Instant Checkmate Reviews

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About Instant Checkmate

Instant Checkmate is one of the leading public records search tools on the internet, providing instant access to millions of documents. Instant Checkmate’s information is generated by searching public records that include federal, state, and county databases and compiling them all into one report. Users can look up addresses, phone numbers, social media profiles, driving records, arrest records and more. Just enter a name and state to start your search.

Pros
  • Unlimited reports with subscription
  • Detailed reports
  • Easy to use
  • Use 30 data points for reports
Cons
  • Not a traditional background check
  • Subscriptions automatically renew

Featured Reviews

Vancouver, WA
Verified purchase
Checkmate does what it advertises - reveals otherwise difficult to obtain information about individuals. We found it useful recently when a home inspector gave misleading informat...

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Los Angeles, CA
Verified purchase
I have never felt so unsafe in my life with scammers who claim to be one and they are not. Instant Checkmate helped me tremendously to remove those who are not legitimate and are ...

Read more

ConsumerAffairs operates independent of Instant Checkmate and does not offer background check services. Per the Instant Checkmate terms, you may not use this service or the information it provides to make decisions about consumer credit, employment, insurance, tenant screening, or any other purpose that would require Federal Credit Reporting Act compliance. Instant Checkmate does not provide consumer reports and is not a consumer reporting agency.

What is Instant Checkmate?

Instant Checkmate lets you look up a person’s information by typing in their name, age and location in the search console. Instant Checkmate asks you questions about the person as it searches databases to narrow results down to the right match.

Once you have a match, you purchase a membership subscription to access the report. A subscription gives you access to unlimited reports for as long as you are enrolled.

You can look up the following information and more using Instant Checkmate:

  • Phone numbers
  • Email addresses
  • Age
  • Location history
  • Job histories
  • Criminal records
  • Sex offenders registration
  • Arrest records
  • Census data
  • Social media profiles
  • Bankruptcy history

Strict guidelines dictate how and why you can use a public records search service. Instant Checkmate is not a consumer reporting agency, and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) prohibits using Instant Checkmate to look up any information governed by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). Before using Instant Checkmate, make sure you review the guidelines of what you can and can’t do with the information found on its site.

Instant Checkmate cost

Instant Checkmate offers two subscription plans. Both plans give you access to unlimited reports. The company bills one-month subscriptions every 30 days and three-month subscriptions every 90 days.

PlanPrice per month
One-month$35.12
Three-month$28.09 (Billed at $84.28 every three months)
Reverse phone lookup$5.99

Membership subscriptions automatically renew every 30 or 90 days unless you cancel before the start of the next payment period. You can cancel your membership through your online account or by phone.

Instant Checkmate FAQ

Is Instant Checkmate safe?

Yes, Instant Checkmate is safe. The company has a verified Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) certificate and uses 128-bit encryption. Instant Checkmate also runs malware checks with Norton Antivirus software daily.

Does Instant Checkmate notify the person you’re searching?

No, Instant Checkmate does not notify any search subjects.

Is Instant Checkmate legal?

Yes, it is legal to use Instant Checkmate, but it is illegal to use the service to look up any information governed by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), including screening someone for employment, a lease or credit eligibility. Make sure you follow the search guidelines when using Instant Checkmate.

Is Instant Checkmate free to use?

No, Instant Checkmate is not free. You must sign up for a membership. Memberships start at $35.12 a month and give you access to unlimited reports.

Is Instant Checkmate worth the price?

Yes, if you need the company’s service, it is worth the price. Even though the information on Instant Checkmate comes from public records, you would have to search through each individual federal, state and county database to find the information. Instant Checkmate compiles it all into one easy-to-read report, and all subscriptions include unlimited reports.

Is Instant Checkmate legit?

Instant Checkmate saves you time searching through numerous government databases to find the information you need. Sometimes people aren’t who they say or keep things from you that they don’t want you to know. Using Instant Checkmate helps you verify someone’s identity before meeting them in person or going into business with them, which protects you in the long run. Instant Checkmate is not a substitute for a traditional background check, however.

Instant Checkmate Reviews

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    2 featured reviews
    How do I know I can trust these reviews about Instant Checkmate?
    • 4,768,973 reviews on ConsumerAffairs are verified.
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    • Our moderators read all reviews to verify quality and helpfulness.
    Page 1 Reviews 0 - 5
    Verified purchase
    Customer ServiceStaff

    Reviewed Jan. 21, 2025

    Checkmate has a very good customer service. I didn't wait long and a customer service representative answered my call. The lady I talked with is knowledgeable and kind. I appreciate that Checkmate has humans answer customer calls. Most of automated services use AI, and I don't like it. I'm going to recommend my friends Checkmate and I'll use your service in the future. Thank you.

    Thanks for your vote!
    Instant Checkmate
    Response from Instant Checkmate

    Thank you so much, Vladimir, for sharing your positive experience with Instant Checkmate! We’re thrilled to hear that you appreciated our responsive customer service and the personal touch of having a live representative assist you.

    Providing knowledgeable and kind support is a priority for us, and it’s wonderful to know that our team member made a lasting impression. Your kind words about recommending our service to your friends and continuing to use Instant Checkmate in the future mean a lot to us.

    If you ever need assistance again or have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out. Our customer support team is here to help!

    Best regards,

    Instant Checkmate Customer Support

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      Verified purchase
      Customer ServiceStaff

      Reviewed Jan. 20, 2025

      Tried to do survey online but it wouldn't work. The agent, when I called to cancel, was very nice and very helpful. Thanks for your help. It was a pleasure to do business with you and I will surely use you in the future. Thanks again for a wonderful job.

      Thanks for your vote!
      Instant Checkmate
      Response from Instant Checkmate

      Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with Instant Checkmate, James! While we regret that the survey didn’t work as intended, we’re delighted to hear that our agent was able to assist you with canceling your membership and provided a positive, helpful experience.

      At Instant Checkmate, we strive to ensure every interaction is seamless and satisfying, and it’s wonderful to know that our team left a great impression. We truly appreciate your kind words and your intention to use our services in the future.

      If there’s anything else we can do for you, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our Customer Support team at 877-564-3003 or via email at support@instantcheckmate.com. We’re always here to help!

      Thank you for choosing Instant Checkmate. We look forward to serving you again.

      Best regards,

      Instant Checkmate Customer Support

      Verified purchase
      Staff

      Reviewed Jan. 17, 2025

      Love the way I could look up people several different ways and found 95%!!!! Dead or alive. Really a good service. Only criticism is I would like the option of paying more or using it less to stay on board. I had to leave because I used it too much.

      Thanks for your vote!
      Instant Checkmate
      Response from Instant Checkmate

      Thank you for sharing your experience with Instant Checkmate, Charles! We’re thrilled to hear that you found our service effective and helpful, with the ability to search for people in multiple ways and achieve a high success rate. Your satisfaction means a lot to us.

      We understand your concern about pricing options and usage flexibility. Feedback like yours helps us evaluate how we can improve our service to better accommodate the diverse needs of our members. We’ll be sure to share your suggestion with our team as we continue to refine our offerings.

      If you ever decide to return, we’d be delighted to have you back and assist with any questions or concerns. In the meantime, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at 877-564-3003 or via email at support@instantcheckmate.com.

      Thank you again for your thoughtful feedback, and we hope to have the opportunity to serve you in the future!

      Best regards,

      Instant Checkmate Customer Support

      Verified purchase
      StaffTransparency

      Reviewed Jan. 16, 2025

      Your representative was very professional and kind. He accomplished what I asked in an efficient manner and was an excellent communicator. Thank you for your service. He asked appropriate questions and did not question my reasons for my request. I really do not have anything but glowing remarks regarding the whole process of communicating with your representative. Thank you so much.

      Thanks for your vote!
      Instant Checkmate
      Response from Instant Checkmate

      Hi Judith! Thank you so much for taking the time to share your glowing review of your experience with our customer support team! We’re delighted to hear that our representative was professional, kind, and efficient in addressing your request.

      At Instant Checkmate, we take pride in providing excellent service, and it’s wonderful to know that our representative made the process seamless and left such a positive impression. Your feedback is truly appreciated and will be shared with our team as encouragement to continue delivering exceptional customer care.

      If there’s anything further we can assist you with, please don’t hesitate to reach out. You can contact us directly at 877-564-3003 or via email at support@instantcheckmate.com. We’re always here to help!

      Thank you again for your kind words and for choosing Instant Checkmate.

      Best regards,

      Instant Checkmate Customer Support

      Verified purchase
      Staff

      Reviewed Jan. 7, 2025

      I accidentally opened a membership with you. I had gone to your service to find the date in 1979 when my divorce was final because my son was filling out forms for a background check. I put in the information, including my billing information, however I did not think I finished joining. I only realized that I had joined when I received an email yesterday thanking me for joining and offering the report. I spoke with Jay in your Customer Service today. He understood and cancelled my membership and reversed the charge. He was very understanding and helpful to correct my mistake.

      Thanks for your vote!
      Instant Checkmate
      Response from Instant Checkmate

      Thank you, Janive, for sharing your experience with us. We understand how accidental enrollments can happen, and we’re glad to hear that Jay in our Customer Service team was able to assist you promptly. It’s wonderful to know that Jay was understanding and helpful in resolving the matter for you.

      If you have any further questions or need additional assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re always here to help.

      Thank you for giving us the opportunity to assist you.

      Sincerely,

      Instant Checkmate Customer Support

      Verified purchase
      Punctuality & SpeedStaff

      Reviewed Oct. 31, 2025

      You have database full of valuable information and your support group seems good. But your server is in serious need of more RAM? Your system is so slow that I have to wait up to 1 min (or more) for the results to come up!!! So I spend more than half my time waiting!!! And now it has locked me out? And I'm told I have to wait for up to 72 hours for it to get unlocked? Seriously? Then I WOULD EXPECT MY MEMBERSHIP TO BE EXTENDED EQUAL TO THE NUMBER OF DAYS IT TAKES FOR YOU TO UNLOCK IT!!!

      Thanks for your vote!
      Instant Checkmate
      Response from Instant Checkmate

      Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We’re very sorry for the frustration and inconvenience you experienced while using our service.

      From time to time, we encounter activity that our system flags as suspicious or unusual, which can put both consumers and Instant Checkmate at risk. When this occurs, a temporary limitation may be placed on the account while it’s reviewed. These extra precautions are in place to help keep our users safe, though we understand how this can be frustrating when the intent behind the searches is completely legitimate.

      We’re happy to confirm that your account is no longer locked, and as a courtesy, we’ve issued a full refund to your original payment method. Please allow 3–5 business days, depending on your financial institution, for the refund to reflect in your account.

      If you have any further questions or need additional assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact us at 877-564-3003. Our team is available Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. PT (10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. ET).

      Sincerely,

      Instant Checkmate Customer Support Team

      Resolution In Progress
      Verified purchase
      Customer ServicePunctuality & SpeedStaff

      Reviewed Oct. 31, 2025

      The young lady was very professional and knowledgeable and polite. She took care of all my questions and concerns and did it quickly and efficiently. I was very impressed with her. I did not receive an option after the call to give her a review, only this email. Just getting us a bit line submit no answer was no answer is no title. Yes yes recommended family and friends.

      Thanks for your vote!
      Instant Checkmate
      Response from Instant Checkmate

      Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re thrilled to hear that our Customer Support representative provided professional, knowledgeable, and efficient service. It’s always wonderful to know that our team was able to answer your questions and resolve your concerns quickly.

      We truly appreciate you taking the time to share your experience and for your willingness to recommend Instant Checkmate to your family and friends—it means a great deal to us.

      If you ever need further assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact us at 877-564-3003 or email us at support@instantcheckmate.com. Our team is available Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. PT (10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. ET), and we’re always happy to help.

      Sincerely,

      Instant Checkmate Customer Support Team

      Verified purchase

      Reviewed Oct. 28, 2025

      You have been billing me $1.99 since 2019. I have not used any of your services except for the first time according to your agent. I do not recall subscribing to your company. I was finally able to get a phone number to call you. I think if I did use your service the one time but I did not want or need a subscription. I think that your website might not state that if you use it once you are automatically subscribed. So you take advantage of anyone using your services once and unknowingly we are subscribed. I will be putting in claim with my bank to recover my money. I never subscribed!!

      Thanks for your vote!
      Instant Checkmate
      Response from Instant Checkmate

      Thank you for your review! We understand how concerning it can be to notice unfamiliar charges, and we’re sorry for any confusion or inconvenience this has caused. This is not the experience we aim to provide for our members.

      During the registration process, our website clearly presents the membership plan details, including billing frequency and automatic renewal terms, in full compliance with applicable laws. The checkboxes confirming agreement to recurring billing appear several times before payment is submitted. Because your payment was processed through PayPal, you were also redirected to PayPal’s site, where the recurring nature of the subscription is displayed prior to completing checkout.

      Additionally, we send a welcome email at the time of sign-up confirming the membership and explaining that it will automatically renew unless canceled. Our customer support phone number is always listed next to the charge on your billing statement for easy reference.

      Instant Checkmate members can cancel their membership at any time by logging into their account, calling our phone support line at 877-564-3003, or using our online chat system. Our Customer Support team is available Monday through Friday, from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. PT (10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. ET). If you’d like to discuss your account further, please don’t hesitate to reach out — we’re happy to help.

      Sincerely,

      Instant Checkmate Customer Support Team

      Resolution In Progress
      Verified purchase
      Customer Service

      Reviewed Oct. 28, 2025

      At the end of the info, I was asked for my password which I did not have, I had to call you for the information after I had already paid you! I am an old man in my 80s and would like something more simple.

      Thanks for your vote!
      Instant Checkmate
      Response from Instant Checkmate

      Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We sincerely apologize for the frustration you experienced while accessing your report. We understand that the process can sometimes feel complicated, and we appreciate your patience in reaching out for assistance.

      We value your input and are continuously working to make our service more straightforward and user-friendly for all customers. If you ever need help signing in, viewing your report, or navigating your account, please don’t hesitate to contact our Customer Support team at 877-564-3003. Our agents are happy to walk you through each step to ensure you get the information you need without any hassle.

      Sincerely,

      Instant Checkmate Customer Support Team

      Verified purchase
      Sales & Marketing

      Reviewed Oct. 27, 2025

      I got this service to locate an old marriage certificate of mine that has been lost over the years. The search on Google says that I can find this information, however after paying and joining, I found out I can't. I've cancelled. This is false advertising.

      Thanks for your vote!
      Instant Checkmate
      Response from Instant Checkmate

      Hi Tobias,

      We’re sorry to hear about your experience. We work hard to ensure the accuracy and relevance of the information we provide, but we cannot guarantee it will be 100% accurate or complete. Our reports are based on publicly available records, and certain types of documents—such as marriage certificates—are not included in our data sources.

      When you search on Google, the search engine automatically displays results that match the words entered. Because Instant Checkmate is a public records search service, our website may appear in those search results if the keywords entered relate to public records. However, our site does not state that we provide marriage certificates.

      We apologize for any confusion this caused. A full refund has been issued and should appear on your original payment method within 3–5 business days. If you have any further questions, please contact our Customer Support team at 877-564-3003, available Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Pacific Time (10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time).

      Sincerely,

      Instant Checkmate Customer Support Team

      Resolution In Progress
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      Instant Checkmate Company Information

      Social media:
      Company Name:
      Instant Checkmate
      Company Type:
      Private
      Year Founded:
      2010
      Address:
      3110 Camino Del Rio N Suite 400
      City:
      San Diego
      State/Province:
      CA
      Postal Code:
      92108
      Country:
      United States
      Website:
      www.instantcheckmate.com

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