Best Background Check for Dating Services in 2020

If you ever wanted to play detective and get some in-depth information on the person you’ve just started dating, you may have been wondering which of the many available websites actually provides the best background check for dating services. Staying safe from people who falsely represent themselves should be your number one priority, regardless of your relationship status.

For this reason, we created a list of the top 10 people search sites that you should use to check if your potential dates are legit. We considered the following criteria:

• Unique features
• Usability
• Accuracy
• Fast results
• Trials and prices

Affiliate Disclosure

TruthFinder is a public records company founded in 2015. Although it hasn’t been on the market for that long, it managed to become the best background check site in the US thanks to the quality of the information it provides. 

To clarify, not only does TruthFinder gather various information from public records (like criminal records and birth certificates), but it also has a collection of private data, including phone numbers and hidden social profiles.  

How does it work? 

Once you’re on the site, you’ll be able to:

• Do a quick girlfriend or boyfriend background check by writing the first name, last name, city, and state in the search bar
• Conduct the search choosing a category: people search, dark web scan, public records, background check

The interface will quickly get you to the results page, where you’ll see all the possible candidates that match the description. However, the information is not free, so you’ll have to pay first if you want to see the detailed report.

Why is it good for dating background checks?

As we mentioned before, TruthFinder does the best personal background check because it uses various sources of information to give you the most accurate results about the person of interest. Yet, the company goes even further by providing a fun horoscope guide. 

In brief, if you’re not sure that the person you’re dating is your perfect match, there’s one more thing you can do, a horoscope compatibility check. TruthFinder includes this feature in the final report, just in case you need it. 

Coupled with a mobile app that’s available for Android, this top background check site will keep you covered all the time. 

Finally, aside from finding every little detail about your potential partner, you can also find some helpful dating tips and crime statistics in the form of TruthFinder’s blog called Infomania.  

Subscription plans

• 1-month membership: $27.78 
• 2-month membership: $46.04

Pros:

• Best background check service with the most accurate information
• Horoscope compatibility check
• Convenient Android app

Cons:

• No free trial

Instant Checkmate is a sister company to TruthFinder, founded in 2010. That being said, both companies use the same search generator, using public records and personal data. However, if you want to find the best website for a criminal background check, Instant Checkmate is the place to go.

This kind of reliability is especially important in the riskier dating niches. For instance, even the best BDSM sites and platforms advise their members to exert caution when arranging meetings with anyone, and to do as thorough checks as possible.

How does it work? 

You can conduct your search by:

• First name, last name, city, and location
• People search and criminal records

What makes this website better than its competitors is its in-depth information about criminal history, from traffic violations to criminal arrest records. The search can be narrowed by answering additional questions about the person of interest. 

At the same time, you can discover if the person you’re looking for has a gun license or if they are on the sex offenders list. On top of that, the results of your online dating background check will be arranged chronologically.

Why is it good for dating background checks?

First of all, you’ll be able to conduct unlimited searches if you become an Instant Checkmate member. Not only will you get the basic information, but you’ll also get, among other things, information about job history, social media profiles, voter registration, and bankruptcy history. 

Secondly, like TruthFinder, after conducting the background check on your girlfriend or boyfriend, you’ll get to use the horoscope compatibility checker, in addition to downloadable PDF reports, mobile app, and dark web scans. 

And lastly, you’ll get the most in-depth information about the person’s possible criminal history. To learn more about online dating and all the dangers that come with it, you can check the company’s blog called CrimeWire that will offer you some practical tips.

Subscription plans

• 1-month membership: $34.78
• 3-month membership: $83.47 ($27.82 per month)

Pros:

• Best criminal background check
• Results are arranged chronologically
• PDF reports

Cons:

• You can’t buy a single report

BeenVerified is one of the good background check sites, i.e. those that gather information from all available public sources like social media, criminal history records, property records, etc. It was founded in 2007, and since then, it has become one of the most popular people search sites. 

How does it work? 

You can conduct your search by:

• First and last name
• People search, phone lookup, address lookup, email lookup, and vehicle search engine 

After conducting an instant background check, you’ll get a full report that you can download as a PDF file for no extra cost. Another cool feature we need to mention is the name etymology. Even though this is not as important as getting accurate information about your potential date, it’s still a fun thing you can use on your first date. 

Why is it good for dating background checks?

This people search engine will give you all the basic information about your potential partner, including additional information about their family members, education, business, social media activity, and criminal records. 

Simultaneously, you can do a background check for online dating using only the person’s username to find out if it’s connected with a particular email address or business. Knowing how catfishing has become a severe problem in the world of online dating, this feature will help you avoid any traps. 

Subscription plans

• 1-month membership: $26.89 per month
• 3-month membership: $52.44 (17.48 per month)

Pros:

• Reports can be downloaded for free
• Mobile app
• Best background check for online dating

Cons:

• Poor customer service

PeopleLooker, like many other search sites, gathers information from public records. In other words, you can find every information available from local, federal, state, and county records. 

How does it work? 

Choose one of the following:

• People search
• Phone search
• Email search
• Property search

Granted that you’re not a private detective, and you just want to conduct a quick dating background check on that cute guy/girl you just met, without much hassle, you should consider using this search platform.

Rather than putting you through endless questions and options, PeopleLooker offers a simple and straightforward approach. Enter the first and last name and click on the search button. That’s it!

Why is it good for dating background checks?

To conduct the best background check for a boyfriend or a girlfriend you just started dating, put their name and surname in the search bar, and let the search generator do the rest. Of course, this won’t limit your searches because you can always include additional information if needed, like aliases, addresses, social media, known relatives, etc.

While PeopleLooker used to be known for what may have been the best background check app at the time, available on both Android and iOS systems, they are currently only offering their services through the website. This includes the reverse phone and reverse email lookup, which used to be reserved for the app. 

No more strange phone calls in the middle of the night. Use this feature to conduct an online background check to identify the culprit by finding their home and email address. 

Subscription plans

• 1-month membership: $22.86 
• 3-month membership: $54.83 ($18.28 per month)

Pros:

• Fast and easy to use
• Knowledgeable support staff available 7 days a week
• Reverse phone and email feature

Cons:

• Some users find the search options too limiting

Spokeo was founded in 2006, and since then it managed to obtain 18 million users. Even though this service should not be your first choice if you need to find in-depth information about someone’s criminal record history, Spokeo is a perfect tool to use as a dating site background check. 

How does it work?

You can conduct your search by typing the following:

• Name
• Email
• Phone
• Address

While the basic search is free, you’ll have to subscribe to one of the plans if you want to get a full report on your person of interest. The results will incorporate known addresses, phone numbers, social network profiles, etc.

Now, there’s one more thing that separates Spokeo from other top background check sites. The feature called Connections. In a nutshell, you’ll be able to import your phone book, and Spokeo’s search system will fill in the possible blanks, updates, or changes. 

Why is it good for dating background checks?

Like other search sites, Spokeo uses information from various public records, but there’s one point that’s often overlooked, and it includes social media accounts. Even though most background check websites reviews mention Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram as the primary source of information, Spokeo goes even further than that. 

While it will still draw information from the accounts mentioned above, it will also include dating sites, music and gaming accounts, photos, and blog posts (basing the search on the username). 

Subscription plans

• 1-month membership: $19.95 
• 3-month membership: $44.85 ($14.95 per month)

Pros:

• Affordable prices
• Information from various social media accounts
• Free basic search

Cons:

• Not good for criminal records

Intelius has been in the business of finding people since 2003, so it won’t be wrong to call this company one of the veterans in the field. According to various background check company reviews, Intelius is a legit, fast, and safe service, even though some people find the pricing to be a little sneaky.  

How does it work? 

You can conduct the search using the:

• First and last name, city, and state
• Name, phone, or address

When you enter the needed information, you’ll get a number of reports that include phone numbers, addresses, criminal records, and even educational history. 

From this perspective, Intelius would probably be the best background check website if you didn’t have to pay for additional features like identity theft protection that includes address, phone number, credit card, SSN monitoring, and bank account protection.

Why is it good for dating background checks?

When it comes to checking your blind date, Intelius has an excellent search engine that goes through millions of records to give you the most detailed report. This includes arrest and felony, court, and marriage and divorce history records.

To conduct the most accurate background check for dating, don’t forget to include all the available information you have on your person of interest. To narrow the search, answer additional questions. 

Subscription plans

• 1-month membership: $22.86
• 2-month membership:  $38.86 ($19.43 per month)
• Premier Plus membership: $29.95

Pros:

• Mobile app
• Identity theft protection
• Diversity in final reports

Cons:

• Small capacity

InfoTracer has been in the business of tracing people for more than a decade with its fast search engine and cheap subscription plans. Based on many background check service reviews, InfoTracer is a reliable tool that offers six search types. However, it doesn’t have a big database of criminal records.

How does it work?

You can conduct your search by providing the following information:

• Name
• Phone
• Email
• Username
• Address
• Face recognition search

InfoTracer will give you a lot of freedom in conducting your search. What’s more, you can upload a photo (face shot) to see if there are any filed violations against this person. 

Along with the full report, you’ll also get a photo of the person’s house (via Google Street View).

Why is it good for dating background checks?

We mentioned that many background check website reviews say that InfoTracer is a useful tool. Now, let us explain why you should use it for dating. 

If you want to know a person, you need to know their background, and InfoTracer understands this all too well. This service will provide a full family background check, from social and financial status to the family tree, to give you the whole picture.  

Moreover, you’ll get information about their marital/divorce status, assets, hidden photos and videos, criminal records, online activities, etc.

Subscription plans

• 7-day trial: $4.95
• 1-month membership: $14.95 

Pros:

• Variety of search types
• 7-day trial
• Affordable prices

Cons:

• Not enough emphasis on criminal history

SpyFly is a small company founded in 2014. Although we wouldn’t call it the best background check service for dating, we believe that it has a good search engine that will provide enough information for you to feel safe. 

The company focuses on protecting you and your family by providing the best personal protection services (like monitoring people).

How does it work?

You can conduct your search by entering the first name, the last name, and the state. Like with any other good background check websites, you’ll get the basic information about the individual, from address, phone number, and occupation to criminal and legal records.

That said, we need to point out one outstanding feature, and that’s the monitoring option. In other words, you can monitor the records of up to four people and get a notification if something changes in their records.

Why is it good for dating background checks?

Modern dating is often linked to online rendezvous full of endless messaging, picture and song exchanges, etc. However, even the best background check sites can be helpless when it comes to falling in love with the wrong person.

So how can SpyFly help? Not only will you get the basic information, like possible relatives, associates, criminal and financial records, but you’ll also get to see the career and lifestyle records of your date, which will include more details like hunting license, voter registration, etc.

This is why it’s essential to find the best background check companies that will provide you with enough information to go on before you fall head over heels in love.

Subscription plans

• 7-day trial: $2.00 
• 7-day membership: $2.99 one-time billing
• 1-month membership: $29.97

Pros:

• Fast and accurate results
• 7 days trial
• Monitoring option

Cons:

• Complaints regarding outdated info are not uncommon

Many background check sites reviews mention CheckPeople on their lists as a straightforward and efficient service that’s been actively working for over ten years. If you want to do a quick check on someone and you only have limited information (name and number), CheckPeople will do the job for you by scanning public records, phone numbers, addresses, deep web, etc.

How does it work?

To conduct your search type one of the following:

• First name, last name, city, and state
• Phone number

In the same fashion as other best online background check services CheckPeople will show you a full report that includes the person’s address, marriage/divorce records, criminal and traffic records, list of possible relatives, and sex offender status. These reports can be downloaded or sent to email. 

What’s more, CheckPeople uses a deep web search to provide information about every online activity, such as social media accounts, blog posts, websites, etc. 

If we compare background check services in terms of speed, you’ll notice that CheckPeople is not the fastest website when it comes to scanning information. 

Why is it good for dating background checks?

Online dating has its perks and cons. Everyone who’s tried it knows that it could lead to a great adventure, as much as it can lead to a total disaster. Meeting your “soulmate” through a dating app or a dating site might sound romantic but it’s not all sunshine and roses. 

There are dating sites that do background checks (like Gatsby) but to get the most accurate information, you should do a quick investigation, just to be on the safe side. CheckPeople will give you the necessary information about your date. On top of that, you can try an inmate search, mugshot search, property search, or veteran search. 

CheckPeople is the best option for one-time searches since it has a simple interface, and it comes with a $1 trial period (three days). Just don’t forget to cancel your trial, because you’ll get charged.

Subscription plans

• 3-day trial: $1
• 1-month membership: $29.16

Pros:

• Easy and straightforward
• Best background check services for one-time searches
• Detailed reports

Cons:

• Slow to loud

Based on various criminal background check reviews, BackgroundChecks has one of the largest databases on criminally convicted people. The company prides itself on providing “intelligent solutions for businesses and consumers. ” 

Simply put, this is the ideal check service for both business and personal use.

How does it work?

Choose one of the following:

• Run a check on an employee
• Run a check on myself or others

When you choose one of the presented options, you’ll need to enter the first name, the last name, and the state. Since BackgroundChecks has partnered with TruthFinder, you’ll be transferred to TruthFinder’s search generator. 

We already wrote about TruthFinder in this best background check review, making it our number one pick. BackgroundChecks will similarly help you find accurate basic information about your person of interest. However, as we previously mentioned, the company’s best feature is its immense database of criminal records.   

Why is it good for dating background checks?

First of all, BackgroundChecks uses the same search engine as TruthFinder. Secondly, you’ll be able to search through numerous public records from all US states, including photos, sex offenders lists, SSN identification lists, and national security lists. 

And lastly, you should use BackgroundChecks if you want to make sure that your potential date doesn’t have any criminal record history.

Subscription plans

• Basic: $29.95
• Better: $49.95
• Premium: $64.95

Pros:

• Large criminal conviction database
• Three subscription plans
• Partnered with TruthFinder

Cons:

• Not the best customer service

Once you find yourself in the murky waters of the Internet, you’ll realize that finding the significant other might not be easy as it seems. One of the ways to get through this is to try various dating apps and sites that will provide you with some basic information on the person you are interested in. 

To find the best background check site for dating, pay attention to the following details.

What Is a Background Search?

Background search sites will give you all the necessary information on a person by drawing the data from available public records. Generally speaking, you can find out if the person you’re planning to date has a criminal history, what is their marital status, whether they have debts or a gun license, what was their previous address, etc. 

These checks are thorough and very straightforward, making them perfect for elderly people who are thinking about finding someone online. While the best dating sites for seniors usually already have a vetting system in place, background checks provide an extra layer of security at a relatively low cost.

How to Do the Best Background Check for Dating?

Conducting a background search is simple. Namely, just type the basic information into the search bar. It’s usually first names, last names, states, and cities. The searches could also include username, phone number, or email address.

How Much Does It Cost?

The cost of the service will depend on your personal needs. E.g., you can conduct comprehensive research that includes additional information like educational history and criminal history, or you can do the basic search with just the name, phone number, and address.

The average cost can vary from $10 to $50 for a single report. Luckily, as you could read in our background check sites review, many companies offer affordable subscription plans (1–3 months) and cheap $1–$5 trials. 

What About the Reports?

A good background search report should contain:

• Thorough personal information (name, address, number)
• Social information (relatives, social media profiles, photos, videos, marital status)  
• Professional information (job history, education) 
• Criminal and law records (sex offenders list, lawsuits, gun permit)
• Additional information (horoscope sign, monitoring option, pet ownership)

The Do’s and Don’ts

Online background check reviews often mention the do’s and don’ts of background checks. In other words, you should use background check services for:

• Finding family members 
• Checking on old friends
• Checking on old classmates
• Checking your potential dates
• Finding nearby sex offenders
• Running a background check on yourself

You shouldn’t use background check services for:

• Tenant screening
• Educational qualifications
• Stalking people
• Making unwanted calls or sending emails
• Hiring people

Wrapping Up

We composed this list of the top background check websites to help you feel safe in the online dating world. Don’t hesitate to use them if you’re unsure of your partner’s intentions and sincerity.

With that in mind, each company on our list offers unique features. While some sites focus more on people’s social media activity or educational backgrounds, others focus more on criminal records and legal proceedings.

It’s important to do a little digging if you notice any red flags, and remember, always trust your instincts.