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Getting Your Own Background Check for Babysitting, Pet Sitting or Companion Work

ByFrank Delgado

When you offer to babysit, pet sit, tutor or keep an older neighbor company, families are trusting you with someone they love. Many will feel more comfortable if you can show them a clean background check.

Getting one yourself is often simple and inexpensive. It could help you win the jobs that cover a bill such as your phone or streaming plan, though no check guarantees anyone will hire you.

Option 1: Your FBI Identity History Summary

The FBI lets anyone request their own national record, called an Identity History Summary. As of October 2026, the fee is $18, paid by credit card, money order or certified check. The FBI doesn’t accept cash or personal checks.

There are three ways to apply:

  1. Online, with fingerprints at a Post Office. You start the request on the FBI’s website, then have your fingerprints taken electronically at a participating Post Office. There may be an extra fee there.
  2. By mail, with your fingerprints on a standard fingerprint card (form FD-1164).
  3. Through an FBI-approved channeler, a private company that submits the request for you. Ask about its own fees first.

The FBI says requests are handled in the order received and electronic ones are usually faster. It does not offer rush service. Start on the FBI’s Identity History Summary page.

Option 2: Your state’s record

Each state keeps its own criminal history records, and the process varies from state to state. Search your state police or state justice department website for “criminal history record request.” Some families care more about a local record than a national one.

Option 3: Let the platform do it

If you find work through an app, the platform may run a check for you:

  • Rover says all new sitters and walkers get a background check that includes a national criminal database, county court records and the national sex offender registry. Rover adds that a check is only one factor and encourages meet-and-greets.
  • Care.com says every individual caregiver gets a basic criminal check, and families can pay for more detailed ones. Care.com also warns that checks can be incomplete and tells families to do their own homework.

Your rights if someone else checks you

If a family hires a background screening company, federal law gives you rights. The Federal Trade Commission explains that an employer using a screening company must tell you and get your written permission. If they plan to turn you down because of the report, they must first give you a copy and a summary of your rights, so you can fix any errors.

Stay safe

  • Request your record only from official websites or FBI-approved channelers. Type addresses yourself rather than clicking ads.
  • Be careful with any “employer” who asks for your Social Security number, bank details or a fee before they’ve met you. That’s a common setup for fraud. You can report scams to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center.

Taxes and benefits

Money from local services is usually self-employment income. The IRS self-employment tax page says self-employment tax applies once net earnings reach $400 in a year. Earnings can also affect Social Security before full retirement age, SSI, Medicaid or housing help; see the Social Security Administration’s page on working while receiving benefits. Check your own situation.

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