Sometimes, it\u2019s important to know how to do a background check on someone without them knowing. Whether a person wants to check the criminal history of a new coach, a youth pastor at a church, or a potential nanny, conducting a background check can provide peace of mind that the person is trustworthy.<\/p>\n
Finding public records on someone isn\u2019t impossible, and when done for personal (not professional) reasons, it doesn\u2019t require permission. But before using background check services to search for criminal convictions, job history, driving reports or credit information, users should know that there are many different types of background checks that can be performed, and there are some things to understand to avoid legal violations.1<\/sup><\/p>\n All official background checks, such as those used for employment, residency, adoption or firearms purchases, require the consent of the person being searched. However, most of the information gathered in a background check report is all part of the public record. So, when conducted for personal reasons, anyone can learn how to do a background check on someone without them knowing and gain access to the same criminal history data,<\/strong> when done correctly.<\/p>\n In most cases, it is very simple for an individual to gather background information on someone without getting consent. To be on the safe side, everyone should know the necessary steps required to delve a little deeper into someone\u2019s past, especially if the person is close to any loved ones.<\/p>\n Identity verification is part of life, but when learning how to do a background check on someone without them knowing, it can be tricky. During an official background check, the process is much easier because the person has likely provided a government issued identification card (driver\u2019s license, green card, visa, etc.) and employers and other institutions can simply perform a social security number verification check, or access official databases to verify the ID is correct.<\/p>\n However, when doing a personal background check, there are a few steps involved:<\/p>\n There are a number of public record databases that can be searched to find a person\u2019s middle name, date of birth, and address. Reverse lookup options for online background check reports can help, but it\u2019s usually more accurate to search the partial name within the county where they live, using the comptroller\u2019s office or county clerk\u2019s office rather than using a free online background agency to find someone\u2019s middle name. A free background check company isn\u2019t always the most reliable for accuracy of the results.<\/p>\n For example, search Los Angeles County Clerk and choose the \u201c.gov\u201d link:<\/p>\n In this case, follow the link to the Clerk\u2019s office website and choose \u201creal estate\u201d or \u2018marriage\u2019 records:<\/p>\n Complete the records request as outlined.<\/p>\n This method only works if the person being searched is a property owner or married, but there are other resources available that don\u2019t depend on specific ownership or activity.<\/p>\n Probably one of the fastest ways to verify someone\u2019s identity is to check online. People post all sorts of personal information to public social media profiles, and searching the name in any search engine will likely provide a number of potentials.<\/p>\n The benefit of using online resources is that the background ID check can ensure that the person being checked is the same individual, hopefully with pictures and other confirmation.<\/p>\n Once the identity, address, date of birth and more is found and verified, criminal records can be checked and other background checks can be performed.<\/p>\n The FBI provides nationwide criminal history checks using the Criminal Justice Information System, but the request requires fingerprints. That doesn\u2019t mean that a person\u2019s criminal history can\u2019t be checked without them knowing, it just means that the process will take more time.<\/p>\n Typically, the best place to find criminal records is at the local level, either the state police database or the state Court Clerk\u2019s office<\/strong>. Both options provide access to criminal records, which are considered public unless the conviction has been expunged or sealed.<\/p>\n Follow these steps to know how to do a background check on someone without them knowing:<\/p>\n Sometimes, both sites aren\u2019t needed to complete the criminal records search, but it can be a good idea to use both, since the state court clerk may not have the latest arrest information, which a local law enforcement agency (like the county or city) likely will.<\/p>\n For example, search \u201cIllinois State Police\u201d and choose the official website link. Although all states will be different, Illinois offers \u201cquick links\u201d for criminal history searches, including sex offender registries:<\/p>\n Follow the link for criminal history services, and open the PDF \u201cBackground Check Guide.\u201d<\/p>\n In this case, the process requires fingerprints, so instead, go back to the browser and search the Illinois Court Clerk.<\/p>\n A quick look through the site shows that to find criminal history and court documents by name in Illinois, searchers need to use the county court clerk option.<\/p>\n For example, search Cook County Clerk of Courts:<\/p>\n Bingo. Now, simply enter name information and see results.<\/p>\n If this doesn\u2019t yield results, also check the law enforcement site for Cook County (usually county\u2019s are run by the sheriff\u2019s office, while cities are run by police departments).<\/p>\n Once on the site, the following online services are available to search, using name information:<\/p>\n As a final option for finding criminal records, users can pay a service to conduct a background check on someone else, but steer clear of \u2018free\u2019 offers, which generally don\u2019t offer the latest records and data.<\/p>\n Credit background checks can help employers reduce the risk of fraudulent individuals being hired by an organization. Especially for roles where a person will be in charge of confidential or sensitive information from clients, a detailed vetting strategy is required.<\/p>\n However, this cannot be done without a person\u2019s consent, because it requires sensitive personal information, such as social security numbers and more.<\/p>\n A Motor Vehicles Report (MVR) is also considered public record, and can be requested by anyone, in most states, but there is not national database available.<\/p>\n Keep in mind that always checking the laws pertaining to personal information searches is a good idea, to avoid liability. Moreover, it is illegal to use public records to commit crimes, like stalking, harassment, and other violations.<\/p>\n The MVR report check shows the person\u2019s driving history, license, past license statuses, vehicular crimes, traffic citations, unpaid summons and other information.<\/p>\n The result will return an official state site, somewhere near the top, and this is usually the Secretary of State\u2019s (SoS) office, Department of Motor Vehicles, or other \u201c.gov\u201d domain.<\/p>\n For example, the result for Illinois MVR reports, provides a link to the SoS\u2019s office, driving abstract, with instructions for requesting the record.<\/p>\n Note: In many cases the request will require the Driver\u2019s License number. Without the license number, many state\u2019s won\u2019t deliver the result, but there are some that will.<\/p>\n This type of background check can be particularly useful when checking the safety record of a person who might be driving loved ones around.<\/p>\n Remember, none of these processes should not be used for professional reasons without consent. In other words, when performing a nanny background check, make sure to obtain written authorization before running any criminal history or driving record searches.<\/p>\n While the process for obtaining official education records does require consent, there are many ways to verify professional licenses and education without formally requesting them.<\/p>\n LinkedIn (if the account has been verified) can be a great resource to use for initial background checks.<\/p>\n To get further confirmation, visit the school\u2019s (or Schools listed) alumni list or admissions and records office and search for the person\u2019s name.<\/p>\n Some things to find out if possible:<\/p>\n Fingerprint background checks require consent because the process to submit fingerprints to the FBI is very detailed and specific.<\/p>\n How To Steps:<\/p>\n Because of the process involved, FBI criminal data cannot be accessed without the person knowing.<\/p>\n The e-verify electronic background check provides information about a person\u2019s legal ability to work in the United States. It can be performed without consent, without the information found on the IRS I-9 form.<\/p>\n How To Steps: Consent NOT Required<\/p>\n Note: A Social security number is required in step 3.<\/p>\n The National Sex Offender Registry and subsequent state-based sex offender registries can be checked very quickly and easily, using a person\u2019s name, and sometimes, address.<\/p>\n This national database is free to use for anyone.<\/p>\n The options allow users to check a specific name or to search for sex offenders in their area. This feature can be particularly helpful for searching new locations for residency, school safety, and more. In addition to the national database, each state has it\u2019s own offender\u2019s registry.<\/p>\n These search options make this one of the fastest background checks anyone can perform on another person without their consent.<\/p>\n Some states also have the option to enter a specific address (unlike the national site which only searches by radius). This is an advantage if the address is known.<\/p>\n Make sure to verify any offenders who appear in the results page, using their mugshot, which is included on the national site and many state registries. When conducting a background check, this search can also provide additional information about incarceration and probation status, depending on when the crime occurred.<\/p>\n The answer to whether someone can run a background check on another person without them knowing is yes. But the level of information available using manual methods can be time consuming and if a nationwide check is required, can end up costing a good amount of money in individual records request fees.<\/p>\n This deters many individuals from performing the check themselves. However, there are a number of reputable background check agencies that will search national databases, check for arrests and criminal records, and find personal information for a lump sum. These sorts of checks usually cost from $20-$50 each, but researching the company first can help prevent wasted time and money.<\/p>\n Regarding a background check, the necessity of consent depends on the types of background checks and the methods used.2<\/sup> However, for the most part, all background checks conducted by employers or organizations require user consent. In fact, any check performed for official (or professional) reasons requires approval from the person being checked.<\/p>\n The following provides a quick break down:<\/p>\n In some instances, employers and organizations can conduct a specific type of background check on a future employee or current employee without their consent<\/em>, such as a pre-employment check, but this is rare, and depends on specific state law.<\/p>\n Although the majority of checks require consent, certified organizations, government institutions, or private individuals may have more leeway when it comes to consent for all types of background checks.<\/p>\n Doing a personal background check on another person does not break any laws, as long as the check is being used for personal reasons, and the information won\u2019t be utilized to harass or harm someone else. In some instances, it can be helpful to learn how to do a background check on someone without them knowing.5<\/sup> Just a few reasons include:<\/p>\n Regarding the credit check, the Fair Credit Reporting Act regulates the limit of credit checks and limits who is legally authorized to check credit histories.6<\/sup><\/p>\n However, certain situations do not require permission for credit checks, such as instances related to a grand jury subpoena, child support determination, insurance transaction, or some credit transactions. However, these special conditions don\u2019t apply to a private inquiry on another person and are typically carried out by law enforcement agencies or the courts.<\/p>\n There is no way to tell whether or not someone is performing a personal background check on another.<\/p>\n But, finding out what a person can \u2013 and cannot \u2013 find out without permission is the best way to be prepared. To do so, conduct a personal background check on yourself.<\/p>\n If an organization conducts a background check on someone without their permission, this is illegal. If this occurs, the person being checked should consider consulting an attorney who specializes in criminal background checks and employment checks.<\/p>\n Individuals also have the right to challenge incorrect information or criminal history data that should have been removed from the public record.<\/p>\n Lastly, organizations that conduct a background check that is then used to terminate employment or reject an application are legally required to tell the individual and provide a summary of rights.<\/p>\n In most instances, criminal court records are publicly accessible \u2013 meaning anyone can look up a person\u2019s name and view their record and the person checked is not notified.7<\/sup> However, sealed records and record holders keep certain records confidential from the general public.<\/p>\n In either case, the person being checked will not know that their information has been searched.<\/p>\n There are a number of ways for how to do a background check on someone without them knowing, like a boyfriend. Follow the steps outlined above and also try the following methods:<\/p>\n There are dozens of websites, search engines, and databases that can provide personal information on someone, especially if that person has more than one social media profile.<\/p>\n By searching a person\u2019s name, search engine results will also provide news stories, and other instances, which can indicate previous incidents with the law, and more.<\/p>\n Public records searches are also a good option, since it\u2019s likely the basic information (name, date of birth, address, etc.) about the boyfriend or girlfriend is known.<\/p>\n Public records include criminal reports, arrest records, outstanding warrants, pending charges, dismissed or dropped charges, tax liens, police reports, convictions, and court records. These can all be searched manually, state by state, or a professional service can be used to check them all at once.<\/p>\n All official background checks require consent to avoid any legal issues and lawsuits, except in very rare cases when conducted by law enforcement and other governmental entities. However, individuals can learn how to do a background check on someone without them knowing and avoid any repercussions by using the public records options available or a reputable background check service.<\/p>\n XXXXX<\/p>\n Whether you are hiring a new employee to flesh out your team or simply want to know more about the person who just moved in next door, you may wonder how to do a background check. <\/p>\n In professional and personal contexts alike, looking into criminal history, past employment, and other elements of a person\u2019s past can offer peace of mind and deeper understanding. However, if you plan to conduct a background screening on someone, it\u2019s important to know the legal implications of that decision, among other potential complicating factors. In this post, we will explore how to conduct background checks in a smart, legally compliant way.<\/p>\n The first question is the most obvious one: Can you go searching into someone else\u2019s past?<\/p>\n In the simplest terms, the answer is yes; you can run a background check on anyone. If you have a person\u2019s name, it is possible to look into their history, check their criminal record, find details about their driving record, and more. However, an important caveat here is that there could be legal implications to running a background check on someone without their consent. <\/p>\n <strong>How to Do Background Checks in a Professional Setting<\/strong><\/p>\n The most important question to ask yourself before running a background check concerns the purpose behind the check. Are you conducting a background check in a professional setting? Perhaps you are screening a job candidate you want to hire for your business. Alternatively, maybe you are a landlord who wants to vet potential tenants before you approve or deny their applications.<\/p>\n In either of these situations, you plan to use a person\u2019s background check information to make important decisions about them and their future. Numerous laws dictate what you can and can\u2019t do in this setting. Crucially, you must obtain the consent of the person you are vetting before you move forward with the background check. Otherwise, you are failing to comply with the law. You are also disrespecting the legally-protected rights of a prospective employee or tenant. <\/p>\n Breaches of compliance on this level can lead to legal action. For instance, employers must comply with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) when conducting background checks for employment purposes. The FCRA has several detailed steps and policies that employers must follow. These requirements concern everything from the consent form to the process an employer should use to notify a candidate about an adverse hiring decision.<\/p>\n Ultimately, you<span> <\/span><em>can<\/em><span> <\/span>run a background check on anyone in a professional setting. In fact, employers, landlords, and other decision-makers are obliged to screen candidates to protect themselves legally. If an employer hires a candidate with a violent history and that person ends up hurting a coworker or customer, the employer can be held liable and sued for negligent hiring. Not running a background check usually poses a more significant legal risk for an employer than running one. <\/p>\n However, employers can also face legal blowback if they don\u2019t follow proper protocol to ensure FCRA compliant process. Said another way, you are only allowed to run background checks in a professional setting if you have gone through the proper channels to disclose your intentions and obtain authorization. <\/p>\n The FCRA, along with other background check-related legislation, can be complex and difficult to understand at first. The good news is that learning the ropes is possible, especially with the guidance of a legal professional. Most employers use background checks to screen all new hires, and the majority never run into any legal issues related to their checks. That\u2019s because these employers are extremely careful about following the FCRA to the letter, as failing to do so can be an extremely costly mistake. Your business can learn the rules and guidelines too, and establish smart policies that protect you from negligence without risking lapses in compliance.<\/p>\n <strong>How to Do Background Checks in a Personal Setting<\/strong><\/p>\n Vetting prospective employees has become one of the most popular applications for background checks. Not all background checks occur in the employment setting, though, or even in a professional setting. If you wish to<span> <\/span>run a background check on someone for personal reasons, it\u2019s entirely different from screening a potential tenant or job applicant. <\/p>\n Here are a few potential background check scenarios that fall more on the personal side of the spectrum: The answer is complicated. Criminal history information (and most other information that background checks find) is public record. You can sometimes find this information just by doing a Google search of a person\u2019s name. If you don\u2019t need to consent to Google someone or look them up on social media, do you need consent to order a more formal check through a background check service?<\/p>\n If you want to run a name-based background check on a significant other, a neighbor, or someone else for purposes relevant exclusively to a personal relationship, you can do so without consent. If there is any element of an employer-employee relationship at play, you need written permission from the person you are vetting. <\/p>\n Hiring a babysitter to watch your kids might be a less formal process than hiring someone for a full-time job at your business. However, you are still technically serving as the \u201cemployer\u201d for the person you choose to hire for this role. As such, it\u2019s always wisest to get consent. The same rule applies to anyone you hire to provide a service for you and your family \u2014 from housekeepers to investment brokers to realtors. It is always better to be safe than sorry for FCRA compliance.<\/p>\n <strong>People Also Ask:<\/strong> Sometimes, it\u2019s important to know how to do a background check on someone without them knowing. Whether a person wants to check the criminal history of a new coach, a youth pastor at a church, or a potential nanny, conducting a background check can provide peace of mind that the person is trustworthy.Finding public records<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[75],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\nHow To Find Personal Records: Follow These Steps<\/h2>\n
Identity (ID) Verification Background Check<\/h2>\n
Step 1. Find the person\u2019s full name (including middle name) and address.<\/h3>\n
Step 2. Check social media accounts.<\/h3>\n
Step 3. Explore social media profiles and gather additional information.<\/h3>\n
Criminal History Background Check Process<\/h2>\n
Step 1. Visit the state\u2019s law enforcement and court clerk\u2019s website.<\/h3>\n
Step 2. Use County police and Court Clerk options.<\/h3>\n
\n
Credit Background Checks<\/h2>\n
How To Steps: Consent Required<\/h3>\n
\n
Background Check for MVR Reports<\/h2>\n
Step 1. Search \u201c[State Name] MVR Search\u201d in any browser.<\/h3>\n
Step 2. Follow the steps outlined for requesting another person\u2019s MVR report.<\/h3>\n
Step 3. Pay the stated fee and wait for the processing of the report.<\/h3>\n
Professional License And Education Background Checks<\/h2>\n
\n
Fingerprint Background Checks<\/h2>\n
\n
E-verify Background Checks<\/h3>\n
\n
Sex Offender Registry Check<\/h2>\n
Step 1. Navigate online to the National Sex Offender\u2019s Registry website.<\/h3>\n
Step 2. Search the database using name or location information.<\/h3>\n
Step 3. Search \u201c[State Name] Sex offender registry, using a online search engine.<\/h3>\n
Step 4. Choose the official state site and enter the name search.<\/h3>\n
Can You Run a Background Check On Someone Without Them Knowing?<\/h2>\n
Does An Employer Need Consent For A Background Check?<\/h2>\n
\n
Is It Illegal To Run a Criminal Background Check on Someone Without Consent?<\/h2>\n
Personal Background Checks On Another Person<\/h3>\n
\n
What About Credit Checks?<\/h3>\n
Can You Tell If Someone Is Doing an Information Check On You?<\/h2>\n
Know Your Rights about Illegal Background Checks<\/h3>\n
Will Someone Know If You Look Up Their Address And Arrest History?<\/h2>\n
How To Run A Background Check On Someone Free\u2026Like Run A Background Report On My Boyfriend?<\/h2>\n
Research Online<\/h3>\n
Public Records<\/h3>\n
Can I Run A Background Check Without Consent? It\u2019s More Complicated Than You Think<\/h2>\n
Can You Run a Background Check on Another Person?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\n<ul type=”disc”>
\n<li><strong>Personal relationships:<\/strong><span> <\/span>Perhaps you met someone online or via a dating app, and you want to know more about them. You are considering starting a personal relationship with this person, but want to make you can trust the person first. In this scenario, you might run a background check on your would-be significant other to make sure they are who they say they are.<\/li>
\n<li><strong>Babysitting:<\/strong><span> <\/span>You are looking for a babysitter who can care for your children after school or in the evenings. No one you know personally can take on the responsibility, which means you need to hire someone you don\u2019t know. You might run a background check in this situation to look for potential red flags. You want to have peace of mind that your children are in good hands, and a background check can give it to you.<\/li>
\n<li><strong>Curiosity:<\/strong><span> <\/span>You recently moved into a new neighborhood and have noticed some suspicious people hanging around the neighbor\u2019s house. You think the neighbor might be involved in some sort of criminal operation, but you aren\u2019t sure how to find out for sure. In this situation, you might be interested in running a background check on your neighbor to see what you can learn about them and their history.<\/li>
\n<li><strong>Self-checks:<\/strong><span> <\/span>You are preparing for a job interview and want to know precisely what an employer will see when they run a criminal search on you. As a precaution, you run a<span> <\/span>background check on yourself to make sure your record looks the way it should.<\/li>
\n<\/ul>
\nThe rules around these types of background checks are less understood and typically less enforced than the rules around<span> <\/span>professional setting background checks. When an employer runs a background check on you, they know they need to obtain your consent to avoid problems with compliance. If you asked the average person whether applicant consent was necessary for an employment screening, they would say yes. Answers would probably vary more if you asked someone about background checks for babysitters or significant others. Do you need consent if you want to run one of these checks?<\/p>\n
\n<ul>
\n<li><strong>How do you get a background check as a private citizen? <\/strong>Most of the checks we offer at Blinkx are geared toward employers or other entities operating in professional capacities. However, we also provide a background check service<span> <\/span>through a partnership with PeopleFinders<span> <\/span>that private citizens can use to gather information about neighbors, significant others, friends, or other personal acquaintances. <\/li>
\n<li><strong>How long does a law enforcement background check take? <\/strong>Many criminal background checks involve going directly to a law enforcement source\u2014be it a county court or a state police repository. These searches typically take several days, though the wait time can vary depending on the law enforcement agency or jurisdiction.<\/li>
\n<li><strong>How to do an anonymous background check for criminal records? <\/strong>A personal background check, such as the PeopleFinders one described above, can be done \u201canonymously\u201d in that the subject of the background check won\u2019t be notified. If you are vetting someone in a professional capacity, it is illegal to do so without informing the person about the background check.<\/li>
\n<li><strong>How to Get a Self-Background Check? <\/strong>We offer<span> <\/span>a dedicated service<span> <\/span>to help customers run criminal history searches on themselves. <\/li>
\n<li><strong>How do I do an employment background check? <\/strong>Employment background checks require compliance with a variety of laws. In addition to the FCRA and guidance from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), employers must be aware of any local or state laws that may apply. For instance, many jurisdictions now have \u201cban the box\u201d laws, which prohibit questions about criminal history on the job application and often delay the background check until later in the hiring process. Make sure you know any relevant laws and ordinances before conducting an employment background check.<\/li>
\n<li><strong>What kind of credit check do employers run? <\/strong>Employers use various background checks to vet candidates, including criminal history searches, verifications for past employment and education, reference checks, and more.<\/li>
\n<li><strong>Can employers go back on your criminal background forever? <\/strong>Most states have laws limiting the criminal background check lookback period to the past seven years.<\/li>
\n<\/ul>
\n<\/div><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"