10 Best Criminal Background Checks for 2026

A criminal background check searches federal, state, or county court records and reports a candidate's criminal history. Criminal history can include felony and misdemeanor convictions, pending cases, and sometimes arrests. The specific records searched often depend on the role, any applicable laws or industry regulations, and your organization's background screening policy.

Choosing a background check partner is a big step. The right service helps you build a safer workplace and navigate laws like the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) with confidence. As you compare your options, you’ll want to look at accuracy, turnaround times, HR software integrations, and how easy the platform is to use. We’ve broken down the top providers below to help you find the best fit for your organization.

Checkr is designed for high-turnover industries where speed and accuracy are critical. Its AI-powered platform delivers fast, FCRA-compliant results, with 89% of criminal checks completing within one hour. Available screenings include national, federal, state, and county criminal record checks, as well as continuous criminal record screening. Searches are available in 200+ countries. Checkr helps employers streamline hiring, improve efficiency, and maintain a safe workplace without sacrificing accuracy.

HireRight specializes in global screening and complex, industry-specific background checks. With services in over 200 countries and an expansive network of researchers, it’s well-suited for international organizations. HireRight offers tailored packages for companies in specific industries such as financial services, education, and healthcare.

Accurate is a strong choice for employers seeking continuous monitoring and dedicated support. The service provides ongoing alerts for new records post-hire and offers 24/7 customer support to assist both employers and candidates. Accurate offers county, state, federal, and international criminal searches and allows employers to set up their own criteria in conjunction with applicable regulations.

First Advantage caters to organizations of all sizes with a focus on mobile-first workflows. Its platform is designed for accessibility, allowing both employers and candidates to manage the screening process easily from any device. By offering flexible screening options and industry-specific packages, First Advantage helps businesses create an efficient and modern hiring experience.

KarmaCheck focuses on creating a positive, candidate-centric experience, making it a good fit for verticals like healthcare and staffing where candidate engagement is key. The platform provides a mobile-friendly portal that simplifies the background check process for applicants. Its ATS partnerships enable employers to seamlessly integrate background checks into their existing hiring workflow. KarmaCheck offers tailored packages that include national, state, and county criminal searches.

A personal background check can offer peace of mind, whether you want to learn more about a new acquaintance or see what your own public record contains. Many of these services are designed for personal use, like checking on a potential roommate or neighbor. It's important to remember that any data lookup sites that are not FCRA-compliant cannot legally be used to make employment decisions.

Checkr is an ideal choice for running a background check on yourself. It allows you to see what employers or landlords might find, giving you a chance to review the report for accuracy and prepare for any questions. The personal background check is easy to order and may include an SSN trace, sex offender registry search, global watchlist search, and more, with results delivered to a secure online portal. Checkr’s personal checks are also FCRA-compliant.

For those needing to search US-only public records, TruthFinder scans hundreds of millions of records to find results. Although not FCRA-compliant, it can be used for personal reasons to search by name, address, email, or phone number. Truthfinder is easy to use and compiles data in a single report. A membership, which is required for unlimited searches, can return information from public court databases, such as traffic tickets and criminal convictions.

Intelius is a strong option for individuals who want to conduct multiple searches privately. With a subscription plan, you can perform unlimited background checks, and all searches are anonymous, so the person being looked up is not notified. This service allows users to quickly search by name, phone number, or address to find a wealth of information for personal inquiries. Intelius is primarily a people search service, and it warns employers against using results for FCRA-protected purposes.

Instant Checkmate is an automated, consumer-facing service that provides access to public records data on a subscription basis. It’s well-suited for personal searches on new acquaintances, such as someone you met online. This non-FCRA compliant service allows you to search others’ contact information, location data, and criminal history.

If you’re looking for information on friends or relatives, PeopleFinders offers fast results from a variety of sources. The site is free to use for basic public record searches. You can conduct searches on PeopleFinders’ website or use the mobile app for a more robust experience, including auto spam call blocking. The criminal search includes convictions and arrest records from federal, state, and local agencies as well as sex offender registry searches.

Checkr is one of the best criminal background check services for employers, offering comprehensive criminal searches and continuous monitoring within the US as well as international searches. Our advanced platform and proprietary data network provide fast, accurate reports, while built-in compliance tools and industry-leading integrations help you streamline your hiring workflows. Get started today.

For individuals who want to see what’s on their own record, Checkr’s personal background check service is fast and easy. You can run a search on yourself and review the results securely online, often in minutes. Order online today.

The lookback period for criminal records varies depending on state law and the specific type of record. While the FCRA places a seven-year limit on reporting non-conviction information, such as arrests that did not lead to a conviction, most criminal convictions can be reported indefinitely unless restricted by state or local laws.

Turnaround times vary based on the type of screening, location of data, and availability of digital records. Partnering with a CRA often speeds results, giving employers consolidated data from multiple jurisdictions. Checkr completes 89% of criminal checks, including county searches, within one hour.

Free options exist, such as requesting records directly from agencies or using state portals like California's DOJ service. But access is often limited, and comprehensive reports typically require a fee.

About the author

Hayley Harrison writes about a wide range of business topics and best practices, including background checks, candidate experience, and recruitment and retention. Her work includes educational articles, e-books, and blog posts.