What’s in this article?
- What Does a Background Check by Social Security Number Include?
- Can you run a People Search without an SSN?
- Background Check by Social Security Number Tips
- About USA Trace
What Does a Background Check by Social Security Number Include?

A background check by social security number through USA Trace is a comprehensive public records search that includes an address search (including address history), past & current phone numbers, a criminal background check, marriage records, divorce records, lawsuits, liens, bankruptcies, property records, known associates, plus any other available public records results.
Billions of records are searched instantly and compiled into your report, providing a fast, confidential way to locate a person and get all available public background information available.
Can you run a People Search without an SSN?
No SSN? No problem! You can still run a Background Check with a USA Trace search. With just a name and last known state, the same system that goes to work with an SSN search can still identify the person you’re looking for. You’ll get all the same background information – including criminal records, address records, phone numbers and more. Simply select the “Background Check” option on our search page or try it out below:
Through our partnership with PeopleFinders.com USA Trace delivers our Customers Industry-Leading data by combining over 43 Billion Verified Public Records giving you the most comprehensive Background, Criminal, People, Marriage and Divorce Checks available Online.
Background Check by Social Security Number Tips
Our SSN Search uses the location information of the social security number to conduct a background check by social security number: the initial search and then it provides the full background check results (see our SSN Structure Chart for more information on how this works). If the preview information you’re getting from your SSN Search seems to be giving you results from the wrong state, simply try a background check using the name and last known state to get more relevant results.
Although the people search database often includes public records even if a person has used more than one name (such as a maiden name versus married name), searching all known name variations may yield additional results and information. Can’t narrow it down to just one? Don’t worry! Unlimited search options are available for a fixed fee – often for just pennies more than the cost of a single person search report!
Can’t seem to locate the person you’re looking for? If you know the name of one of their close friends or relatives, try searching for them. With just a name and a last known state, you should be able to get a current phone number, which will allow you to contact them for more leads.
Background Check FAQs
What shows up on a Social Security background check?
A social security background check typically includes anything related to public records – such as property records, marriage & divorce records, criminal records, liens/mortgages and more. Because a social security number is used for most official purposes – from employment to credit to housing – there are many areas of life linked to it.
How long does a social security background check take?
A USA Trace social security background check – which links a person’s SSN to public records – provides instant results based on the information available. Other kinds of background checks that include bank records and non-public information can take several days to produce.
What causes a red flag on a background check?
Depending on the reason for the background check, a number of things could raise a red flag. A criminal history (depending on the nature of the crimes and how long ago they were) might not be looked favorably by an employer. Someone interested in dating someone might see a marriage record without a divorce record on a public record search, which would also raise a red flag!
What are employers looking for in a background check?
Employers are largely looking for stability in everything from housing to someone’s legal history. A person who has been living at the same address for a substantial period of time is likely to be viewed more favorably than someone who recently moved (or has moved frequently). Someone with significant debt – including a lien on their home – might make them a vulnerable target for corruption, which would raise a red flag with government agencies or finance jobs. And – already mentioned – a criminal history is always of interest to an employer.
How can I check someone’s background?
If you are interested in looking into all the available public records for someone just for your own information, you can run an instant search with USA Trace using just a name and last known state. You’ll receive marriage records, criminal records, an address history, liens/bankruptcies and more. If you are trying to check someone’s background for an official purpose – such as for employment decisions, housing decisions (i.e. if you’re a landlord) or a credit decision, there are special background checks that you will have to do.
Will someone know if I run a background check on them?
No – if you run a background check on someone, they won’t know unless it is for an official purpose that requires their sign-off, such as a background check for employment. An instant public records search to find someone, check criminal records, marriage records, or other kinds of public records are completely anonymous – the person you’re checking won’t know unless you tell them.
Related Posts
1. SSN Searches
2. How to Run a Background Check by SSN
3. How to Run a Free Online Background Check
About USA Trace
Since 1997, USA Trace has been providing background checks, SSN searches, public record searches, address searches, and people finder services for over 20 years. You can learn more about us here.
Leveraging the same people search databases used by law enforcement professionals, private detectives, lawyers and investigative journalists, we’ve provided background checks for thousands of satisfied customers. Now partnered with one of the largest people finder companies in the US and with free, instant preview results available, we invite you to try our background check for yourselves with no obligation.

Ron is the lead writer for USATrace.com. Ron has over 40 years of experience both as a private investigator and attorney. He brings excellent value to the site with his insite on public records and the changing demographics of people search on the internet. You can contact Ron via [email protected].