How Long Does a Background Check Take? Your Complete Guide

Cindy Ellis - September 20, 2022

Background checks can be nerve-wracking, and there’s nothing worse than waiting around for yours to be processed with no idea of how long it might take. However, a few variables can go into the length of time it takes to produce your background check report and have it reviewed. Knowing about these factors can give you a better idea of the turnaround time for your background check.

Below, we discuss the importance of background checks and what your individual report might contain before giving you an idea about the basic turnaround time for different types of background checks. We’ll also answer some of your important background check frequently asked questions, so you can have confidence when submitting one of these reports.

Why Are Background Checks Required?

Many different employers and companies require background checks as an essential first step in the hiring process or as a way to verify your eligibility for certain volunteering and work opportunities. These reports are most commonly required when you are applying for a job that works with vulnerable populations, involves security or healthcare, or is in a position within the government.

By requiring background checks before employment or making job offers contingent upon passing a background check, companies and employers can make good choices about hires and stop individuals who may put workplace safety in jeopardy from being hired.

That being said, many states have anti-discrimination laws regarding hiring practices and background checks and what your potential employer is allowed to do with the information they gather about you. If you have questions about this, you should research the employment laws in your state and consult with a legal professional if you feel that your rights have been violated during the background check process.

What Your Background Check Might Contain

Background checks contain a plethora of information about your criminal and civil history in addition to education and employment history. Some background checks might even contain international criminal history or credit score information.

There are many types of background checks to flag different things, and general background checks pull up the most basic and vital information about you, such as your criminal history, convictions, and basic personal information.

Potential employers and companies that ask for a background check are typically looking for information about your criminal and civil history. They want to ensure that you don’t have any convictions or a history of behavior that may jeopardize the company. Your driving record is likely to also be checked for jobs requiring driving or operating heavy machinery.

Another main thing employers and companies look for on background check reports is whether or not the information listed matches what you submitted to the organization on your application or resume. This process helps to verify your identity and double-check that you are who you claim to be, preventing issues down the line.

The Turnaround Time for Background Checks

There are a few different types of background checks, and you can expect them to have different turnaround times based on the information that is collected and compiled into a report. Below, we list the main types of background checks, what these checks might contain, and how long you can expect them to take.

It is important to note that universal background checks, which include comprehensive information about all of the below in one report (instead of separate reports being compiled), can take a few minutes up to a few days, depending on the agency and the information that needs to be included. Most online agencies, such as Information.com, can pull a universal background check within a day, allowing for faster processing.

Criminal Background Checks

A criminal background check pulls all of your criminal history, such as convictions, arrests, felonies, misdemeanors, DUIs, and sex offender status. In addition, civil information such as lawsuits and bench warrants may also show up on these reports, but how much criminal and civil information is allowed on this type of check depends on specific state disclosure laws.

Because criminal background checks have the potential for more information and may need to be pulled from several states, they can take one to two weeks to complete.

Federal Background Checks

Federal background checks tend to be a little bit more in-depth. They include typical criminal and civil information and basic information like your employment and education history. Still, they delve deeper than surface level and usually pull a longer length of history, depending on what is allowable by the law.

This type of background check can take around two days to complete, or even up to a week in certain circumstances.

Employment and Education Verifications

An employment and education verification will list your previous employers and their addresses, any previous educational institutions you’ve attended, and professional qualifications that you may have earned. This report helps determine if you have the right skills, education, and experience for the opportunity you’re applying for.

When part of universal or identity checks, verifying employment and education can take less than a day up to three days. International employment and education checks may take up to a week.

Credit Report Checks

Credit report checks pull your credit score and any financial history. You can expect to see your credit score over time, debt or loan history, and any bankruptcies listed on this report. Most of the time, your credit report will only be pulled when applying for a rental, loan, or when applying for a job that works with finances.

A credit report check can be completed in a matter of minutes or take 1 to 2 days.

Fingerprint Background Checks

Fingerprint background checks are performed using a fingerprint for identity verification and running it through state and federal databases to pull up any potential criminal or civil information about you. They are typically a pre-requisite for government jobs, but other positions that work with healthcare or vulnerable populations may also require them.

For the most part, fingerprint checks can take around 2 to 3 days to complete.

International Background Checks

International background checks are typically performed when you have spent significant time abroad and have lots of employment or educational history overseas. These checks are rarely performed unless you are applying for higher-level federal government or security jobs and can take up to a week to return due to how extensive they often are.

Social Security Number Verifications

This is one of the fastest types of background check reports and involves a quick verification check on your identity and the social security number that you provide to a potential employer or company. The information is typically stored online, so it can take 24 hours or less to verify your identity with a social security number check.

Keep in mind that most employers or companies will run more than one of these reports at the same time. This allows them to get a complete look at your criminal and civil history while verifying your personal information. Most background check reporting services that use third-party data or agency resources will pull this information from public records simultaneously.

Depending on state law, the party pulling your background check report may or may not be required to tell you what specifically they are checking or looking for. Make sure you understand employment laws in your jurisdiction and speak to the individual requesting the background check report to understand the process before it begins; this will save you confusion.

Background Check FAQs

Background checks can be confusing and are sure to raise a lot of questions. Below, we answer your most frequently asked questions about background checks so you can stay informed about this process and all of its components.

Why Is My Background Check Report Taking So Long?

Your background check can take longer than usual based on a number of different factors. Most commonly, your background check will take longer because of incomplete information submitted as part of the request forms or failure on the employer’s behalf to collect proper authorizations. These authorizations are required by federal law, and the employer cannot legally proceed with a background check without them.

Additionally, public records that are not fully digital or available online can require a lengthy search to gather the necessary information. This slows down a background check report, as does missing or incomplete records and using aliases or different names.

When Should I Ask About My Background Check?

It might feel tempting to ask about your background check process soon after you’ve submitted your reports, but it might not be the best idea to check in with your potential employer about this daily. Most companies will notify you when your report has been completed.

That being said, if you’ve waited a day or two past the estimated turnaround time, a follow-up or check-in may be warranted.

Can You Fail a Background Check?

It is possible to fail a background check depending on what your potential employer is looking for. A lengthy criminal record, DUIs or other driving issues, sex offender status, or misinformation about your employment and education history can all act as red flags that may disqualify you from a certain position.

However, if you feel that you have been discriminated against due to information on your background check and the employer did not specify that a job offer was contingent on passing one, you should consider discussing your employment rights with a legal professional.

Can My Social Media Be Part of a Background Check?

Whether or not your social media can be part of a background check depends on the laws in your state. Sometimes, social media is reviewed by a potential employer to check that your public image fits the company’s standards. However, it is illegal to use personal information on a social media profile to make a hiring decision (including gender, sexual orientation, and political affiliation).

A social media check can be performed very quickly, thanks to the speed of the internet, but make sure you understand the laws governing this information in your state before this process begins.

What Do I Do if My Background Check Is Wrong?

If your background check comes back with information that does not belong to you, or you fail based on records that are not yours, then you need to have a discussion with your potential employer. Most of the time, an incorrect background check is due to the use of different name variations (such as using ‘Steven’ for a few years and then switching the spelling to ‘Stephen’) or information that was not properly recorded.

Speak with a legal professional if you believe your employment rights have been violated based on an incorrect background check report.

Understanding the Background Check Process

Background checks are often confusing, and the turnaround time for your report depends on several factors. For the most part, you can expect to have your background report completed between days to a week, though delays can occur. Speak to the agency requesting your background check report if you have questions about the process or the expected turnaround time. Make sure to thoroughly complete any requested documents so your background check can be finished as quickly as possible.