Background Check Texas - Ultimate Guide for 2024

If you're looking for information on conducting a background check in Texas, you've come to the right place. This is the most detailed guide available online, covering all aspects of background check Texas and providing recommendations for the top background check Texas Services to make the process easier.

However, it's important to note that accessing public records in Texas is not a straightforward process. Despite being accessible to the public, it can be challenging to locate relevant background information on an individual due to the vast amount of data and documents available.

Therefore, we suggest utilizing a free background check Texas services, which offer the best chance of obtaining precise and swift details.

7 Best Background Check Texas Services

BeenVerified – Best for Background Check Texas Overall
PeopleLooker – Best for Fast & Accurate Results
TruthFinder – Highest Relative Cost-Effectiveness
Intelius –The Most Precise Option
Instant Checkmate – The Fastest Option
Spokeo – The Finest in Texas Reverse Email Lookup
US Search – Optimal for Use with APIs

What is a Background Check Texas?

In Texas, using a Texas background check involves a comprehensive examination of an individual's details in both state and federal public records. By utilizing identification information like name, phone number, or email, one can search for additional information.

Texas background checks can provide a wide range of information, such as personal details, work, and educational history, potential connections to family and friends, location history, criminal and court records, sex offender registry, social media profiles, and property ownership.

If you try to manually check public data, you may not be able to access all the necessary information. To obtain accurate background details on an individual, it’s advisable to utilize free background check Texas services.

These Texas background check services make use of the identification information you provide to search through billions of federal and Texas public records in their database to find pertinent data. This information is then organized into a comprehensive background check report, which can be easily read and shared with others.

A standard background check Texas report may include:

Nicknames
Pictures
Docs from the Civil Court
Time of birth and age
Educative History
Provide a complete name
Career background
Holdings in the financial sector
Permission to carry weapons
Liens
Identities on the web
Financial distress
Authorization to practice a specific profession

How to Run a Texas Background Check?

To conduct a free background check Texas, there are two methods - a difficult one and an easy one. The difficult one involves manually contacting relevant public offices to request public records and then sifting through those records to find the required information.

On the other hand, the easy way is to use a people search service like BeenVerified, PeopleLooker, and TruthFinder. With these services, conducting a free background check in Texas is as simple as inputting the person's name, city, or phone number.

It’s even possible to use reverse email lookup tools to search for someone using their email address. By providing even the most basic details about an individual, the background check Texas service will thoroughly search its extensive database.

Although the search may take a few minutes, a longer duration indicates that the Texas background check service is retrieving a significant amount of reliable information.

How Can I Access Public Record in Texas?

The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) ensures that anyone who requires government information has the right to seek access to it. However, it’s essential to thoroughly examine the applicable laws of each state before submitting a document request to enable you to use Texas background checks, as the procedures may differ.

The availability of Texas public records depends on the department holding them. Some records can be accessed online, while others require a printed form. The necessary paperwork can be sent through the mail, email, or fax to the appropriate office.

However, it’s important to note that different departments may have varying regulations for obtaining records, so some flexibility may be required.

The standard format for a request for public records consists of the following elements:

Information about how to get in touch
Details Regarding the Formal Record
Date by which you must receive the paperwork
Person(s) whose name appears on this paper
Your preferred method of communication, postal service or electronic mail
Label the saved document

Texas Background Check Laws – TX Public Record

While Texas does not have any state-level limitations on considering a candidate's criminal history in making hiring decisions, federal regulations regarding fair hiring practices still apply in the state.

Employers are mandated by law to inform and obtain written consent from applicants before using a Texas background check

Additionally, if the results of the check lead to any negative actions, such as withdrawal of a job offer, a pre-adverse action notice must be given to the applicant. A waiting period of five business days must elapse before taking any final adverse action.

To comply with federal ban-the-box regulations, federal contractors and government agencies cannot ask candidates about their criminal history before offering them a conditional job offer, except for positions involving national security or sensitive information.

These regulations apply until the end of 2021, and if there is another law requiring early screening for a specific position, the ban-the-box regulations do not apply. Furthermore, certain counties and towns in Texas have also implemented their own ban-the-box laws, as indicated by the resources listed below.

Texas employers must adhere to the laws of the county and city where their company is located and where the applicant resides when using a free background check Texas.

To avoid legal issues, businesses should prioritize following the most rigorous legislation, even if uncertain about the specific requirements.

Ban the Box – Background Check Texas Law

At the moment, Texas does not have any statewide laws that prohibit the use of "ban the box" policies. However, various jurisdictions within the state have implemented fair chance hiring legislation that can impact an employer's use of criminal background check Texas.

Municipal and county posts in San Antonio, Travis County, and Dallas County are banned from using such policies. Meanwhile, the city of Austin has a ban-the-box policy that applies to both public and private sector hiring.

Private companies in Austin are not allowed to use Texas background checks to conduct criminal background checks during the application process if they have 15 or more employees. They must wait until an offer of employment is made and then conduct the background check. Violating this rule incurs a fine of $500 per occurrence.

What Does the Texas Public Record Law Say?

If you request public documents, you should receive them within ten days or be notified when they will be available. If the government office denies your request, you can send a formal exception to the Attorney General (AG), who will have the final decision on whether to release the information.

While this process may take longer, it does show that requests for public documents will not be immediately rejected. However, if the AG denies the request, there is no option for an appeal in Texas, but you can file a lawsuit to gain access to the documents.

The TPRA, which governs the accessibility of public records in Texas, has several exceptions. While documents from state and federal agencies can be accessed, those from the judiciary cannot.

Certain types of documents, such as those involving audits, private information, personnel files, invasions of privacy, victims of crime or abuse, and certain aspects of law enforcement proceedings, may be denied access for security reasons.

By using a Texas background check, the cost of copying documents is $0.10 per page, and a fee of $15.00 per hour may be charged for any time spent searching for records.

Additional fees may be incurred when requesting records from multiple organizations, and if an employee needs to redact confidential information, that time may also be billable.

If you’re interested in obtaining additional information, you should visit Texas.gov.

How Far Back Does a Background Check Go in Texas?

The CRA's ability to investigate an individual's past is limited by the search they conduct and the amount of time allocated for the search.

A job-related background check Texas has a time limit of seven years. This means that revenue charges, litigation, and judicial decisions could affect a user's finance beyond that period. However, bankruptcy filings can be found dating back up to 10 years.

For companies in Texas that send workers to customers' homes, criminal records dating back 20 years for felonies and 10 years for misdemeanors must be verified for job applicants.

When a job applicant applies for a position with a salary exceeding $75,000 annually, the employer may conduct a background check that dates back to the candidate's 18th birthday for non-criminal records. In Texas, the typical reporting period for MVRs is three years.

Employers who conduct their own criminal records checks are not bound by a seven-year limitation. Additionally, in Texas, there are no restrictions on using Texas background checks for checking an individual's past education or employment history.

What Can You Find With a Background Check Texas?

Wondering what shows up on a background check in Texas? It may come as a surprise, but a free background check in Texas can reveal a significant amount of information about a person. By utilizing trustworthy people search services such as BeenVerified or TruthFinder, one can obtain a comprehensive report which includes the following details.

Personal Information

To ensure that you have identified the correct individual, every report for a Texas background check includes personal details such as their name, age, date of birth, known aliases, and photographs.

Jobs and Education

The next level of details that can be discovered is education and career-related information, which may include the educational institutions and companies where they have previously studied or worked.

It should be noted that this information cannot be utilized for screening employees or tenants unless the free background check Texas service utilized is in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).

Possible Relatives and Associates

In this part, you can discover individuals who are related to, known to, or have worked with the subject of your search. If you’re searching for a family member, you might even come across your own personal background check report.

TX Contact Information

If you're using free background check Texas for business purposes, the background check Texas report can provide you with contact details such as phone numbers and email addresses, which can be useful in generating leads. This section of the report is especially beneficial for businesses.

TX Criminal Records

For a comprehensive background check in Texas, it’s essential to include criminal and arrest records obtained from public records of Texas police and courts.

These records provide details like the nature, date, and location of the offense, along with the case number and court name, in case they were subjected to a legal trial. It’s crucial not to omit any relevant information while using a free background check Texas

TX Property Information

If you need to assess someone's financial status, this particular segment can be extremely beneficial. It offers a range of information, including current property ownership, property tax specifics, sales figures, land value, mortgages, vehicle possession, vehicle identification numbers, and other relevant details.

7 Best Services for Background Check Texas

Now that you know how simple it’s to run a background check with the help of background check Texas services, we'll take a closer look at the best five of these providers. To further understand the differences between these offerings, we'll have a brief introduction to each.

When using free background check Texas, you'll also learn which person's search site is ideal under what circumstances.

BeenVerified – Best Overall for Background Check Texas

Top background check Texas service BeenVerified provides a variety of searches, including Texas court records, public records, and more. That might offer a more complete picture of someone's past.

The business has access to billions of public documents from Texas and uses trustworthy data sources to guarantee the reports' correctness.BeenVerified's user-friendly platform, which enables users to conduct searches fast and effortlessly, is one of its advantages.

The site is easy to use and uncomplicated, with a plain search interface and explicit directions for navigating the reports. For people or organizations on a tight budget, the website offers reasonable price choices, such as monthly memberships and pay-per-search possibilities.

If you have any queries or run into any problems when using BeenVerified to conduct your background check, their customer care team is there to help. The organization has a staff of seasoned experts who can explain the interface and help you make sense of the data you find in the reports.

PeopleLooker – Best Background Check Texas for Fast & Accurate Results

PeopleLooker is a site that enables Texans and others to search for public records pertaining to specific people, including their arrest histories, phone numbers, and more. This site could be helpful for people looking to use background checks in Texas.

As far as public records in Texas go, PeopleLooker promises to have access to everything from criminal records to court documents and more. This means that the information acquired from their background checks may be more extensive than that gleaned from other services.

For those who are unfamiliar with the process of doing background checks, the interface is straightforward. For those without extensive experience in using free background checks in Texas, this can be a useful resource.

The cost of using the free background check Texas service varies depending on the number of checks you need to run. Its prices are generally deemed fair, making them a good option for low-income consumers and small enterprises.

Truthfinder – Best Texas Background Check Service for Value

When it comes to free background check Texas, Truthfinder is at the top of the list. It has a user-friendly interface that allows you to quickly and easily conduct various searches by entering identities, contact information, or mailing addresses.

With access to one of the states of Texas's most comprehensive public record databases, it’s possible to generate a substantial amount of credible information about a certain person.

The combination of TruthFinder's background check services and its dark web monitoring tool allows you to gain access to data that’s unavailable anywhere else online.

Monthly pricing for TruthFinder is $28.05, with a two-month plan costing $46. See the many reasons why Truthfinder is the best option for a background check in Texas by reading our comprehensive TruthFinder review.

Intelius – Best Texas Background Check Service for Accuracy

Background checks Texas can be done just as well with Intelius as they can with TruthFinder. The best thing about this worldwide person's search tool is how precise the results are.

It's nearly identical to TruthFinder, and its database of over 20 billion public documents means you have access to a treasure trove of information on any person in Texas.

Intelius' $24.86 monthly plan is less expensive than TruthFinder's $29.94 option. If you choose to subscribe for two months, you'll have to fork over $42.25.

While the service is quite similar to that of TruthFinder, it lacks the latter's dark web monitoring capability, which accounts for the service's significantly reduced pricing. If you're looking for a Texas background check service, be sure to read our review of Intelius.

Instant Checkmate – Best TX Background Check Service for Speed

Instant Checkmate could be your best option if you need to conduct a background check in Texas quickly. This background check service is ideal if you place a premium on ease of use, as it provides not only instant results but also a mobile app.

Something you won't often find in other Texas background check services. Instant Checkmate employs a comprehensive database of public documents to provide reliable information about a person's history. With a monthly plan that starts at $34.78 per month, this service definitely is not cheap.

There is no 2-month option, but there is a 3-month plan for $83.47. In addition to its rapid processing, Instant Checkmate takes great care in protecting your personal data. Check out our Instant Checkmate review for additional information.

Spokeo – Best Texas Background Check Service for Reverse Email Lookup

You may dig into someone's history with just their email address by using a reverse email lookup service. If you're based in Texas and looking to do some lead generation or company research, you can't do much better than using Spokeo, which happens to be the greatest email lookup background check Texas service.

While there are other options for using free background check Texas, none are as comprehensive as Spokeo. At only $19.99 per month, it also has a reasonable subscription price compared to similar services.

Pricing for a three-month service is $44.85, meaning it's a low-priced alternative to other Texas choices.

In case you're curious, read our Spokeo review.

US Search – Best Texas Background Check Service for API Integration

It’s simple to perform background checks with US Search, thanks to the application's quick start guide. In the unlikely event that it doesn't meet your needs, you can get your money back. Making it one of the few services of its kind to do so.

Their website isn't as sophisticated as others but if you simply need a basic when using free background check Texas, it can be all you need. At US Search, you can do a single background check in Texas for $3.

Its monthly plan is reasonably priced at $19.86 a month, making it a good choice if you need to perform multiple searches or are signing up for a long period of time.

If you want to find out more about US Search, check out the review.

Texas Criminal Records – Background Check Texas

A criminal record in Texas will include all arrests, prosecutions, and results for offenses with a Class B misdemeanor or higher classification.

Details of any interactions with the police that the person has had will also be provided.

The Texas Department of Public Safety is in charge of storing and maintaining all criminal records in the state.

What’s on a Texas Criminal Record?

A person's interactions with Texas law enforcement are recorded in one central location. A number of sources are used to gather data on arrests, charges, and incarceration in the state's nine prisons.

Your requested Texas criminal history report will include the following information:

Warrants, both historical and current
Fingerprints
Offender sex crime statistics
Places of residence: both current and previous
Arrest histories from the past
Headshots of accused criminals
Date of birth, or year of conception
Valid driver's license number - Drivers

Where Can I Find Texas Criminal Records?

View the appropriate criminal record by visiting the online database maintained by the Crime Records Division of the Texas Department of Public Safety.

First, you'll need to supply some basic information, including your name, email, phone number, and payment details. A refund will not be given if the necessary paperwork cannot be located.

Restrictions and Limitations

Every state and city in the United States has its own set of laws that limit an employer's ability to request or use an applicant's criminal history when making hiring decisions. Not only is Texas included, but so are all of these other states.

Employers should be aware of these laws before requesting a Texas background check.

Arrest and Conviction Records

As opposed to the legislation of a number of other jurisdictions, in Texas, potential employers can ask about prior arrests and convictions. The only catch is that potential employers can't ask about someone's past if it's been classified or purged.

Concerns have been raised by human rights groups across the United States about the practice of asking job applicants about any prior arrests.

It’s argued that simply having an arrest record is not enough to rule out a job candidate; further the investigation is necessary.

Companies are urged to find out whether or not an arrest led to charges or a conviction.

Texas Inmate Records – Background Check Texas

There are 700 prisons and jails in Texas, which accommodated 1435,341 people in 2017. Because of this, locating a specific inmate's file may prove challenging.

The incarcerated population in Texas is tracked by the Department of Criminal Justice.

What’s on a Texas Inmate Record?

Several states provide varying amounts of data on their country's prison population. Personal information like the prisoner's name and residence are typically supplied.

The following information may be obtained from a search of public records for a specific prisoner:

Predetermined dwelling place
DOC Identification
Height and weight
Brief synopsis of the judgment
Take a photo when you check-in
Labels and pseudonyms
Date of birth

Where Can I Find Texas Inmate Records?

Visit the TDCJ (Texas Department of Criminal Justice) Detainee Information Search site for the prisoner record.

To access an inmate's data, go to the Texas background check website and type in the individual's surname name and first initial, TDCJ number, or state identification (SID) number. Such details can be entered if you’re aware of the person's gender and race.

Texas Court Records – Background Check Texas

The judicial system of Texas is composed of numerous courts, each with distinct powers. Because there are so many courts, it could be challenging to find certain records.

The legal system in Texas is hierarchical, with many levels addressing various cases. In the vast majority of these situations, an earlier appellate ruling is being appealed.

By defining rules for lesser courts to follow, the Texas Supreme Court supports the whole Texas legal system.

Civil, relatives, felony, and minor cases are all heard in district or trial courts in Texas. In the Trial Court system, cases are resolved by a committee or a magistrate.

A county court and judge are necessities in each of Texas's 254 counties. Additionally, 254 legal tribunals are available.

The appellate courts of a state hear and rule on cases from lower courts that have been tried to appeal to the state's top court for a final judgment.

A criminal appeals court has jurisdiction over any appeals involving criminal law. In Texas, there are fourteen distinct Appeals Courts that review cases from lower courts.

The Probate Court has jurisdiction over matters such as deceased persons' estates, guardianship, wills, competency, and mental health.

What’s on a Texas Court Record?

Due to the lengthy process of bringing a case to trial, the resulting court filings may be difficult to navigate and comprehensive in nature.

Records pertaining to incarcerated individuals typically contain the following information:

Predetermined dwelling place
Height and weight
Documents
Obligation to pay child support may be ordered
DOC Identifications
Take a photo when you check-in
Date of birth
Labels and pseudonyms
Brief synopsis of the judgment

Where Can I Find Texas Court Records?

If you’re looking for Texas court documents, you will need to submit a Texas Records Application Request.

Filling out this form is a quick and easy process. Name, address, and contact information (including email) are all mandatory fields. Please be specific about which kinds of records you’re requesting.

Texas Vital Records – Background Check Texas

TDHHS is the place to go for official copies of vital records like birth, death, and marriage in Texas.

Official birth records in Texas typically include the following information:

Birth Registrations
Wedding Certificates
Divorce Orders or Decrees
Death certificates

The details of a demand for a crucial record in Texas will vary depending on the information that’s needed.

Background Check Texas - Frequently Asked Questions

Learn the answers to the most frequently asked questions regarding background check Texas right here. If you have any other queries after reading the above, they should assist you.

Can I Get a Free Background Check Texas?

In the Lone Star State, it's not easy to find reputable free background check report companies without having to sift through mountains of data. We recommend extra caution if you're planning to use a free background check Texas service.

Texas background checks aren't worth it if they're free. Obtaining information comparable to what you'd get from a paid background check service like BeenVerified without spending any money is quite unlikely. If you want to learn more, look into the top free background check sites.

How Much Is a Background Check Texas?

BeenVerified and PeopleLooker, two popular free background check Texas services, will cost you $24-$28 monthly. With this one-month membership, you have access to an infinite number of background checks. Individual background check results from US Search can be purchased for $3 each.

What Background Check Service Is Best for Texas?

With its extensive public records database, phone and email search capabilities, and dark web surveillance, BeenVerified is clearly the greatest Texas background check.

PeopleLooker, thanks to its intuitive design and relatively low price, is the best second-place service in background check Texas.

Can a Background Check TX Request Be Submitted by Non-residents of Texas?

It’s possible to get public records even if you do not currently reside in Texas.

Is There a Records Custodian in Texas?

According to the statutes of Texas, there is no need for an official records keeper. All government agencies are required to keep their own records.

What Exemptions Exist for Background Check Texas?

The use of free Texas background checks for Public access to court records is not mandated in Texas. Similarly, other restricted works typically deal with issues of privacy invasion or other forms of illegal concealment.

Records pertaining to employees, the mental wellness of individuals, commercial secrets, students, financial information. Those who have been the victims of crimes or abuse are confidential and cannot be released.

How Long Does Texas Have to Respond to a Background Check Texas Request?

If you request documents from the government organization, you should receive them within a week.

If they cannot provide the information within the allowed ten days, they must give you a reasoned response of when you can expect to get it in accordance with the Public Information Act.

Is There an Appeals Process in Place for Background Check Texas Requests?

In Texas, the freedom to sue is coupled with the absence of an appeals process. Let's pretend the government official says no to sharing your data. They will then need to write to the attorney general. They may concur with the government agency's position or recommend that in documents be made public.

The Texas Attorney General may respond to the letter within 45 days.

What Fees Are Associated With Requesting Background Check Texas?

The state of Texas must charge a fee to cover the expenses of copying and labor for each record request made within the state.

When the total number of pages in the requested copies is less than 50, the copying fee is capped at $0.10.

Work hours cost an additional $5.00 per page after 50 pages. They can demand payment for the extra effort required to access the files from two locations.

Bottom Line on Background Check Texas

Any Texan can make use of the Texas background check services, whether it's for professional or personal reasons like discovering the truth about a potential partner or reuniting with long-lost family members.

In order to conduct a background check in the Lone Star State, you will need to make contact with multiple agencies and submit a public records request to each one.

Payment in full of the stated fee per request is required before the service will be provided. It’s still necessary to review the received documentation manually.

With the top free background check Texas Services, all of that’s made simple. The person's search service will quickly put together a thorough background check Texas report for you if you simply perform a search using the surname, contact details, emails, or current address of your target person.

DISCLAIMER: You may not use the non-FCRA approved services mentioned in this article or the information they provide to make decisions about consumer credit, employment, insurance, tenant screening, or any other purpose that would require FCRA compliance. These services don’t provide consumer reports and are not consumer reporting agencies. (These terms have special meanings under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, 15 USC 1681 et seq., (“FCRA”), which are incorporated herein by reference.)

The information available on our website may not be 100% accurate, complete, or up to date, so do not use it as a substitute for your own due diligence, especially if you have concerns about a person’s criminal history. The services we mention do not make any representation or warranty about the accuracy of the information available through our website or about the character or integrity of the person about whom you inquire. For more information, please review each service’s Terms of Use.

Background Check Texas – Ultimate Guide for 2024