Getting started

  • How do I start my background check? >

     

    The company you applied with will send you an invitation, most likely through email, prompting you to begin your background check. This email will look similar to the image below. Upon receiving this email, click Start Background Check to begin the background check process. 

    If you are having trouble finding the email, be sure to check your Spam folder before reaching out to the company you applied with. 

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  • What is a pre-employment background check? >

     

    A pre-employment background check collects an individual’s information or records from private and public sources. An employer may obtain information about you from a third party consumer reporting agency for employment purposes. These reports may contain information regarding your credit history, criminal history, motor vehicle records (“driving records”), verification of your education or employment history, or other background checks.

    Your rights are considered and protected by applicable federal, state, and local regulations. 

    Related article: 

  • What information will I need to provide? >

     

    You will need to submit your personally identifiable information (PII). This includes:

    • Full name (including middle name)
    • Date of birth
    • Social Security number (SSN) 
    • Current zip code
    • Phone number
    • Email address

    Depending on the role you are applying for, you may be asked to provide additional information like your driver’s license, highest degree earned, or passport number.

    Note

    Checkr cannot accept an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). If you don't have an SSN, please contact the company you are applying to. For more information, refer to What if I don't have a Social Security number (SSN)?

     

  • How long does a background check take? >

     

    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? 

  • What information shows up on a pre-employment background check report? >

     

    Pre-employment background checks can reveal a wide range of information about a candidate’s past, including their work history, education, criminal history, and more. Each company has different requirements, which means each company may have different screenings with different scopes to help make an informed choice. For example, ride sharing companies may order a motor vehicle record screening in addition to criminal records screenings. 

    Information that may be included in your pre-employment background check includes, but isn’t limited to: 

    • Reportable criminal records, according to state and federal law,
    • Reportable Motor Vehicle Reports (MVRs): MVRs return data from at least 3 years back, though some state agencies report older violations,
    • Employment verifications: verification of employment over the past 10 years, and 
    • Education verifications: verification of the highest degree obtained.

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  • How far back are records searched, and what records does a background check include? >

     

    The organization you applied to determines how far back to search for records on your background check. Organizations can request that Checkr use a lookback period of seven years, 10 years, or even further back. 

    For questions about your eligibility for a role or the lookback period, contact the organization you applied to directly. Checkr prepares background reports for organizations and doesn't make hiring, engagement, or retention decisions.

    Seven years begins at the "context date," which can vary based on what information courts and other sources of records include.

    Convictions

    Most states allow the reporting of convictions indefinitely. A report can include convictions no matter how old. 

    The states below generally limit the reporting of convictions to only the last seven years:

    • California
    • Kansas
    • Maryland
    • Massachusetts
    • Montana
    • New Hampshire
    • New Mexico
    • New York
    • Washington

    In some of the above states, reports for certain companies include convictions older than seven years because of rules that affect reports for regulated industries.

    Non-convictions

    Most states limit the reporting of non-convictions to only the last seven years.

    A non-conviction could include the case statuses and outcomes below:

    The states below prohibit the reporting of non-convictions:

    • California
    • Kentucky
    • New Mexico
    • New York

    Additional state-specific guidelines

    California

    • Marijuana misdemeanors: Non-felony (misdemeanor) convictions for marijuana possession in California can only be reported for two years from the disposition date.
    • Transportation network or rideshare companies: In California, background checks for transportation network and rideshare companies can report convictions older than seven years.

    Maryland

    Background checks for transportation network and rideshare companies in Maryland search the person's "entire adult history," including convictions older than seven years.

    Kentucky

    In Kentucky, pending criminal cases are never reportable. Background checks in Kentucky never include pending cases.

  • I was asked to upload an image of my documentation. What are the image guidelines and what do I do if I don't have the requested documentation? >

     

    The following documents may be requested during your background check process to help verify your information. If you are asked to provide documentation, please follow the directions to avoid further delay. If you do not have any of the accepted documents, contact the organization you applied to.

    If you are asked to upload a copy of your SSN, follow the guidelines below to avoid delays to your report.

    Image guidelines

    • The image must be of the front of your SSN card
    • The image must include all four corners of the SSN card
    • The image must be in color
    • The SSN card needs to be valid for employment
    • The name and number on the SSN card need to match your application

    What if I don't have an SSN? 

    You must provide a valid SSN. Checkr cannot accept an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). If you don't have an SSN, please contact the organization you are applying to. For more information, refer to What if I don't have a Social Security number (SSN)? and What if I don't have my physical Social Security card?

    If you are asked to upload a copy of your driver’s license or previous driver’s license, follow the guidelines below to avoid delay.

    Important

    Be sure you are uploading the correct license. If you are asked for a previous driver’s license, your current driver’s license will not work.

    Image guidelines

    Please upload an image of the front of your driver’s license. Ensure the following: 

    • The image must be of your state-issued driver's license
    • Avoid using your flash to prevent glare
    • Rotate your phone to fit all four corners of the license in the picture
    • The image must be in color
    • Ensure your information is clear and visible

    What if I don’t have a driver’s license or a copy of my previous licenses?

    If the organization you applied with requested a motor vehicle report, we need a valid driver’s license number to complete this check. If you do not have a valid driver’s license, you must contact the organization you applied with to discuss next steps.

    Sometimes, the organization you applied to requires a minimum amount of licensed driving experience. Not all state departments of motor vehicles make licensing history available, so please contact the organization you applied with or your state's DMV for additional support.

    If you are asked to upload proof of education, follow the guidelines below to avoid delay.

    Image guidelines

    The image of your proof of education must include the following:

    • First and last name
    • Graduation date
    • Name of institution 
    • Major (if documentation is for a higher education degree)

    Acceptable documents

    • Degree: An associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or other post-graduate degree from a college or university
    • Diploma: A high school diploma, GED, or high school equivalency
    • Certificate: A certificate of completion from a non-degree educational program
    • Official transcript: Only if you’re currently pursuing a degree; the transcript must show that you were enrolled during the last six months

    What if I don’t have proof of education?

    Checkr will attempt to confirm with the institution you listed in your application up to four times. If we cannot confirm with your institution, we request your records to help clear up confusion with your institution. 

    If you do not have one of the approved documents, select “No document available” during the application process and contact the organization you applied to.

    Important

    We recommend you hide sensitive information, like grades, before you add your documents. The organization you applied with may see your documents.

    If you are asked to upload proof of employment, follow the guidelines below to avoid delay.

    Image guidelines

    The image of your proof of employment must include the following:

    • Full name
    • Birth date
    • Email address
    • Phone number
    • Social Security number (SSN)

    Acceptable documents

    • W-2 or 1099: Add this if you were hired directly (part-time or full-time) by the organization
    • Paystubs: Add this if you worked as a contract or contingent worker or if the organization uses a third-party HR or payroll management organization. If you’re not sure, contact your former organization.
    • Schedule C: Add this if you were hired directly (part-time or full-time) by the organization

    What if I don’t have proof of employment?

    If you do not have any of the accepted documents, please contact the organization you applied to.

    Important

    We recommend you hide sensitive information, like salary, before you add your documents. The organization you applied with may see your documents.

    If you are asked to upload proof of a professional license or certification, follow the guidelines below to avoid delay.

    Image guidelines

    The image of your proof of license or certification must include the following:

    • First and last name
    • License number (as applicable)
    • Name of license OR certifying organization

    What if I don’t have proof of my professional license or certification?

    If you do not have documentation of a license or certification, please contact the organization you applied to.

    If you previously completed the requested health exam (even with a different employer), you can upload relevant documentation to have the exam waived.

    Image guidelines

    Documentation must be valid (i.e., not expired) and include:

    • The medical examiner's signature
    • Date of completion

    What if I don’t have proof of my professional license or certification?

    If you do not have the required documentation, you must complete another health exam. Please contact the organization you applied to.

    If you are asked to upload a valid government ID, follow the guidelines below to avoid delay.

    Image guidelines

    Your document(s) must be in English and must include the following:

    • Your first and last legal name
    • Date of birth
    • A photo of you

    Acceptable documents

    • Valid State Driver's licenses
    • Non-driver ID cards
    • Passports (both U.S. and foreign)
    • Native American tribal documentation (those that contain photos)
    • I-551 (permanent resident card, aka green card)
    • I-766 (employment authorization document aka EAD)
    • Military Identification Card
    • Common Access Card (Active military, Active reserve, or Active Selected Reserve)
    • DD-214 U.S. Citizen Identification Card

    What if I don’t have valid government identification?

    If you do not have any of the accepted documents, please contact the organization you applied to.

    Important

    If you are under 18 years of age and do not have any of the acceptable documents, please contact Checkr for assistance.

  • Why do I need to provide my Social Security number (SSN)? >

     

    Checkr’s customers often request an SSN Trace as the first screening run in any background check. This screening returns a list of your previous addresses and any other names you may have used based on your credit and banking history. Checkr uses the information returned from the SSN Trace to initiate subsequent screenings as requested by the company ordering your background check report.

    Your SSN will be truncated and encrypted in our protected databases.  

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  • What if I don't have a Social Security number (SSN)? >

     

    There are screenings that do not require you to have an SSN, such as Motor Vehicle Records and Education Verifications. However, if you are a U.S.-based candidate and you do not have a valid SSN, Checkr is unable to complete a criminal background check. Please reach out to the company you applied to if you have any questions. 

    Note

    Checkr cannot accept an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).

    Related articles: 

  • What if I don't have my physical Social Security card? >

     

    If you are asked to provide a photo of your physical Social Security card, and you do not have your Social Security card, you must contact your local Social Security Administration (SSA) office and request one of the following: 

    • A new copy of your SSN card, or 
    • An ‘SS-5 - Numident record,’ which can be used in place of the Social Security card

    Once either of these documents is obtained, you may upload an image via the Candidate Portal.

  • I can't find my employer or payroll provider, and can’t move to the next step. What do I do? >

     

    If your employer or payroll provider do not appear when you search for them during the Quick Verification process, you can enter the information manually. 

    1. Click the back arrow in the upper right corner of the pop-up (screenshot below). 
    2. Select Manual entry within the Verify your employment section.