• How do I check the status of my background check?

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    To check the status of your background check, log into the Candidate Portal using the information you provided the company with during your application process. Once you’ve logged in, you’ll be able to see the status of your report as well as any actions you need to take. 

    Non-US candidates

    Non-US candidates can use one of the following Candidate Portals:

    Related articles: 

  • My background report is complete. What happens next?

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    Once your background check report is complete, the company that ordered your background check has access to review your report. Since the results of screenings are available to companies upon the completion of the screening, Checkr does not send copies of reports to companies that have ordered reports. 

    Please remember that Checkr is a consumer reporting agency. We provide background check reports for companies that request them. We do not review reports, make employment or engagement decisions, or determine company requirements regarding employment or engagement. The company you applied with will make engagement and/or hiring decisions based on its own requirements and review of your report.

    Once your report is complete, please reach out to the company you applied with for updates. Our support team is not informed about hiring timelines and will not know how long the company you applied with will take to get back to you.
  • How do I submit a document to Checkr?

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    You can submit a document to Checkr in one of the following ways:

    • Submit information through the Candidate Portal. Visit the Candidate Portal and log in with the information you submitted for your background check. Refer to How do I log into the Candidate Portal? if you're having issues logging in.
    • Submit information through email. If we request additional information from you, we will email you a link through which you can upload documentation. Search your email inbox and spam folder for the keyword Checkr. The upload link will look like the image below. It works best in Chrome, Safari, or Firefox browsers.

    Screen_Shot_2018-01-17_at_9.23.57_AM.png

    • Submit information by submitting a request ticket. If you cannot access the Candidate Portal or submit information through the link we sent you, please submit a request ticket here with the description and attachment. 
    Important

    Make sure any photos you upload are as clear as possible. Poor photo quality may cause delays in the background check process.

    Related article:

  • Why is my background check still pending?

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    Common reasons your background check is pending include:

    • Checkr is waiting on information or documentation from you to continue with your report. Please check your email inbox and spam/junk file for any messages from Checkr requesting information or documentation.
    • Checkr is waiting for information to be returned from county courts. A surprising number of courts in the US do not keep electronic records and still maintain paper records. Obtaining these records can add time to the process because it requires specially trained researchers to go to the county courthouse and physically pull records.
    • Court backlogs. Due to staff shortages and the demand for records, many courts suffer from record request backlogs.
    • Courts in California and Massachusetts are known for being slower than the norm.
    • If your report includes a special screening, such as education or employment, that may cause your report to take longer to complete.

    Most background checks take 3-7 business days to complete, depending mostly on the locations where records may be searched. If your background check is taking longer than that, please check your emails or log into the Candidate Portal to see if any information or documentation is required from you to move it along.

  • Why is my report suspended?

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    Usually, a report will be suspended because Checkr, or the company you applied to, has requested information or documentation from you to proceed and has not yet received it. The best way to see if Checkr needs any information or documentation from you would be to log into the Candidate Portal.

    If there is an outstanding request for information or documentation, there will be an upload link in the Candidate Portal for you to use. Please note that some companies may require you to upload documentation directly with them, so you will want to contact the company you applied to.

  • How do I log into the Candidate Portal?

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    To log into the Candidate Portal: 

    1.  Enter the following information as you provided it during your application process: 
      • Phone number
      • Email
      • Social security number (SSN)
      • Date of birth (DOB)
    2. Click Get Status.

    If you're having trouble logging in with the information above or did not share your SSN, click Didn't share your SSN? Try logging in with your email. This will take you to a candidate authentication login window. To log into the Candidate Portal from this page:

    1. Enter your DOB and email.
    2. Click Continue.

    Upon clicking Continue, Checkr will email you a unique link to access your background check report. 

    Non-US candidates

    Non-US candidates can use one of the following Candidate Portals:

    Troubleshooting Tips

    If you are experiencing issues when attempting to log in, it could be because of the following:

    • An error in your credentials. Please contact the company you applied with to confirm the information on file.
    • The background check has not begun. Occasionally there can be a brief delay between when you applied to a company and the company’s system ordering the background check. You cannot log into the Candidate Portal until the company has requested the background check.
    • Your background check is more than 12 months old. For security and privacy purposes, reports completed more than 12 months ago are not available on the Candidate Portal. If you need a copy of an old report or have a question about an old report, please submit a request to our support team.
  • What does Consider mean?

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    A CONSIDER status means that your report is complete and contains information that the company you applied with might want to review. This information may contain criminal records, Motor Vehicle Report violations that do not meet the hiring company's Motor Vehicle Report criteria, Employment and/or Education verifications that were not an exact match, or other records for review.

    A CONSIDER status does not mean you have been disqualified from employment or engagement.  Our support team cannot answer any questions about whether this status or the information reflected in your report will affect your chances of being hired or engaged by the company you applied to. Please contact the company you applied with for any information about hiring or engagement decisions.

  • I'm seeing a "Report Expired" error. What should I do?

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    The “Report Expired” error indicates that the link sent to you by the company you applied with has expired. To resolve this issue, contact the company you applied with and request a new link.

  • How do I request a new background check?

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    To request a new background check, contact the company you applied with. Checkr cannot initiate a new report for you. 

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  • What does “sentence suspended” mean?

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    A suspended sentence can indicate that a court has delayed or “suspended” all or part of a person’s sentence while they are subject to obligations imposed by the court. If you have specific questions about what the disposition on your report means, you should contact the court directly.

  • Why is my background check taking so long?

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    Three common reasons your background check may be taking longer to complete include:

    • We are waiting for a piece of information from you. If this is the case, you should have received a communication from us. Be sure to check your Spam folder for an email from Checkr.
    • The county court(s) being searched is/are taking longer than usual to return data. It’s possible, for example, that there is a record request backlog in one of the counties or courts being searched.  For more information on the county search process, please see County Criminal Record Search in the Checkr Help Center.
    • Your background check includes a screening, like employment or education verification, that depends on verifying information with third parties. These verifications often require contacting an individual or an organization, which may cause a delay in results.

    If Checkr has not requested additional information from you, you're likely in the final stage of the background check.

    Most background checks take 3 to 7 business days to complete, but some may take longer. Every background check is as unique as the individual applying, so the completion time varies with each report.

    Checkr ETA, available in the Candidate Portal, provides an estimate of when your report should be complete. Actual delivery time is not guaranteed. 

    Having trouble logging into the Candidate Portal? Refer to How do I log into the Candidate Portal?

  • Why did Checkr search a county/state I never lived in?

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    The SSN Trace identifies potential addresses that are associated with your SSN, not necessarily ones that you’ve lived in. For example, it can include counties where you’ve applied for loans or received mail. The address history is used to determine which counties and other databases should be searched for potential public records. 

    Please note that we get address histories from a variety of sources. The SSN Trace identifies information compiled from credit and banking history, which is obtained from credit bureaus. 

    Related article: 

  • Why am I being asked to provide more information after I complete the background check?

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    You may be asked to provide additional information after completing your background check invitation for the following potential reasons: 

    • Additional information is required to continue your background check,
    • The documentation provided in the application was not clear or was filled out incorrectly,
    • There may be a need for special or hand-signed consent forms, in which case the forms must be printed, signed by hand, and returned as a scanned attachment, or
    • Previous employers and education institutions may have specific verification processes that require action from the candidate.

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  • Why am I being asked for additional information from one customer, but not the other?

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    In many cases, different companies have different requirements and are reviewing different information contained within your report. This may be due to each company’s hiring requirements, applicable regulations, or the industry in which you are applying.

    Please reach out directly to the company you applied to for details regarding their requirements.

  • How do I update my personal information on a report?

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    The process for updating information on your report will look different depending on which information needs to be updated. 

    I need to update my: How to update this information:
    • Name
    • Date of birth

    Submit a request to Checkr’s Support Team

    Be sure to attach a photo of the front of your driver’s license or state-issued ID. 

    Please note that depending on the company you applied with, we may be unable to use the submitted documentation to make changes. If this is the case, we will provide you with next steps for resolving the issue. 

    • Email

    Submit a request to Checkr’s Support Team

    • Social Security Number (SSN)

    This is dependent on what the issue is. 

    First, check the Candidate Portal and/or your email for a link sent by Checkr that allows candidates to re-enter their SSNs. 

    If you do not see anything in the Candidate Portal or your email, submit a request to Checkr’s Support Team

    • Phone number
    • Zip code
    Contact the company you applied with so they can update the information or request a new report. Checkr is unable to change the submitted information.
    Important

    The Checkr Support Team cannot update your phone number or zip code.

  • How do I edit the education, employment, and/or address history information I entered?

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    Education, employment, and/or address history information submitted upon initiation of the background check cannot be edited, and we cannot process requests for new background checks directly from candidates. If you would like to request a new background check, please contact the company you applied with and ask them to order a new report.

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  • What if an employer decides not to hire me as a result of seeing my background check?

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    Checkr is not involved in the hiring process; each company has its own engagement criteria and conducts its own evaluation of the information contained in a background check report. 

    If you have questions about how the information on your report was used to determine your engagement eligibility please contact the company you applied with for information. 

    Related article: 

  • I've turned my life around and my background check report doesn't reflect who I am today. How do I share my story?

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    Important

    Checkr does not evaluate the information returned on your report and does not influence or otherwise make engagement decisions.

    At Checkr, we know that background check records alone do not provide the complete picture of a candidate. Everyone can make mistakes, and our potential extends beyond what may have happened in the past. Every individual has a unique story that is worth hearing.

    We’re proud to provide employers the opportunity to utilize Candidate Stories. This feature allows your story to be told directly to the company you applied with, as shown below:

    mceclip5.png

    If the company you applied with does not use this feature, you will need to provide additional information directly to them. You can determine if the company you applied with has this feature available by logging in to the Candidate Portal and scrolling to the bottom of the page to see if there is a “Share your story” option:

    Share_your_story.png
    Clicking on “Share your story” will allow you to

    • Provide general information about yourself,
    • Provide information about a specific record or records on your report, and
    • Upload any documentation to support the information you choose to provide.

    If you would like to provide general information about yourself, there are example prompts to help you think about what additional information you can provide:

    1_jXkL0hhTi6rcGxh6SdFylw.png

    If you would like to provide information about a specific record or records on your report, there are also example prompts to help you think about how you can provide additional context about your record:

    0_02tQI3xnEtl89smA.png
    Candidate Stories give decision-makers a chance to better understand the person behind the background check. As more candidates tell their stories, the meaning of trust and safety will grow, normalizing hiring people with records and giving everyone a fair chance at employment. Check the Candidate Portal to see if this option is available for you.

    Tips for an effective and impactful Candidate Story:

    • When providing information about a specific record, try to avoid general information about yourself and focus on rehabilitative efforts.
    • If you have solid evidence of the rehabilitative efforts, such as a court document, certificate, or receipt of completed classes, please provide them.
    • If you have yet to take rehabilitative courses, what have you done to improve your life?
      Have you taken any schooling? How have you changed your thinking to improve going forward?
    • This is your time to shine and genuinely provide insight into why you are perfect for the job you are applying for or what you have done to better yourself.

    What is considered evidence of rehabilitation:

    • Proof of enrollment or completion of school (High School, GED, Associate or Bachelor's Degree, etc.)
    • Letter of recommendation from previous teachers or professors
    • Proof of completion of a rehabilitation program after the conviction
    • Letter from probation or parole officers attesting that you satisfied all terms of probation or parole
    • Letters from recovery programs or counselors attesting to your current state of rehabilitation
    • Letters of recommendation from counselors, instructors, or employers
    • Proof of community service, education, or other self-­improvement efforts after you completed your sentence, probation, or parole
    • Evaluations by a psychologist or other mental health professional
    • Letters of support from other people not mentioned above attesting to your rehabilitative status
    • Personal statement describing your rehabilitative efforts or any changes you have made to improve your life
  • How will I know that Checkr has received my documents?

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    If you have uploaded documents to the Candidate Portal, please allow up to 3 business days for review. If it has been more than 3 business days and you have not received confirmation that your documents were received, you can submit a ticket to Checkr Candidate Support

  • My report was completed more than 12 months ago. Why can’t I access it?

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    For security and privacy purposes, reports completed more than 12 months ago are not available on the Candidate Portal. If you need a copy of an old report or have a question about an old report, please submit a request to our support team.

  • My reports were run by two different companies on the same day - why did they come back with two different statuses?

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    Question

    Two of my reports completed on the same day; why did one report come back “Consider” if it is showing the same information as the other report, which is “Clear”?

    Answer

    A “Consider” status means that your report is complete and contains reportable records or information. Companies may choose to display information differently to facilitate their review or reportable records or information. If you have a question about the engagement criteria of the company you applied with, we recommend you contact that company directly.

     

  • If my case is pending or dismissed, why is it still showing in my report?

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    Under the FCRA, pending cases and non-convictions are generally reportable for seven years.

    In some states, like California, Kentucky, New Mexico, and New York, the reporting of non-convictions is limited.  In Kentucky, the reporting of pending cases is limited.

    A "non-conviction" could include dismissed cases, not-guilty verdicts, alternative or deferred adjudications (programs that result in dismissed charges if the defendant completes certain conditions), and nolle prosequi dispositions (formal abandonment of prosecution).

    For more information about lookback periods, refer to How far back are records searched during a background check?

  • I paid my tickets and my violations are resolved. Why are the violations still being reported on my Motor Vehicle Record (MVR)?

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    Paying a fine or ticket does not always remove the associated violation from your motor vehicle record (MVR).  In some cases, you may be able to have a record or restriction amended or removed from your MVR by contacting your state’s department of motor vehicles (DMV) or its equivalent. If you contact the DMV and there are changes made to your record, you can let us know by logging into the Candidate Portal and clicking on the Report error button on the page. For more information about filing a dispute, refer to Something on my background check report is wrong. What should I do? 

  • I paid my fines - why does an amount still show on my report?

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    Question

    If I paid my fines, why does an amount still show on my report? 

    Answer

    The fines on your report reflect the amounts ordered by the court when the case was adjudicated. If your report includes “outstanding balance or balance due,” that means the court records showed that an amount was still owed at the time your report was completed.

  • Why was my background check canceled?

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    If your report indicates it has been canceled and you are unsure why, please reach out to the company you applied with. Our support team is not informed about hiring decisions or timelines and will not know how long the company you applied with will take to get back to you.

    Please remember: Checkr is a consumer reporting agency. We provide background check reports for companies that request them. We do not review reports, make employment or engagement decisions, or determine company requirements regarding employment or engagement. The company you applied with will make its own determination based on its own requirements and review of your report.

  • Why is my tenant screening report expired?

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    Tenant screenings reports expire one month following the date of creation. If you are applying for new housing and your personal report is expired, you will need to obtain a new personal report from the housing rental site where you applied. Please follow their application process to order a new report.

    Once you obtain a new personal report, you may download it to your device from Checkr’s Candidate Portal. Unfortunately, Checkr is unable to send personal reports to any landlords. You will be responsible for providing the new personal report to any potential or future landlords.

  • I have two reports. Why does my background check show records on one report but not the other?

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    Your reports may look different or include different records depending on when the report was ordered and which company ordered the report. The company you applied with determines the scope of the report. If you have any questions about how your report will be considered by the company you applied with, please contact that company directly -- Checkr is not involved in engagement decisions.

  • I'm a candidate in California or Massachusetts, and my background check is delayed.

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    Note: To check the most up-to-date status of your report, log into the Candidate Portal. Unfortunately, our Candidate Experience Support team has no information beyond what is available in the Candidate Portal.

    California and Massachusetts

    There are two common reasons why your background check may be delayed in California and Massachusetts:

    1. The wait times can be longer in California and Massachusetts because the courts generally take longer than average to respond to our record requests. If your report is in PENDING status and we haven’t asked for any additional documents from you, then you’re likely in the final stages of the background check.
    2. As of September 2021, changes have been made that limit the public availability of record information in the state of California (including, but not limited to, Los Angeles County). Checkr, as well as other background check providers, are affected by this change. With less information publicly available, the background check process requires more time to complete, sometimes resulting in long delays.

    Related blog article: 

    Michigan

    Michigan recently enacted an expanded clean slate law, which creates a process for automatically expunging certain convictions. In order to become compliant with these new requirements and address existing records in the backlog, most of the courts across the state have either ceased furnishing background checks at this time, paused processing, or have significantly slowed down.

    Until the Michigan courts resume processing, we're experiencing a delay in completing your background check due to these temporary closures and court slowdowns. We will continue working hard to complete your background check as soon as possible.

  • I just received an SMS message from a number claiming to be Checkr. Does Checkr send text messages?  

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    Yes, Checkr does send SMS text messages to communicate urgent and time-sensitive updates regarding your background check application. Checkr will only send you messages from a 243257 number.

    Related articles: 

  • How do I opt out of receiving SMS text messages from Checkr?

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    You always have the option to opt-out of SMS text messages from Checkr. To do this, send a text message to 243257 with any of the following commands: 

    • N
    • No
    • Stop
    • Stopall
    • Unsubscribe
    • Cancel
    • End
    • Quit

    You will receive the following message confirming that you successfully unsubscribed your phone number: "You have successfully been unsubscribed. You will not receive any more messages from this number. Reply START to resubscribe."

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