Criminal Check Online
Order A Criminal Background Check Online
Start with your state criminal history repository, then check court indexes for details; learn what you can order online and when private sites are only supplementary.
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Check Guide:
Your Starting Point
Order an online criminal background check through the correct official route
Quick Answer
- Start with the state criminal history repository; many offer online requests or name searches.
- Add court index searches to see case details and dispositions.
- Use commercial people-search sites only for leads like addresses and aliases, not official results.
- For your own record, the FBI identity history summary is a separate self-request route.
Best Starting Route
title
State criminal history repository route
best for
Ordering an official statewide criminal-history check online when available
why this is usually first
It is the core statewide source for arrests and convictions and is often the only official summary you can request in one step.
when to move on
If online public ordering is not offered, if you need more detail than a summary, or if you must check multiple states.
Official vs Private Routes
| Check Type | Best For | What It Shows | Main Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| state criminal history repository route | Official statewide criminal-history results | Reported arrests, charges, and conviction status held by the state repository | Access rules vary; some states require fingerprints, self-requests, or specific purposes |
| court index and case-search route | Viewing case-level details and recent filings | Dockets, charges, case numbers, and disposition notes from specific courts | Coverage is by court; names can match multiple people; not a statewide summary |
| FBI identity history summary route | Checking your own federal identity history | Arrest and disposition data reported to federal systems for your fingerprints | Self-request only; not a general background check on someone else |
| commercial background-check site | Fast lead generation, address history, and basic matching | Compiled public records, directory listings, and possible court references | Not an official record; may be incomplete, outdated, or misattributed |
Access Notes
- There is no single public national criminal database to order for all jurisdictions at once.
- Online name searches can return multiple people; confirm identity with date of birth or other details before relying on results.
- If a repository check is unavailable to the public, use court indexes in each state where the person lived.
How to Start Online
Start at the state level
Find the state criminal history repository for the relevant state and see if an online name-based request or account signup is offered.
Add court detail
Search that state’s court index for the name to read case entries and dispositions; note case numbers for any needed record copies.
Fill gaps
Use a people-search site to gather past addresses and aliases, then repeat official checks for each state; for self-checks, consider the FBI identity history summary.
Common Questions
Is there a single national criminal background check I can order online?
No. Public checks are done by state repositories and courts. Commercial sites compile data, but they are not an official nationwide source.
Can I order a federal criminal check on someone else?
There is no general federal criminal-history search for third parties. Rely on state repositories and court records where cases were filed.
Do I need fingerprints to order a check online?
Some states require fingerprints or self-requests for official results. If required, you can usually start online and then follow the stated submission steps.