# Check Your Own Background Before You Apply | FFA | Felon Friendly Apartments

> See what a landlord sees first. Pull your Texas DPS record, county clerk records, and a consumer screening report, and spot errors.

URL: https://felonfriendlyapartments.com/guide/how-to-check-your-own-background-before-you-apply/
Last-Modified: 2026-07-20

GUIDE

# How to Check Your Own Background Before You Apply

See what a landlord sees first. Pull your Texas DPS record, county clerk records, and a consumer screening report, and spot errors.

![Filling out an online records request](/images/misc/person-at-kitchen-table-on-laptop-filling-online-r.webp)

Before you spend $50-$150 per property on non-refundable application fees, spend $20-$40 on your own screening report. Seeing what a landlord will see is the cheapest form of insurance you can buy against a surprise denial.

## Three places to look

### 1\. Texas DPS criminal history repository

The Texas Department of Public Safety maintains a criminal history repository accessible online. This is the state-level view of your record. Request through the DPS website; a small fee applies.

### 2\. County clerk records

The county district clerk and county clerk in every county where you had a case have primary records of the disposition. County records are usually the most current — they are where dismissals, deferred completions, and non-disclosure orders are recorded first. Request a certified copy of your disposition from each county clerk.

### 3\. A consumer screening report

Vendors like MyRental (via TransUnion), TransUnion SmartMove Direct, and RentPrep offer consumer-facing reports for renters. The report shows you what a screening vendor would return to a landlord — including any database-lag issues where an old or cleared record still appears.

## What to look for

-   **Records that should not be there.** Expunged or non-disclosed records showing anyway. These are common and disputable.
-   **Wrong dispositions.** A dismissed charge reporting as convicted, or a deferred outcome not showing the completion.
-   **Records that are not yours.** Especially if you have a common name; identity mix-ups happen.
-   **Records past the FCRA window.** Non-conviction records generally cannot be reported past seven years.

## What to do about problems you find

-   **Correct dispositions at the county first.** Get a certified copy of the actual disposition, then use it to dispute vendor reports.
-   **File an FCRA dispute with the vendor.** See 
    
    how to dispute background check errors
    
    [/guide/how-to-dispute-background-check-errors/ →](/guide/how-to-dispute-background-check-errors/)
    
    .
-   **If a non-disclosure or expunction order was granted,** provide the certified order with your dispute.

## Timing

Give yourself two to three weeks before you plan to apply. Vendor disputes generally get 30 days under the FCRA, so if you can start early, you may catch and correct errors before it costs you.

## Related

-   How apartment background checks work in Texas
    
    [/guide/how-apartment-background-checks-work-in-texas/ →](/guide/how-apartment-background-checks-work-in-texas/)
    
-   Which tenant screening companies apartments use
    
    [/guide/which-tenant-screening-companies-apartments-use/ →](/guide/which-tenant-screening-companies-apartments-use/)
    
-   How to dispute background check errors
    
    [/guide/how-to-dispute-background-check-errors/ →](/guide/how-to-dispute-background-check-errors/)
    

## Common Questions

How do I check my own criminal record in Texas?

Three places: request your Texas DPS criminal history repository record online, request records from each county clerk where a case was filed, and pull a consumer screening report from a vendor like MyRental or TransUnion SmartMove.

Is it worth checking before I apply?

Yes. Catching database-lag errors, incorrect dispositions, or unexpected entries before you apply saves you from burning application fees on properties that would deny you based on inaccurate information.

What does a consumer screening report cost?

Varies by provider. Consumer reports typically run $20-$40. Well worth it before spending $50-$150 per property on non-refundable application fees.

## Related Guides

### Arrest vs. Conviction on a Background Check

How screening treats an arrest vs. a conviction, why arrests can still surface, disposition status, and FCRA limits on old arrest records.

Read guide →

[Arrest vs. Conviction on a Background Check →](/guide/arrest-vs-conviction-on-a-background-check/)

### Auto-Decline vs. Case-by-Case Review

What 'case by case review' really means: genuine individualized assessment vs. a fee-collection line, and how to tell them apart.

Read guide →

[Auto-Decline vs. Case-by-Case Review →](/guide/auto-decline-vs-case-by-case-review/)

### Criminal Background Lookback Periods Explained

How apartment lookback windows work: 5, 7, and 10-year policies, blanket vs. offense-type rules, and why conviction age shifts your odds.

Read guide →

[Criminal Background Lookback Periods Explained →](/guide/criminal-background-lookback-periods-explained/)

### DWI Non-Disclosure in Texas (Section 411.072)

The DWI sealing path under 411.072 (H.B. 3016): who qualifies for a first-time DWI, waiting periods, and screening effect. Not legal advice.

Read guide →

[DWI Non-Disclosure in Texas (Section 411.072) →](/guide/dwi-non-disclosure-in-texas-411-072/)

![](/images/misc/garden-style-texas-apartment-courtyard-at-dusk-wit.webp)

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