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Frequently Asked Questions

If you have a question that is not answered here, please contact us.

General Information

What Services does Bay Area Background Checks Offer?
SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER TRACE
This search ensures your candidate is using their own social security number, verifies date of birth and provides historical address history.

NATIONAL CRIMINAL RECORDS CHECK
This search provides an instant search of hundreds of criminal record data bases that draws information from states’ Department of Corrections, Administrative Offices of the Courts, and from available county court records to identify felony or serious misdemeanor convictions.
*Any hits must be verified at the county level which may delay results.

FEDERAL CRIMINAL RECORD SEARCH
Uncovers case information from one of the 94 Federal District Courts involving: white-collar crimes, fraud, embezzlement, tax evasion, robbery, kidnapping, illegal sale of firearms, and pornographic exploitation of children.

COUNTY CRIMINAL COURT CHECK
Provides the most up-to-day, detailed criminal records through manual hands on searches at the local county court.

TERRORIST WATCH LIST
This search identifies individuals linked to terrorism or are classified on Government Watch Lists.

SEX OFFENDER LIST
Identifies individuals required to register with the state for sex related crimes.

WORKERS COMPENSATION REPORT
Identify an individual’s history of work related injuries that may interfere with their position.
*May only be ordered after an offer of employment has been made.

CREDIT HISTORY
Assess your applicant’s financial responsibility and any potential motivation for misuse of funds.
*Restrictions on credit reports for employment purposes vary from state to state. Please enquire before ordering.

DRIVING HISTORY
Check to ensure your candidate has a valid driver’s license and a clear history.

EDUCATION VERIFICATION
Diplomas are easily faked. We verify education credentials directly with the schools or their approved third party provider.

EMPLOYMENT VERIFICATION
We’ll contact the employer to verify their position, responsibilities and identify any red flags.

PROFESSIONAL LICENSE VERIFICATION
Ensure that your candidate’s professional license is current and in good standing.

What types of Background Checks are best?
Many factors contribute to background-screening and are dependent on the industry and the candidate’s position. If you’re not sure what is best for your business, contact us and we can help you decide what is the best fit for your company.
What information do I need in order to run a background check on a candidate?
  • The candidate’s full legal name
  • Date of Birth
  • Social Security Number
  • Home address
  • Email Address
  • Consent forms

This information can be submitted to us directly, or you can have the candidates provide their own information using our “Quick App” process.

Our “Quick App” process involves 3 easy steps.

  1. You provide the candidate’s full legal name and email address.
  2. We send the candidate a unique link to complete their information.
  3. The candidate electronically signs the necessary consent forms.

Once the Quick App process is complete, we’ll automatically start generating the background report.

What if I don’t have the candidate’s email address?
If you do not have the candidate’s email address, Bay Area Background Checks cannot electronically obtain their consent. However, you can download the consent form directly from our website and upload it once you have received the necessary signatures.
Why do I need to get an employee’s consent before running a background check on them?
Federal law, the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), requires that employers obtain written authorization from a job candidate or employee before they can obtain a background report.

By obtaining consent, employers certify that they have:

  • Notified candidates about the details of the background screening process.
  • Informed candidates of their legal rights in the case.
  • Made efforts to ensure privacy and prevent discrimination.
Where can I find a consent form that is FCRA-Compliant?
As a Bay Area Background Checks customer, you can use our “Quick App” feature to have your candidate electronically receive and e-sign their consent forms. You can also download paper consent forms directly from our website.
How does Bay Area Background Checks deliver reports?
To protect your candidates’ privacy and ensure data security, reports will be available on the Bay Area Background Checks website. You will automatically be notified by email when a report is complete and you can sign in using your login credentials.
How long does it take to complete a background report?
The first time you order a report, there may be a 24 hour delay as we verify your business per FCRA guidelines. After that, reports vary from almost instant to 3 days depending on the type of report you order.

Bronze Reports – 1 to 2 hours

Silver and Platinum Report 1 -3 days (Dependent on Counties of Residence. Some court searches are conducted by the court clerks which may delay results).

If you are adding searches such as employment and education verification, reports can take up to 5 days.

However, each section of the report is viewable on line so you can always see which searches are complete and which are still pending.

How do I obtain a free copy of my Bay Area Background Checks report requested by employers?
Please contact Bay Area Background Checks Customer Support, Mon – Friday 9am to 6pm PT. Once we verify your identity, we can process your request.
How do I cancel a report?
If you need to cancel a report, contact Bay Area Background Checks Customer Support as soon as possible.
Will I get a refund if I cancel a report or my candidate withdraws from the application process?
This depends on the status of the report. Different portions are processed at different times. Bay Area Background Checks can only refund portions that have not already been run.

Company Verification

What information do I need to provide when signing up for an account?
We will need basic information about your company and the person responsible for ordering and receiving the reports. This includes:

  • Company Name
  • Company Address
  • Company Phone Number
  • User Name/Title
  • User email
Why does my company need to be verified?
Because Bay Area Background Checks is a “Consumer Reporting Agency”, we comply with the FCRA and State law. We are required to ensure that companies requesting reports have a legitimate business and are abiding by Federal and State law.
How long does it take for my company to be verified?
This can take anywhere from a few minutes to a few days depending on the information you provide. If you are registered with your state’s Secretary of State Office, then it should only take a few minutes.

Otherwise, you may be required to email or fax additional information such as a DBA certificate, business license or Employer Identification Number

Is there a sign-up fee?
There is no sign up fee to order reports from Bay Area Background Checks.
Do I have to order a certain number of reports per month or year?
No. We do not have any minimum requirements.

Drug Screening

Why drug screen?
Screening employees for drug use helps build a safe workplace and establishes trust with customers. It is a well-established fact that drug abusers are less productive, have higher absenteeism, are more prone to injury and can be a huge liability to an employer.
What drug screening panels are available?
5-Panel Urine – Amphetamines, Phencyclidine, Cocaine, Opiates, and Marijuana.

10 Panel Urine – Includes all substances in the 5 Panel plus Barbiturates, Benzodiazepines, Methadone, Methaqualone and Propoxyphene.

How do I order a drug test?
Drug testing can be ordered as a stand-alone product or along with a background check product through your account portal with the appropriate release.
What is the procedure for ordering a Non-DOT testing?
Drug tests can be ordered through our site with your login credentials. You can choose the location where you would like the candidate to go or you can initiate an email invitation to the candidate and let them choose a location closest to them. Both options provide a “Passport” with a unique order number.
What does a candidate need to bring with them to the collection site for non-DOT screening?
Candidates will need to have their passport or order number and valid photo identification.
What is the procedure for ordering a DOT test?
DOT testing can be ordered through our site with your login credentials. However, you will need to provide the candidate with the Custody and Control Forms. These will be provided to you once your account has been established.
What does a candidate need to bring with them to the collection site for DOT screening?
Candidates will need to bring their Custody and Control Forms and a valid photo identification.
How long does drug testing take?
If you have signed up for “rapid screen” negative results are returned within 1/2 hour of the test, otherwise test results are returned within 24 to 48 hours.
Can I view the status of the drug test?
Yes. You may request real time access to the entire process and view it through your login credentials.