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You can search public criminal court records online, but there is no single public database that shows every person’s complete criminal history. Start with official court records in the relevant state and county; search federal cases separately through PACER. The FBI’s personal Identity History Summary process is for people checking their own fingerprint-based record—not for obtaining someone else’s report.

Choose the right kind of record search

“Criminal records” can mean court case dockets or a fingerprint-based criminal-history summary. These are different records, accessed through different systems, and neither one portal nor a name search should be treated as a complete nationwide check.

Search route What it covers Important limit
Official state and local court portals Public criminal court case indexes for the state or county searched Coverage, access, and search procedures vary by jurisdiction; records may not all be online. See the FBI Identity History Summary guidance and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation fact sheet for examples of these limits.
PACER Federal district, bankruptcy, and appellate court records It does not search state or county courts. An account is required and charges apply under PACER’s fee schedule. See PACER and its fee information.
FBI Identity History Summary A fingerprint-based summary for a person reviewing their own record through the personal request route The FBI does not provide another person’s summary through that route, and it does not offer a name-only search for this service. See the FBI’s instructions and FAQ.

How to search public court records

  1. Identify the jurisdictions. List the states and counties where the person lived or where a relevant case may have been filed. There is no single official public portal for all state and county courts. Start from the official state court website and state identification bureau, then follow their guidance for repository searches and local court lookups. State procedures and coverage differ.
  2. Search the official state or county court portal. Look for a public criminal-case index. If the portal does not provide the needed record or details, contact the court clerk for that jurisdiction. A name match is a lead to investigate, not proof the case belongs to the person.
  3. Search federal cases separately if relevant. Create a PACER account and use the nationwide PACER Case Locator if you do not know which federal court handled the case. If you know the court, use its court-specific search. PACER searches federal courts only; a no-result search there does not establish that no state or local case exists.
  4. Check the underlying docket and disposition. Confirm the case number and jurisdiction, and read the official docket for the charge and case outcome. An arrest listing or a third-party summary does not by itself establish a conviction. If the record is unclear, ask the clerk.

What the FBI Identity History Summary can—and cannot—do

The FBI Identity History Summary, often called a rap sheet, is based on fingerprints submitted to the FBI. The FBI’s personal-review process lets the subject review, correct, or update their own record. It is not a way for a private citizen to obtain another person’s FBI history; the FBI says it does not provide copies of another person’s arrest records to private citizens.

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Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

The FBI FAQ reviewed in 2026 lists a fee of $18 per request and says name-only searches are not available for an Identity History Summary. The FBI describes electronic requests, fingerprint submission, and an approved channeler route. Check the current FBI instructions before submitting, since fees and procedures can change.

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When a formal background check is required

For employment, licensing, adoption, or another regulated purpose, ask the organization requesting the check which official process it requires. Depending on the purpose, the FBI says a U.S. check may need to go through a state identification bureau, a requesting federal agency, or another authorized channel. Do not substitute a casual public-record search for a required authorized check.

If you are checking records for hiring, housing, licensing, or another consequential decision, verify the applicable federal, state, and local rules and use an authorized background-screening process. Public availability of a court record does not, by itself, settle whether or how it may lawfully be used for a particular decision.

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Why an online search may be incomplete

  • Coverage is divided. State and local court systems are separate from federal courts. A PACER search cannot establish what appears in a state or county system.
  • Online access is not universal. Some records or documents may require contacting the clerk; sealed documents are not public. PACER also redacts some personal identifiers.
  • Records can change. New arrests, court orders, and appeals may alter a record over time. The Kansas Bureau of Investigation’s March 2023 fact sheet describes this in the context of Kansas; it is an example, not a statement of every state’s rules.
  • Identity matters. People can share names. Compare available details and confirm a case with the court before attributing it to someone.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.