If you’re expecting an easily accessible national criminal history database in this age of advanced communication, then you’ll be disappointed. Technology may be available and the federal constitution may provide a constitutional guarantee for United States citizens to access information, but specific state legislation is required for its implementation.

However, you can still find some bits of information. The Federal Bureau of Prisons website offers an inmate locator service free of charge. You can also check out credible public interest organizations, such as the Family Watch Dog website, which tracks sex offenders released from prison. Your next step is to search the separate databases of state correctional facilities, police records, and court records. Before you begin your search, remember to verify the person’s name or identity.

In many states, criminal records are restricted and you need the person’s date of birth and social security number to perform the search. Potential employers usually have this information, but are required by law to inform their applicants that a criminal background check is being conducted. They must also provide the applicant with access to the public information they collected.

However, the process required to conduct a complete free online criminal record search on your own is difficult and time consuming. You may not have the time and patience to search through the mountain of free public information scattered all over the web. You may be satisfied with free public information services if your motives for seeking are simply curiosity and your personal or business life is not at risk.

However, if you’re an employer with numerous candidates to research, or a landlord with multiple potential tenants applying, or a busy professional looking for a caregiver for your children or elderly parents, convenience and time are important to you.

Also, you should be aware that free services not provided by government agencies or accredited government providers must be double-checked. Collecting data at the national level, such as criminal records, which incur several additions throughout the year, requires a large investment of time and resources. Therefore, sites that offer free information may not have up-to-date records. Free criminal history database providers cannot provide convenience and customer service to help you search.

Your next resource is an online search for fee-based criminal background screening providers. The fee depends on the detail of the investigation you want. The price will vary depending on the scope and quality of your databases. Some database searches are organized by state, while others provide a convenient national criminal history search feature for an annual fee of about $40.

Think about the reason for your search and the consequences of inaccurate information, and then decide if it’s reasonable for you to pay higher subscription fees to providers of quality public information.