Here's how to background-check your Valentine's Day date (2024)

He's sexy, he's funny, he's got an edge. She's beautiful, she's smart, she's got a wild side.

Your new boo is perfect, but why do you always have to drive?

In the world of online dating, potential mates often meet without exchanging last names, let alone criminal histories. Though this information is public record, it's not tracked by regular search engines like Google, meaning you'll have to dig a little deeper.

Luckily, Arizona makes it easy to find almost any brush with the law in the state from the comfort of your own computer. Here are six places you can search — five online — to do your due diligence and keep yourself safe. (You will need a last name.)

http://www.azcourts.gov/

In Arizona, all non-federal courts report to the state's Supreme Court, which runs this website. The information offered on azcourts.gov alone is minimal, but it's where you'll want to begin any criminal check.The site's search engine encompasses nearly every municipal and criminal courtinside the state, meaning you'll find everything from traffic tickets to major felony offenses.

To start, click on the "Case Search" tile, and then enter the person's first and last name. If it's a common name, you'll also need their month and year of birth.

This site will let you know the date of any charged offense,direct you to the court that handled it, and tell you the disposition — i.e. whether the person pleaded guilty, was acquitted, etc. For the juicier details, you'll have to move on to the specific court's website or make a trip to the clerk of the court's office.

http://www.superiorcourt.maricopa.gov/

If your sweetheart turns up in the criminal section of a superior court website (like Maricopa County's), he or she was once facing a felony charge. This doesn't necessarily mean they were convicted, so make sure you poke around for details. The site will give you the dates of court appearances and a list of documents filed for the case.

From the home page, click on "get case information," then "criminal court cases" and enter the name. Again, watch out for the birthday.

For a bit more detail on what went on during those court appearances, check out the case's minute entries. (This doesn't cover sex crime cases, however.) To do this, copy the case number, visithttp://www.superiorcourt.maricopa.gov/docket/CriminalCourtCases/Index.asp, and click on Minute Entries. Paste the case number into the search bar there, and delete the hyphen.

Family court

Want to check on the status of that "divorce"? In Maricopa County, visit http://www.superiorcourt.maricopa.gov/docket/FamilyCourtCases/and simply enter the name. Find a "consent decree," "decree of dissolution" or the like, and congrats! Your hunny is (legally) single and ready to mingle.

Sex offender registry

The Arizona Department of Public Safety's sex-offender registry is a more robust search engine than most, offering searches by city, address, email address as well as name. The registry also showcases the dozens of offenders who are out of compliance. Check outhttp://www.icrimewatch.net/index.php?AgencyID=55662.

Clerk of the Court's Office

OK, yes, he has an armed robbery charge, but was it really that bad? Was anyone hurt? Was he maybe just the unwitting accomplice?

The only way you'll find the dirty details is by driving down to the clerk of the court's office. For Maricopa County Superior Court, this is located at 601 W. Jackson St.in Phoenix. Walk downstairs and you'll see a room of computers occupied by attorneys, journalists, and people just like you!

Hop on one of the computers, enter the name and date of birth, and you should see a list of searchable documents. For a basic breakdown of the allegations, find the document labeled "direct complaint." More often than not, this will contain what's known as a Form IV, which details a police officer's probable cause for arrest. (If you want the full police report, you'll have to submit a request to the arresting agency, which can sometimes take months.)

If the case is older, you may get lucky enough to snag a presentencing report. This is a document filled out by the defendant's probation officer, outlining the aggravating and mitigating factors that should weigh into the sentencing. Read: Lots of dirt here. You'll get witness statements, juvenile records, and comments your boo made to the probation officer.

Department of Corrections

If you find your date on the DOC website, the bad news is he or she has done hard time. The good news is... photos! You can find both current and former inmates on the site's data search (https://corrections.az.gov/public-resources/inmate-datasearch), and cross-reference the name with their booking photo. Click on their inmate number and scroll through all the details of their time behind bars, including sentence length and disciplinary actions. Bonus: There's an official record of his real height.

Here's how to background-check your Valentine's Day date (2024)

FAQs

Here's how to background-check your Valentine's Day date? ›

It's always important to consider a background check one step of several to stay safe when online dating. “We're very transparent about the fact that background checks should be viewed as a tool in the tool belt,” says Kosmides. “They are not perfect and the public record system has many flaws.”

Should you do a background check on your date? ›

It's always important to consider a background check one step of several to stay safe when online dating. “We're very transparent about the fact that background checks should be viewed as a tool in the tool belt,” says Kosmides. “They are not perfect and the public record system has many flaws.”

How to background check someone you're dating? ›

Utilizing Public Records and Social Media

Services like Garbo show you important facts about a person's past. You can see if they have a criminal record or are listed in the sex offender database. Knowing this info puts safety first. Social media checks let you see what your date does online.

Can I run a background check on my girlfriend? ›

You may do so without consent if you want to conduct a name-based check on a love interest or neighbor exclusively for a personal relationship. For instance, if a dating app matches you with someone, you don't have to notify them or ask their permission before exploring their criminal records.

What is the best background check when dating? ›

Tools and Data Results. Spokeo is one of the best background check sites for dating that offers a wide range of information that can be useful for people who are dating. It allows access to previous location data, social media details, and criminal history records.

How important are exact dates on a background check? ›

When there are unexplained gaps or misleading dates in your stated work history, it raises doubts about your honesty and integrity. Employers want to be able to trust their employees, so it's essential to provide accurate information about your previous jobs.

What is a red flag on background check? ›

A red flag in a background check is anything alarming or concerning about a person's past. This could be a history of breaking the law, lying about work experience or education, or other serious issues. However, not all red flags are the same. Some might be small and not that serious, depending on the job.

How can you find out if someone has a secret dating profile? ›

Go on their Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram and save their favorite photo. Then, go to a reverse image search page (Google and TinEye are the most popular). Upload the photo and see where else it pops up online. If you see it on any dating sites, they have a profile on that site.

How to check if your boyfriend is on dating apps? ›

If you have access to your partner's phone, you can look through their apps and messages to see if they are using dating apps. Look for apps that are commonly used for dating, such as Tinder or Bumble, and check for any messages or notifications from these apps.

Can you ask someone about their background check? ›

It's not only acceptable, but it's also a protected right under the Fair Credit Reporting Act or FCRA. When a job applicant applies, employers must ask their permission to run a background check. Should they request this, it's the applicant's right to ask for details on what will be under investigation.

Should I do a background check on my fiance? ›

Your and your spouse's past play a part in how your future together will end up. This is why it's important to do a spouse background check so that you can be aware of your partner's past and know what to expect.

How do I find out if my girlfriend is on dating sites? ›

The easiest way to find someone's dating profile is by using their email address. Enter your partner's email address into the login box on the dating site you suspect they're using. It's important to not only check the most popular dating sites like Tinder and Bumble.

Do any dating apps have background checks? ›

Tinder's Policy as of May 2022

As it stands, Tinder and most other major dating apps don't run background checks on prospective daters. However, they do ask new users to attest that they've never been convicted of a felony.

What matters most in a background check? ›

Criminal History Matters Most

Criminal history is significant regarding background checks as it directly influences an employer's assessment of a candidate's suitability for employment. Employers often prioritize this aspect due to its potential impact on workplace safety, security and overall risk mitigation.

How far do most background checks go? ›

In most cases, the lookback period for criminal background checks is seven to ten years. These checks can turn up publicly available arrest records, court records and criminal records for felony arrests and convictions as well as pending cases.

Should I put in notice before background check? ›

Absolutely do not put two weeks notice in until background check clears. While in my experience it has been rare for a candidate to fail background check, I have seen cases where the background check took far longer than normal to clear.

Do you offer before or after background check? ›

A background check usually comes at the very end of the hiring process. Employers will typically conduct a background check before they make a formal job offer, though some may tender an offer that is contingent on your ability to pass a background screening.

Are background checks a good idea? ›

Conducting background checks on potential employees and volunteers should be a major part of your organization's business process. Background checks can help reduce risk for criminal activities such as violence, abuse and theft.

References

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