How to run a background check on myself with confidence

Why it helps

Checking your own background helps you see what employers, landlords, or licensing boards might view. It reveals errors, highlights achievements, and gives you time to prepare clear explanations, corrections, or supporting documents before important deadlines.

What typically appears

Results vary by jurisdiction, but common items include criminal court indexes, identity and address history, employment and education verification, driving records, credit reports for permissible uses, and civil filings such as liens, judgments, or evictions.

Step-by-step

1. Gather full legal names, prior addresses, and alternative spellings.
2. Search county and state criminal records where you have lived.
3. Request your driving history and accident reports from the DMV.
4. Order your credit file and check for unauthorized accounts.
5. Verify degrees, licenses, and employment dates with official sources.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take? Most official requests return in a few days, while multi-county criminal searches can take a week or more depending on clerks, holidays, and manual record pulls.

What if I find an error? File disputes in writing, attach evidence, and follow up. Keep a log of dates, responses, and outcomes, and consider adding a concise consumer statement where allowed.