Federal Criminal History
Records Check
Federal Criminal Records are searched by name. The results are then reviewed using other identifiers such as date of birth, social security number, or driver’s license number. Reports usually include the jurisdiction searched, the individual’s personal identifiers as they appear in the case file, the file date, charges, disposition, disposition dates, and sentencing information.
A Federal Criminal Records Check may also be referred to as a Federal Crim., Federal Criminal History Records Check, Federal Criminal Record Search, Federal Criminal History Check, Criminal Federal Court Search, or Federal Court Criminal Records Check.
Why Do Federal Criminal Records Checks
Approximately 5 percent of criminal records in the U.S. are for federal offenses.
A search of federal court records is needed to locate records of federal criminal prosecution.
Federal Criminal Records Checks extend research for potential criminal activity from the state level to the federal level and provide an additional element in the defense against negligent hiring claims.
Employers have a moral and legal obligation to provide a safe work environment. Knowing whether a potential employee has been involved in criminal activity (such as drug or other substance abuse, reckless behavior, dishonesty, theft, or dangerous and violent behaviors) allows employers to determine if an applicant is appropriate for the job and work environment.
What are the Sources of a Federal Criminal Records Check?
Each state has at least one federal district.
Larger states are separated into as many as four federal districts.
A Federal Criminal Records Check is a search of a specific federal district court records. Each federal district maintains its own records. Only criminal cases prosecuted in a specific federal district will be found in that court's Federal Criminal Records Check. Therefore, each federal district must be searched separately to determine if a criminal history exists in that district.
What are the Weaknesses of a Federal Criminal Records Check?
The greatest weakness of a Federal Criminal Records Check is the limited scope of any specific district search.
There are more than 7,000 significant courts in the United States that maintain criminal records.
There is no national source of criminal records.
Few employers have the resources and time to search every criminal court in the country.
Wise choices must be made to determine which courts to search.Most federal court records only provide researchers with name information. The researcher must then verify whether a name found in the records is the applicant in question. If an applicant has a common name, the researcher may find many cases that need to be reviewed. Once a case has been identified, the case information must be properly compiled into a report for the prospective employer.
Various (and differing) state and federal laws determine what information can be reported to an employer. Also, research is sometimes required to interpret the "legalese" (court language) used.
Because most criminal cases are prosecuted at the county level, Federal Criminal Records Checks cannot be seen as thorough criminal record searches when run alone. They are most useful when run with County Criminal Records Checks.
How Far Back Does A Federal Criminal Record Check Go?
Typically criminal records are searched in the Federal District Courts of residence, work, and school for the last 7 years (sometimes longer periods are searched).
The period of time actually covered in a federal criminal history report varies based on how state and federal law apply to that specific background check, how the federal court maintains its records, and how the records are researched.
For a more complete discussion about how far back a background check goes, see How Far Back Does A Background Check Go.
How Long Does a Federal Criminal Records Check Take?
Federal Criminal Records Checks are usually returned in one to two business days from the order date. "Hits" on Federal Criminal Records Checks will extend the turnaround time since the researcher must then verify whether a name found in the records is indeed the applicant in question.
Can I See a Sample Federal Criminal Records Check Report?
Yes, click Sample Federal Criminal Records Check.
What is Our Recommendation for a Federal Criminal Records Check?
Federal Criminal Records Checks cover jurisdictions that County Criminal Records Checks do not.
They are thus an essential element in the criminal portion of a Comprehensive Background Check.
We recommend Federal Criminal Records Checks to any employer who wishes to extend research into potential criminal activity from the state level to the federal level.
Are Criminal Record Checks Available Internationally?
Yes, International Criminal Record Checks are available.
For more information see International Criminal Record Searches.
Related Resources
- Criminal History Background Check
- Criminal Checks: Cost Versus Risk
- Summary Of What Can Be In A Background Check
- Comprehensive Background Check: The Best Background Check
- The Best Background Check Service: The Inside Story
- Knowledge Index: Criminal History Background Check
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