How Long Does a Background Check Take?
If you've ever applied for a job or rental housing, you most likely had to go through a background
check. If you're desperately in need of work or looking to move in a hurry, the wait time for getting
your results may feel like an eternity. As you impatiently pace the floor, you may find yourself asking:
how long does a background check take?
What Is a Background Check?
A background check is exactly what it sounds like: it is a way for people, usually potential employers
or landlords, to check your background. While landlords (and some employers) will check your credit
history as well, the term “background check” usually refers to researching the individual's criminal
history.
Why Might You Want a Background Check?
There are many reasons why an employer or landlord may want to check an applicant's criminal
history. While being convicted of a crime does not mean you are eternally barred from employment
and housing, there are certainly some crimes that will be red flags.
For instance, those with a number of moving violations may be unfit for jobs that require driving.
Registered sex offenders cannot legally work in or live near schools. Those with embezzling
convictions may be undesirable for jobs which require managing or handling money. And those who
have committed violent offenses, especially repeat offenders, may be a safety concern for other
people who might potentially work with or live near them.
Be aware that some states have laws against using arrest records in initial hiring decisions. If a
background check is being conducted on you, it is wise to do some research into your particular
state's laws to be aware of your rights.
How Long Does a Background Check Take?
The short answer to that question is, it depends on what kind of background check. There can be
variation depending on what the person conducting the check is looking for, and where they are
looking.
Online Databases
There are a number of online databases that offer nearly instant results. Most information that is
stored online can be found on such sites, such as social security number verification, sex offender
registries, and state court records.
Court Searches
Most county court records cannot be accessed by online databases, however, as their records are
stored as hard copies rather than online. Checking the county court records requires the individual
conducting the check to physically go to the court to make the request in person. Usually the results
of the check will be returned in 2-4 business days. Despite the fact that county court checks are
more time and labor intensive than online checks, they are still one of the most commonly used
types of background checks, since most crimes are prosecuted at the county level.
National Background Checks
National background checks pull up records form the Federal District Court and multiple states. The
Federal District court records only include crimes that are prosecuted at the federal level, by federal
agencies such as the FBI, DEA, and ATF. The state background check will pull up the court records
of the 46 states that use electronic records. Since all of these records are online, the results can be
obtained nearly instantly.
There are four states that currently do not use electronic records for anything except sex offender
registries. These states are Massachusetts, Delaware, Wyoming, and South Dakota. Therefore, it
will take 2-4 business days to receive court records from these states.
Consumer Reporting Agencies
If those conducting the background check are looking for more than just your criminal history, they
may choose to use a Consumer Reporting Agency, or CRA. These consumer reports pull records
from multiple databases, and can include credit and employment history in addition to criminal
background. These reports generally don't show history further back than seven years, unless
specifically requested. These take anywhere from a few days to a week to receive.
Why Haven't I Head Back From Them Yet?
It's been over a week and you haven't heard back from your potential employer or landlord regarding
your background check. Despite the fact that you know the results can come back in mere days, you
still find yourself impatiently wondering again: how long does a background check take, anyway?
The thing is, requesting and receiving the results are only the first steps in conducting a background
check. The next step is to review it to determine if anything can be found that is concerning or
disqualifying. Companies are busy, and you may not be the only applicant. Give them at least two
weeks before making inquiries about the results of your background check.
What If I Want To Know What They Find In My
Background Check?
It is common for employers and landlords to give you the option to receive a copy of the results of
background check they run. Often this is merely a box you can check on the form you sign
consenting to the background check. Whether or not you are accepted for the job or housing, the
results will be mailed to you physically or electronically.
You can also conduct a background check on yourself. Most of these databases contain records that
are accessible to the public. If you are concerned about what your potential employer or landlord
may see, run a check on yourself before applying. If there are inaccuracies or issues that can be
expunged, you can take care of that ahead of time to avoid being rejected for a job or housing.
Conclusion
So although it only takes a few days for the inquiring party to receive the records they request, that
does not mean your background check is fully completed in that time. The real answer to "How long
does a background check take?" will depend on the resources (time and staff) the company has
available to analyze those records.
With this in mind, is it wise to avoid hounding your potential future employer or landlord after only a
few days. This can come off as aggressive or obnoxious, and may give them a negative opinion of
you. If you are still waiting to hear from them, try to be patient and give them a couple of weeks
before making a polite inquiry.