Frequently Asked Questions
- How long does a background check take?
- What does a background check cost?
- What is in a background check?
- What kind of information can I get?
- What should I ask for?
- What should I be looking for?
- Can anyone run a background check?
- How do I get started?
- What do you need from me?
- Do I need to give the applicant something?
- Does the applicant need to sign something?
- Can I run a background check without telling the employee?
- Can I track results online?
- How do I get results?
- How soon can I get results?
Questions We Wish You'd Ask
- What can I do to speed up my order?
- Why do reports sometimes take longer than I expect?
- Are there ever mistakes in background checks?
- What are the advantages and disadvantages of Criminal History Databases?
- Does A Matter of Fact maintain a Criminal History Database?
- What are Thorough Background Check Web Badges and how do they benefit my business?
Q: How long does a background check take?
A: Results are gathered from multiple sources and completed in one to three business days.
However, a few courts, employers, and schools can be hard to contact or are slow to respond.
Results from these sources are usually back within a week.
For more information, see Proper Employment Background Checks: Patience Now Means Accuracy and Completeness Later
Q: What does a background check cost?
A: Cost varies according to depth and quality of the check.
Basic background checks typically cost from $50 to $150 (based on the number of searches requested).
More careful, comprehensive background checks can cost from $200 to $500.
For information about the trade-off between cost and risk, see Criminal Checks: Cost Versus Risk.
Q: What is in a background check?
A: The basic searches ordered as part of most background checks are
County Criminal Record Checks, Employment Verifications, and Education Verifications.
Social Security Number Scans are also essential because they allow researchers to identify jurisdictions the applicant purposefully or inadvertently neglected to disclose. For more information about available searches, see
Elements of a Background Check for Employment Screening.
Q: What kind of information can I get?
A: Most information on a resume or job application can be verified.
Credit checks, driving records, sex offender registry checks, etc., can be very useful if relevant to the job requirements.
Also, Form I-9 and Employment Eligibility can be processed online.
For more information, see
Elements of a Background Check for Employment Screening
and The Growing Trend to Thorough Background Checks.
Q: What should I ask for?
A: It is wise to attempt to verify anything that is important to job performance or that could impact the safety of the public, fellow employees, and customers.
For the best results, we recommend a complete and comprehensive background check.
For more information, see
Comprehensive Background Checks.
For information about recent trends in background checks, see The Growing Trend to Thorough Background Checks.
Q: What should I be looking for?
A: Most prospective employers are concerned about discrepancies between what the applicant claimed and what is reported by schools, prior employers, etc.
Most also watch for negative reports such as a bad driving record or a criminal history that would impact the applicant's job qualifications.
For more information, see
Examples of Serious Flags Found on Background Checks.
Q: Can anyone run a background check?
A: No. Because of the sensitive nature of the information gathered,
background checks are restricted to those with a legal "permissible purpose."
A Matter of Fact only conducts background checks on behalf of bona fide employers.
Visit our Resource Page (the Government Links section) for links to Sections 604 of the FCRA and 1786.12 of CA Investigative Consumer Reporting Agencies Act for more information.
Q: How do I get started? What do you need from me?
A: We strive to make the process easy and straightforward.
Account setup is free.
See our Getting Started page for a step-by-step process.
Q: Do I need to give the applicant something?
A: Federal law and some states require that an applicant be given written notification before you run a background check.
See our Start-Up Kit for samples of the required documents and for more information.
Q: Does the applicant need to sign something?
A: Federal law and some states require that an applicant give written authorization before you run a background check.
See our Start-Up Kit for samples of the required documents and for more information.
Q: Can I run a background check without telling the employee?
A: While most laws require that an applicant be notified about a background check,
federal law allows an exemption when investigating suspected wrong-doing by an employee.
You should consult with an attorney for guidance in your specific situation.
Q: Can I track results online?
A: Yes. We will provide you with a username and password,
allowing access to our online client portal.
You will then be able to track results as they come in.
Q: How do I get results?
A: Most reports are available online.
We can arrange alternative methods of getting your reports if you desire.
Q: How soon can I get results?
A: You can track results online as soon as they have been quality-checked for accuracy and completeness.
Results usually begin to be available within a day.
Q: What can I do to speed up my order?
A: The best thing you can do to expedite your order is to fill out all documentation completely and legibly and see that your applicants do the same.
Not only will this increase the speed with which results are received,
but it will also help ensure that the most accurate results possible are obtained.
For more, see Need to Speed Up Your Background Checks?
Q: Why do reports sometimes take longer than I expect?
A: The most common reason for Background Check delay is carelessness
in filling out the Employee Background Check Request Form, the Applicant Authorization and Release Form,
and the Job Application.
For more, see Why Do Some Background Checks Take Longer than I Expect?
Q: Are there ever mistakes in background checks?
A: Yes! The information in a background check was created, compiled, maintained, searched, and reported by fallible individuals.
Consequently, it is important to give the applicant the opportunity to review negative information.
If the applicant identifies information in a report that is incomplete or inaccurate, we will re-investigate and furnish the required reports, notifications, etc., at no further charge.
Q: What are the advantages and disadvantages of Criminal History Databases?
A: There are no true national Criminal History Record repositories or databases.
The available databases are compiled from a variety of sources, notoriously incomplete, and out of date.
However, databases can be fast, powerful research tools that cover a larger geographical area.
We verify any database "hits" with the proper local jurisdiction.
For more information, see Criminal Database Limitations and
'Nation-Wide' Criminal Database Check.
Q: Does A Matter of Fact maintain a Criminal History Database?
A: No! The only files we maintain are archived copies of background check files as required by law.
No information from a prior background check is used in a subsequent background check.
Each report is compiled separately from fresh research data.
Q: What are Thorough Background Check Web Badges and how do they benefit my business?
A: Thorough Background Check Web Badges are small graphics you place on your web page announcing to
job applicants, employees, investors, donors, and indeed the general public that you include thorough background checks in your hiring process.
The badge doubles as a link to We Conduct Thorough Background Checks,
describing the benefits to each of these groups for being involved with your organization.
For more information, see Thorough Background Check Badges.
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