-checks | Employment, housing, lending |
Legal note: Free background checks are for personal information purposes only. Employment, housing, or credit decisions require FCRA-compliant reports. See our Background Check Help page for details.
Start here
Official sources in this guide
Every card below goes to a government site named in this guide. Use the category buttons to narrow the list.
Official
Police & jail
BOP Federal Inmate Locator
Find people held in federal prison since 1982 by name or register number.
Open official site BOP Federal Inmate Locator
Official
Court records
PACER, Federal Court Records
How to search federal criminal, civil and bankruptcy cases in PACER, the courts' system.
Open official site PACER, Federal Court Records
Official
Federal record
OFAC Sanctions List Search
Treasury search of the sanctions lists, including Specially Designated Nationals, by name.
Open official site OFAC Sanctions List SearchNothing in this category on this page.
Straight answers
Questions about free background checks
Open only the answer you need.
Can I run a background check on someone for free?
Yes. Most state criminal record repositories, county court websites, the National Sex Offender Public Website (NSOPW), and the federal Bureau of Prisons inmate locator are free to search. Federal court records through PACER are also effectively free for light use (fees waived under $30 per quarter).
What is a thorough free background check?
There is no single free database that covers everything. The most thorough free approach combines state criminal repositories, county court records, the NSOPW sex offender registry, PACER for federal cases, and the BOP inmate locator.
Is it legal to run a background check on someone?
Searching public records is legal for anyone. Using the results of a consumer reporting agency's report for a job, housing, credit or insurance decision is regulated by the FCRA: a job decision needs the person's written permission first, and any denial based on the report needs an adverse action notice. There is no federal license for consumer reporting agencies.
How do I check my own criminal background?
Search your name in criminal record repositories for every state where you have lived. For a national check, submit fingerprints to the FBI for an Identity History Summary ($18). Also check county courts, NSOPW, and your credit reports at AnnualCreditReport.com.
How far back do free background checks go?
Criminal convictions typically remain on record permanently. For FCRA-regulated employment checks, non-conviction records generally cannot be reported beyond 7 years for positions paying under $75,000. Convictions have no federal reporting time limit.
What won't show up in a free background check?
Free searches typically will not include: sealed or expunged records, juvenile records, records from states/counties you didn't search, military disciplinary records, private employer records, medical records, or foreign jurisdiction records.
All states
Background Checks by state
Every state page lists that state's official background check sources, each opened and verified.
AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyoming