It’s natural to want to know more about the people around us, whether you’re verifying a new babysitter, checking on an online date, or looking up a new neighbor. Sometimes, all you have is a name. A background check by name can help you get the information you need quickly and easily. While common names can make the process tricky, modern tools do a great job of narrowing down results. This article shares the best websites to help you run a background check by name effectively.
We will explore seven top-tier services designed for a reliable people search background check. You’ll get a detailed breakdown of each platform, a step-by-step tutorial on using one of the leading tools, and expert criteria for how we ranked them. By the end, you will have the confidence to choose the right service and find the information you need.
7 Best Websites to Perform a Background Check by Name
When you only have a name, the quality of the background check service you use matters immensely. The best platforms use powerful algorithms to sift through billions of records and match them accurately.
We boldly tested numerous services to determine which ones are best at converting information about a person’s name into a detailed report.
Searqle for a Comprehensive Name Background Check
Let’s kick off our review with Searqle, a super user-friendly tool that taps into over 1 billion data points. The name background check showed us our former and current home addresses, birth dates, relatives’ names, and social networks. All the information was 100% accurate! With premium search, you can also view court records and sex offender status.
In order to receive reports, you need to purchase a subscription, but the service also offers a trial version (ideal for testing!). The primary advantage of this service is the sheer volume of data it can access, making it a powerful all-in-one tool. The main drawback is that the results are only as accurate as the data you put in.
The best use case… Speaking from experience, it’s a must-have for making smart choices about the people you deal with. Whether you’re checking out someone you’re about to date, looking into a potential tenant for your place, or making sure you’re cool with a new roommate, it’s got you covered.
Radaris for Deep Social and Public Records
Radaris is a comprehensive platform designed to integrate public records, social media mentions, and online profiles into a single, cohesive resource. This functionality enables users to develop a thorough understanding of an individual’s digital and offline footprint. With a background search by name, Radaris can provide access to detailed information such as contact details, property ownership records, and professional history.
What’s great about it is that it can collect and combine different types of online data. The downside, though, is that the interface can look a bit more complicated than other apps.
The best use case… This tool is great for seeing the full picture of how someone comes across on different social media platforms.
Nuwber for Fast and Simple Name Searches
Nuwber is built for speed and simplicity. The platform offers a clean, straightforward interface that makes running a background check by name quick and easy. It scans public records to find addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, and potential relatives.
Nuwber offers full reports through a subscription plan, which includes a trial option for new users. One of its main pros is its user-friendly design, which is great for users who are not tech-savvy. The only downside is that its database isn’t as large as some of its competitors, so you might get less detailed reports.
The best use case… If you're the kind of person who values speed and simplicity, this service will likely be a great fit.
InfoTracer for Uncovering Hard-to-Find Data
InfoTracer is one more option for a good background check. It accesses billions of records, including criminal histories, court records, assets, and more. When performing a name background check, it provides robust filtering options to help you pinpoint the right person.
This is a subscription-based service. Its major pro is the depth of information it can uncover, particularly legal and criminal records. When we tested it, the reports were among the most detailed. A potential con is that the subscription cost is higher than some alternatives.
The best use case… InfoTracer is best suited for users conducting serious investigations who need access to comprehensive legal and financial data.
ZabaSearch for Free Preliminary Lookups
Among the free solutions, one of the most well-known tools is ZabaSearch. You can use it to perform a preliminary background search by name to find addresses and phone numbers without any initial cost. But keep in mind that the information may not be accurate.
While the initial search is free, ZabaSearch partners with other paid services like Intelius to provide full background reports. The main advantage is its no-cost entry point for verifying basic details. The limitation is that you will be redirected to a paid service for anything beyond a phone number or address.
The best use case… InfoTracer is best suited for users conducting serious investigations who need access to comprehensive legal and financial data.
CocoFinder for Anonymous and Secure Searches
CocoFinder emphasizes user privacy, allowing you to conduct a people search background check anonymously. It doesn’t track your searches, which provides peace of mind. The service aggregates public records to deliver information on phone numbers, addresses, email addresses, and social media profiles.
CocoFinder is a subscription-based service, so you will have to pay to use it. What makes it stand out is its strong commitment to privacy and its ad-free interface. However, you might find that its reports aren’t as detailed as those from bigger names like Searqle or InfoTracer.
The best use case… CocoFinder is a great choice if keeping your searches private is your top priority.
Spokeo for Social Media and Online Profiles
Spokeo used to just gather information from social media, but now it includes all sorts of public records. The service has a subscription model, and they often offer low-cost trial periods to get you started.
What sets Spokeo apart is its focus on social media and wealth data, giving you unique insights into someone’s lifestyle. Its criminal record information isn’t as detailed as some other services.
The best use case… It’s great at linking a name to online profiles, photos, and personal blogs – basically, it’s a handy tool for digging into someone’s digital footprint.
How to Run a Background Check by Name Using Searqle
Searqle is super easy to use – just type in a name, and you’re off to the races! Here’s a quick step-by-step guide to get you started.
- Open your web browser and head over to https://searqle.io/name-background-check/.
- Enter the person’s full first and last name in the search box. Double-check the spelling for better accuracy!
- If it’s a common name, use the filters to narrow it down (adding a state can really help).
- Searqle will show you a list of possible matches.
- Once you spot the right person, click to generate and view their full report.
How We Ranked These Background Check by Name Sites
To provide you with reliable recommendations, we established a clear methodology for evaluating these services. Our ranking is not arbitrary; it is based on a comprehensive set of criteria that reflects what users need most from a background check by name service.
- Accuracy of Name-Matching. We tested how well each service handled common and unique names, prioritizing those with intelligent algorithms that delivered relevant results.
- Depth of Data Provided. We assessed the comprehensiveness of the reports, looking at the inclusion of criminal records, contact info, and addresses.
- Payment Model Transparency. We favored services that were transparent about their costs and trial-to-subscription policies.
- Report Generation Speed. Users want information quickly. We measured the time it took from initiating a search to receiving a full report.
- User Experience. An intuitive interface and easy navigation contributed to a higher ranking.
- Service Reputation. We considered customer reviews and the company’s track record for reliability and customer support.
Conclusion
Conducting a background check by name is an effective way to gather information, whether for safety, curiosity, or reconnecting. While a name-only search can sometimes yield broad results, the seven services highlighted in this article offer powerful tools and filters to help you pinpoint the right person. From the comprehensive data of Searqle to the social media focus of Spokeo, there is a tool suited for every need.
Take control and make smarter choices by picking the right background check tool for your needs today.
If you’d like to dig deeper into how background checks work and compare different ways to run them, the following articles can help you explore your options and choose the right approach:
- How to Do a Background Check: Everything You Need to Know About This — a complete guide to the background check process and available methods
- Best Background Check Sites With One-Time Fee Options — a comparison of services that offer detailed reports with a single payment
- Get a Totally Free Background Check — No Credit Card Needed — an overview of what free background checks can and can’t provide
- 7 Best Websites to Perform Background Check by Phone Number — top websites that let you run background checks using a phone number.
- 8 Best Cheap Background Check Websites Worth Your Money — review of affordable background check websites and their features.
FAQ
Yes, it’s often possible to find someone using just their name. These days, background check services are advanced enough to scan public records and come up with some solid potential matches. The catch? It’s much easier if the name is uncommon. If you’re looking for someone with a common name, you’ll probably need extra details, like their location, to pinpoint the right person.
If you’re looking for someone with a common name like “John Smith,” filters are your best friend. The best way to narrow down the results is to add their last known city and state. You can also try adding an approximate age or the names of any known relatives. When we tried this out, just adding a state cut down the number of potential matches by over 90%.
Yes, performing a background check by name for personal reasons is legal. These services compile information that is already part of the public record. But keep in mind, you can’t use this info for things like screening tenants, hiring employees, or checking credit eligibility unless the service meets FCRA standards.
