Criminal Background Checks
County, statewide, federal and multi-jurisdictional database searches built around where a candidate has actually lived and worked.
What it searches
- County criminal courts (direct or via court-access vendors)
- Statewide repositories where available
- Federal district courts
- Multi-jurisdictional criminal database
- 50-state sex offender registries
What it can return
- Case number, filing court and date
- Charge description and level (felony / misdemeanor)
- Disposition and sentencing details
- Identifiers used to confirm the match
Limitations
- Databases are supplements, not substitutes for court searches
- Some courts have limited name/DOB data, which can slow confirmation
- State and local laws restrict what may be reported or considered
Who uses it & when
Nearly every employer screening for roles with access to people, property, money or data.
At the offer stage for most roles, and after a conditional offer in jurisdictions with fair-chance hiring laws.
What affects turnaround
Digital courts often return same day. Courts requiring a clerk or runner can take several business days, especially around holidays.
Compliance considerations
Reporting follows FCRA §605 limits plus state rules. Employers must provide disclosure, get written authorization, and follow the adverse action process before acting on results.
General information only, not legal advice. Laws change frequently and vary by state and city. Consult employment counsel before making decisions.
Frequently asked questions
Does a national database search cover every court?
No. Databases aggregate records that courts and agencies make available, and coverage varies by state. We use a database to widen the net and then verify hits at the source court before reporting.
How far back does a criminal search go?
Convictions are generally reportable without a federal time limit, but several states cap lookbacks at seven years. Non-convictions older than seven years are generally not reportable. See our Lookback Period Tool for state detail.
Ready to see Valiant in action?
Walk through a live report, get pricing for your packages, and ask a screening specialist anything.
Or call 1-800-935-8307