Criminal Background Checks
Comprehensive criminal history searches that help employers make informed, compliant hiring decisions. SaffHire combines national database searches with county-level court verification for the most accurate and complete results available.
Get a QuoteTHE PROCESS
How Criminal Background Checks Are Conducted
A criminal background check begins when an employer initiates a search through SaffHire's secure portal. The applicant's identifying information - including full legal name, date of birth, and Social Security Number - is used to query multiple criminal record databases simultaneously. This multi-source approach ensures that records from different jurisdictions and court systems are captured in a single, consolidated report.
Once the initial database search is complete, any records that are flagged are forwarded to our county-level verification team. Researchers access the originating court directly - either through online portals, physical courthouse visits, or certified court runners - to confirm the accuracy and completeness of each record before it is included in the final report.
SEARCH TYPES
National Database vs. County Court Verification
National Criminal Database Search
A national criminal database search queries an aggregated repository of criminal records compiled from courts, correctional facilities, sex offender registries, and other public record sources across the country. This search is fast - often returning results within minutes - and casts a wide net across multiple states and jurisdictions simultaneously.
However, national databases are not comprehensive. Not every county or court system reports to these databases, and records may be incomplete, outdated, or missing disposition information. For this reason, a national database search alone is not sufficient for a fully compliant background check.
County Court Verification
County court verification involves searching the actual court records at the county level where an applicant has lived or worked. Because most criminal cases are filed and adjudicated at the county level, this is the most authoritative source of criminal record information available.
County searches capture records that may not appear in national databases, provide the most current case status and disposition information, and are considered the gold standard for background screening compliance. SaffHire performs county searches in all jurisdictions relevant to the applicant's residential and employment history.
COMPLIANCE & ACCURACY
Why County-Level Verification Matters
Regulatory guidance from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requires that background check information used in hiring decisions be accurate, complete, and up to date. Relying solely on a national database search can expose employers to legal risk if a hiring decision is made based on incomplete or inaccurate record information.
County court verification ensures that every record included in a report has been confirmed at the source. This means the case number, charges, and final disposition are verified directly from the court - not inferred from a third-party database that may not have received the latest updates.
For employers operating in regulated industries - including healthcare, finance, education, and transportation - county-level verification is not just best practice; it is often a regulatory requirement. SaffHire's standard screening packages include county court verification to ensure your process meets the highest compliance standards.
Typical Turnaround Times
Most criminal background checks are completed within one to three business days. The exact turnaround depends on the number of jurisdictions searched, the responsiveness of individual court systems, and whether any records require manual verification.
- National database searches: same day to 24 hours
- County court searches (online access): 1–2 business days
- County court searches (manual/courthouse): 2–5 business days
- Multi-state or multi-county searches: 3–5 business days
How Employers Use Background Checks
Criminal background checks help employers assess whether an applicant's history is relevant to the position being filled. Under EEOC guidance, employers must evaluate each record individually, considering the nature of the offense, the time elapsed, and the nature of the job - rather than applying blanket exclusion policies.
SaffHire provides clear, organized reports that make this individualized assessment straightforward. Our reports include the charge, conviction status, sentence, and jurisdiction for each record - giving your HR team the information needed to make a fair and defensible hiring decision.
Ready to Start Screening?
Contact SaffHire today to set up your account and begin running compliant criminal background checks for your organization.
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