It is best to know the people around you by checking out their criminal records. Each state now allows the people to access the criminal records.A lot of information can be obtained in a criminal record. The complete name of the individual in question is found on the Free Criminal Record Search document along with the crimes that has been committed by the person. When and where the crimes where committed are detailed as well. One would also know all the charges filed against the individual. The sentences given to the individual is also indicted on the public document. How the person came in custody are also visible on a public document.Doing criminal records check allows people to feel secured with their surroundings and allows them to trust a certain individual. Background check is mostly done by employers. Filtering out employees is the best choice they have to make sure that the people who work for them have a clean record and can be trusted. This also prevents problems in the work environment especially related to the behavior of the employees. Businessmen would also check on their potential business partners to make sure that the one they have in mind is not involved in any fraudulent activities. Even ordinary citizens of a certain state would check on the people who surround them such as neighbors, caretakers, babysitters and even family and friends. Private investigators also use such documents in finding a solution to a criminal case.Retrieval of a criminal record in a certain state would cost service fee. The fee would vary per state and county. One has to fill out an application forming in order to proceed with the request. One should also indicate their personal information on the form. Although the criminal record is a public document, not all are given access to a certain file. Only the individual on the record as well as authorized individuals are allowed such as local authorities and relatives of the individual. Some state would allow a fingerprint search while others do not have such option. The record can be obtained after several days thus one should give enough time to the office to search for the needed file.The first place that one should go to in order to get a copy of the criminal record is the state’s Department of Public Safety. Most criminal records of a state are being handled by the said office. In cases where the record is not available at the state office, one can visit the county court clerk’s office where the crime has been reported.Searching for the record in a traditional manner is very tedious and time consuming thus the government has developed an online system which allows retrieval of a criminal record easier. Online retrieval is the fastest method since there is no need to go to any office at all and the document is released in just second s instead of days. There site which allows their users to do a free criminal records check while others do it for a certain fee. Many still go for the paid service because of the quality of the result and accuracy of information provided.