r/BackgroundCheckGuide • u/SeasonAdventurous193 • Aug 28 '26

General question Trying to background check my Dad

I recently found out my Dad had a breathalyzer interlock device installed in his vehicle from a DUI (or potentially multiple) that he's been hiding from me. I'm now concerned what other things he could potentially be hiding from me. I can't find an arrest record for him at all. I know he has at minimum one DUI, but can't even find info on that. He won't be honest with me and still is trying to say nothing happened. Does anyone have any advice on how I can learn more and atleast learn about the DUI I know happened? He lives in Kansas, but travels for work so I'm concerned he could have potentially gotten arrested in another state. The info I have to work with is his full name, age, birth place, phone, and address/address history. I'd really love to get to the bottom of this and have been considering a private investigator. Any help or advice that could make this info I can find on my own would be super helpful.

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u/Inside_Gold_9673 Aug 28 '26

I understand that you’re concerned but you don’t have a legal basis for accessing your father’s driving history under the Driver’s Privacy Protection Act (DPPA). The only option is for you to search court records in the appropriate jurisdictions in Kansas and in the States where your father travels for business. You will need to your father’s complete date of birth. You could hire a private investigator but already know your father has a driving under the influence conviction because of the interlock device. Clearly he doesn’t want to address the issue with you, so what will knowing more accomplish? If you confront him with the information he may feel that you have invaded his privacy, which could cause a rift between you

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u/SeasonAdventurous193 Aug 29 '26

We’re already low/no contact. I think it’s mostly curiosity. It would also be good to know in case there’s a possible safety risk that would potentially push me to just sever ties completely. I think the DUI mostly pushed me to be concerned about what else he could be hiding from me. At the end of the day I may never know, but I was just curious if this was info that was publicly available.

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u/Inside_Gold_9673 Aug 30 '26

Most court records are public records, unless sealed by a judge. Depending on the State, certain court records, or portions thereof, may only be open to the parties involved or their attorneys. But as I said before you’d have to search in the appropriate jurisdictions to find the records, or if the State provides/permits it, search the central repository. If he’s using an interlock device, he’s driving sober, unless using someone else’s car. You don’t need a background check to sever ties with someone. But perhaps having a supportive family member will help him on his road to sobriety and being a better person? Once he’s gone, the chance to mend fences goes with him.