Question 1

What can a private investigator find in a background check?

Accepted Answer

A background check may include criminal records, civil court records, lawsuits, judgments, injunctions, address history, business records, social media information, professional history, and other public or legally available information.

The scope depends on the purpose of the background check and what information is legally available.

Brooks Detective Agency provides background checks for personal, business, tenant, attorney, and investigative purposes.

Question 2

How much does a background check cost?

Accepted Answer

Basic background checks that require additional review beyond a simple report generally start around $300. More detailed background investigations can range from $300 to $5,000 or more, depending on the scope, number of jurisdictions, records needed, states searched, time involved, and whether records, reports, videos, or documents must be requested from agencies or courts when legally available.

Tenant background checks are priced separately at $150 per person for a criminal and civil background check.

Question 3

What is the difference between an online background check and a private investigator background check?

Accepted Answer

There are many online background check websites available to the public, but those reports can be outdated, incomplete, confusing, or tied to the wrong person.

Many automated background check websites rely on bulk database information, and they may miss court records, newer cases, civil matters, address history, or details that require a closer review.

Brooks Detective Agency also uses official investigative databases.

When needed, additional research may include court record checks, criminal and civil record searches, public records, social media review, address history, relationship scam research, or direct record requests when legally available.

Question 4

Why do background check costs vary so much?

Accepted Answer

Background check costs vary because not every search is the same.

A simple records review may be straightforward, while a deeper background investigation may require searching multiple counties, multiple states, civil records, criminal records, court filings, social media, business records, prior addresses, or other sources.

Costs can also depend on whether the person has lived in multiple jurisdictions, whether local courts provide access to records, whether actual criminal records must be requested, and whether law enforcement reports, body camera footage, videos, or other documents need to be obtained when legally permissible.

Question 5

What types of background checks does Brooks Detective Agency provide?

Accepted Answer

Brooks Detective Agency provides background checks for personal, legal, business, relationship, tenant, vendor, contractor, employee, roommate, dating, and investigative purposes.

Background checks may include criminal records, civil court records, lawsuits, judgments, injunctions, address history, business records, social media research, online dating concerns, and other public or legally available information.

The scope depends on the reason for the background check, the information available, and whether consent is required.

Question 6

Do I need consent for a background check?

Accepted Answer

It depends on the purpose of the background check. Background checks used for tenant screening, employment, credit, housing, or other regulated decisions often require written consent and compliance with applicable laws.

Personal or investigative background checks may also require consent depending on the scope, records requested, and intended use.

Brooks Detective Agency can explain what information is needed before beginning, but the client is responsible for having a lawful purpose and any required authorization.

Question 7

Can you run a background check for online dating?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Brooks Detective Agency can assist with online dating background checks, catfish concerns, romance scam concerns, fake profile concerns, and situations where someone wants to know more before becoming emotionally or financially involved.

This may include criminal and civil records, public records, identity concerns, address history, social media review, and other lawful research.

Question 8

Can you get actual criminal records?

Accepted Answer

In some cases, yes, but it depends on the jurisdiction, record availability, legal access, and the purpose of the request.

Not all jurisdictions release criminal records the same way, and some records may be restricted, sealed, expunged, unavailable online, or require direct court or agency requests.

If actual criminal records are needed, pricing may depend on the number of counties or states involved, the time required, court access fees, agency fees, and whether records must be reviewed manually.

The cost for obtaining criminal records, includes the investigators time, and the cost associated from the local government agency.

Question 9

Can you check multiple states or counties?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Brooks Detective Agency can conduct background research across multiple jurisdictions when appropriate.

Multi-state or multi-county background checks may be important when someone has lived in several places or when a basic database report is not enough.

Because each state and county may handle records differently, the cost and turnaround time can vary depending on where the person has lived and what records are needed.

Question 10

Do you investigate relationship scams or online dating concerns?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Brooks Detective Agency can assist with relationship scam, online dating, romance scam, and catfish concerns.

These cases may involve checking whether someone is using a real identity, reviewing public records, looking for criminal or civil history, researching social media, checking photos or profiles, and identifying red flags commonly seen in online scams.

This type of background investigation is often more detailed than a basic report because scammers may use fake names, stolen photos, false locations, or misleading personal information.

Question 11

Can a background check tell me if someone is lying?

Accepted Answer

A background check can help verify or challenge information someone has provided, such as their name, address history, court history, criminal or civil records, business claims, employment-related claims, or public-facing information. It cannot prove everything someone has ever done, and it cannot guarantee future behavior.

When truthfulness is the main issue, Brooks Detective Agency may also discuss whether a polygraph examination or a more detailed investigation is appropriate.

Question 12

What information is needed to start a background check?

Accepted Answer

Useful information may include the person’s full legal name, date of birth, current address, previous addresses, phone number, email address, known aliases, photos, social media profiles, employer information, and any reason for the search.

For consent-based searches, additional signed authorization may be required. The more accurate the starting information, the more focused and reliable the background check can be.

Question 13

How long does a background check take?

Accepted Answer

Turnaround time depends on the scope of the background check, the number of jurisdictions, the records being searched, and whether direct record requests are needed.

Some basic background checks can be completed quickly, while detailed background investigations involving multiple states, court records, agency requests, or relationship scam research may take longer.

Question 14

Are background checks always complete?

Accepted Answer

No background check can guarantee every possible record. Results depend on available public records, database access, court access, identifying information, jurisdiction rules, sealed or expunged records, and applicable laws.

Brooks Detective Agency provides background research based on available and legally accessible information, with attention to accuracy, context, and documentation.

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