Title says it all.

Without having to pay out the nose for a service, if possible.

Thanks.

If you aren't going to pay someone, i'd guess something like publicdata.com or similiar.

Any other suggestions?

Choicepoint

prisonerlife.com will let you know if they have evr been locked up.

My law firm does bg checks, basic is $50, more complete is $100, however a major-league, super mega top secret, FBI/NSA type of thing, well, we don't do those, we job them out and cost big bucks.

Most of the bg checks are for criminal, employment and education. PM me if you have other questions.

Most companies outsource them out these days.  The companies that do them do it a lot quicker than an employee that usually does other things can, at a cost generally less than that employees time.

If and when I did them, I usually just checked the employers.  Our Corporate did the Criminal check after employment.  BTW falsifying an app is usually a firing offense.

I'ld recommend having a company do it for you. They have the experience, the bonding and insurance and you have better uses for your time.

Also I very very seldomly ever checked personal references.  Nobody (sane and/or smart) lists a personal reference that isn't going to give a good reference.  Professional (Can they do the job?)references often get checked