If you want to do a background check on someone for any reason, or you want to find out more about a person you have come across, you can easily search public records online about this person. There are public record databases which can be accessed online in the comfort of your own home. Easily lookup and find peoples criminal history that you are not totally sure of.

There are various websites online which can give you access to public records. However it also depends upon the state or the country you live in and you have to follow their laws. Some states may not give you access to personal criminal records such as someones criminal past unless you have the authority to do so.

Websites like Google have the world's largest database of information. VitalRec.com tells you how to obtain vital records like birth, death and marriage certificates. Zabasearch is another website which can give you information about a persons criminal past. USA.gov is a great search engine and portal that gives you direct access to information from the United States government, state governments and other agencies as it has a huge database of practically everything in the United States.

In the United Kingdom Directgov is a search engine which has a huge database of government information and services. You can start your free public records search online at any of these websites. It's simple, type in the person's name that you want to check criminal records of and you will receive your results. Some records you may have to pay others you may not.