How to Perform a Background Check
So you've met a great girl or guy, but there is always that doubt. Is your prospective date what he or she claims to be? Are there any secrets, personality flaws or criminal matters that you should know about before getting extremely interested? This is how you can find out.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Observe the behavior of your potential date. Remember, despite the number of high-tech applications out there, you are still your own best source of information. A person who constantly blames someone else for all their problems and never has a good word to say about anyone may have some real problems.
-
2
Get your date's name, but know that different people often have the same names, especially first and last. Getting the age, or better yet, a birthdate, is more important to the process. Very few people will have the same name and same birthdate, especially within the same state.
-
-
3
Check online sources for public information. In Iowa, for example, there is an exhaustive listing for nearly every sort of court case a person may be involved in. Whether it is previous marriages, felonies or even when your date got his latest speeding ticket, it is all available. Many states have similar searchable databases. As a plus, some states offer the information, at least the basic information, free of charge. For more information, see the Resources section below.
-
4
Check out his or her name on popular Internet search engines. This is more of a wild card, but it is free and may bring up something interesting and relevant. However, remember that many people have the same name. The John Smith who you choose to date may not be the same John Smith that's wanted as a serial murderer in five states. But if he is, it's a good reason to cool things down a little.
-
5
If all else fails, there are background check websites that offer professional expertise and can guide you toward good results. Most are available at a reasonable fee. Some criminal checks can be done for less than $20. Criminal and civil checks may require a bit more money. For more information see the Resources section below.
-
1
