How to Check Someone’s Criminal History Before Dating Them
Reviewed by People Locator Skip Tracing Investigation Team
Established 2004 · 20+ Years Experience · FCRA · GLBA · DPPA Compliant
Dating apps don’t run criminal background checks on their users. Before a relationship develops further, a professional background search surfaces criminal history, verifies identity, and confirms address — giving you the information you need to make an informed decision. Results in 24 hours.
Watch Overview⚖️ What Dating Apps Won’t Tell You
Not a single major dating app runs criminal background checks on its users. Tinder, Bumble, Hinge, Match, OkCupid, and every other mainstream platform allow anyone with a phone and an email address to create a profile — regardless of their criminal history. Convictions for assault, domestic violence, sexual offenses, fraud, and stalking create no barrier to dating app participation.
This is not a secret. It’s a known limitation of the industry that safety advocates have pushed back against for years. Until platforms implement systematic screening — which none have committed to — the responsibility for knowing who you’re dating falls entirely on you.
A professional background search before a relationship develops is one of the most effective things you can do for your own safety.
💡 Why Criminal History Searches Require Professional Tools
Free criminal record lookups online are typically limited to specific state databases and often miss convictions from other jurisdictions. A person with a conviction in one state who moves to another may be invisible to single-state public record searches. Professional background searches access multi-jurisdictional records and are significantly more comprehensive than anything available to the public for free.
⚠️ You Don’t Have to Ask Them Directly
One of the biggest barriers to pre-dating background checks is the social awkwardness of asking someone directly about their history. A professional background search is completely discreet — they never know a search was conducted. You get the information you need without any awkward conversation.
🔍 How Our Pre-Dating Background Check Works
📝 Provide Their Basic Information
Their name and the city they live in. A date of birth if known. More information improves accuracy.
✅ Identity Verification First
We confirm the identity — establishing the full legal name and address — before running background data.
📋 Background Information Review
We surface background information associated with the verified identity, including any notable records.
⚡ Results in 24 Hours
Most pre-dating background searches complete within 24 hours.
⚖️ Know Before You Invest
Give us their name and city. We’ll surface background information within 24 hours — completely discreet.
Start Your Search NowSee How It WorksSince 2004 · Confidential · All 50 States · Results in 24 Hours
| What You Want to Know | Dating App Provides | Free Online Search | Professional Background Check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Their real identity verified | ❌ No | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Criminal history | ❌ No | ⚠️ Limited/one state | ✅ Multi-jurisdictional |
| Current address confirmed | ❌ No | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Household members identified | ❌ No | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
👥 Who Uses This Service
Women Prioritizing Safety
The risk calculus for women in dating is different. A background check before a first meeting — or before a relationship develops — is a meaningful safety step.
Anyone With Instincts Worth Trusting
Something about the person makes you want to know more before you go further. Trust that instinct.
Before Meeting In Person
You’re planning to meet someone you met online. A quick background check before that meeting is standard prudent practice.
Before a Relationship Gets Serious
Things are going well. Before you invest real emotional commitment, know who you’re committing to.
🔗 Related Services
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
📋 What does the background check cover?
We verify identity, confirm current address, identify household members, and surface background information including criminal history associated with the verified identity.
🔒 Will they know I ran a background check on them?
No. Completely confidential.
⏱️ How long does it take?
Most searches complete within 24 hours.
✅ Is this legal?
Yes. Background checks for personal safety and relationship purposes are entirely legal when conducted through appropriate commercial channels.
💰 How much does it cost?
A flat fee per search. Visit our order page for current pricing.
✅ Your Safety Is Worth One Search
Know who you’re dating. Results in 24 hours — flat fee, completely confidential.
Order Your Search NowAbout UsSince 2004 · Flat Fee · No Subscription · 100% Confidential · All 50 States
Legal Disclaimer: PeopleLocatorSkipTracing.com provides people search and skip tracing services for lawful purposes only. Information provided for pre-dating background check and personal safety purposes is subject to applicable federal and state privacy laws including the DPPA and GLBA. We do not provide services for stalking, harassment, or any unlawful purpose. Results are not guaranteed in all cases. Last updated .
