How To Background Check Yourself

Build a self-check you can audit

• List places you have lived or had cases: This identifies which state/court sources may matter.
• Request your FBI summary: Use the fingerprint process for your own record. Start at the FBI request instructions. The FBI charges $18 per person; fingerprint providers and channelers may charge additional fees. For an online request, complete the application and payment before electronic fingerprints at a participating post office, or mail a current fingerprint card with the confirmation. For a postal request, send the signed Applicant Information Form, current FD-1164 card with all ten rolled and flat impressions, and $18 payment to FBI CJIS Division – Summary Request, 1000 Custer Hollow Road, Clarksburg, WV 26306. The FBI accepts its credit-card payment form, a money order or certified check, not cash or personal/business checks.
• Add state repositories and courts: Search only the jurisdictions relevant to you. Use the FBI State Identification Bureau listing to find the relevant state repository and follow that state’s own personal-review instructions. Use USAGov’s court directory to reach the appropriate state/county court, then use your case number or names to request the disposition or case file from its clerk. Keep those results distinct from your FBI summary.
• Challenge errors at the owning source: Use the official correction procedure when something is inaccurate. Follow the FBI page’s change-or-correction link to submit an Identity History Summary challenge online. Identify each inaccurate or incomplete entry and include available supporting documents, such as a court disposition. The FBI charges no challenge fee. For an underlying state/court error, contact the repository or court responsible for that entry and keep the correction response with your original results.