Start your background check

  • How do I start my background check? >

     

    Start your background check

    The organization you applied to will email you to start a background check. It'll look similar to the image below. When you receive it, click Start Background Check. If you can't find the email, check your Spam folder before contacting the organization you applied to.

    mceclip2.png

  • What information will I need to provide? >

     

    Personally identifiable information (PII)

    To start your background check, you will need to provide the following:

    • 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. Examples include:

    • Driver’s license,
    • Highest degree earned
    • Passport number
    Note

    Checkr cannot accept an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). If you don't have an SSN, please contact the organization you are applying to. 

     

  • Why do I need to provide my Social Security number (SSN), and what if I don't have one? >

     

    Why do I need to provide my Social Security number?

    Checkr’s customers often request a Social Security number (SSN) trace as the first search in any background check. This search returns a list of your previous addresses and any other names you may have used based on your credit and banking history. Checkr then uses this information to complete more searches if they're requested by the company ordering your background check report.

    Data protection

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

    Some searches, such as motor vehicle record (MVR) reports and education verifications, don't require you to have an SSN. However, if you're a US-based candidate without a valid SSN, Checkr can't complete a criminal background check. Please contact the company you applied to if you have any questions.

    ITIN

    Checkr can't accept an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).

    If you're asked to provide a photo of your physical Social Security card, and you don't have it, you must contact your local Social Security Administration (SSA) office and request one of the following: 

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

    After you get one of these documents, upload a photo via the Candidate Portal.

  • Guidelines for uploading 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 Why do I need to provide my Social Security number (SSN) and what if I don't have one?

    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.

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

     

    Manual entry for employment verification

    What to do if your employer or payroll provider doesn't appear

    If your employer or payroll provider does 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.