Add your business to ZipLeaf for free!
 United States Business Directory
How to Choose the Right Criminal Background Check Service

By Check Criminal Record

How to Choose the Right Criminal Background Check Service

12/20/2019 A quick search for ‘check criminal records online’ will reveal thousands of search results. But how can you choose the right criminal background check service? What separates a good criminal records search platform from a bad one? Which services are cheapest or most expensive?
Today, we’re explaining everything you need to know about choosing the right criminal background check service.
5 Ways to Compare Criminal Background Check ServicesWhat’s Included?All criminal background check services might seem to advertise the same thing. In reality, however, they’re made up of many different checkups. A criminal record check service could reveal one or more of the following items:
· Social Security Number traces and address validations
· Misdemeanor and felony criminal records searches at the county, state, and national levels
· Sex offender registry searches
· Civil records checks
PricePrices vary widely between criminal background check services. The services used by employers, for example, are different than the services used by curious individuals for personal checkups. There’s no industry-standard price range, but generally, prices look like this:
Basic Screening: $15 to $30 for basic criminal records check and identity verification, including national criminal database searches and sex offender registry searches.
Standard Screening: $30 to $60 for a more detailed report for employers, including everything in basic plans plus a county criminal court search with up to seven years of records.
Advanced Screening: $60 to $100 for the most detailed report, including everything in standard and basic plans plus education and employment verifications.
There may be additional fees. Some criminal background check services charge setup fees for new customers, for example. Some shady criminal record check services have hidden fees that aren’t revealed until you get to the final checkout page.
AccuracySome criminal record check services have outdated databases filled with inaccurate information. They might have incorrect names and aliases, for example, or get records mixed up between individuals.
Clear, accurate reporting is important in any dataset, but it’s particularly important when checking someone’s background and criminal record.
Accreditation and ComplianceCriminal background check services must be FCRA compliant. If the background check service is not FCRA compliant, then it cannot legally be used for pre-employment screening purposes. Check the Professional Background Screening Association (previously known as the NAPBS) to find accredited services.
Keep in mind that accreditation and compliance does not matter if checking criminal records for personal reasons. If you’re not planning to hire a person, then you should be able to use any criminal record check website.
Turnaround TimeHow long does the criminal record check service take to deliver results? Turnaround times vary widely. Sometimes, you can’t afford to wait days or weeks for results to be returned. Most online search services, including CheckCriminalRecord.com, have turnaround times in minutes – not days.
Final Word
Using all of the above metrics, you can find the right criminal background check service for your unique needs.

About This Author

Check Criminal Record

Check Criminal Record

Check Criminal Record is a local company that provides an online service to help you uncover public records information about the people around you. The Dallas, Texas-based website serves customers across the state of Texas and all of America. Whether you’re investigating a colleague, a boss, or a…

Read More »

More Articles From This Author

How Do Ban the Box Laws Work for Criminal Record Checks?

How Do Ban the Box Laws Work for Criminal Record Checks?

05/21/2020 You may have seen “Ban the Box” laws in the news. Some states have passed ban the box laws restricting employers from asking about criminal convictions.Ban the box laws are important to everyone – including those with or without a criminal record.Today, we’re explaining how ban the box l... Read More »

Could You Have a Criminal Record Without Knowing It?

Could You Have a Criminal Record Without Knowing It?

05/12/2020 Many people assume they have a clean criminal record. You’ve never been to jail – so how could you have something on your criminal record?Unfortunately, criminal records aren’t always that straightforward.Sometimes, information can mistakenly appear on your criminal record – through a da... Read More »

How to Check your Own Criminal Record Online – And Why You Should Do It

How to Check your Own Criminal Record Online – And Why You Should Do It

04/24/2020 When you think about checking a criminal record online, you’re probably thinking about checking someone else’s criminal record. Every day, however, thousands of Americans use the internet to check their own criminal record.Checking your own criminal record is a good idea. You can catch mista... Read More »

Top 10 Tips and Tricks for Checking Anyone’s Criminal Record

Top 10 Tips and Tricks for Checking Anyone’s Criminal Record

03/10/2020 Every day, thousands of Americans scan public databases for arrest records. Some are checking their own records to see what pops up. Others are curious about the background of a neighbor, partner, friend, or coworker.Checking someone’s criminal record is generally legal – as long as you’re doi... Read More »