Illinois Background Checks

There are very few ways to find out if someone is who they say they are without first requesting their permission. That is unfortunate, since a quick search can usually remove all doubts about an individual's trustworthiness, yet to find out that information you often need to ask the person for their blessing, which may be difficult or embarrassing to do.

Illinois background checks, however, allow you to find out information about any individual living in the state of Illinois for free, without having to ask their permission. This allows you to search safely and easily, so that the other person doesn't feel any lack of trust, and you can rest knowing that they're exactly the person you thought they were.

Performing a background check is fairly simple. You need to know the individual's name, and possibly their city or state of residence. From there, you can search for their name in a public records database, in order to find out various information about their past and their current lifestyle. You can find out things like their current residence, phone number, criminal history and more, all without requiring their permission.

It's always a good idea to search these databases before trusting the safety of yourself or your family to others. For example, it is a great idea to perform this search before putting your child in the hands of a new babysitter, or going on a third date with someone that appears to be keeping secrets. These records are a great way to ensure that you can trust the people that have become an important part of your life. Searching for these records is quick and simple, and will provide you with the information that you've been looking for.

Illinois Criminal Records

If you are conducting an Illinois background check, the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority can assist you with finding Illinois criminal records. According to the Uniform Conviction Information Act, all Illinois criminal records have to be collected and maintained by the state police. The Act also requires that conviction information be available to the public. In order to view your Illinois criminal records, you will need to submit a Conviction Information Request form available from the Bureau of Identification. Only original forms can be processed.

There are two types of Illinois criminal record checks for which you can request forms: the non-fingerprint conviction information request form and the fingerprint conviction information request form. The non-fingerprint form is form ISP6-405B and results in a search of the computerized database for Illinois criminal records that match identifiers like name and date of birth. This search is based solely on the identifiers provided, and it may not be complete, as many offenders will use aliases.

The fingerprint form is form ISP6-404B and will base the search on files with matching fingerprints. This Illinois criminal record search will confirm the identity of the fingerprints.

To access these forms, do the following:

Step 1: Request the fingerprint or non-fingerprint forms from the Illinois State Police Department. Click Here
Step 2: Provide payment. Fingerprint searches cost $20. Non-fingerprint searches cost $16.
Step 3: Mail the filled out form(s) and payment to the address indicated on the application.

For more information on accessing Illinois criminal records, you can contact the office using the information listed below:

Illinois State Police
Bureau of Identification
260 North Chicago Street
Joliet, Illinois 60431
(815) 740-5216

Resource Links
Illinois Criminal History Records
Background Check Guide

Illinois Court Records

If you are in need of Illinois court records for Illinois background checks, then you will need to contact the Illinois Court System. The System maintains online records of the cases that have been filed in the last 90 days in the Supreme or Appellate Courts. Cases older than 90 days will be archived. You can choose to search the records by posting date, filing date, docket number or case name. The notes will then be displayed as a PDF file.

If you need additional information regarding accessing Illinois court records, then you can contact the office using the information below:

Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts
3101 Old Jacksonville Road
Springfield, IL 62704
(217) 558-4490

Resource links
Illinois Courts

Illinois Jail Records

If you would like to access Illinois jail records for Illinois background checks, then you will need to contact the Illinois Department of Corrections. The DOC maintains an online database that allows the public to search records by last name, DOC number, or birth date. When searched, users can view the inmate’s name, institution where housed, current status, identifying information, and sentencing information.

To search for jail records online do the following:

Step 1: Visit the Illinois Inmate Search webpage. Click Here.
Step 2: Select whether to search by last name, IDOC# or date of birth.
Step 3: Click “Inmate Search” to view available results.

If you need additional information regarding accessing Illinois jail records, then you can contact the office using the information below:

Illinois Department of Corrections
1301 Concordia Court
P.O. Box 19277
Springfield, IL 62794
(217) 558-2200 ext. 2008

Resource Links
Illinois Inmate Search

Illinois Driving Records

If you would like to review Illinois driving records for conducting your Illinois background checks, then there are several routes you can take. If you are attempting to obtain your own Illinois driving record, the easiest way to do so is in person. You will need to visit your nearest Secretary of State facility and fill out an abstract request form. The fee is $12 and you will receive your Illinois driving record immediately.

If you are the parent or legal guardian of a minor or immediate family member of an adult and requesting the Illinois driving record of someone else, then you will also need to submit notarized written permission from that person. You can also choose to mail in your request along with the fee and applicable forms. The fee for mailing in a request for Illinois driving records is still $12, and your request will take approximately 10 working days to be processed. If you are currently out of state, than an immediate family member who lives in Illinois can pick up your Illinois driving record from a Secretary of State facility with your notarized written permission and the $12 fee.

Anyone can purchase another person’s Illinois driving record; however, laws prohibit the disclosure of personal information, such as their address. Information that can be released includes convictions, withdrawals, and crashes. Before that information is released to you, the person on the record will be mailed notification of your request and has 10 days to respond. The fastest way for you to access Illinois driving records on someone else is to do so in person at a Secretary of State facility.

You will need to fill out an abstract request form and pay the $12 fee. You will receive the Illinois driving record in the mail in 11 to 15 days. Alternatively, you can mail in your request along with the $12 fee. You will need to allow 10 working days for the office to process your request and then the additional 10 days needed to inform the individual of your request.

If you need additional information regarding accessing Illinois driving records, then you can contact the office using the information below:

Secretary of State
Driver Analysis Section
2701 S. Dirksen Parkway
Springfield, IL 62723
(217) 782-2720

Resource links
Illinois Driving Record Information

Additional Resources

Illinois Sexual Offender Registry
Illinois Attorney General