Criminal History
Background Check
Criminal Background Check, Criminal Record Check, Criminal Record Search, and Criminal Record Background Check are common names used for a Criminal History Background Check and are used interchangeably.
Criminal History Record Searches Offered by A Matter of Fact
- County Criminal Records Check: checks county court records for felony records, and where possible misdemeanor files (recommended in all counties of residence, school, and work for the last 7 years)
- Federal Criminal Records Check: expands criminal records checks to federal offenses
- 'Statewide' Criminal Records Check and 'Nationwide' Criminal Database Check: useful supplement to County Criminal Record Checks
- National Wants and Warrants: an important supplement to County Criminal Record Checks (recommended for all applicants)
- Sex Offender Registry Check: for health care, child/youth/elder care, teaching, residential management, hospitality, social services, and similar at-risk positions
What Does a Typical Criminal Background Check Consist of?
By far the most common criminal record check is a County Criminal Records Check for the applicant's counties of residence for the last seven years.
For more information about the typical background check requested by our customers,
see What Does a Typical Employment Background Check Consist of?
What Shows up on a Criminal Background Check?
A County Criminal Record Check will show felony criminal history information if any. Misdemeanor or infraction information may also appear.
A Federal Criminal Record Check will show criminal histories for federal crimes or crimes committed on federal property.
'Statewide' and 'Nationwide' checks, National Wants and Warrants, and Sex Offender Registry checks
will show if an applicant is listed on the respective database.
For more information about what shows on a complete background check,
see What Shows Up On A Background Check For Employment?
How Far Back does a Criminal Background Check go?
Criminal Record Checks can uncover very old information.
The information available depends on the policies of each court.
Typically, records of serious offenses are kept for a very long time, while records of lesser offenses may be purged after a few years.
For more complete information about how old information can be in a background check,
see How far back does a Background Check go?
Is There Anything Unique about a California Criminal Background Check?
Yes! California Background Checks require special attention.
For example, California law places greater restrictions on information than does federal law.
For information about the combined Federal FCRA and California ICRA,
see California Background Check Law and FCRA Employer Requirements.
For more information about California criminal record sources,
see California Criminal Records Search.
Are International Criminal Record Checks Available?
Employment Criminal Background Checks are available internationally.
For more information, see International Criminal History Records Searches.
Related Resources
- Criminal Checks: Cost Versus Risk.
- The Best Background Check Service: The Inside Story
- Comprehensive Background Check: The Best Background Check
- What Can Be In A Background Check.
- What Do Employers Look For in a Background Check?
- Knowledge Index: Criminal History Background Check
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