The industry average turnaround time for most background checks is between 3-5 business days but can take longer than estimated depending on the depth of the search, geographical location of candidates, or county courthouse operations.
Most database-related searches (for example, SSN Trace or National Criminal Records Check) are completed within a few seconds because those records are typically available electronically/online.
More comprehensive or other types of searches generally take longer. For example, a county records search in a jurisdiction where assistance from a court clerk is required can take several days or even weeks if the court is experiencing backlogs or delays in assisting to complete a search. Or a search that requires validating information that is not available online, such as an education or employment verification that requires contacting an individual or an organization, may take a few days or even longer to receive the results.
The best way to stay updated on the status of your background check is to check the Candidate Portal.
Looking for more information?
Information regarding turnaround times for non-U.S. background checks can be found in the following Help Center article: How long does a non-U.S. background check take?