- 1). Use the Internet to search a state's public records database. Type the state's name into the search engine followed by the words public records. Click search.
- 2). Find the appropriate public records database. There are private companies that try to fool you into buying public records, so make sure the website is an official government website. It is a sure bet if the URL of the site ends with .gov.
- 3). Type the name of the person into the database to view their non-expunged criminal, traffic and arrest history. Make sure it is the person you are looking for. There is the possibility that someone with the same name has a criminal record in that state.
- 4). Repeat the process for any state the person has lived in.