Quick answer: Instacart requires shoppers to pass a background check that Instacart orders itself, and Instacart, not the shopper, sets the criteria in its shopper help center. Employers building a similar grocery-delivery or gig team should run an FCRA-compliant check with written disclosure, authorization, and adverse action steps. Reveal Background supplies these searches.
- Instacart controls its own shopper screening; a third party cannot order it on a shopper’s behalf.
- Delivery and shopper roles usually combine criminal history, identity, and (for driving roles) motor vehicle record checks.
- Any employer using a background report must follow the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), 15 U.S.C. 1681, including adverse action steps.
Who sets Instacart shopper background check requirements?
Instacart does. The company decides which checks apply, what results disqualify an applicant, and how long activation takes. Requirements can change by market and over time, so confirm current rules on Instacart’s own shopper help pages.
This guide is written for hiring teams: staffing firms, grocers, pharmacies, and local delivery businesses that screen their own shoppers and drivers. It shows what comparable programs check and how to stay compliant.
What do shopper and delivery screening programs usually check?
Programs for in-store shoppers and delivery drivers typically combine the searches below. Pick the ones that match the job duties, not a blanket package.
| Search | What it shows | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| SSN trace | Name and address history used to choose which counties to search | Every hire |
| County criminal | Felony and misdemeanor records at the courthouse level | Every hire |
| National criminal database | Records across many jurisdictions, used as a locator | Every hire |
| Federal criminal | Federal court cases | Higher-trust roles |
| Sex-offender registry | Registry matches | In-home or customer-facing delivery |
| Motor vehicle record (MVR) | License status, violations, suspensions | Drivers using a vehicle |
| Employment and education verification | Confirms stated work history and credentials | Supervisors, leads |
What are the FCRA steps for screening a shopper?
When a third-party screening company prepares the report, the FCRA applies. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) summarizes these duties in its guidance “Using Consumer Reports: What Employers Need to Know.”
- Give the applicant a clear written disclosure, in a standalone document, that you may obtain a consumer report for employment.
- Obtain the applicant’s written authorization.
- Order only the searches relevant to the job.
- If a result may lead you to reject the applicant, send a pre-adverse action notice with a copy of the report and the summary of rights.
- Allow a reasonable time for the applicant to dispute errors.
- If you proceed, send the final adverse action notice.
State and local limits
Many states and cities limit how criminal history can be used. Ban-the-box laws delay when you may ask about records. Some jurisdictions restrict reporting of older non-conviction records, and the FCRA itself generally limits reporting of most non-conviction items to seven years. Your applicant’s location, not yours, may control, so check each state statute.
Use records fairly
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) enforcement guidance on arrest and conviction records recommends an individualized assessment. It points to the nature of the offense, the time that has passed, and the nature of the job. A blanket ban can create discrimination risk.
Checklist: set up a shopper screening program
- Write the job’s duties: in-store only, vehicle driving, or entering customer homes.
- Map each duty to a search from the table above.
- Use a standalone disclosure and authorization form.
- Write a documented, job-related decision policy before you see results.
- Train reviewers on pre-adverse and adverse action letters.
- Check ban-the-box and state rules for every hiring location.
- Keep reports confidential and dispose of them securely.
How fast can you screen shoppers with Reveal Background?
Reveal Background returns same-day results on most searches. There is no setup fee, and you pay per report. You can create an account at app.revealbackground.com and order county, federal, national, sex-offender, SSN trace, MVR, and verification searches in one place. See the full service list at Reveal Background.
If your shoppers or drivers also need drug testing, we coordinate it through American Screening Corp, so one team handles both.
Frequently asked questions
Does Instacart require a background check for shoppers?
Yes. Instacart requires applicants to pass a background check it orders itself. Instacart sets the criteria, so confirm current terms in its shopper help center.
Can I run an Instacart-style background check on my own delivery team?
Yes. Choose searches that match the role, such as county criminal, national database, SSN trace, and MVR for drivers. Follow FCRA disclosure, authorization, and adverse action steps.
What disqualifies a delivery applicant?
That is your policy decision. Tie it to the job, consider the offense, its age, and the duties, and follow state and local fair-chance laws. Instacart sets its own disqualifiers.
How long does a shopper background check take?
Timing depends on the searches. At Reveal Background, most searches return the same day, while county courts with manual retrieval or verifications can take longer.
Sources
- FTC: Using Consumer Reports: What Employers Need to Know
- EEOC: Enforcement Guidance on the Consideration of Arrest and Conviction Records in Employment Decisions
- CFPB: Fair Credit Reporting Act compliance resources
This article is general information, not legal or medical advice; consult counsel on adverse action and state-specific rules.
