What Happens in a Background Check
A background check is a routine review of a person's history, usually to confirm identity and assess risk. Employers, landlords, and licensing agencies run these checks to verify that the information a candidate provided is accurate and to uncover any red flags that could affect safety or eligibility.
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What a Typical Background Check Covers
- Identity verification — confirming your name, Social Security number, and date of birth.
- Criminal history search — checking county, state, and federal court records for convictions, pending charges, or arrests.
- Employment verification — contacting past employers to confirm job titles, dates, and sometimes the reason for leaving.
- Education verification — confirming degrees, diplomas, and dates of attendance with schools or universities.
- Credit history — reviewing credit reports for delinquencies, bankruptcies, or accounts in collection (common for financial or rental checks).
- Driving record — checking for violations, suspensions, or DUI offenses.
- Reference checks — speaking with professional or personal references to gauge character and reliability.
How the Process Works
Once you authorize the check, the screening company compiles data from public records, databases, and direct verifications. The scope depends on the employer's needs and local laws. Some checks return results in hours; others, especially those requiring manual court searches, can take several days.
What You Can Expect After the Check
If everything aligns with what you provided, the check is cleared and the process moves forward. If a discrepancy appears, you will usually receive a pre-adverse action notice with the source document, giving you a chance to dispute inaccurate information before a final decision is made.
How Long Does It Take
Most standard background checks are completed within two to five business days. Checks that include federal records, international history, or manual courthouse searches can extend to ten business days or longer.