How to: background check?
 

I am needing to find out as much as possible about an individual. What is the best way to go about obtaining as much info as possible. I'm looking for detailed information like: past addresses, criminal backgroung, marriage history, detailed divorce records (i.e. settlement figures), etc.

Basically all I have is a name and an age. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Pretty easy. Google is ur friend. Ive uncovered so much info on a few spending a few short hours

Tie him down and pour water over his face.

Google will not identify a single person versus someone else that has that exact same name. If you do a search on me, using my real name, you will come up with everything from guy in a pop band, a famous water polo player, to a full blown two time child molester. A private detective is pretty cheap though. Many of the reports that you can buy are on the internet are inaccurate.

It depends on what kind of information you want to find...Financial? Criminal? Address & Work history?

Name & DOB is a good start unless it's a common name. Knowing the city your subject lives or place of work will help you search. Google, Zabasearch & Zillow is a good start...Facebook is also great if he or she has a unlocked profile.

You thinking of becoming a PI in your spare time?

If you google their name and location you could get better results

Past addresses are fairly easy, marriage/divorce records can usually be found on county websites...but need to know that info (what county) to begin with. Criminal can be tough, but get the person’s social security number and you can get almost anything you want. You may not want to say, but what is the purpose of the search? This info helps in determining where you wanna start. I routinely perform fraud investigations for work and I typically use ex law enforcement as contractors. One phone call and I can find out where you used your CC last…lol. With fraud cases against our company (employees) we have a lot more wiggle room as far as what we can obtain. But be warned it’s a very fine line on the legalities of the area you’re looking in. If your serious about it, a PI is prolly the way to go.

I'm after financial, criminal and marriage records. I'd really like to see divorce settlement records. I have the name, workplace and I know the neighborhood of the city the person lives. Google won't give me what I am after. Marriage and divorce records are public, I just need to find out where they are I guess?

The purpose is to protect a family member who is involved with this individual.

Anyone interested in getting a copy of your divorce record can do so by contacting their local vital statistics office. Records can be obtained by filling out a form in person, through the mail or over the Internet and a small fee may be applied for the record.
Searches
Many states and counties have put their vital statistic records online, and these records can easily be obtained for a fee. Other organizations and directories also offer an online search service for divorce records.

The trick is, you have to know where the divorce was filed. I dont have that info.

pay someone. a PI pays to have access to data bases like TLO that give very complete checks with a couple of inquiries. The info availible to them includes all the things you want and also includes bank account balances.

I would try the county the person ( the petitioner of the divorce) currently lives in. then try the county where the two people got married. if you haven't already.