How to Do a Background Check in Indiana

Lily Evans - May 29, 2025

Background checks are an essential part of any screening process. They can be used by landlords, employers, business partners, or even individuals who want to understand someone’s background for a specific purpose.

Performing a background check in Indiana is a straightforward and easy process if you know where to look and how to proceed. This step-by-step guide will walk you through the whole process. We’ll also cover how long a background check takes in Indiana and common mistakes to avoid.

Step-by-Step Guide to Performing a Background Check in Indiana

Here are the main steps you need to follow to run a background check in Indiana:

Before You Start

Before getting started, it’s important to understand Indiana’s Public Records Law. The state follows the Access to Public Records Act (APRA), which grants citizens the right to inspect and obtain copies of specific public records. These records can include information about public officials, government employees, and offenders.

This knowledge will help you determine what you are legally able to access. Keep in mind that some records, like sealed cases and juvenile records, are not public and require proper legal procedures. If you’re unsure about anything, you can contact the Indiana Public Access Counselor for more details.

Step 1: Search on Google

A simple, free place to start a background check is by heading over to Google. Enter the person’s full name in quotation marks along with any other details you know, like their city in Indiana or workplace. It’s also helpful to try variations of their name, such as middle initials or former last names.

As Google aggregates all publicly available content, you might find information on the person in local news stories, alumni directories, or even court case listings that are indexed by search engines. Adding keywords like “arrest” and “lawsuit” can also provide more details. 

That said, don’t rely only on Google and other search engines. Consider these a starting point for a more detailed investigation. 

Step 2: Use Social Media

Another free digital space to look into is social media. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn are great for finding information about a person’s background. This can include details like employment history, education, and professional connections. Depending on how active someone is online, you might also find information about their lifestyle, interests, and social circles.

Social media can be a valuable tool for employers when screening applicants, as it provides useful information about potential candidates. However, it’s important not to rely solely on this sort of information. Always verify facts through proper channels before making any decisions.

Step 3: Do an Indiana State Police Criminal History Check

Once you have the basics covered, you can dive into the specifics with a criminal history check. Some states don’t share criminal records, but the Indiana State Police (ISP) provides a Limited Criminal History Search, covering felonies and arrests within the state.

You can submit an online request by using a person’s name, date of birth, race, gender, Social Security Number, and place of birth. If you want more detailed information, you can also use the state’s electronic fingerprinting network for National Criminal History. 

Step 4: Check Indiana Court Records Online

Reviewing court records gives you a more detailed look at civil or criminal cases someone may be involved in. Indiana’s government provides MyCase as a platform to search for court cases by case, name, and attorney. This is especially useful if you’re focusing your search within the state.

Step 5: Check Sex Offender Registries

The Indiana Department of Corrections hosts a sex and violent offender registry hub where you can find out about the identity, location, and appearance of offenders within the state. You can view the relevant offenses and risk levels of any potential threat. If you’re a landlord, employer, or parent researching someone who’ll be in contact with children, you should never skip this step.

Step 6: Verify Educational and Professional Records

This is another important step in a background check that can help you confirm the identity of a person. If a person claims to be in a regulated field like law, medicine, or accounting, you can verify their professional licenses. Cross-checking a resume with verified information helps confirm if a person is truly who they say they are.

You can ask about documentation like diplomas, transcripts, and offer letters from the subject. Then, contact relevant places, like universities or HR departments of companies, to confirm their attendance and work history. Taking the time to do this can help minimize liability and prevent potential issues down the road.

Step 7: Use a Reverse Lookup Tool to Speed Up the Process

Another fast and efficient method to gather background data is by using a free people lookup service like CheckPeople.com. You can find the person’s past and current residences, verify their educational background and work history, trace phone numbers, and discover their criminal history. 

How it works is simple: you go to the site and enter the person’s full name, city, and state. Click on “Search” and the site will automatically go through all publicly available data to create a comprehensive report that has everything you need: full names, addresses, relatives, criminal and traffic records, sexual offender status, online presence, and more. 

Use this tool responsibly and ethically. If you don’t find what you’re looking for immediately, wait a few days and try again. These databases are regularly updated, so you’ll come across the right profile sooner or later. 

Step 8: Keep Detailed Records of Your Findings

Finally, always remember to keep clear and organized records of everything you find. This can mean anything, from screenshots and documents to confirmation emails and notes from phone calls made to schools, employers, and other parties. Keep everything in a secure folder.

Documenting your entire process can help you keep track of all your information and provide protection if you’re ever questioned about your decision-making process. Just be careful to respect privacy laws while storing this data. 

How Long Does a Background Check Take in Indiana?

The timeline of a background check depends on the method and depth of your research. If you do a quick Indiana State Police check online, you’ll get your results on the same day. However, if you do a more detailed search like a fingerprint-based investigation, it can take about three to five business days.

This is where advanced tools like CheckPeople.com speed up the process. As all the work is automated, your search will only take a few minutes. Generally, your background check shouldn’t take more than a week, unless holidays or system downtime delay the results. 

Mistakes to Avoid When Doing a Background Check in Indiana

Background checks are straightforward, but there are common mistakes you might encounter along the way. Here are some of the most important pitfalls to watch out for:

1. Not Getting Consent When Required: Failing to get explicit and often written consent when doing employment or tenant screening as an employer or landlord can often result in legal consequences under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). 
2. Not Verifying Identity Details Properly: It’s easy to confuse people when they have common names, so you need to double-check and cross-reference with the relevant dates of birth, addresses, and aliases. 
3. Not Knowing the Difference Between Arrests and Convictions: Arrests don’t mean that someone is guilty. Keep that distinction in mind and never base your decisions on an incomplete picture.
4. Using Outdated Databases: Some databases can be outdated, so we always encourage using reliable tools like CheckPeople.com. Also, confirm the date of the last update in your search.
5. Forgetting to Re-Verify Old Information: Background information can become outdated very quickly with job changes, moves, and legal history. Make sure to double-check the accuracy of important details, especially if your search goes back a long time.
6. Relying on One Source of Information: No single source can provide a complete and accurate picture of a person’s background. Using various tools can help you cross-check and build a well-rounded understanding of a person. 

[image: https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/aerial-lakeside-park-gardens-fountains-distant-2381480363 alt-text: Aerial view of Lakeside Park gardens and fountains with downtown Fort Wayne, Indiana in the distance.]

Use These Background Check Tools Wisely

There are various reliable and accessible sources for conducting a background check in Indiana. The challenge is knowing what to look for, how to interpret the information, and when to use it. Each source serves a different purpose, and it’s important to use them wisely.

Before acting on the information you find, you should always verify it through multiple channels. Understand the legal and ethical implications of using this data, and then make your decision.