Background Check Frequently Asked Questions

Reveal Background is our own company, and we manage the quality of every product we provide.

We have provided background screening since 2017 and continue to improve how easy our platform is to use.

We are a Consumer Reporting Agency (CRA). We partner with leading data and court-research vendors and are integrated with their systems. Because background screening is sensitive, our processes follow the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).

Our most popular search is the National Criminal Database Plus, which includes an alias name search, SSN trace and sex offender registry search. See current prices on our pricing page. We can also build a custom package for your company and beat the rate you are paying today.

A review of a person’s public online presence to find content that could create liability or show dishonest behavior. It is increasingly used for employment and tenant screening. Only publicly available content is reviewed.

Includes an SSN trace and national sex offender registry search. Searches criminal records databases from all 50 states, including court, corrections, and probation records. A county search should follow any possible match to confirm complete and accurate information.

Verifies that the SSN exists and returns the applicant’s known names and addresses from major credit databases. The addresses are used to choose which counties to search.

Searches official sex offender registries in all 50 states, Washington D.C., Guam, and Puerto Rico. If a record is found, a county-level search is needed for full information.

Searches felony and misdemeanor records at the county court where the candidate lives and has lived. Additional county court fees may apply.

Searches criminal cases prosecuted in U.S. federal district courts, such as those brought by the FBI, U.S. Marshals, ATF, or DEA. Federal cases do not appear in county or state searches.

Searches criminal records at the state level, such as the state court system, state police, or administrative office of the courts. It does not replace a search of every county.

Myth: federal and national searches are the same. Fact: a national search covers a collection of nationwide databases, while a federal search covers federal courts only. Myth: a federal or national search means you don’t need county searches. Fact: the county courthouse is the source of truth for most criminal records, so county searches are still needed.

Identifies foreign terrorist organizations, people on terrorist watch lists, and individuals or organizations on watch status with U.S. and international government agencies, including OFAC and SDN lists, politically exposed persons, and debarred, denied, sanctioned, most-wanted and fugitive lists.

A record of the consumer’s credit history prepared by a credit bureau.

Searches a nationwide database for eviction filings on an applicant.

A non-FCRA tool that returns public record information to help decide which additional jurisdictions and name variations to search. It should not be used on its own for screening decisions.

Returns bankruptcy, lien, and judgment information on an applicant.

Verifies past employers, including dates of employment and job title. Each verification covers a single employer.

Confirms personal qualities through contact with a business or personal reference.

A single verification of education, usually the highest level attained, including dates of enrollment, areas of study, degrees, and certificates.

Verifies the applicant’s previous or current DOT-regulated employment, including dates, title, eligibility for rehire and reason for leaving, plus responses to the DOT drug and alcohol questionnaire.

Driving history from the state motor vehicle department. Available in all 50 states plus Puerto Rico.