The "gold standard" of criminal record searches is the county search, especially when conducted by a field network of tested and experienced court record retrievers. County court criminal records (felonies and misdemeanors) accessed directly from the court. This is a Real search of actual court data and meets FCRA requirements for being current, and may be used (by certified users) for pre-employment and tenant screening, as well as other legitimate business purposes. Available in more than 3,000 counties (none in New York). All professional background screening companies utilize county searches for criminal record searches.

MINIMUM INPUT: Name and date of birth. Helpful: Middle initial and address

TURNAROUND TIME: As listed, except in very remote counties or counties where there are “clerk delays” (approximately 10% of counties have these unavoidable delays where only the clerks of the court can pull files). As of Spring, 2013, California is particularly slow and difficult to obtain cases from.

COST: In approximately 15% of counties there are additional mandatory court-access fees which we must pass through at cost to our customers. A detailed listing of these fees is available upon request. Volume discounts apply for qualified customers.

The second most accurate search that can be conducted. Real-time and near real-time searches through the Administrative Office or the Courts, or similar state governmental repository. Currently available in 19 states, with varying prices depending on state. On the web order form, the dropdown box will display the available states and prices. A separate report can also be viewed here here.

MINIMUM INPUT: Name and date of birth. Helpful: Middle initial and address

TURNAROUND TIME: As listed.

COST: Most available states range from $8-$13, with a few higher. New York is at the extreme end, due to a $65 mandatory OCA fee. A detailed listing of statewide prices is available upon request. Volume discounts apply for qualified customers.

Available in any of 50 states, this is a subset of the nationwide criminal record search (helpful for common names, when there are too many name matches on a nationwide search). These records are updated monthly, but are not FCRA-compliant for employment purposes. A detailed list of contributing sources can be found here.

MINIMUM INPUT: Name. Unless the name is very uncommon, it is highly recommended that a date of birth be provided, along with a Middle initial and address where possible.

TURNAROUND TIME: As listed. (Except for very common names which can run longer).

COST: Most available states range from $8-$13, with a few higher. New York is at the extreme end, due to a $65 mandatory OCA fee. A detailed listing of statewide prices is available upon request. Volume discounts apply for qualified customers.

Records from all 50 states, including the national sex offender registry, arrest records, and national wants and warrants. This single search accesses over 400 million records, submitted by over 750 sources, including individual county courts, DOC, AOC, and DPS. (Approximately 40% of the country covered; see detailed list here). Records are searched by name and date of birth (including records where the date of birth is null). A secondary, manual filter is then done by visual analysis to rule out obvious non-matches that the automated filter did not catch. Records are updated monthly, but are not FCRA-compliant for employment purposes. Best use: as a "pointer" to indicate the correct jurisdictions for a compliant, targeted search.

MINIMUM INPUT: Name and date of birth. Middle initial and address are also commonly necessary, especially with common names.

TURNAROUND TIME: As listed (except for very common names which can run longer).

COST: As listed. Volume discounts apply for qualified customers.

Identical to the nationwide criminal, but the added feature searching all aliases based on an automated SSN Trace of credit bureau header data. (Approximately 40% of the country covered; see detailed list here). Records are updated monthly, but are not FCRA-compliant for employment purposes. Best use: as a "pointer" to indicate the correct jurisdictions for a compliant, targeted search.

MINIMUM INPUT: Name, SSN, and date of birth. Middle initial and address are also commonly necessary, especially with common names.

TURNAROUND TIME: As listed (except for very common names which can run longer).

COST: As listed. Volume discounts apply for qualified customers.

Air Force Fugitives, Americas - Most Wanted, ATF Most Wanted, DEA - Cases Against Doctors, DEA - Fugitives, EU Terrorist List, FBI - Wanted Alerts, FBI Fugitives - Additional Violent Crimes, FBI Fugitives - Crimes against Children, FBI Fugitives - Criminal Enterprise, FBI Fugitives - Cyber Crimes, FBI Fugitives - Domestic Terrorism, FBI Fugitives - Violent Murders, FBI Fugitives - White Collar Crimes, FBI's Most Wanted Terrorists, FBI's 10 Most Wanted, INTERPOL, OIG Most Wanted Healthcare Fugitives, Terrorism Knowledge Base, US Marshals 15 Most Wanted, US Secret Service Most Wanted, and USPS Most Wanted. A detailed list of the record types maintained by these sources can be sent upon request.

MINIMUM INPUT: Name.

TURNAROUND TIME: As listed.

COST: As listed. Volume discounts apply for qualified customers.

Federal Inmates, past and present. This is a free service through the Department of Justice. Note: only a very small fraction of all criminal offenders will be found through this search, which can be found
MINIMUM INPUT: Name.

TURNAROUND TIME: As listed.

COST: Free from DOJ website

Nationwide search of registered sex offenders. This is a free service through the Department of Justice.

MINIMUM INPUT: Name.

TURNAROUND TIME: As listed.

COST: Free from DOJ website

Search of state and county warrants, including Felony warrants, bench warrants and alias warrants. Available in any of 50 states.

MINIMUM INPUT: Name and state:. Also very helpful: age, race, body marks, eye and hair color, weight and height. Due to the large number of records in the database, it is possible someone with a common name will have a match in the database, yet the “match” is a different person (who just happens to have the same name.

TURNAROUND TIME: Generally as listed.

COST: As listed

A crucial step (that should be run either before, or simultaneously with) any order for criminal records. No matter how good a criminal record search may be, it cannot be relied upon until the subject’s name is confirmed. Results typically include the following: State and year of SSN issuance, date of birth, aliases, past addresses (with dates), counties, phone numbers, and search of death index.

MINIMUM INPUT: SSN

TURNAROUND TIME: As listed.

COST: As listed. Volume discounts apply for qualified customers.

With just the last 4 digits of the SSN and the Last Name, an SSN trace can be run. This is a crucial step (that should be run either before, or simultaneously with) any order for criminal records. No matter how good a criminal record search may be, it cannot be relied upon until the subject’s name is confirmed. Results typically include the following: State and year of SSN issuance, date of birth, aliases, past addresses (with dates), counties, phone numbers, and search of death index.

MINIMUM INPUT: Last 4 digits of SSN

TURNAROUND TIME: As listed.

COST: As listed. Volume discounts apply for qualified customers.

Results may include date of birth or age; addresses, cities and states lived in; phone numbers; relatives; aliases; places worked at; places studied at. In some instances, additional information may be reported. If you do not have an SSN, this search should be run in order to find (or verify) the Date of Birth and address information that is required to conduct accurate criminal records searches.

MINIMUM INPUT: Name and at least one of the following: DOB, age, city, state, street address, P.O. Box #, relatives. Also helpful: known places of employment.

TURNAROUND TIME: Generally as listed. However, common names with minimal input information can run substantially longer.

COST: As listed. However, common names with minimal other input information may not be findable through normal means. If this is the case, the search will still be billed for at 50% to partially cover costs incurred.

Same as a Basic verification above, but attempts to delve deeper: your account can be configured to accept up to 12 customized questions that will be part of the verification. Note also: our verifications include two important components that other companies often skip over: (1) Verification that the supervisor listed is / was in fact the supervisor at the listed company. (2) We also run a basic verification of the company itself, i.e., that it is not just a fictitious entity.

MINIMUM INPUT: Applicant name and either SSN or DOB (preferably both). Additional requirements are specified on our order form concerning what details we need about the past employer to begin the verification process.

TURNAROUND TIME: Generally as listed. However, turnaround time is ultimately dependent on the employer. We make four bona-fide attempts to find/contact the employer. If after the 4th attempt, we cannot obtain verification the case is closed (normal charges would still apply).

COST: As listed (per employer requested)

Verification of an applicant’s past or current employment to confirm dates of employment, position, and eligibility for rehire. This search includes two important components that other companies often skip over: (1) Verification that the supervisor listed is / was in fact the supervisor at the listed company. (2) We also run a basic verification of the company itself, i.e., that it is not just a fictitious entity.

MINIMUM INPUT: Applicant name and either SSN or DOB (preferably both). Additional requirements are specified on our order form concerning what details we need about the past employer to begin the verification process.

TURNAROUND TIME: Generally as listed. However, turnaround time is ultimately dependent on the employer. We make four bona-fide attempts to find/contact the employer. If after the 4th attempt, we cannot obtain verification the case is closed (normal charges would still apply).

COST: As listed (per employer requested)

Verification of an applicant’s post-high school education record, whether currently enrolled or has had a degree conferred. Official (non-certified) transcripts can also be ordered simultaneously with the verification. We have a high rate of completion; however, in rare cases, certain colleges and universities will only release the information directly to the student. Successful verifications will include at a minimum dates of attendance and degree conferred (when applicable). In some cases, additional information is released, such as GPA, awards, honor lists, etc.)

MINIMUM INPUT: Applicant name, SSN, and signed consent form (which must be submitted to us; a sample consent form is available for your use on the order form). Full name of school, city, and state. Helpful: Student ID.

TURNAROUND TIME: Generally as listed. However, turnaround time is ultimately dependent on the school. Also affecting turnaround time is how long ago the dates of attendance were. If transcripts are ordered, the turnaround time is generally between 3-8 business days.

COST: As listed (per school requested) plus any fees that may be charged by the school (most do not have fees).

Nationwide database search for evictions. Records available from any state, but not every county within a state is included. Please contact us if you wish to know whether a particular county is covered.

MINIMUM INPUT: Name and Address or SSN. Due to the sheer volume or records, and the fact that many people share the same first and last name, it is important to submit all known personally identifying information, such as Middle Name, Middle Initial, all known past street address(es), and cities.

TURNAROUND TIME: As listed.

COST: As listed (whether records are found or not found).

Database search in any state for reported Bankruptcies, Liens, Tax Liens (city, county, state and federal), Foreclosures, Tax Warrants, Civil federal judgments, Notices of Default, Suits filed, and Small Claims. This search accesses combined databases that contain millions of records, but (as with all nationwide searches) it is not comprehensive.

MINIMUM INPUT: Full name and state. Helpful: SSN, middle initial, address, date of birth, age.

TURNAROUND TIME: As listed.

COST: As listed whether found are reported or not.

Up to 3 personal references will be contacted to attest to the general character of the applicant, nature of their relationship, and years known.

MINIMUM INPUT: Contact name and phone number. Helpful: contact email address, city, state and years that they have known the applicant

TURNAROUND TIME: variable, dependent on cooperation of reference

COST: $13 (includes up to 3 personal references)

Includes whether married or divorced (does not include persons who were never married). A particularly useful search for the online dating community. Currently available in 13 states: CA, CO, CT, FL, ID, IN, IA, KY, ME, MN, OH, TX, UT.

MINIMUM INPUT: Name and Address or SSN. Helpful: Date of Birth and Middle Initial.

TURNAROUND TIME: As listed.

COST: As listed (whether records are found or not found).

Have a research need not listed above? Or a variation of one of the listed services. It can’t hurt to ask: tell us what information you hope to obtain, and what information you have. Depending on the nature and purpose of the request, authorization from the subject may or may not be required.

MINIMUM INPUT: variable

TURNAROUND TIME: variable

COST: variable