How to Find Out Someones Criminal Record for Free

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U.S. Public Criminal Records • 2026 Research Guide

How to Find Out Someone’s Criminal Record for Free Using Official Government Websites

You can often find someone’s publicly available criminal court cases for free by searching official state judicial websites, county court records, jail inmate databases and selected federal public-record services.

The most reliable starting point is usually the court where the case was filed. Many state courts publish free criminal docket searches that identify charges, filing dates, hearings and final case outcomes.

However, there is no single free government website that reveals every person’s complete criminal history nationwide. Court coverage, privacy restrictions and records fees differ by state.

This guide explains how to check available public records without paying a commercial people-search website, including what to do when you do not know the case number or arrest location.

Find Free Court Search Websites Start Step-by-Step Search Check Federal Records
Independent informational website: CriminalCourtRecord.org is not affiliated with any court, state police agency, sheriff’s office, the FBI or the U.S. Department of Justice. We explain how to locate official public records. We do not provide confidential criminal histories, certified background checks or consumer reports.
Quick answer: How can I find out if someone has a criminal record for free?

Find the state and county where the person may have been arrested or prosecuted. Open that jurisdiction’s official court website and look for Criminal Case Search, Public Access, Court Records or Docket Search. Enter the person’s full name and review matching cases. Check each case’s final disposition to determine whether it resulted in a conviction, dismissal or another outcome. You can also search the free National Sex Offender Public Website and Federal Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator for their specific categories of public information.

Understanding free criminal-record access

Can You Really Look Up Someone’s Criminal Record for Free?

Yes, for many public court records. Thousands of criminal proceedings are filed in U.S. courts, and many state judicial systems provide free public electronic access to basic case information.

However, a free criminal court search is not the same as a full criminal background check.

Some government services charge for formal name-based criminal-history reports, certified records or document copies. Other records are legally sealed, expunged, confidential or restricted.

What can you potentially find for free?

Record type Usually free online? Best official source Important limitation
Public criminal court case Often State judiciary or county Clerk Electronic coverage varies
Felony or misdemeanor docket Often Trial court case-search portal Not all court documents are online
Final criminal disposition Sometimes Official court docket Certified copies can cost extra
Current jail inmate Frequently County sheriff or corrections department Custody is not conviction
Federal prison inmate Yes Federal Bureau of Prisons Does not cover every local or state prisoner
Registered sex offender Yes U.S. Department of Justice NSOPW Covers participating public registries, not all convictions
Federal criminal court file Conditionally PACER or federal courthouse PACER charges subject to quarterly waiver
Statewide police criminal-history report Varies, often paid State police or identification bureau Access and eligibility differ by state
Someone else’s FBI rap sheet No Not available through ordinary public request FBI personal history summaries are restricted to the individual or authorized channels
Most important limitation:

A free online search that returns no criminal cases does not prove a person has never been arrested or convicted. The individual may have cases in another jurisdiction, legally restricted records or proceedings outside that website’s electronic coverage.

A practical search anyone can follow

How to Find Out Someone’s Criminal Record for Free: Step-by-Step

Start with the official court database, then expand to other jurisdictions or specialized government searches only when needed.

  1. Write down the person’s full legal name

    Use the first name, middle name or initial, and last name when known.

    Nicknames, spelling variations and former surnames can produce different results.

    Do not attempt to obtain sensitive identifiers unlawfully.

  2. Identify the state where the person may have a case

    Criminal prosecutions usually appear in the jurisdiction where charges were filed.

    Start with the state where the alleged incident happened rather than relying exclusively on the person’s current residence.

  3. Find the official state court website

    Search for the state’s judicial branch using its official government website.

    Look for headings such as Case Search, Public Access, Court Records or Criminal Dockets.

  4. Check whether the state offers statewide searching

    Some states, such as Pennsylvania and Indiana, offer broad public judicial searches.

    Other states rely on individual county courts or participating local systems.

  5. Choose the appropriate criminal case category

    Select criminal, felony, misdemeanor, traffic or a corresponding court type when available.

    Do not narrow to felonies if you do not know how the offense was classified.

  6. Search by the defendant’s last and first names

    Enter the name exactly as requested by the website.

    Some systems require Last Name, First Name, while others provide separate fields.

  7. Use additional filters carefully

    Where permitted, search by county, court, case type or filing year.

    Broadening the search can help when the case year is unknown.

  8. Review the list of matching cases

    Do not assume that every case belongs to the person you are researching.

    Common names may produce multiple unrelated records.

  9. Open the individual case docket

    Select the available case number or case-details link.

  10. Check the charges and procedural history

    Look for the filing date, court location, criminal charge, hearing history and case status.

  11. Read the final disposition

    Determine whether the charge resulted in a conviction, dismissal, acquittal, deferred adjudication or another outcome.

  12. Verify the person’s identity

    Use reliable, lawfully available information to distinguish individuals with similar names.

  13. Check other likely jurisdictions

    Search neighboring counties, previous residences or the actual location where an alleged offense occurred, when relevant.

  14. Save the official case reference

    Record the case number, court name, relevant docket entries and final disposition.

    For high-stakes use, obtain an official or certified document rather than relying only on a screen capture.

Example: Searching for a record without paying

Suppose you know that someone previously lived in Harris County, Texas, and may have been prosecuted there.

Start by visiting the official Harris County District Clerk or County Clerk records service. Search the appropriate criminal case category and review matching dockets.

If you locate a case, verify whether it was a felony or misdemeanor, then check its final disposition.

You do not need to purchase a commercial nationwide background-check subscription merely to try the county’s public court search.

Real government databases with free public search options

Best Official Websites to Search Criminal Records for Free by State

The following government systems provide public access to qualifying criminal court records.

They are examples of genuine government websites, not private people-search or subscription services.

Individual access rules and case coverage differ substantially.

State Official public search What you can search Important limitation
Pennsylvania UJS Case Search Common Pleas and Magisterial District Court dockets Public docket summaries are not complete criminal-history certificates
Wisconsin Wisconsin Circuit Court Access Available circuit court criminal cases and proceedings Only records available under court publication rules
Maryland Maryland Judiciary Case Search District Court and Circuit Court cases Certain dismissed and acquitted charges no longer appear remotely
Indiana Indiana MyCase Available public trial court cases and documents Not all older cases and filed documents appear online
Missouri Missouri Case.net Public criminal court case information, events and dispositions Restricted records and certain document images are unavailable
Minnesota Minnesota MCRO Public district court case information and available documents Pending criminal cases cannot be searched by defendant name
Michigan MiCOURT Case Search Participating trial court criminal cases Some courts apply a seven-year criminal sentence filter
Virginia Virginia Judicial Case Information General District criminal cases and available Circuit Court proceedings Coverage and search options differ by court
Florida Florida Clerks of Court Directory County-level felony, misdemeanor and criminal traffic court cases Each county operates its own records service
California Find Your Superior Court County Superior Court criminal case information Each of the 58 counties controls access; some name searches have fees

How to use these links correctly

Open the state’s official search website, read its disclaimer and identify the criminal case-search option.

When a statewide portal is unavailable, find the county where the case was filed and use that county’s court website.

Pennsylvania: Free UJS criminal case searches

The Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System provides free public access to available criminal case dockets.

Users may search by participant name, docket number and other available identifiers.

Check both Common Pleas and Magisterial District Court proceedings when appropriate.

Search Pennsylvania Cases

Wisconsin: Circuit Court Access

Wisconsin provides public online case information through the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access system, often called WCCA or CCAP.

The database includes available criminal court proceedings maintained by participating county Circuit Courts.

Review the final outcome because a criminal filing does not establish conviction.

Search Wisconsin Court Cases

Maryland: Important dismissed-case limitation

Maryland Judiciary Case Search provides public summaries of many criminal court cases.

However, the Maryland Judiciary explains that certain charges ending in nolle prosequi, dismissal or acquittal are no longer displayed in the online search.

Some of those records may still be publicly accessible at the courthouse.

This makes a no-results answer particularly unsuitable as proof that someone never had a criminal case.

Maryland Court Records Access Rules

Minnesota: Pending cases do not appear in name searches

Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO) provides public case information and available documents without a general online document charge.

But the court states that a pending criminal case without a conviction cannot be located by searching the defendant’s name.

For a pending case, users may need a case number, citation number or attorney information.

This restriction is important when checking whether someone has an ongoing criminal prosecution.

Michigan: Check the seven-year filter

MiCOURT’s official terms state that some Michigan courts display criminal conviction case numbers and details only when sentencing occurred within seven years of the search.

The participating court’s configuration matters.

If a historic case is missing, contact the court instead of assuming that it never existed.

Statewide does not always mean complete.

Even a statewide court website may exclude certain case types, older records, pending cases, sealed files or document images. The official court that heard the case remains the most reliable source for clarification.

When you do not know where a case was filed

How to Find Someone’s Criminal Record Without Knowing Their State or County

It is more difficult to search when you do not know the jurisdiction, but you can still conduct an organized public-records search.

Start with known geographic information

Consider reliable information you already have, such as:

  • Current state of residence.
  • Previous states of residence.
  • Counties where the person previously lived.
  • Location of a publicly reported incident.
  • Known arrest or court city.
  • Approximate year of a reported criminal case.

These details can help prioritize court systems.

Search state courts before individual counties when possible

States such as Pennsylvania, Indiana, Maryland and Wisconsin offer relatively broad public judicial search systems.

If a state has a free centralized search, use it before opening dozens of county websites.

Use official public directories to locate courts

State judiciary websites generally publish court directories, addresses and links to participating electronic case-search systems.

For federal cases, the PACER Case Locator provides a nationwide index of federal court case information, subject to PACER’s usage charges and waiver rules.

Can Google reveal criminal case results?

Sometimes a search engine indexes an official court opinion or publicly available court page.

You can try searches such as:

"John Example" "criminal case" "Pennsylvania" "John Example" "court" "conviction"

These are examples of search syntax, not real individuals.

A search engine may surface outdated news reports, unrelated people or third-party copies of records.

Always verify a possible match using the original court source.

Do not rely on search engine results alone.

A newspaper article about an arrest may predate a dismissal or acquittal. Court records are more useful for establishing the case’s final legal outcome.

Search with just a name

How to Find a Criminal Case Without the Case Number

Many public court systems allow name searches.

The exact information required depends on the court.

Best information to have

Information How it helps Is it always required?
Last name Primary name-search field Often
First name Narrows potential matches Depends on portal
Middle name or initial Distinguishes similar names Usually optional
Former surname or alias May identify records under a different name Only when available and supported
State or county Identifies the correct court system Often essential
Approximate arrest year Helps filter historical cases Usually optional
Date of birth Can assist identity verification Varies; use only when lawfully available
Case number Usually provides most precise result Not always

Try search variations

If the first name search returns no results:

  • Remove the middle name.
  • Try a recognized alternate spelling.
  • Search a former legal surname if legitimately known.
  • Change the court or case-type filter.
  • Broaden the date range.
  • Use SoundEx, Starts With or wildcard options where officially supported.

For example, Maryland Case Search uses the % symbol after a name prefix for certain partial-name searches.

Other systems use different syntax. Follow the instructions on the particular court website.

Police records versus criminal convictions

How to Check If Someone Has Been Arrested for Free

Arrest information and criminal conviction information are different.

A person can be arrested without later being convicted, and in some situations without criminal charges being formally filed.

Official sources for recent arrests

County government

Sheriff’s Jail Inquiry

Many county sheriffs publish recent booking and inmate searches.

Look for terms such as Jail Inquiry, Booking Search, Inmate Roster or Arrest Report.

City government

Police Department Records

City police departments may publish arrest logs or provide records-request procedures.

An incident report is maintained by the investigating agency, not necessarily the court.

Court records

Criminal Case Inquiry

When a prosecutor files a case, the court may publish the formal charge and subsequent events.

This is usually more useful for determining the final outcome than a booking entry.

Custody notifications

Participating VINE Services

Where available, VINE provides custody-status information and victim notification features.

It is not a nationwide criminal conviction database.

Visit VINELink

How to search a county jail roster

  1. Find the county Sheriff’s Office or Department of Corrections website.
  2. Locate Jail Inquiry or Inmate Search.
  3. Read the public-access disclaimer.
  4. Enter the person’s name.
  5. Compare available identifying information.
  6. Review any booking date or custody information.
  7. Use the criminal court search to find the prosecution and disposition.

Are mugshots always public?

No.

Mugshot disclosure, removal and republication laws differ by jurisdiction.

Some agencies restrict online booking photos or remove them after specified events.

A published mugshot is evidence of a booking photograph, not proof of conviction.

Free Department of Justice public safety resource

How to Search the National Sex Offender Registry for Free

The U.S. Department of Justice operates the Dru Sjodin National Sex Offender Public Website (NSOPW).

It provides free access to participating public sex offender registries throughout the United States.

The service includes the 50 states, District of Columbia, U.S. territories and participating tribal jurisdictions.

Search the Official National Registry

How to search by name

  1. Open NSOPW.gov

    Use the official U.S. Department of Justice website.

  2. Select Name Search

    The main website includes a search form for first and last names.

  3. Enter the individual’s name

    Use the name as accurately as possible.

  4. Submit the search

    Review possible matches from the participating jurisdictions.

  5. Open the original state registry

    NSOPW links to information provided by individual jurisdiction registries.

  6. Verify the identity and status

    Compare available official details carefully.

Can you search by address or ZIP code?

Yes, where the underlying state or jurisdiction provides the required geographic information.

NSOPW offers location-search options, but not every jurisdiction supplies the same geographic data.

Does no match mean the person has never committed a sex offense?

No.

The website covers publicly registered individuals and depends on information supplied by individual jurisdictions.

Not every sex-related conviction leads to public registration, and registration requirements vary by state.

Always verify a potential match with the original state registry.

Important use limitation:

Sex offender registry information is provided for lawful public safety purposes. Do not use it to threaten, harass, discriminate unlawfully against or impersonate a listed individual.

Arrests, dismissals and convictions are different

How to Tell Whether Someone Actually Has a Criminal Conviction

The most important part of a criminal record search is the final disposition.

A court docket can list allegations, arrests and hearings that did not result in a conviction.

Record term What it generally means Does it establish conviction?
Arrested A person was taken into custody No
Charged A criminal accusation was filed No
Indicted A formal criminal accusation was issued No
Pending Case has not reached its final recorded outcome No
Dismissed The court or prosecutor ended the particular charge No conviction on that dismissed charge
Acquitted / Not Guilty The defendant was not found guilty of that charge No
Guilty Plea Defendant entered a plea admitting guilt Check acceptance and final judgment
Convicted / Adjudicated Guilty The court entered a finding or judgment of guilt Generally yes, subject to subsequent orders
Deferred Adjudication Adjudication or judgment may be deferred under a state-specific procedure Depends on applicable law and purpose
Disposed The court has recorded an outcome Not necessarily
Sealed / Expunged Access has been restricted under applicable law Cannot be determined from absence alone
Example: One criminal case, two different outcomes

A person is charged with two offenses in the same case.

Charge A is dismissed. Charge B results in a guilty judgment.

It would be inaccurate to describe both charges as convictions. Review each charge and disposition separately.

How can you verify an official conviction?

Locate the court’s final judgment, sentencing document or certified disposition.

If those records are not available online, contact the Clerk who maintains the file.

Some county courts provide certified dispositions for a modest fee.

Avoid mistakes involving common names

How to Verify That a Criminal Record Belongs to the Right Person

One of the biggest risks in name-based criminal record searches is confusing two different individuals.

A common name can produce dozens of court results, especially in large cities.

Use reliable identifying details

  • Full legal name.
  • Middle name or initial.
  • Former legal name when relevant.
  • Date of birth where lawfully available.
  • Original court or county.
  • Approximate case date.
  • Reliable matching information within the public case.

What should you avoid?

Do not:

  • Attribute a conviction solely because a first and last name match.
  • Assume a person found in a prison database is the specific individual you are investigating.
  • Rely on an unrelated mugshot website.
  • Use illegally obtained identifiers or restricted account credentials.
  • Ignore newer court orders modifying the original judgment.

Can fingerprinting confirm identity?

Fingerprint-based criminal-history checks are more reliable than name-only matching.

However, fingerprint-based state and federal searches have authorization and privacy requirements.

You cannot simply submit someone else’s information to obtain their restricted FBI criminal history.

A matching name is not a verified identity.

Before making a consequential judgment about a person, confirm the correct subject and final court outcome. Public information can be inaccurate, incomplete or outdated.

Avoid unnecessary commercial charges

Free Criminal Records Search vs. Paid Background Check Websites

Many commercial websites advertise “free criminal background checks” but require payment to view a report.

Some collect information from public databases, aggregate it and sell access through a subscription or per-report charge.

The underlying court record may already be available without payment on an official government website.

Feature Official government court search Commercial people-search website
Public docket access Often free May require payment
Original record custodian Yes, when using the filing court Usually no
Final case disposition Available when published or requested May be incomplete or outdated
Certified court document Available through the Clerk, sometimes for a fee Usually not the issuing authority
Statewide or nationwide coverage Depends on portal Depends on data sources and coverage
Subscription requirement Usually none for free public docket services Often possible
Privacy and accuracy concerns Official record restrictions and correction procedures Possible stale copies, mistaken identity or incomplete updates

Warning signs of a misleading “free” search

  • The website promises all criminal records nationwide at no cost but requests a credit card to display results.
  • The search produces dramatic claims without identifying the original court.
  • It does not show a case number or official source.
  • It offers a low-cost trial that automatically converts to a subscription.
  • It presents arrests and convictions as equivalent.
  • It lacks a clear policy for correcting inaccurate criminal-history information.
Cost-saving strategy:

Use free court dockets first. If you find a relevant case but need legally reliable proof, pay only for the specific certified court document or authorized history report required for your purpose.

Understand national criminal-history privacy rules

Can You Get Someone Else’s FBI Criminal Record for Free?

No. The FBI does not provide a private individual with unrestricted access to another living person’s Identity History Summary.

The FBI allows individuals to request their own fingerprint-based Identity History Summary through its official procedure.

The published standard fee is $18, although eligible requesters who cannot afford the fee may ask the FBI about a fee waiver.

For legally authorized employment or licensing checks, a different statutory or authorized channel may be required.

Official FBI Identity History Summary Rules

Can you request someone else’s FBI history through FOIA?

A Freedom of Information Act request is not a substitute for an unrestricted criminal background check.

The FBI explains that information about another living person is generally protected unless disclosure is legally authorized or the individual has provided appropriate written consent.

The FBI also specifically separates FOIA requests from its Identity History Summary process.

Is there a free NCIC search for the public?

No unrestricted public NCIC criminal-history search is available.

NCIC and related criminal justice information systems are used by authorized agencies under specific access rules.

Use public court dockets rather than websites claiming to provide direct public NCIC access.

What a no-results search really means

Why a Free Criminal Records Search May Show No Results

A no-results message can have several explanations.

Possible issue Why it happens Next step
Wrong state or county Criminal case was filed elsewhere Search the original prosecution jurisdiction
Name spelled differently Alternate legal surname, alias or clerical variation Try supported search variations
Search set to recent cases only Date or case-status filter excludes older records Broaden search dates and statuses
Only felony cases searched Case may be misdemeanor or criminal traffic Check the relevant lower court
Only county court searched Case may be in municipal or federal court Identify the correct court system
Recently filed case missing Electronic posting delay Contact the Clerk or check later
Old file not digitized Paper or archived records may not be online Request a manual court records search
Dismissed case not shown State-specific publication restrictions Review court-access rules; inquire about public courthouse records
Pending Minnesota criminal case not found by name MCRO restricts pending criminal defendant-name searches Use the case number or other permitted search method
Michigan old conviction missing Some courts apply a seven-year sentence filter Contact the participating trial court
Sealed or expunged record Legal access restrictions Respect restrictions; use authorized court procedures only
Same-name records belong to other people Name searches cannot guarantee identity Verify lawful identifying details

How far back do free criminal record websites go?

There is no universal national start date.

Electronic court records may cover several years or several decades, depending on the court.

Some courts display docket information for historical cases but provide document images only for newer filings.

For older matters, contact the courthouse records office or archives.

Can sealed or expunged records still appear in search results?

Properly sealed or expunged records are subject to the restrictions imposed by the relevant law and court order.

Some private websites may retain stale information even after court relief has been granted.

Do not assume that a record is legally public merely because an unrelated website still displays it.

Employment, housing and other consequential uses

Can You Use Free Criminal Record Searches for Employment or Tenant Screening?

Official court searches may help identify publicly accessible case information, but they are not automatically sufficient for regulated background screening.

Different laws apply depending on who is conducting the search, how the information is obtained and how the result will be used.

When the Fair Credit Reporting Act applies

When an employer obtains a background report through a consumer reporting agency, the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act generally requires procedures involving authorization, disclosures and notices.

Additional requirements can apply when an employer considers taking adverse action based on such a report.

State and local fair-chance employment laws may impose additional restrictions.

What if an employer searches court records directly?

The Fair Credit Reporting Act’s consumer-reporting provisions do not automatically apply to every direct public court-record search in the same way.

However, employers must still comply with applicable employment discrimination, privacy and other laws.

A raw court case match should not be treated as a verified background-screening result.

Practical accuracy checklist

  • Verify the person’s identity.
  • Check whether the case is a conviction or arrest only.
  • Review the age and circumstances of the offense as required by applicable law.
  • Identify the final court disposition.
  • Check whether the record is sealed or expunged.
  • Follow applicable consent, notice and dispute requirements.
  • Use qualified screening services when legally required.
FTC Background Check Compliance Guide EEOC Arrest and Conviction Guidance
Important legal distinction:

This guide is for informational research into lawfully accessible public records. It does not authorize access to confidential information or replace legally compliant screening procedures for employment, tenant selection, credit, licensing or other regulated decisions.

Choose the right search for the situation

Realistic Examples of Free Criminal Records Searches

Situation 1

You know the person’s name and state

Use the state’s official public court case-search website.

Enter the full name, review matching cases, and open the docket.

Best for: Finding available court charges and dispositions.

Situation 2

You know the county of arrest

Search the county Clerk’s criminal case portal and the Sheriff’s official jail records if recent custody is relevant.

Best for: Identifying the correct local criminal case.

Situation 3

You only know about a possible federal conviction

Try the federal PACER Case Locator, a federal courthouse public terminal, or the BOP inmate locator if federal incarceration is relevant.

Best for: Federal prosecutions and qualifying federal custody history.

Situation 4

You want to check public sex offender registration

Use NSOPW.gov and verify potential matches in the originating state registry.

Best for: Publicly registered sex offender information.

Situation 5

The person’s name is very common

Narrow searches by court, county, year and lawfully available identifying details.

Best for: Reducing mistaken identity.

Situation 6

You need official proof of a conviction

Find the case for free, then request the certified final judgment from the court Clerk.

Best for: Officially documented legal outcomes.

A suggested search order

For most general inquiries, start with the free state court system or county court, then check other plausible jurisdictions.

Use jail, prison and registry searches only for the categories of information they actually cover.

Move to formal paid searches or certified document requests only when the free information cannot answer your legitimate question.

Answers to common free criminal-record questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Finding Someone’s Criminal Record for Free

1. How can I find out someone’s criminal record for free?

Search the official state or county court website where the person’s criminal case may have been filed. Look for Criminal Case Search, Public Access or Court Records, enter the person’s name, and review matching cases and final dispositions. Some states offer free statewide searches, while others require individual county searches.

2. Is there a free nationwide criminal background-check website?

No single free government website provides every individual’s complete nationwide criminal history. Public court systems are maintained by separate jurisdictions. The Department of Justice offers a free national public sex offender registry search, and the Bureau of Prisons offers free federal inmate searching, but neither is a complete criminal-history database.

3. Can I check someone’s criminal record with only their name?

Often, yes. Many public court case-search systems support searching by first and last name. However, common names can produce unrelated results, and some court systems restrict certain name searches. Additional reliable identifying details help avoid mistakes.

4. How can I find out whether someone has a felony?

Search the felony or criminal division of the court where the case was filed. Review the charge classification and final judgment. A filed felony charge does not mean the defendant was convicted of a felony. For state-specific eligibility or official proof, request the original disposition from the court.

5. How can I find out whether someone has been arrested?

Check the relevant county Sheriff’s Office jail inquiry, official booking roster or law-enforcement public-records service. A recent booking may appear before a formal court case is filed. Arrest records do not establish guilt or conviction.

6. Can I search criminal records for free without a date of birth?

Many courts allow name-only searching without a date of birth. However, the availability of identifying fields depends on the website. A name-only match does not conclusively identify an individual.

7. Can I find someone’s criminal record without knowing the state?

You can search likely states and counties using available background information. Some states provide free centralized court searches. For federal proceedings, PACER offers a nationwide federal case index, subject to its fees and waiver rules. No public nationwide index includes all state criminal court cases.

8. Are criminal court records public in every state?

Many criminal court proceedings and records are publicly accessible, but the exact rules differ by state. Juvenile, sealed, expunged, confidential and certain sensitive records may not be available. Remote online access can also be more limited than in-person courthouse access.

9. Can I get someone’s FBI criminal background check for free?

No. The FBI does not provide another living person’s Identity History Summary through an ordinary private public request. Individuals can request their own fingerprint-based summaries for a standard $18 fee, with possible fee-waiver procedures for eligible requesters.

10. How do I find out if someone has been in federal prison?

Use the free Federal Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator at bop.gov/inmateloc. It covers federal inmate custody records from 1982 onward, subject to reporting limitations. A no-match result does not prove that the individual has never been convicted of a federal crime.

11. Is PACER free for federal criminal records?

PACER charges $0.10 per page in October 2026, but charges of $30 or less per quarter are waived. Federal courthouse terminals permit free on-site viewing of qualifying public records, although printing can cost extra. Beginning January 1, 2027, PACER has announced a $0.12 per-page fee and a $40 quarterly waiver threshold.

12. Why does a criminal background search show no records?

The case may be in another jurisdiction, filed under a different name, outside the online date range, archived, restricted, sealed or expunged. Some state portals also exclude specific case types or dispositions from remote searches. A no-results message is not proof of a clean criminal history.

13. Can I find dismissed criminal cases online?

Sometimes. The result depends on state law and the court’s public-access policy. For example, Maryland no longer displays certain dismissed, acquitted and nolle prosequi charges in its online Case Search even though some records may remain accessible at the courthouse.

14. Can I get a certified criminal record for free?

Some courts may offer special fee waivers or free copies to qualifying parties, but certified judgments and official Clerk-performed records searches often have fees. First locate the case using a free public search, then check the issuing court’s certification charges.

15. Are free criminal record searches legal?

Searching lawfully available public court records is generally permitted. However, accessing restricted records without authorization, misusing registry information, violating website terms or using information unlawfully in screening decisions may carry legal consequences. Always follow the court’s access rules and applicable laws.

Editorial review and records accuracy notice

This guide was researched using official information from state judicial branches, county court systems, the Administrative Office of the United States Courts, the Federal Bureau of Prisons, the U.S. Department of Justice, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Federal Trade Commission and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

Information was reviewed in October 2026. The PACER electronic access rate of $0.10 per page and $30 quarterly waiver apply to the current period, with an announced fee change effective January 1, 2027. Other government fees, search procedures and access rules may change without notice.

Public criminal court records do not necessarily represent a complete background history. Arrests and filed charges are not proof of guilt. A name match does not establish identity, and a no-results search does not prove that the person has no criminal convictions.

Some records are legally confidential, expunged or sealed. Follow each government portal’s access rules and any legal restrictions on use, disclosure and republication.

CriminalCourtRecord.org is an independent informational website. It is not a government agency, criminal-history repository, law firm or consumer reporting agency. The information on this page is not legal advice and should not be used as a substitute for legally compliant employment, housing, credit or other regulated background screening.

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