Best Eviction and Criminal Records Search Services in 2026
TL;DR
- 5 Star Background Checks offers criminal reports from $7.95 and eviction records at $10 with same-day turnaround. Confirm direct court pulls versus aggregator coverage for your county.
- Checkr suits high-volume employer screening. Verify whether local eviction results come directly from courts or aggregators.
- GoodHire supports FCRA-focused hiring workflows. Ask which eviction jurisdictions use direct court pulls rather than aggregated data.
- HireRight serves enterprise employers screening across jurisdictions. Direct court and aggregator coverage varies by location.
- BeenVerified supports informal consumer lookups through aggregated records, not documented direct court eviction screening for regulated decisions.
- ClearChecks offers tenant screening, but its direct court coverage and use of aggregated eviction data could not be verified from the available information.
- BackgroundChecks.com offers general-purpose screening. Buyers should verify direct court access because aggregated coverage may vary by county.
Review report options from 5 Star Background Checks.
Why eviction record coverage varies by county
Eviction records are difficult to search because no single national database collects every case. Local civil courts maintain eviction filings, and access varies by county. A provider must identify the relevant jurisdictions and retrieve records from each court or another data source.
Direct court searches pull records from the county where a case would have been filed. Aggregated databases collect records across jurisdictions, but updates may lag or omit courts that restrict access. An eviction search can return no match if it omits a county where the applicant previously lived or if its aggregated source lacks that court's current records.
Criminal background check services can draw from several established sources, including county courts, statewide repositories, sex offender registries, and federal watchlists. Even so, broad database searches often serve as pointers rather than substitutes for county-level confirmation. Providers should verify possible matches and report the case disposition when available.
Evaluate county coverage before comparing price or turnaround time. A low-cost report delivered in minutes provides limited value if the provider does not search the applicant's previous counties or uses stale aggregated data. Before buying a search, confirm which courts the provider checks directly, how often other sources update, and whether the report distinguishes filings, dismissals, and judgments.
What to look for in an eviction and criminal records provider
- Court coverage method. Ask which county courts the provider searches directly and where it relies on aggregated records. Direct court searches can find records that aggregators have missed or have not updated, although coverage varies by location.
- Criminal search depth. Confirm whether each package covers county and statewide criminal records, the national sex offender registry, and the OFAC sanctions list. A national database search should supplement county searches rather than replace them.
- Turnaround time. Compare estimated delivery times for database results and court searches. Direct court access may require extra time when a county lacks electronic records or requires clerk assistance.
- FCRA and adverse-action support. Choose a provider that supports legally permitted tenant or employment screening. Useful tools include applicant consent, dispute handling, pre-adverse action notices, report copies, and final adverse action notices.
- Pricing. Compare the full report cost, court access fees, and any monthly minimums. Coverage deserves more weight than price because an inexpensive report offers limited value when it omits the county that holds the relevant eviction or criminal record.
The seven providers compared
5 Star Background Checks
Best for: Buyers who want clear per-report costs, quick results, and the freedom to order screenings without a contract.
What it is: 5 Star Background Checks lists package prices on its website, so buyers can estimate screening costs before ordering, which helps small employers and property managers control spending.
The company reports a typical turnaround of 8 to 24 hours. Court access and record verification can extend that timeline when a jurisdiction requires manual work.
5 Star Background Checks offers preset criminal screening packages and individual searches. Its published terms state that buyers do not need to meet minimum order volumes or sign a long-term contract.
Pros:
- Published prices make costs easier to compare with quote-based criminal background check services.
- Fast standard turnaround suits buyers who need to make timely hiring or rental decisions.
- Custom packages let buyers pay for relevant searches rather than a fixed bundle.
Cons:
- Buyers should confirm county-level eviction court coverage before purchasing. Available information does not specify which counties rely on direct court pulls and which use aggregated records.
- Turnaround can vary when courts require manual retrieval or identity details need verification.
Pricing: 5 Star Background Checks charges $7.95 to $25.95 for its listed screening packages, with eviction records searches priced at $10 per report and same-day turnaround. A la carte services and customizable packages let buyers add specific checks without signing a contract.
Checkr
Best for: High-volume employers that want background screening connected to their applicant tracking or HR software.
What it is: Checkr provides employment background checks through an online platform with broad hiring-system integrations. Its services focus on screening job candidates, so landlords should not treat it as a specialized eviction records search without confirming local coverage.
Pros:
- Hiring integrations can reduce manual work when screening many candidates.
- Checkr supports employer workflows for FCRA compliance and adverse action.
- Employers can select screening packages based on role requirements.
Cons:
- Available information does not establish whether Checkr pulls eviction records directly from each county court or relies on aggregated data.
- Landlords should confirm eviction coverage for every relevant county before ordering.
- Its employer focus may add features that small property owners do not need.
Pricing: Checkr publishes a starting rate for its entry-level employment package but does not publish eviction-specific pricing. Ask Checkr for package pricing, court fees, and any volume requirements, then confirm which eviction and criminal sources each package searches.
GoodHire
Best for: Employers that want criminal background checks with tools that support FCRA consent and adverse action workflows.
What it is: GoodHire focuses on employment screening rather than landlord screening. Employers can use its reports to evaluate job candidates, but landlords should not assume that its criminal coverage includes a detailed eviction records search. Verify GoodHire's current services, report uses, and jurisdiction-level coverage directly before ordering.
Pros:
- GoodHire supports employment screening workflows, including tools for handling candidate notices.
- Its hiring focus can support a defined process for ordering and reviewing reports.
Cons:
- Landlords should verify whether GoodHire offers reports for tenant screening and whether it retrieves eviction filings directly from the relevant county court.
- Buyers should confirm whether the selected package includes county, statewide, sex offender registry, and OFAC searches.
Pricing: GoodHire does not publish per-report pricing. Request a current quote and compare the included court coverage rather than comparing package prices alone.
HireRight
Best for: Large employers that need background screening across multiple jurisdictions.
What it is: HireRight provides employment background checks for large hiring programs. Landlords should not assume that its criminal screening includes direct eviction court searches. Confirm the permitted use, county-level eviction coverage, and report contents before ordering.
Pros:
- HireRight supports multi-jurisdiction employment screening programs.
- Enterprise buyers can assess integrations, compliance tools, and service requirements during procurement.
Cons:
- HireRight is not positioned primarily as a landlord-focused eviction search provider.
- Buyers must confirm its use of direct court records and aggregated sources for each relevant jurisdiction.
Pricing: HireRight does not publish per-report pricing. Request a quote and ask whether county criminal searches, statewide records, sex offender registry checks, OFAC screening, and eviction searches cost extra.
BeenVerified
Best for: Quick, informal research when you do not plan to use the findings for a housing or employment decision.
What it is: BeenVerified is a consumer people-search service that compiles information from aggregated public records. Its reports should not be treated as direct county court pulls or as a substitute for a formal eviction record check.
Pros:
- The consumer interface makes basic identity and public-record searches accessible.
- Aggregated reports can provide useful leads for personal research.
Cons:
- BeenVerified states that its reports cannot be used for employment or tenant screening governed by the FCRA. Landlords and employers should use a consumer reporting agency that authorizes the intended screening purpose.
- Users should not assume that a report includes every relevant county eviction case.
- Available information does not verify county, statewide, sex offender registry, or OFAC search depth.
- BeenVerified does not provide the FCRA adverse-action support required for covered screening decisions.
Pricing: Review BeenVerified's current plan terms directly, including billing frequency and cancellation rules, before subscribing.
ClearChecks
Best for: Buyers willing to verify current pricing, permitted uses, and county-level eviction coverage before ordering.
What it is: ClearChecks provides background screening. Before ordering, ask whether its reports are authorized for the intended housing or employment decision, and whether each eviction search pulls records directly from the relevant county court or relies on aggregated databases that may contain coverage gaps.
What to confirm before buying:
- Which criminal searches the selected package includes, such as county records, statewide repositories, sex offender registries, and OFAC sanctions data.
- Written confirmation of county coverage before treating ClearChecks as a direct-court eviction specialist.
- Turnaround times, FCRA adverse-action support, and package-level criminal search depth.
Pricing: ClearChecks does not publish per-report pricing in the sources reviewed for this comparison. Request the current cost and ask whether court fees or add-on searches raise the final price.
BackgroundChecks.com
Best for: Buyers seeking a general records search, provided the selected report is authorized for the intended use.
What it is: BackgroundChecks.com is a registered consumer reporting agency offering multiple types of background searches. Buyers should confirm which eviction courts it searches directly and where it uses aggregated records, which may omit recent filings or records that courts have not transmitted.
Pros:
- The available search options may support preliminary research across several record types.
- Buyers can compare report types without adopting an enterprise screening program.
Cons:
- Direct court coverage must be confirmed for every relevant county.
- Buyers using a report for housing or employment must verify that the specific product is authorized for that use and includes the required adverse-action support.
Pricing: BackgroundChecks.com does not publish per-report pricing. Request the full cost and list of included searches before comparing it with other providers.
Coverage and pricing at a glance
Coverage varies by jurisdiction and package, so confirm county eviction access and included criminal sources before ordering.
| Provider | Positioning described in this review | Eviction coverage to verify | Pricing stated in this review |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 Star Background Checks | Per-report screening without stated minimum volumes | Confirm direct court and aggregated coverage by county | $7.95–$25.95 for listed packages; eviction records $10 |
| Checkr | High-volume employment screening | Confirm whether eviction searches are available and how each county is sourced | Request current package or account pricing |
| GoodHire | Employment screening workflows | Confirm whether tenant screening is supported and how each county is sourced | Not published; request a quote |
| HireRight | Enterprise employment screening across jurisdictions | Confirm whether eviction searches are available and how each county is sourced | Not published; request a quote |
| BeenVerified | Informal consumer research | Do not use for FCRA-governed employment or tenant screening | Review current subscription terms |
| ClearChecks | Background screening that requires further product verification | Confirm permitted uses and direct court coverage by county | Not published; request current per-report pricing |
| BackgroundChecks.com | General background searches with product-specific permitted uses | Confirm direct court coverage and permitted use for the selected report | Not published; request current product pricing |
Reflects information available as of September 2026. Providers marked "Not published" do not list per-report rates publicly. Coverage descriptions summarize this review rather than vendor guarantees.
Which service fits your situation
Landlords and property managers should consider 5 Star Background Checks when they want transparent per-report pricing and fast results without a contract. County-sensitive landlords should confirm which local courts the eviction search covers before buying. Consider ClearChecks only after confirming its current price, permitted use for tenant screening, and direct court coverage in the relevant counties.
Small businesses can compare 5 Star Background Checks' packages, which start at $7.95, after confirming that the selected searches cover the required jurisdictions. GoodHire may suit employers that want more support for FCRA compliance and adverse action during hiring.
Large employers should compare Checkr and HireRight. Checkr suits high-volume hiring that depends on HR software integrations, while HireRight better serves complex screening across multiple jurisdictions.
Consumers conducting informal personal research can consider BeenVerified. BackgroundChecks.com can serve occasional general record searches. Before using either service for employment or tenant decisions, verify that the specific report is authorized for that purpose. Consumer lookup reports cannot replace a compliant screening process.
Where 5 Star Background Checks stands out
5 Star Background Checks stands out for publishing package prices before a buyer orders. Published rates start at $7.95, while broader screening packages cost up to $25.95. A la carte services let you choose specific checks without paying for an oversized package.
5 Star Background Checks states that results typically arrive within 8 to 24 hours. Actual timing can vary when a court or another source requires manual research, but the stated window suits landlords and employers who need prompt decisions.
Flexible purchasing also makes 5 Star practical for occasional and repeat screening. Buyers can order without contracts or minimum volumes, and customizable packages support different criminal background check needs. Confirm the final price and included searches before ordering.
Before ordering an eviction record check, confirm that the search covers the relevant county courts. Eviction depth varies by jurisdiction, and transparent pricing cannot compensate for missing local records.
Start a report with 5 Star Background Checks.
FCRA compliance and adverse action for eviction and criminal data
The FCRA generally requires a permissible purpose before you order a consumer report for employment or housing screening. Verify the requirements that apply to your role, location, and intended use with official guidance or qualified counsel. Employers must provide a clear, standalone disclosure and obtain written authorization from the applicant. Housing providers generally have a permissible purpose when they use a consumer report to evaluate a rental application. The FCRA does not impose the same written-authorization rule that applies to employment reports, although state law or the screening provider may require consent. Tell applicants how you will use the report and obtain any authorization required for the transaction.
Employers must send a pre-adverse action notice before rejecting an applicant based partly or entirely on report data. The notice should include a copy of the report and the federal Summary of Your Rights. Allow the applicant the legally required opportunity to review the report and dispute errors before making the final decision.
After giving an employment applicant a reasonable opportunity to respond, send the required adverse action notice if you proceed with the decision. The notice must identify the screening company, explain that the company did not make the decision, and describe the applicant's rights to dispute the report and request another copy. Landlords must provide an adverse action notice when report data contributes to a denial, higher deposit, increased rent, or another unfavorable term. Although the FCRA does not generally require a pre-adverse notice for tenant screening, a housing provider may choose to let an applicant address possible errors before the final decision, subject to applicable state and local law.
Complete searches support consistent decisions, but report accuracy still requires review. Compare records with the applicant's identifiers, document your criteria, and check state or local restrictions on criminal and eviction history. Consult qualified counsel for rules governing your location and use case.
How we ranked these services
We evaluated whether each provider documented direct county court access or reliance on aggregated records. Because the available information did not establish comparable county coverage for every provider, this comparison treats unconfirmed coverage as a limitation rather than proof of superior performance.
We compared stated access to county and statewide criminal records, the national sex offender registry, and OFAC screening. We also reviewed FCRA workflow support, stated turnaround times, and published pricing where that information was available. Unverified features, prices, and jurisdiction-level coverage were not treated as confirmed advantages.
FCRA compliance and adverse action support ranked next because landlords and employers need lawful screening procedures. We also considered turnaround time and per-report pricing, but neither factor outweighed incomplete court coverage. When public information did not confirm eviction coverage for a specific county, we treated that uncertainty as a limitation.