How to Run a Background Check on Yourself
Running a background check on yourself is a simple way to see what information may appear when an employer, landlord, volunteer organization, licensing agency, or other organization conducts a background screening.
EDIFY Screening offers personal self-check background screening options that allow you to review your own information and better understand what may appear on a future background report.
Ready to get started? Visit our Self-Check Background Checks page to review available options.
Why Run a Background Check on Yourself?
There are several reasons people choose to review their own background information.
- Prepare for a new job. See what information may appear before an employer conducts a background check.
- Review your criminal history. Check for records associated with your name and identifying information.
- Look for possible errors. Public records and databases can sometimes contain incorrect, outdated, or mismatched information.
- Prepare for housing or licensing. A self-check can help you better understand information that may be reviewed during an application process.
- Gain peace of mind. Even if you do not expect anything unusual, reviewing your own background can help eliminate surprises.
What Can a Self Background Check Include?
The information included in a self-check depends on the screening package and services selected. Common background screening services may include:
- Social Security Number Trace to identify names and address history associated with the identifying information provided.
- Criminal Database Search to identify possible criminal record information that may require additional research or verification.
- County Criminal Court Searches in applicable jurisdictions.
- Statewide Criminal Searches where available.
- Federal Criminal Court Searches.
- Sex Offender Registry Search.
- Security and Government Watch List Searches.
- Motor Vehicle Records when requested and available.
- Employment Verification.
- Education Verification.
- Professional License Verification.
Not every self-check requires every type of search. The appropriate screening package depends on what you are trying to review.
View EDIFY Self-Check Background Check Options
How to Get a Background Check on Yourself
- Choose the type of self-check you need.
Visit our Self-Check page and review the available screening options. - Submit your request.
Provide the information needed to conduct the searches included in your selected background check. - Complete any required authorization or identification steps.
Depending on the services requested, additional information or documentation may be required. - EDIFY conducts the requested searches.
Our team processes the searches included in your selected screening package and researches information when additional verification is required. - Review your results.
Once completed, you can review the information returned through your self-check.
Can I Run the Same Background Check an Employer Would Run?
In many cases, yes. However, there is no single background check that every employer uses.
Employers select different screening services depending on their industry, position requirements, company policies, regulatory requirements, and risk considerations. One employer may conduct criminal history searches only, while another may also review driving records, employment history, education, professional licenses, healthcare sanctions, or other information.
If you are trying to prepare for a specific type of job, EDIFY can help you determine which self-check services may be most relevant.
Are Online Background Check Databases Accurate?
Online databases can be useful research tools, but database information should not automatically be treated as a complete criminal history.
Database searches may contain information collected from many different sources and may not reflect the most current disposition of a court record. They may also contain records belonging to someone with a similar name or identifying information.
When criminal record information requires confirmation, additional research may be necessary at the originating court or record source.
This is one reason EDIFY offers more than simple instant database searches.
What If I Find Something Incorrect?
If you believe information in your EDIFY background report is inaccurate or incomplete, you may contact EDIFY Screening and request a review of the disputed information.
It can also be helpful to review the original public record or source associated with the information to determine whether the source itself needs to be corrected.
How Long Does a Self Background Check Take?
Turnaround time depends on the searches included in your background check.
Some searches may return quickly, while searches requiring courthouse research, manual record verification, employment verification, education verification, or other third-party responses may take longer.
Because every person’s history is different, no two background checks are exactly alike.
Why Use EDIFY Screening for a Self-Check?
EDIFY Screening is a professional Consumer Reporting Agency that provides background screening services for employers, organizations, and individuals.
Our self-check services give individuals access to the same types of professional screening tools used in employment background screening, including criminal record research, identity-related searches, motor vehicle records, employment verification, education verification, and other screening services.
Our goal is to provide clear, reliable information while helping you understand what your background screening results mean.
Start Your Self Background Check
Whether you are preparing for a new job, reviewing your criminal history, checking your driving record, or simply want to know what information may appear about you, EDIFY can help.
View Self-Check Background Check Options and Get Started
Are You an Employer?
If you need background checks for employees, applicants, contractors, or volunteers, EDIFY offers customizable employment screening programs for organizations of all sizes.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT BACKGROUND CHECKS
Q: Can I run a background check on myself?
A: Yes. EDIFY offers self-check background screening for individuals who want to review information that may appear on their background report.
Q: How do I get a background check on myself?
A: Visit our Self-Check page at https://www.edifyscreening.com/self-check/ to review available screening options and get started.
Q: What does a self background check include?
A: A self-check may include identity-related searches, criminal record searches, sex offender registry searches, security watch lists, motor vehicle records, employment verification, education verification, professional license verification, and other services depending on the package selected.
Q: How long does a self background check take?
A: Turnaround time depends on the searches included. Some searches return quickly, while courthouse research, manual verification, employment verification, education verification, or other third-party responses may take longer.
Q: Can I see what an employer will see on my background check?
A: A self-check can help you review many of the same types of information an employer may request. However, employers choose different screening services based on the position, industry, company policy, and regulatory requirements.
Q: Can I check my criminal record before applying for a job?
A: Yes. A self-check can help you review criminal record information before applying for employment and identify information you may want to better understand or address.
Q: Can I check my driving record through EDIFY?
A: Yes. Motor vehicle records may be available as part of a self-check depending on the state and the screening services selected.
Q: Can EDIFY verify my employment or education for me?
A: Yes. Employment verification and education verification can be included in a self-check when requested.
Q: What if I find incorrect information on my background check?
A: If you believe information in an EDIFY report is inaccurate or incomplete, contact EDIFY Screening so the disputed information can be reviewed. In some cases, the original court or record source may also need to be contacted.
Q: Are instant online background checks accurate?
A: Instant database searches can be useful research tools, but they may not provide a complete or current criminal history. Records may require additional verification at the originating court or record source.
Q: Do I need to provide my Social Security number for a self-check?
A: Some screening services require identifying information such as your full name, date of birth, and Social Security number to help accurately match records and identify address history.
Q: Can I run a background check on myself for housing or a rental application?
A: Yes. A self-check may help you review information that could be relevant to a housing application. The exact screening used by a landlord or property manager may vary.
Q: Can I run a background check on myself for a healthcare job?
A: Yes. Depending on your needs, EDIFY can provide self-check services that may include criminal record searches, healthcare-related sanctions searches, and other screening services.
Q: Can I order just one background check for myself?
A: Yes. You do not need to open an employer account to request an individual self-check.
Q: What is the difference between a self-check and an employment background check?
A: A self-check is requested by you so you can review your own information. An employment background check is requested by an employer or organization and is based on the screening requirements they select.
Q: How much does a self background check cost?
A: Pricing depends on the searches and package selected. Visit our Self-Check page at https://www.edifyscreening.com/self-check/ to review current options and pricing.
Q: Can I customize my self background check?
A: Depending on the services you need, additional searches or verifications may be available. If you are unsure what to order, contact EDIFY and we can help point you in the right direction.
Q: Do you offer nationwide background checks on individuals?
A: EDIFY offers screening services that can cover multiple jurisdictions and data sources. The exact scope depends on the package and searches selected.
Q: Can I check whether I am on a sex offender registry?
A: Yes. Sex offender registry searches are available as part of certain self-check screening options.
Q: Where do I start my self background check?
A: Start here: https://www.edifyscreening.com/self-check/
