Unfortunately it's not that simple to perform free free online criminal background checks (I'll show you why), and you're spot on, a lot of the online criminal background check companies promote "free online criminal background checks " but by and large they are Not gratis! They say this with the aim of suckering folks into their websites and then justify this by stating that the search is free but you must fork out for the details....
There are some respectable pay sites who have taken a concerted effort to collect info from numerous government and non public sources, arranging everything and then uploading the information to the net. Their livelihood and reputations are dependent on the accuracy, quailty and completeness of the data they furnish . The same is not true about a lot free data suppliers whose info may well be suitable for the curiosity of a few but will most certainly need to be checked regarding more serious checks.
Part of my job requires me to carry out online criminal background checks and I would rather utilize the paid reports offered by a few of the private online sites. Why?
Due to the fact that the info which I get is of a much better standard. It is taken from many sources, both private and governmental, and, very importantly, through all the states . This is imperative to me (especially with regards to criminal / arrest record / inmate searches) as my likelihood of getting complete and accurate data is significantly better.
If I had to manually check for the data it would take a lot of time inbetween government offices, in time-consuming queues, plus the gamble of incomplete or inaccurate data would be a lot greater.
Most crucial : The thing that really makes it tricky is that I can only check criminal background records an individual state at a time. This is due to the fact that state government branches only bring together and sort data from their own specific states, and not throughout the country (quite understandable I suppose). The predicament is that there is no central Government institute to assemble and categorize data from all the individual states, transfer it to the internet, and afterward permit people to do a single check of the whole country's criminal records database .
It's for this reason that almost all people who need essential information, like online criminal background checks, use a paid service. They have to be entirely certain that the info they get is accurate, up to date and, most crucial, from a nation wide list !
From mistakes (and lots of mistakes) with certain criminal background check companies (and in addition to trying most of the "free online criminal background checks " sites... ) I would suggest Gov registry & criminal background checks . They maintain one of the principal data bases in the nation, and they supply accurate and quick criminal background checks and reports.
Final advice : If you choose to benefit from a paid online criminal background check then make certain that there is just a one time charge that grants access for a year, plus as many reports as needed. And keep well clear of the online criminal background check companies who ask for a fee for each search you require.
Hopefully that helps regarding the free online criminal background checks question.
Good luck with the reports.