What is a background check?
A background check is an investigation into an individual’s criminal record, employment history, driving record, education, finances, or other aspects of their personal history.
Background checks are often performed by an organization or company in order to screen a subject before a significant financial or legal agreement. However, individuals regularly perform background checks on themselves to make sure that the public information on them matches their personal records.
For more general information on background checks, consult our Background Checks FAQS page.
How do I run a criminal background check in Idaho?
In Idaho, nearly all state criminal history information is open to the public, and the criminal history information and arrest records of any individual are available upon request.
The Idaho State Government does not have an online search tool for looking up criminal history information that is available to the public, but there are two ways of performing a criminal history background check in the state, either by mail or in-person at the Idaho State Police office:
- Fingerprint background check
- Name-based background check
Fingerprint background check
To complete a fingerprint background check, the following items are required:
- Completed Fingerprint Background Check Form
- Completed fingerprint card with fingerprints of the subject of the check (can be done at a local police department)
- $20 processing fee in the form of a check payable to “Idaho State Police” or with a credit or debit card by using the Credit Card Authorization Form included with the main form (requires an additional $1 processing fee plus 3% of the total transaction)
Name-based background check
To complete a name-based background check, the following items are required:
- Completed Name-Based Background Check Form
- $20 processing fee in the form of a check payable to “Idaho State Police” or with a credit or debit card by using the Credit Card Authorization Form included with the main form (requires an additional $1 processing fee plus 3% of the total transaction)
Completed forms and other required items and fees for both types of checks should be mailed or delivered in-person to:
Idaho State Police
700 S. Stratford Dr. Ste. 120
Meridian, ID 83642
If you have any questions regarding the check contact the Idaho State Police at (208) 884-7130
How do I search Idaho court records?
Idaho court records are open to the public via the iCourt Portal provided by the Idaho State Court. Users have the option of registering an account or using iCourt as a guest.
The iCourt portal gives users the following options:
- Smart search – Search Idaho court records by record number or name in “Last, First Middle Suffix” format.
- Search Hearings – Search court hearings by putting in a date range.
- Make Payments – Pay traffic violations or take care of other legally-mandated financial obligations.
Sealed cases and other records may not be available through iCourt. If you can’t find the court record you are looking for, contact the clerk of court in the county where the case originated in order to make a request.
Click here for the contact information for all Idaho county courts.
Where can I find Idaho driving records online?
Individuals can order a printable copy of their Idaho driver license record (DLR) online through the Idaho Transportation Department.
Here’s some key information about the online DLR service:
- The price of one DLR ordered online is $9.56 and can be purchased using a debit or credit card.
- Individuals must select a legal reason for requesting a DLR and provide their Idaho driver’s license number, full name, and date of birth in order to submit a request.
- An Idaho DLR that is purchased online includes 3 years of state driver license history. If you need a complete DLR with more than 3 years of history, you must complete and submit this paper form to the ITD.
For more information about Idaho driver license records, you can send an email to the ITD or receive them by phone at 208-334-800.
How do I look up Idaho vital records such as birth certificates and marriage licenses?
Vital records are records of important life events such as births, deaths, marriages, and divorces that are kept by government agencies and accessible upon request.
Vital records are not public records that can be viewed by anyone, but the subject(s) of the record and authorized family members can view them in-person or order copies through a number of means. Additionally, one or more vital records may be required to complete a background check.
The Idaho Bureau of Vital Records enlists the services of the third-party vendor Vital Chek to enable individuals to order copies of vital records online. The government-endorsed service offers vital records from 50 U.S. states and territories.
Available vital records include:
- birth certificates
- death certificates
- marriage records
- divorce records
Click here to place an order with Vital Chek.
For more information, contact the Idaho Bureau of Vital Records at 1-208-334-5980.
How do I search for a person’s sex offender status in Idaho?
Those convicted of sex-related crimes or certain crimes against children in Idaho are required by law to register as sex offenders. Additionally, offenders in the registry are required to notify law enforcement as soon as possible in the case of a physical address change or email address change, or they will be labeled “non-compliant”.
The Idaho State Police makes the Idaho Sex Offender Registry available online to the general public in the interest of public safety. Users may search by name, city, area, or email address/internet name. However, certain low-risk offenders may not be viewable in the online database.
Click here to perform a search of the Idaho Sex Offender Registry. It’s important to stay informed about potential threats in your neighborhood in order to take the necessary precautions.
How do I perform a credit history background check in Idaho?
Performing a credit check in Idaho follows the same process as in other states. A federal law known as the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) grants every American one free annual credit report each from the three main U.S. credit bureaus:
In order to obtain your free credit report from one of these three bureaus, you must provide the following information:
- Full name
- Address
- Date of birth
- Social security number
