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Have you ever pondered what information about someone you may get through a background check? If so, you’re not alone.
You may be going on a date with a stranger, looking for an old friend you haven't talked to in a while, or you might be looking for a family member. In any case, you want to be sure that you're choosing wisely.
Whatever your motivation, you must thoroughly grasp the kinds of information you will now have privy to in addition to the information that may not be accessible to you if you wish to do a criminal record check.
We'll talk about what turns up in a background check in this article. We will go through the many varieties of information that are often offered, the sources used to get this data, and of course, the limitations and warnings that you need to be aware of.
In order to make more informed decisions in every area of your life, be ready to become an expert at doing background checks.
What Shows Up on a Background Check?
Typically, a background check report will include the following:
- Liens Bankruptcies
- Photographs
- Age and date of birth
- Employment history
- Aliases
- Financial assets
- Weapons permits
- Civil court records
- Criminal and arrest records
- Educational background
- Professional licenses
- A full name
- Social media profiles

What is a Background Check?
A background check includes a study of a person's personal affairs, criminal history, educational background, and employment history. Making touch with just a long-lost loved one is one of the objectives when conducting a background check.
Another goal is to assess a person's trustworthiness based on the accuracy of the information they provide.
What Actually Shows Up On A Background Check Result?
You may be shocked to discover all of the information that a background check provides about a person.
Using trustworthy people search services like BeenVerified, TruthFinder, or Intelius, the following information may be found in a single background check report.
An illustration of what could be discovered in a typical background check is the following:

Personal Information
It’s an essential part of any background investigation since it helps determine if the individual being screened is who they say they’re.
A typical background investigation would often employ a variety of sources to confirm a person's identity. The person's social security number, driver's license number, state ID number, and other personally identifiable information may be found in these sources.
It’s essential that you supply this information since the background check report must be accurate and based on the proper individual.
The process of confirming someone's identification may also include looking up their address history, voter registration data, as well as other public records that might add to the material in the background check analysis and/or validate their identity.
Here are a few other elements that might be included in the procedure.
By taking the required steps to confirm the identity of the individual being examined, background check services can ensure that they’re providing their consumers with the most accurate and dependable information possible.

Criminal Record
One of the most important components of a background check is the information found in a person's personal criminal record since it’s utilized to identify the possibility that an individual has a criminal history.
A typical background investigation could examine criminal databases kept at the federal, state, and municipal levels as well as records kept by local courts as well as other reliable sources of information.
In addition to information on active criminal cases, this search may turn up data on prior convictions, indictments, and incarceration.
In some situations, a search of the sexual predator database and any other pertinent specialized databases may also be included in the criminal record.
You can utilize this information to influence your decisions so that you can minimize risks and ensure the security of the people you care about.
Employment History
The history of an individual's job should be extensively investigated during a background check.
A normal employment history check may include things like the verification of a person's previous employers, job descriptions, durations of employment, and financial data.
In certain cases, the work history check method may involve a review of a person's professional licenses and certifications in addition to their academic background.
Credit History
During a routine review of someone's credit history, a person's personal credit rating, credit position, outstanding balances, liquidations, and other pertinent financial documents, may be examined.
A variety of tools, including credit reporting agencies and open government records, may be used to do this. A person's degree of financial stability and reliability may be determined by looking up their credit history.
Civil Court Records
A typical background check may include a person's civil court records in order to confirm their financial responsibility, legal problems, or any potential conflicts of interest.
Each person's civil court records may include facts on prior bankruptcies, lawsuits, verdicts, liens, and other legal proceedings that they may have been involved in.
While records from civil courts are regarded as a public record, there may be certain restrictions on the kind of personal data that may be used during a background check.
It’s crucial to ensure that each background investigation adheres to all legal standards and protects the subject's right to privacy.
Educational History
The education history portion of an application may contain verification of a person's academic degrees and certifications, college transcripts, and any other necessary data.
This may include details such as the name and location of the schools the person attended, the dates of registration, the degrees attained, academic success, and any disciplinary actions taken against the person even while they were still attending school.
Although a person's academic qualification is a matter of public record, it’s crucial to guarantee that every background investigation is conducted in accordance with the law and protects the privacy of the person being examined.
Social Media Profiles
The investigation of simply a person's personal social media accounts may be included in a background investigation. Employers and other organizations often use this method to assess a candidate's character and behavior.
A social media check could include looking into a person's updates, remarks, and interactions on websites like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram.
This might include assessing a person's opinions, allegiances, and behavioral patterns as well as any topics that could be regarded unsuitable or have the potential to harm an organization's reputation.
Also, it can include a study of any topics that might be deemed inappropriate or that might harm a company's image.
Online profiles are public information, but it's important to remember that any screening procedure that unavoidably involves media checks must comply with legal requirements and protect the private rights of the individual being checked.
Property Information
The examination of a person's real estate listings might be a component of a background inquiry. Employers and other organizations who wish to assess a person's degree of responsibility and financial stability will find this to be extremely helpful.
Property checks may involve a lookup of public records pertaining to a person's real estate ownership, mortgage and lien history, annual tax history, and any legal issues or concerns related to their property.
This information may reveal the person's financial stability, level of responsibility, and risk tolerance if they will be handling sensitive financial information or handling various quantities of money.
Reference Checks
It’s a crucial part of a background check and has the ability to provide illuminating details about a person's character, desire to put in the effort, and connections with others.
Calling both professional and personal references listed by a person is part of a normal reference check, which is done to confirm their employment history, skills, and qualifications.
This could also provide an opportunity to question someone's reliability and moral character.
Best Background Check Services
When it comes to conducting background checks on prospective workers, individuals, corporations, and organizations may indeed select among a broad range of services.
The best background check services prioritize protecting individuals' privacy and acting in accordance with the law in addition to providing information that is thorough and reliable.
These services frequently offer an extensive range of options, from simple identity verification to more thorough background checks, that might involve looking up criminal histories, examining credit histories, and confirming employment histories.
Whichever background check service is best for your needs depends on what sort of evidence you need to verify, your budgetary limitations, and the specific legal obligations you have.
Suggestions of well-known background check services include the following:
- BeenVerified - Best Background Check Service Overall
- Instant Checkmate - Best for Extended Information
- TruthFinder - Best Background Check for Long-Lost Loved Ones
- US Search - Best Background Check Service for API Integration
- Intelius - Best Background Check Service for finding Multiple Connections
- GoodHire - Best for Employment Background Check
Bottom Line on What Shows Up On A Background Check?
In conclusion, depending on the kind of check being run, the purpose of the check, and the information collecting techniques being used, the information that shows on a background check may change.
Yet, the usual elements of a background check were previously discussed.
Whether you’re applying for jobs, shopping for property, or engaging in a number of other activities that might one day need a background check, it’s crucial to understand what information may be gathered and turn up on one.
By first being aware of what can show up on a background check and thereafter making strides to ensure that the information being provided is accurate and up to date, you can increase the likelihood that you will successfully complete a background check and achieve your goals.
DISCLAIMER: You may not use the non-FCRA approved services mentioned in this article or the information they provide to make decisions about consumer credit, employment, insurance, tenant screening, or any other purpose that would require FCRA compliance. These services don’t provide consumer reports and are not consumer reporting agencies. (These terms have special meanings under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, 15 USC 1681 et seq., (“FCRA"), which are incorporated herein by reference.)
The information available on our website may not be 100% accurate, complete, or up to date, so do not use it as a substitute for your own due diligence, especially if you have concerns about a person’s criminal history. The services we mention do not make any representation or warranty about the accuracy of the information available through our website or about the character or integrity of the person about whom you inquire. For more information, please review each service’s Terms of Use.