In today’s digital-first world, finding love often starts with a swipe, a like, or a witty bio. But behind the profiles and promises, not everything is always as it seems. While many dating apps now offer built-in background check tools—like the Bumble background check—doing your own research has become not just smart, but essential. A free background check for dating can help you avoid catfishing scams, protect your emotional well-being, and ensure you’re building connections based on trust.

Catfishing—the act of creating a fake identity to lure someone online—has become alarmingly common. In fact, nearly 20,000 catfishing cases were reported in the U.S. alone in 2020. As the world of online dating grows, so does the human tendency to embellish or misrepresent oneself, sometimes with harmful consequences. This has made background checks more important than ever for anyone seeking meaningful, safe relationships through dating apps and websites.

So, is it necessary to find the best background check site for dating? The answer is a resounding yes! Whether you’re cautiously stepping back into the dating pool or actively looking for a life partner, these background check services can offer you peace of mind, helping you date smarter—and safer.

Dating Is Hard Enough—Don’t Let A Catfish Make It Worse

You finally match with someone who seems perfect—charming messages, well-lit photos, and a profile that just screams “soulmate.” But before you get emotionally invested or agree to meet in person, it’s worth taking a few moments to ensure the person is exactly who they claim to be.

Background check sites designed for dating help bridge the gap between attraction and safety. They let you screen potential dates discreetly, pulling up public records, social media, court filings, criminal history, and more. Whether you’re recovering from a past bad experience or just cautious by nature, these tools offer peace of mind—and could help you dodge a major heartbreak. Let’s look at 10 top-rated background check tools tailored for online dating safety.

Related Reading: How Cheaters Hide Their Tracks – The 9 Point List Updated 2022

1. TruthFinder

Finding love online can be exciting, but it’s smart to protect yourself while doing it. TruthFinder is one of the most trusted background check services out there, designed to dig deep into public and hidden online records. Whether you’re worried about hidden criminal records or just want to confirm someone’s real identity, TruthFinder gives you detailed, easy-to-read reports that help you date with confidence.

Best for: Deep web searches and comprehensive reports

Key features

• Criminal records and arrest histories
• Social media profiles
• Dark web monitoring
• Contact information and address history

Pros	Cons
Very detailed and easy-to-read reports	Slightly more expensive compared to others
Includes dark web monitoring	No free trial available
Strong customer support	Membership auto-renews unless canceled
Accesses hard-to-find public records	Some reports may contain outdated info

Pricing overview

Plan	Cost	Details
People Search	$28.33/month	Unlimited person and location reports
Bi-monthly	$47.03 every 2 months	Equivalent to $23.52/month
Reverse Phone Lookup	$4.99/month	Unlimited phone reports

Available On: iOS, Android, Web

Bono Rating: 4.0/5  —Ideal for deep-dive checks, but slightly pricey if you’re on a budget.

2. BeenVerified

If you’re new to background checks or just want something quick and easy, BeenVerified is a fantastic starting point. This platform is well-loved for its user-friendly experience, offering broad access to public records, criminal histories, and social media profiles. It’s a reliable tool if you want fast results and simple navigation while making sure your potential date is exactly who they claim to be.

Best for: User-friendly interface and broad data access

Key features

• Criminal records
• Social media profiles
• Property records
• Contact information

Pros	Cons
Very easy-to-use platform	Reports can occasionally be outdated
Covers multiple types of records	Slightly slower delivery for some searches
Affordable for regular users	Limited info on deeper financial backgrounds
Mobile app is available	Phone support hours are limited

Pricing overview

Plan	Cost	Details
1-Month Membership	$22.99/month	Unlimited reports
3-Month Membership	$19.49/month	Billed as $58.48 every 3 months

Available On: iOS, Android, Web

Bono Rating: 4.0/5 —User-friendly and affordable for regular daters who want quick, reliable results.

3. Instant Checkmate

Instant Checkmate is a background check service for people who want the full story—not just surface-level details. Known for its exhaustive and detailed reports, it can uncover everything from criminal records to hidden contact information. If you’re dating someone new and want deeper peace of mind before taking the next step, Instant Checkmate offers one of the most thorough investigations available.

Best for: Detailed reports with extensive data

Key features

• Criminal records and arrest histories
• Contact information
• Address history
• Relatives and associates search

Pros	Cons
Very detailed, exhaustive reports	Pricing is on the higher side
Great for uncovering hidden details	No free trial offered
Search filters are strong	Customer service response times can vary
Multiple data points like gun permits included	Mobile app functionality is limited

Pricing overview

Plan	Cost	Details
1-Month Membership	$35.47/month	Unlimited reports
3-Month Membership	$28.38/month	Billed as $85.14 every 3 months
Reverse Phone Lookup	$5.99/month	Unlimited phone reports

Available On: iOS, Android, Web

Bono Rating: 3.8/5 —Offers extremely detailed reports but comes at a higher cost.

4. Spokeo

Sometimes it’s not criminal records you need to worry about—it’s whether someone’s online persona matches their real life. Spokeo specializes in finding social media profiles, online activities, and digital footprints. If you want to get a better sense of who your date is across various platforms, Spokeo can help you uncover valuable insights in just a few clicks.

Best for: Aggregating social media and online profiles

Key features

• Social media profiles aggregation
• Contact information lookup
• Location history
• Email and phone number search

Pros	Cons
Great for finding social media profiles	Criminal records search is weaker
Very affordable long-term plans	Reports sometimes lack depth
Easy to use and navigate	Limited trial features
Strong reverse phone and email lookups	Not ideal for very serious background checks

Pricing overview

Plan	Cost	Details
1-Month Membership	$13.95/month	Unlimited reports
3-Month Membership	$7.95/month	Billed as $23.85 every 3 months
6-Month Membership	$4.95/month	Billed as $29.70 every 6 months
7-Day Trial	$0.95	Limited access

Available On: Android, Web

Bono Rating: 3.9/5 —Great for social media checks, though not as strong on criminal records.

5. CheckPeople

If you’re looking for a fast, straightforward way to vet someone new in your life, CheckPeople offers a simple, no-frills approach. Designed for quick searches, this service is great if you just want the basics—like contact info, criminal history, and address background—without feeling overwhelmed by too much data. It’s ideal for a quick safety check before that first meeting.

Best for: Quick checks with straightforward reports

Key features

• Criminal records search
• Contact information
• Address history
• Relatives and associates info

Pros	Cons
Extremely fast report delivery	Reports may feel too basic for deep checks
Simple interface for beginners	No mobile app available
Ideal for quick dating safety checks	Limited access to financial records
Affordable 5-day trial option	Higher recurring monthly cost after trial

Pricing overview

Plan	Cost	Details
5-Day Trial	$1.00	Unlimited searches during trial
Monthly Membership	$44.85/month	Unlimited reports

Available On: Web

Bono Rating: 3.5/5 —Good for fast, basic searches, but reports may feel too minimal for some users

6. ID True

Need quick peace of mind without breaking the bank? ID True provides affordable background checks that deliver essential information like criminal records and phone number history. It’s especially useful if you’re casually dating and want to make sure your matches are legitimate, without committing to expensive monthly subscriptions.

Best for: Straightforward, affordable background checks

Key features

• Criminal records
• Contact information lookup
• Reverse phone lookup
• Address history

Pros	Cons
Unlimited search options	Pricing jumps after first month
Good for quick identity checks	Less detailed than premium services
Straightforward, no-frills platform	No social media search integration
Great value for first month	No mobile app yet

Pricing overview

Plan	Cost	Details
1-Month Membership	$9.95	Unlimited background reports
Following Months	$38.95/month	Continued access

Available On: Web

Bono Rating: 3.7/5 —Best for straightforward, affordable background checks with unlimited searches.

7. Intelius

When you’re dating someone new, you sometimes want more than just surface-level information—you want the full picture. Intelius is a great option if you’re looking to dig deeper, offering not only basic background checks but also education history, employment records, and address histories. It’s perfect for daters who want a little extra assurance before building something serious.

Best for: Detailed reports with flexible subscription options

Key features

• Criminal records search
• Education and employment history
• Contact information lookup
• Reverse phone lookup
• Address history

Pros	Cons
Covers employment and education details	Pricey compared to some competitors
Flexible search types (people, phone, address)	Trial offer can lead to unexpected charges if not canceled
Detailed and thorough reports	A trial offer can lead to unexpected charges if not canceled
Well-established, trusted brand	No free basic searches available

Pricing overview

Plan	Cost	Details
People Search Trial	$0.95	5-day trial
Monthly Membership	$24.86/month	Unlimited reports
Bi-Monthly Membership	$21.13/month	Billed as $42.26 every two months
Reverse Phone Lookup	$34.95/month	Unlimited phone lookups
Identity Protection Add-on	$9.95/month	Extra services for ID protection

Available On: iOS, Android, Web

Bono Rating: 4.0/5 —A flexible, detailed service perfect for users who want employment and education data too.

8. Persopo

If you’re planning to vet multiple people over time or want to casually monitor who you’re talking to, Persopo offers one of the most budget-friendly options. With unlimited searches and quick access to criminal records and social media profiles, it’s a practical choice for frequent online daters who don’t want to pay hefty fees for every lookup.

Best for: Budget-friendly unlimited searches

Key features

• Criminal records
• Contact information lookup
• Social media profiles aggregation
• Address and property history

Pros	Cons
Very affordable for unlimited searching	Less detailed reporting compared to premium sites
Great for frequent background checks	No mobile app
Easy-to-read reports	Limited depth on professional histories
Good for basic relationship safety checks	Customer service can be slow at times

Pricing overview

Plan	Cost	Details
1-Month Membership	$19.93/month	Unlimited reports
3-Month Membership	$14.93/month	Billed as $44.79 every 3 months
6-Month Membership	$9.93/month	Billed as $59.58 every 6 months

Available On: Web

Bono Rating: 3.9/5 —Budget-friendly choice for frequent users needing unlimited searches.

9. SearchQuarry

If you’re not interested in committing to a monthly plan but still want access to vital information, SearchQuarry offers a simple solution. Perfect for those one-off checks before meeting someone new, this platform provides public records, vehicle data, and criminal history without locking you into a subscription.

Best for: One-off background checks without subscriptions

Key features

• Criminal records
• Contact information
• Vehicle and DMV records
• Bankruptcy and lien search

Pros	Cons
Good for occasional checks	Costs add up if you search often
Includes vehicle records, rare among dating-focused checks	Basic background search lacks depth
No long-term subscription needed	Interface can feel outdated
Transparent about data sources	Support hours are limited

Pricing overview

Plan	Cost	Details
5-Day Trial	$2.95	Limited access to reports
Monthly Membership	$24.95/month	Unlimited access

Available On: Web

Bono Rating: 3.6/5 —Handy for occasional checks, but a bit expensive if used regularly.

10. PeopleWhiz

If you’re serious about uncovering everything there is to know before taking your online match offline, PeopleWhiz offers one of the most comprehensive search capabilities out there. From criminal backgrounds to employment and asset records, this service compiles data from numerous sources, making it a great fit for anyone who wants full transparency before dating.

Best for: Comprehensive background reports from extensive data sources

Key features

• Criminal records search
• Employment and education history
• Social media profiles lookup
• Property and asset records
• Relatives and associates info

Pros	Cons
Extremely detailed and broad data coverage	Some reports may have outdated info
User-friendly dashboard	No mobile app support yet
Includes employment, property, and asset details	Limited customer support availability
Good for uncovering hidden or hard-to-find info	Not FCRA compliant for tenant or employment screening

Pricing overview

Plan	Cost	Details
Monthly Membership	$27.99/month	Unlimited background checks
Single Report	$19.99/report	One-time comprehensive report

Available On: Web

Bono Rating: 3.8/5 —Comprehensive data sources, but some reports may include outdated information.

How To Choose The Best Background Check Services For Dating

Before you invest in a background check service to vet your online dates, it’s important to know exactly what you’re signing up for. Here are 10 key things you should consider to make an informed choice:

• Watch out for hidden fees: Be aware of any hidden charges for additional report types, court documents, or unlocking premium information beyond the basic search results.
• Reputation matters: Always research the reputation of the background check site. Look for user reviews and third-party ratings to ensure the company is trustworthy and well-established.
• Accuracy and updates: Choose a site known for providing accurate, up-to-date information. Stale or incorrect data can do more harm than good.
• Ethical data sourcing: Confirm that the site collects information through legal and ethical means, respecting user privacy and public record laws.
• Methodology transparency: Good companies are clear about how they conduct searches. Most offer basic address lookups, reverse phone searches, and access to job history or marital status information.
• Legality and compliance: Make sure the service complies with federal and state laws. Most dating background checks are for personal use, not employment or tenant screening, so FCRA compliance may not apply.
• Type of reports available: Understand what kind of information you’ll get, like criminal records, contact information, social media profiles, property records, or bankruptcy filings.
• Reverse phone lookup capabilities: This feature can be crucial if you want to verify unknown numbers or identify spammy contacts.
• Customer support availability: While 24/7 support isn’t necessary, responsive online support for billing questions or report clarifications can make a huge difference.
• Subscription vs. one-time cost: Subscription plans often offer better value if you plan to run multiple searches. One-time reports might seem cheaper, but can add up quickly if you need more info later.

Final Thoughts

Dating in today’s digital age is full of excitement, but it also comes with its fair share of risks. While dating apps are doing their part by offering safety features like built-in background checks, taking control of your dating journey by running your own checks is one of the smartest moves you can make.

With the 10 best background check sites for dating listed here, you have everything you need to feel more confident, informed, and secure before making that first move—or agreeing to that first date. Whether you want a quick social media search or a full deep-dive into someone’s history, there’s a tool out there tailored for your needs and budget.

Remember, love may be built on trust, but a little verification never hurt anyone. Stay smart, stay safe, and happy dating!

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