We have listed some of the routine questions we get about the background check industry.
- What can a background check do for me?
- What are the different kinds of background checks?
- What does a background check cost?
- How long will it take to complete the background check?
- How do I get the background check information?
- What if someone's credit history is incorrect?
- Can I do a nationwide criminal background check?
- How do I know where to look for a criminal record?
- What if someone has changed their name, been married, etc.?
- Are background check records available for minors?
- Do I need a release from the applicant?
- Why do a drivers license history check?
- Why should I do a County Criminal Check if a Statewide Criminal Search is available?
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Q: What can a background check do for me?
A: A background check is your opportunity to verify information provided by your candidate. It can also reveal information that was either mistakenly or intentionally omitted - such as residency in other regions where a criminal record might be located. Background checks also help confirm dates of attendance and degrees or certifications earned, and background checks can also provide specific information about prior employment. The bottom line … your applicant's history will go a long way in predicting their future and a thorough employee background check during the pre employment screening process helps you see both.
Q: What are the different kinds of background checks?
A: First Priority Screening searches include Address History/Social Security Number Trace, County Criminal Records, Statewide Criminal Records, Instant Criminal History, Federal Criminal Records, Sexual Offender Registry, County Civil Records, Federal Civil Records, Drivers History, Credit Reports, Education Confirmation, Prior Employment Confirmation, License and Certificate Confirmation, Workers Compensation Records, Drug Testing, Reference Checks and any other search you'd like us to conduct for pre employment screening.
Q: What does a background check cost?
A: Background Checks vary in cost depending on the number of searches included in the pre employment screening background check. Most of our clients combine several searches, such as an Address History, County Criminal Search based on the address history and a Prior Employment Confirmation. By combining several searches into a single background check package, we can offer a better price for pre employment screening. We also offer volume discounts to companies that order frequently and these discounts are handled on a case-by-case basis.
Q: How long will it take to complete the background check?
A: Employee background check reports are complete in 48-72 hours. Address History Searches are returned instantly, Credit Reports are instant, some Statewide Criminal searches are instant, County Criminal searches are complete within 48 hours and the Education/Certification and Employment Confirmation are complete in 48-72 hours.
Q: How do I get the background check information?
A: That's up to you - employee background check and pre employment screening reports can be emailed directly to you, viewed online at www.FirstPriorityScreening.com , faxed to you or a combination of these. First Priority Screening is very user-friendly, so you can adjust your preferences to what suits you best.
Q: What if someone's credit history is incorrect?
A: The applicant or employer can make inquiries regarding the pre employment screening information in question and it will be investigated. The applicant has specific rights outlined in the Summary of Rights, which must be provided to the subject of the background check as specified in the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).
Q: Can I do a nationwide criminal background check?
A: Yes, but an accurate nationwide criminal history search would be cost prohibitive. Some companies advertise a "Nationwide Criminal Search" for pre-employment screening, but this is misleading because it does not include all states and is done by searching databases, not the court system. These databases rely on courts to submit their records to them and many of the courts do not participate - and if they do participate, the records are frequently outdated. There is no central repository of criminal records available to the private sector - to conduct a nationwide criminal history check for this criminal background check, we would need to search over 3000 courts throughout the country.
Q: How do I know where to look for a criminal record?
A: The best way to determine where your applicant has lived, is to run an Address History Search. This is based on their Social Security Number and uses information from the credit reporting agencies as well as numerous other resources to develop a complete history of residency. Each address will have the County identified, and a County Criminal Record search can be completed for the appropriate counties. Our pre-employment screening ordering system allows you to use the Address History Search to automatically order the County Criminal Searches, without any additional data entry.
Q: What if someone has changed their name, been married, etc.?
A: If you know the alternate name, you can include it in your background check search request. If an additional name is disclosed during the background check - by the Address History/Social Security Trace for example - then you might want to ask the applicant about it first, then include it in your pre-employment screening searches.
Q: Are background check records available for minors?
A: Generally, no. If the applicant was tried as an adult, the records may be available in the courts, but juvenile records are not available.
Q: Do I need a release from the applicant?
A: You should obtain a signed release from any applicant or employee that will be subject to a background check. Keep a copy of the signed release in your own files, and we recommend you copy the Summary of Rights (as required by the FCRA) on the back side of the release so you are sure it was provided.
Q: Why do a drivers license history check?
A: Anyone driving on behalf of your organization - even once - should have their driving history background check on a regular basis.
Q: Why should I do a County Criminal Check if a Statewide Criminal Search is available?
A: We recommend County Criminal Searches because they are the most complete form of criminal background check search, requiring a researcher to physically visit the court and review records. Statewide Criminal Searches are based on databases run by the state or private firms, and rely on the County Courts to submit records to them. Not all courts participate, so statewide databases are sometimes incomplete. However, they can be useful in augmenting the County Criminal searches done in areas of known residency. If a record outside a known county is found, the employer has the option of investigating further.
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