Frequently Asked Questions
Follow the steps below, from choosing a background check to viewing your results. You can also search for a question or jump to the step you need.
- 1. Choose the right background check
- 2. Create your account and prepare
- 3. Buy your background check and run a search
- 4. Find and understand your report
- 5. Get help with a report or purchase
- 6. Privacy, policies, and reference documents
- 7. About ClearCheck.app and similar company names
1. Choose the right background check
Compare your options and check what you need before you buy.
Which background check packages does ClearCheck.app offer?
Where can I view a sample background check?
Where can I check criminal database coverage?
Does the Basic background check require an SSN?
CC-034 — Does the Basic background check require an SSN?
No.
For users needing a quick and initial search, our Basic Background Check is available without requiring a Social Security Number.
The Basic Background Check Requires Only:
- First and Last Name
- Date of Birth (DOB)
- The U.S. State to Search
No Social Security Number (SSN) is required for this basic search.
Support reference: CC-034
Do Standard, Pro, and Elite background checks require an SSN?
CC-035 — Do Standard, Pro, and Elite background checks require an SSN?
Yes.
To conduct more comprehensive and accurate background searches, including identity verification and deeper record analysis, an SSN is necessary.
The Standard, Pro, and Elite Background Checks Require:
- First and Last Name
- Social Security Number (SSN)
- Date of Birth (DOB)
The inclusion of a Social Security Number ensures the highest level of accuracy and comprehensiveness for these premium background check services.
Support reference: CC-035
Does ClearCheck.app offer subscriptions?
Does ClearCheck.app offer trial periods?
Does ClearCheck.app provide background checks outside the United States?
2. Create your account and prepare
Set up your account and find the authorization and usage information.
How do I create an account?
Where can I find the background check disclosure and authorization form?
Who is responsible for identity verification and proper use of reports?
3. Buy your background check and run a search
Purchase a credit, redeem it, and enter the information needed to run your background check.
How do I buy a background check credit?
How do I redeem my background check credit?
Should I use a legal name or nickname when searching?
Use the person’s legal name. Nicknames may limit the results or return no results. For example, use “Robert” instead of “Rob.” Check the spelling before submitting your search.
Should I include a middle name or initial?
CC-013 — Should I include a middle name or initial?
No.
When searching an uncommon name, omit the middle name or initial to avoid limiting results to files that contain it. The existing search instructions also advise omitting middle names and initials for criminal database searches.
Support reference: CC-013
How do I search a hyphenated name or a name with an apostrophe?
CC-014 — How do I search a hyphenated name or a name with an apostrophe?
For a people search, try one part of a hyphenated last name at a time. Remove apostrophes: for example, enter O’Leary as Oleary.
For a criminal search, try the last part of the hyphenated name first, then run a new search with the first part.
Support reference: CC-014
Should I include Jr., Sr., II, or III in a search?
No.
Do not include generational suffixes such as Jr., Sr., II, or III when entering a name for a search.
Should I use an SSN for a people search?
CC-012 — Should I use an SSN for a people search?
Yes.
People searches are best conducted using an SSN for the most up-to-date information. Criminal database searches use names and, where available, date of birth rather than an SSN.
Support reference: CC-012
What information should I enter for a criminal database search?
CC-015 — What information should I enter for a criminal database search?
Use first and last name, with date of birth when available. Omit nicknames, middle names or initials, generational suffixes, and hyphens. An SSN is not used in criminal database searches.
If you do not know the date of birth, the existing instructions suggest running a people search and using the returned date of birth for the criminal search.
Support reference: CC-015
4. Find and understand your report
Find your saved results and learn about the information and coverage described in the reports.
Where do I find my past background checks?
What criminal and public records are described in comprehensive reports?
What identity verification information is described in comprehensive reports?
What additional information is described in advanced reports?
Are juvenile records included?
When can an arrest appear in a report?
Where does ClearCheck.app obtain background check data?
How does database availability affect report coverage?
What identity and possible-associate information is described in coverage?
What bankruptcy, tax lien, and civil judgment coverage is listed?
What professional license, aircraft, and vessel coverage is listed?
What property, tax assessor, and deed-transfer coverage is listed?
What information can a criminal records search locate?
What information can a sex offender check locate?
What information can a property ownership search locate?
What is a spouse search used for?
What features does the existing FAQ describe for ClearCheck reports?
What accuracy and liability disclaimer applies to source data?
What disclaimer applies to third-party report information?
What criminal-record coverage limitations are stated in the terms?
5. Get help with a report or purchase
Find guidance on incorrect information and changed records.
What should I do if information in my background check is incorrect?
Why does a report still show a record that was dismissed, reduced, or sealed?
How do fraud alerts and identity theft relate to a dispute?
6. Privacy, policies, and reference documents
Review refund policies, guarantees, privacy information, and reference documents.
Where can I read the refund policy?
What refund restrictions are stated in the existing FAQ?
What are the money-back guarantee terms in the existing FAQ?
Where are the FCRA and consumer-rights reference documents?
Are ClearCheck.app background searches GLBA compliant?
What personal information does the privacy policy cover?
What information does ClearCheck.app collect?
When may ClearCheck.app share personal information?
How does ClearCheck.app use cookies?
What service communications may ClearCheck.app send?
How does the existing privacy policy describe confidentiality and security?
How are privacy policy changes communicated?
7. About ClearCheck.app and similar company names
Check whether you are contacting the right company.
Is ClearCheck.app related to Clearcheck.co.uk?
Is ClearCheck.app related to Clearcheck.ai (Paddle)?
Is ClearCheck.app related to Clearchecks.com?
Is ClearCheck.app related to Clearcheck.io?
Support reference index — direct links to all 58 answers
Getting Started
- CC-001 — Does ClearCheck.app offer subscriptions?
- CC-002 — Does ClearCheck.app offer trial periods?
- CC-003 — How do I create an account?
- CC-018 — Which background check packages does ClearCheck.app offer?
Buying & Redeeming Credits
- CC-004 — How do I buy a background check credit?
- CC-005 — How do I redeem my background check credit?
Reports & Coverage
- CC-006 — Where do I find my past background checks?
- CC-010 — Where can I check criminal database coverage?
- CC-016 — Are juvenile records included?
- CC-017 — When can an arrest appear in a report?
- CC-019 — What criminal and public records are described in comprehensive reports?
- CC-020 — What identity verification information is described in comprehensive reports?
- CC-021 — What additional information is described in advanced reports?
- CC-022 — What features does the existing FAQ describe for ClearCheck reports?
- CC-023 — Where does ClearCheck.app obtain background check data?
- CC-024 — How does database availability affect report coverage?
- CC-036 — Where can I view a sample background check?
- CC-037 — What information can a criminal records search locate?
- CC-038 — What information can a sex offender check locate?
- CC-039 — What information can a property ownership search locate?
- CC-040 — What is a spouse search used for?
- CC-054 — What identity and possible-associate information is described in coverage?
- CC-055 — What bankruptcy, tax lien, and civil judgment coverage is listed?
- CC-056 — What professional license, aircraft, and vessel coverage is listed?
- CC-057 — What property, tax assessor, and deed-transfer coverage is listed?
Running a Search
- CC-007 — Should I use a legal name or nickname when searching?
- CC-008 — Should I include Jr., Sr., II, or III in a search?
- CC-012 — Should I use an SSN for a people search?
- CC-013 — Should I include a middle name or initial?
- CC-014 — How do I search a hyphenated name or a name with an apostrophe?
- CC-015 — What information should I enter for a criminal database search?
- CC-034 — Does the Basic background check require an SSN?
- CC-035 — Do Standard, Pro, and Elite background checks require an SSN?
Policies & Support
- CC-009 — Where can I find the background check disclosure and authorization form?
- CC-011 — Where can I read the refund policy?
- CC-025 — What accuracy and liability disclaimer applies to source data?
- CC-026 — Where are the FCRA and consumer-rights reference documents?
- CC-053 — Are ClearCheck.app background searches GLBA compliant?
Disputes & Record Updates
- CC-027 — What should I do if information in my background check is incorrect?
- CC-028 — How do fraud alerts and identity theft relate to a dispute?
- CC-029 — Why does a report still show a record that was dismissed, reduced, or sealed?
Company & Billing Identification
- CC-030 — Is ClearCheck.app related to Clearcheck.co.uk?
- CC-031 — Is ClearCheck.app related to Clearcheck.ai (Paddle)?
- CC-032 — Is ClearCheck.app related to Clearchecks.com?
- CC-033 — Is ClearCheck.app related to Clearcheck.io?
- CC-058 — Does ClearCheck.app provide background checks outside the United States?
Privacy & Terms
- CC-041 — What disclaimer applies to third-party report information?
- CC-042 — What personal information does the privacy policy cover?
- CC-043 — What information does ClearCheck.app collect?
- CC-044 — When may ClearCheck.app share personal information?
- CC-045 — How does ClearCheck.app use cookies?
- CC-046 — What service communications may ClearCheck.app send?
- CC-047 — How does the existing privacy policy describe confidentiality and security?
- CC-048 — How are privacy policy changes communicated?
- CC-049 — What criminal-record coverage limitations are stated in the terms?
- CC-050 — What refund restrictions are stated in the existing FAQ?
- CC-051 — What are the money-back guarantee terms in the existing FAQ?
- CC-052 — Who is responsible for identity verification and proper use of reports?
