As many of you might have heard the federal government runs really stringent background checks before hiring. CIA background checks are notoriously extensive and for good reason. But how can we the public make sure the individuals around our family and assets have been vetted.

You might not have the exact tools like the CIA but you do have access to records which are maintained by local and state government agencies. Record such as criminal records, property records, financial records like bankruptcies, police arrest records, court records, driving records, professional licenses records, and many others. These records depending on the state can be accessed for free online or you might have to stop by the local courthouse to use a special portal.

If the individual in question lived in the same county all their life this search can be a piece of cake. But unfortunately, most people move on average every five and a half years. So it's hard to pinpoint which county or state to search. This is we're a nationwide background check comes in or AKA FBI background check. This can be done directory through the state or an agency but requires a Fingerprint scan. Below we made a list of official contacts to do this for all 50 states. But just in case you're looking to do an anonymous instant online check, use the link below. Just enter the name and state and the instant scan with show you if they have anything without any commitments.

One of my favorite website for everyday background checks is freepeoplescan.com it utilizes top background check engines online and has a database of local, state, and county government background check record databases. Some of which can be accessed for free.

Even know the public doesn't have access to all the records. The freedom of information act https://www.fbi.gov/services/records-management/foipa has really empowered the individual. If a background check is needed. Whether its to check on a baby sitter, your date, anyone you're about to do a financial deal with, or just getting some dirt on someone for fun. The act and amount of records available online is simply amazing.

The short answer is yes and the long answer is well it's complicated and time-consuming. So how can it be done? The best way is to figure out what state and county you need the records from. So for this example, I'm going to use Duval County in Florida. Simply by googling a keyword phrase "Duval County Clerk of Courts Records" I'm able to quickly find the official county portal to court records (http://www2.duvalclerk.com/records/). Double check to make sure its an actual state or county page. There are hundreds of sites pretending to be the real deal. The only problem of doing this type of search is its limited to that county or state. Now in some situations its going to be enough. But it's hard to know if the individual in question had any run-ins with the law in another state or jurisdiction. So you might have to search the surrounding counties or even states. This is why I prefer to use a professional background check service when it's something important.

Well just as I mentioned above a quick search from the local court clerk's office can provide plenty of information. Free criminal background checks online can also be done using the local sheriff's office and the state correctional department. I'm going to stay with Florida for this search and quickly show a couple ways this can be done for free. If you google "Florida Corrections Inmate Search" it will pull up the official state prison portal like so http://www.dc.state.fl.us/activeinmates/search.asp and I'll try "Duval county sheriff inmate search" which brings up http://inmatesearch.jaxsheriff.org. By simply having a first and the last name you're able to quickly look up any individuals criminal records for free and instantaneously. This search can be done in almost any state and/or county. Throughout my years of working in the background check industry, I did find some counties and states that will charge a small fee but that's very rare.

There are many reasons to pull up someones driving record. Especially for employers looking to hire a driver. I would even go as far as pulling your own record to be sure there isn't anything there that shouldn't be. Most states provide a portal where this can be done. A simple way of locating your state's database is to search for. I'm using the state of Oregon for this example "State of Oregon Driving Record Request". Here's what I got http://www.oregon.gov/odot/dmv/pages/records/available.aspx. Quick tip: there are lots of sites trying to sell driving records. A quick way to figure out if its an official state source is to look for domains that end with a .gov and sometimes .us. (.gov domain are only available to state and federal agencies and can't be faked) If you look at the Oregon example you'll see that they charge a small fee of $1.50 for simple reports to $17.50 for more advanced reports. It is not exactly free but it's still going to much cheaper than going to an outside source that will pretty much give you that same report at a markup. Not all the state's will change a fee its pretty random from state to state.

1st Record Check You Need to Do on Yourself.
Are you confident in what your upcoming employer will see in your background records? Look into an FBI background check - https://www.fbi.gov/services/cjis/identity-history-summary-checks its a service provided by the government. Any individual in the USA is able to use this service on themselves to verify their background check records on a nationwide scale. When you type in the required details, the system analyzes it with government records. Advantages of doing a background check on yourself. Self Check enables you to make sure your employment qualifications data is in order. In the event that Self Check discovers a data mismatch, you should mend your records with the proper government organization. FBI Self Check is a wonderful resource for people looking for work as it offers you the opportunity to verify or correct one's own records before you meet your future hiring manager or boss.

2nd Run a Free State and/or County Background Check on Yourself?
The majority of court arrest records are in the general public record, so its possible to obtain them from regional, state, or federal agencies. Keep in mind that in several states such as California, regular residents are unable to obtain someone’s complete criminal history records. Records for a misdemeanor, felony, and criminal offense convictions are public. Court arrest reports can span multiple jurisdictions, so check every county and state you resided in. Search for an official court records website in your state or county. Simply google "your state court records" or check your local county by googling "your county clerk of courts" (Example: "Orange County Clerk of Courts")

Lots of people would like to know if it is genuinely possible to carry out free background checks with no credit card needed. Free background checks with no credit card required are a method to uncover delicate information regarding a specific individual. You are able to check out criminal, business and court records on an individual subject to what sources you're using. Best option without paying is using County and Local Court records. Seventy-five percent of civil and criminal courts offer an online catalog of past dockets. Almost eighty percent of the courts now provide an on-location general public access terminal. It's not always free but in some states, it's possible to do this totally free without a credit card.

Below you can find out which state has an online criminal background check system.

The resources below are at the statewide level and most have fees associated with the search. To find free public record resources in many cases a county level check needs to be done. This can be done by locating the Clerk of Court office website.

Alabama

Online Search - Yes for employers | Price - $95 annual | Time Frame - 4 to 6 weeks.

Url - https://www.alea.gov/sbi/criminal-justice-services/criminal-records/alabama-background-check

(The Alabama Background Check System (ABC) is a secure, web-based site that allows qualifying employers to access the most up to date, comprehensive Alabama criminal records available for current and prospective employees)

Alaska

Online Search - No (only summary is given) | Price - $20 for name search, $35 for fingerprint search, $48.25 for FBI Check | Time Frame - 5 days

Url - https://records.courts.alaska.gov/eaccess/home.page.2

(Not Published Cases: Some cases are required by statute or court rule to be removed from online public access.)

Arizona

Online Search - No | Price - $5 per name search, $22 for state | Time Frame - 7 to 10 days

Url - https://www.azdps.gov/services/public/records/criminal

(The Criminal History Records Section serves as the Central State Repository for criminal records in the state of Arizona (see Arizona Revised Statute 41-1750).)

Arkansas

Online Search - Yes for employers | Price - $95 annual and $20 per search | Time Frame - About a week for mailed in requests.

Url - https://www.ark.org/criminal/index.php

(The Official State of Arkansas Online Criminal Background Check System is provided by the Arkansas State Police in accordance with Arkansas law permitting access to certain criminal history information for authorized entities.)

California (very restrictive but individuals are able to check their own background records)

Online Search - No | Price - 0 | Time Frame -

Url - https://oag.ca.gov/

(Individuals have the right to request a copy of their own criminal history record from the Department to review for accuracy and completeness.)

Colorado

Online Search - Yes | Price - $6.25 per record (w/ prepayment of $200) | Time Frame - Instant.

Url - https://www.cbirecordscheck.com/

( CBI is a division of the Colorado Department of Public Safety and is the central repository of the criminal history arrest records for the State of Colorado only.)

Connecticut

Online Search - No | Price - $36 | Time Frame - 7 to 10 days

Url - https://portal.ct.gov/DESPP/Division-of-Emergency-Service-and-Public-Protection/Reports-and-Records/State-Police-Bureau-of-Identification

Delaware

Online Search - No | Price - $52 | Time Frame - 4 to 6 weeks

Url - https://dsp.delaware.gov/obtaining-a-certified-criminal-history/

Florida (for free background checks search by county)

Online Search - Yes | Price - $24 | Time Frame - 5 days if mailed.

Url - http://www.fdle.state.fl.us/Criminal-History-Records/Obtaining-Criminal-History-Information.aspx or https://cchinet.fdle.state.fl.us/search/app/default?0

Georgia (search needs to be done at the local law enforcement office)

Online Search - No | Price - 0 | Time Frame - 5 days

Url - https://gta.georgia.gov/georgia-felon-search

Hawaii

Online Search - Yes | Price - $5 | Time Frame - mailed in public record 3 - 5 days

Url - https://ecrim.ehawaii.gov/ahewa/

Idaho

Online Search - Yes | Price - $15 | Time Frame - Instant Online.

Url - https://iowacriminalhistory.iowa.gov/default.aspx

Illinois

Online Search - Yes | Price - $10 for a name check | Time Frame - Accounts take time to set up.

Url - https://chirp.isp.state.il.us/IdentityGuardAuth/IdentityGuardLogin.aspx

Indiana

Online Search - Yes but limited | Price - $15

Url - http://www.in.gov/ai/appfiles/isp-lch/

Iowa

Online Search - Yes | Price - $15

Url - https://iowacriminalhistory.iowa.gov/default.aspx

Kansas

Online Search - Yes | Price - $20

Url - https://www.kansas.gov/criminalhistory/

Kentucky

Online Search - No | Price - $20 for general public | Time Frame - up to 10 business days

Url - http://kentuckystatepolice.org/background-checks/

Louisiana

Online Search - Yes for authorized agencies | Price - $26

Url - https://ibc.dps.louisiana.gov/program.aspx

Maine

Online Search - Yes | Price - $21 to $35 | Time Frame - A couple of hours.

Url - https://www5.informe.org/online/pcr/

Maryland

Online Search - No | Price - $18 | Time Frame - 10 to 15 days

Url - https://www.dpscs.state.md.us/publicservs/bgchecks.shtml

Massachusetts (iCORI, a service of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the Massachusetts Department of Criminal Justice Information Services (DCJIS))

Online Search - Yes for authorized persons | Price - $25 to $50

Url - https://icori.chs.state.ma.us/icori/ext/global/landing.action?page=1&bod=1557438036569&m=presentLanding

Michigan (ICHAT)

Online Search - Yes | Price - $10

Url - https://apps.michigan.gov/

Minnesota (DPS) and (BCA)

Online Search - Yes | Price - Free

Url - https://chs.state.mn.us/

Mississippi

Online Search - No | Price - no fee but could cost $32 for reproduction

Url - https://www.dps.state.ms.us/crime-investigation/bureau-of-investigation/28808-2/

Missouri

Online Search - No | Price - $3.75 | Time Frame - Can be immediate if done in person. 10 days via mail.

Url - http://www.mshp.dps.missouri.gov/MSHPWeb/PatrolDivisions/PRD/

Montana

Online Search - Yes | Price - $20

Url - https://app.mt.gov/choprs/

Nebraska

Online Search - Yes | Price - $15

Url - https://www.nebraska.gov/apps-nsp-limited-criminal

Nevada

Online Search - Yes | Price - $20 | Employers and Authorized Companies.

Url - http://rccd.nv.gov/Services/Civil_Name_Check/

New Hampshire

Online Search - No | Price - $25 per name | Time Frame - 7 days

Url - https://www.nh.gov/safety/divisions/nhsp/jib/crimrecords/index.html

New Jersey (Doing a background check on yourself can be done via electronic live scan at an approved site)

Online Search - No | Price - $20 | Time Frame - 5 to 10 days via mail

Url - https://www.njsp.org/criminal-history-records/

New Mexico

Online Search - No | Price - $15 | Time Frame - 7 to 15 days

Url - https://www.dps.nm.gov/

New York (Search very restricted)

Online Search - No | Background Check searches must be done at the county court level.

Url - https://www.criminaljustice.ny.gov/

North Carolina (Criminal records searches very restricted)

Online Search - No

Url - https://www.ncsbi.gov/

North Dakota

Online Search - No | Price - $15 per name | Records presented onsite.

Url - https://attorneygeneral.nd.gov/public-safety/criminal-history-records

Ohio (Civilian Background Check WebCheck)

Online Search - Yes | Cost - Free

Url - https://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/Business/Services-for-Business/WebCheck/WebCheck-letter-verifier

Oklahoma (ACHS Automated Criminal History System For Agencies and Companies)

Online Search - Yes | Price - $15 | For customers who do 50 plus checks a week

Url - https://osbi.ok.gov/criminal-history/achs

Oregon

Online Search - Yes | Price - $10

Url - https://www.oregon.gov/osp/programs/cjis/Pages/CCH.aspx

Pennsylvania (Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History Patch)

Online Search - Yes | Price - $27

Url - https://epatch.state.pa.us/Home.jsp

Rhode Island

Online Search - No | Price - $5

Url - http://www.riag.ri.gov/BCI/index.php#

South Carolina (Sled Catch)

Online Search - Yes | Price - $26

Url - https://catch.sled.sc.gov/

South Dakota

Online Search - No | Price - $24 | Time Frame - 5 to 10 days

Url - https://atg.sd.gov/LawEnforcement/Identification/default.aspx

Tennessee

Online Search - Yes but not interactive | Price - $29 | Time Frame - 2 to 3 days

Url - https://tbibackgrounds.tbi.tn.gov/Toris/

Texas (Texas DPS)

Online Search - Yes | Price - $3

Url - https://records.txdps.state.tx.us/DpsWebsite/index.aspx

Utah (Records not open to public unless someone wants to check their own records)

Online Search - No

Url - https://bci.utah.gov/

Vermont (VCCRIS)

Online Search - Yes | Price - $30

Url - https://secure.vermont.gov/DPS/criminalrecords/

Virginia (NCJI System)

Online Search - Yes | Price - $15 to $20

Url - http://www.vsp.virginia.gov/CJIS_NCJI.shtm

Washington (WSP)

Online Search - Yes | Price - $12

Url - https://fortress.wa.gov/wsp/watch/

West Virginia (WV State Police Criminal Records Section)

Online Search - No | Price - $28.85

Url - http://www.wvsp.gov/Pages/default.aspx

Wisconsin (WORCS)

Online Search - Yes | Price - $7

Url - https://recordcheck.doj.wi.gov/

Wyoming

Online Search - No | Price - $15 | Time Frame - 2 to 4 weeks by mail

Url - http://wyomingdci.wyo.gov/

FBI background records can be fun and historic. They have a public vault https://vault.fbi.gov/search now this vault isn't like your typical criminal background check. Some of these records are open now but used to be part of very important cases and some have lots of historical significance. But there are also lots of newer records that the FBI decided to make available to the public. The categories to search are many. I won't go through them all. You can see for yourself by doing direct https://vault.fbi.gov/. It's a pretty cool site for doing research papers, finding conspiracy's, or just reading for fun. Just don't expect to find anything revealing in terms of current FBI cases. I've seen some records that were recently released that date back more than 50 years. So who knows exactly what process they use to release these records. Just know this going and FBI and a CIA type background check is not in the cards for most people. Stick to what's available and In most cases it's going to be enough.