Name Based Background Check in Illinois
How a name-based criminal history check works, what you’ll need, and how to apply online
A name-based background check is a way to request criminal history record information using personal identifiers — name, sex, race, and date of birth — rather than fingerprints. It’s commonly used for rental and housing applications, pre-employment and volunteer screening, childcare and household help, and personal review. Efficient Biometrics lets you request one entirely online.
Name-Based vs. Fingerprint-Based: What’s the Difference?
Both checks search criminal history records, but they identify the subject differently:
- Name-based check — searches records using the identifiers you type in (name, date of birth, sex, race). It’s fast and requires no appointment, but because it matches on text, a single name can return multiple possible matches, and a record filed under an alias or a different date of birth may not appear.
- Fingerprint-based check — identifies the subject biometrically, so the result is tied to the actual person. It’s the most accurate option and is required for many professional licenses and regulated roles.
If you need a definitive result, or your name is common, a fingerprint-based Live Scan may be the better choice.
What Information You’ll Provide
The online request is a short, guided flow. You’ll provide:
- Your details as the requester — name, email, and phone number — and the purpose of the check.
- The subject’s details — the name, date of birth, sex, and race of the person being checked.
Before entering any information, you’ll review and accept the required agreements and an acknowledgment explaining that a non-fingerprint check is based solely on the identifiers provided.
How to Apply Online
Step 1 – Accept the agreements
Read and accept the authorization, the Illinois UCIA notice, and the privacy and payment terms.
Step 2 – Enter your information
Provide your contact details and select the purpose of the check.
Step 3 – Enter the subject’s details
Provide the subject’s name, date of birth, sex, and race.
Step 4 – Acknowledge & review
Acknowledge the non-fingerprint statement, then review everything and edit if needed.
Step 5 – Pay securely
Complete payment with a credit or debit card through our secure processor. Payment is required to submit the request and is non-refundable. A receipt is emailed to you immediately.
Apply for a Name Based Background Check
Important Notes
- A name inquiry can produce more than one match; results are only as accurate as the identifiers submitted.
- When a name-based check is requested for employment, the applicant’s consent is required and the requesting employer must retain it and share any response with the applicant.
- Efficient Biometrics is a fingerprinting and background-check service provider, not a law firm or consumer reporting agency, and does not make eligibility or hiring decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a name-based background check?
It’s a criminal history record search that uses personal identifiers — name, sex, race, and date of birth — instead of fingerprints. It’s fast and requires no appointment, but a name can match more than one person.
How is it different from a fingerprint-based check?
A fingerprint-based check identifies the subject biometrically, so the result is tied to the actual person and is the most accurate option. A name-based check matches on the text you provide, so it can return multiple possible matches or miss records filed under a different name or date of birth.
What information do I need to request one?
Your own name, email, and phone number, the purpose of the check, and the subject’s name, date of birth, sex, and race.
How much does it cost and is it refundable?
The current fee is shown at the start of the online request and is charged at the time you submit. All transactions are final and non-refundable.
How will I get the results?
Results, when available, are delivered to the email address you provide during the request.
Can a name-based check be used for employment decisions?
When requested for employment, the applicant’s consent is required and the requesting employer must retain it and provide the applicant a copy of any response. Efficient Biometrics does not make eligibility or hiring decisions.