Gather your full legal name, previous names, date of birth, current and past addresses, and Social Security number if needed
Search your name on major search engines
Check public records websites for court, property, marriage, divorce, and criminal records
Review your state and county court records online
Request your credit reports from the three major credit bureaus
Check your driving record through your state DMV
Review your employment history and verify dates, titles, and employers
Review your education records and confirm degrees, certificates, and attendance
Search social media accounts and remove or update anything concerning
Check professional license and certification databases
Look up sex offender registries and other public safety databases if relevant
Review tenant screening reports if you want to see what landlords may find
Request a background check report from a reputable consumer reporting service
Dispute inaccurate information with the reporting agency or record holder
Keep copies of all records and corrections for future reference