Are you looking for work? Trying to apply for new insurance? Or, are you just curious about what kinds of records are made about yourself? Regardless, a background check is an incredibly useful tool for you to have. With it, you can be informed, and make educated decisions regarding your future. 

What can a background check discover?

Typically, most background checks are only going to turn over public records. Public records are available to anyone, as of the Freedom of Information Act. They include items like-

  • Driving records
  • Arrest records
  • Mugshots
  • Criminal records
  • Incarceration records
  • Arrest warrants

These are all incredibly important pieces of information. A driving record is used to gauge car insurance rates. A criminal record can significantly impact your employability. A mugshot can worsen your relationships with friends and family. Missing out on any one of these can change your life in confusing ways, and it’s best to know about them, so you can work around them.

How can I perform a background check on myself?

While all these records are obtained from multiple sources, there are few that provide access to all these. A criminal record can usually be obtained from a courthouse. A driving record, however, is usually more accessible at the DMV.

But, an online public records database can provide you with a comprehensive view of any public records in your name. The best of these, SpyFly, has access to over 30 billion public records. They’re available across all 50 states and can be accessed from mobile.

SpyFly will be able to provide you with all of your public records, allowing you to perform a comprehensive background check on yourself. All you need is your full name to begin searching. Another great benefit of SpyFly is its speed. Trying to obtain an arrest record from law enforcement may take days. An incarceration record may not reach your home for weeks. But with SpyFly, you can have all your public records online in just a few moments. 

Are there other ways to perform a background check on yourself?

Yes, although they may take more time or money than SpyFly. 

For instance, you may visit your state’s website, and attempt to browse through public records available there. However, some states are inconsistent in their publishing of public records, and may not have included all of your on their digital database. Importantly, if you’ve lived in multiple states, then you’ll have to work through each state’s website to obtain all of your public records, and you may still find that some are missing.

You can also go through an attorney. Most lawyers possess some form of legal database, and if you work through one, they can provide you with public records related to you. However, most lawyers don’t work for charity, and will likely require you to pay a consultation fee at minimum to utilize their services. Even so, you may find they’ll only get to it when they have time, rather than processing your request immediately.

SpyFly provides consumers affordable, immediate access to public record information. Federal laws prohibit businesses from using SpyFly’s service to make decisions about employment, insurance, consumer credit, tenant screening, or for any other purpose subject to the Fair Credit Reporting Act, 15 USC 1681 et seq.