Can I Check Out Another Person's Criminal Records for Free?
Many online websites offer free public record searches; however, these free services do not provide you with comprehensive data. These online databases may contain different types of records, such as marriage and death certificates. These public records databases may also contain bank accounts, tax returns, phone directories, and even criminal databases. The good thing about public record search is that these online databases usually charge a very minimal fee. However, the disadvantage of using these websites is that you will only access free public records; you cannot perform background checks on criminal records.
Several paid websites allow you to perform a criminal records search at no cost; however, these services are only offered for residential and business searches. These search platforms usually require the user to register to access the database and perform background checks. There is also a limitation in the number of searches you can perform for each individual or an entire household.
It is better to use paid public records searches because these services usually have more accurate results and are more comprehensive. The good news is that most paid search platforms come with unlimited search options, which means that you will never have to settle for inaccurate and false positives. You may also have the opportunity to choose to have your public records search include information on sex offenders, while some sites only allow you to retrieve information on persons who were convicted of a crime. This means that you will have the ability to learn more about a neighbor who has a history of domestic violence if you search for a person with a prior criminal offense.
Another advantage of using a professional search service is that they will offer you both free and paid-search options. Most users prefer free searches because they are fundamental and only allow you to retrieve information on persons named in the report. However, these free options do not allow you to retrieve any information on persons who have the same first and last name; likewise, a free search may provide you with false positives. If you use a paid service, you can retrieve more information such as criminal checks, birth, and death records, military records, property liens, and more. On the other hand, if you want to retrieve only public records from a specific county or state, a free service will not be able to accommodate your needs.
Free public records may seem like a convenient method of obtaining information about people; however, you should consider their limitations before using them. In some cases, free public record searches may provide you with information on criminal records only, and some may give you access to court records only. If you plan to perform a background check on someone, it is highly recommended that you use a professional public records search service. These services are very affordable and, in most cases, offer unlimited access to public record databases.