Is there any way to do a background check online?

[Ter]

I'd love to see what mine would say.

[MineralMan]

1. Sure. You'll have to pay for it, but there are a number of companies

who will do them for about $20. So, pay up and you can see yours.

[saras]

4. You don't get much for $20

You won't get much more for $20 than you will by Googling yourself and checking a few public records.
$20-$50 will get you basic criminal records, and perhaps a credit check, except that you can't do credit checks on yourself.

More thorough services can cost upwards of $300-$500. For this money you're getting a professional investigator who knows how to use a large number of potential information sources, and will choose based on specific information about the individual, and based on what they find in the beginning of the investigation.

If you want your criminal record, look for that specifically. It will vary by state.

If you want your credit record, find a friend who owns a small business, and have them get it for you as a 'potential creditor'. For more dirt, have them pose as a 'potential employer'.

[Glassunion]

7. You need to be careful with those sites.

Most have disclaimers about the inaccuracies that can exist in their data.

Due to that fact alone, if you are using the service for something like employment or a firearms transfer you in all probability cannot legally absolve yourself of accountability by relying on their services alone.

[kudzu22]

2. The NICS check only gives "Proceed" "Delayed" or "Denied"

You don't get any details. You only find out whether it's ok to sell you a gun.

[DissedByBush]

6. There is another response

A dealer I know was asked to keep the person in the store until the cops could show up. He did so and they came and took the scum away.

What he said is amazing is the number of people with violent felony criminal pasts who voluntarily go through the check knowing they will be denied.

We're talking a guy with an armed robbery conviction will stand there and watch him make the NICS check phone call for buying a pistol.

???

[slackmaster]

3. The only way to get a NICS check done on yourself is to buy a gun

The law prohibits any other use.

[russ1943]

5. It will cost you $18.00

You can request a “criminal background check” on yourself from the FBI for $18.00. The forms and a FAQ available on line but the request isn't done "online".
http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/background-checks