Is it legal to search for someone’s criminal history without their explicit perm

[millekentk]

If I am going on a first date and want to be safe, am I legally allowed to look up their public court records, or do I need to inform them that I am performing a background check on them first?

[girisdady]

Searching for someone's criminal history for personal safety, such as before a first date, is generally legal as court records are public. You do not need their permission to search government portals or sex offender registries for your own peace of mind. However, if you check this web page for a guide on "Dating Safety vs. Privacy," you can learn where the line is drawn regarding "FCRA-compliant" reports and how to search ethically without overstepping.