Description
What Does the Standard Background Check Include?
Registered Sex Offender Search
ClearCheck searches the National Sex Offender Public Website and all state-level registries to determine whether the subject appears on any registered sex offender database in the United States. Coverage is complete nationally across all 50 states and US territories. Records are refreshed monthly to ensure you are working with current data.
Statewide 7-Year Criminal History Search
This search pulls criminal records from the National Database for the state you specify, covering convictions and relevant criminal activity going back 7 years. It surfaces felony and misdemeanor convictions consistent with FCRA guidelines for most employment screening decisions. The 7-year window is the standard timeframe used by the majority of employers and property managers when reviewing criminal history.
Known Aliases Search
People do not always go by the same name across all official records. The Known Aliases search identifies other names the subject may have used throughout their history, ensuring that criminal records and databases are searched under every name associated with the individual. This is one of the most overlooked but important components of any employment-grade background check, and it is a key reason why a standard background check catches things a basic check can miss.
Age Verification
Age Verification confirms that the date of birth provided by the subject matches official records. This step catches falsified applications and confirms the basic identity of the person being screened before any other records are relied upon.
SSN Verification
SSN Verification cross-references the Social Security Number provided against official records to confirm it is valid, was issued to the subject, and has not been flagged for fraud or misuse. This is a foundational identity check that anchors every other search in the package to a verified individual. It is one of the primary reasons employers require an SSN for employment background checks and one of the core differences between a standard and a basic background check.
Death Index Verification
Death Index Verification cross-references the subject’s SSN against the Social Security Administration’s Master Death Index to confirm the individual is living and that their SSN has not been associated with a deceased person. This search protects against identity fraud by flagging SSNs reported to the Death Index, along with the date the death was reported and the recorded date of death. Coverage is United States, all 50 states.
Nationwide Criminal History Search
Unlike the statewide criminal search, which focuses on a single state, the Nationwide Criminal History Search pulls from ClearCheck’s national criminal records database built from state Department of Corrections records, the Association of Courts, and county court data across the country. This database has been years in development and is competitive with or better than many competing screening databases. Coverage is complete nationally.
This search is what takes the Standard package from a single-state view to a full national picture of the subject’s criminal history, making it a true employment-grade background check.
What Information Is Required to Run a Standard Background Check?
The Standard Background Check requires the following from the subject:
- First and Last Name
- Social Security Number (SSN)
- Date of Birth (DOB)
The SSN is required because it enables SSN Verification, Death Index Verification, and identity-anchored national criminal searches. Without it, these databases cannot be queried with the accuracy needed for employment-grade screening.
If you do not have the subject’s SSN or they are unwilling to provide it, the Basic Background Check ($19.99) covers sex offender status and a 7-year statewide criminal history without requiring an SSN.
What Documents Are Needed for an Employment Background Check?
This is one of the most common questions from both employers setting up a screening process and candidates preparing to be screened. For the ClearCheck Standard Background Check, the only information required from the subject is their full name, SSN, and date of birth. No physical documents need to be submitted through our platform.
However, as part of a broader employment background check process, employers typically collect the following directly from candidates:
A signed authorization form giving the employer consent to run the background check, which is required under the Fair Credit Reporting Act. The candidate’s full legal name, any former names or aliases, date of birth, and Social Security Number. A government-issued photo ID to confirm identity, particularly for roles with elevated trust requirements.
ClearCheck handles the database search side of the process. The consent and documentation collection between employer and candidate is handled directly between those parties prior to initiating the search.
What Does a Standard Background Check Include for Employment?
For most employment situations, the Standard Background Check covers the core records that HR teams and hiring managers need to make a confident decision. Here is a plain-language breakdown of what each search reveals in an employment context:
The Sex Offender search tells you whether the candidate is a registered sex offender anywhere in the United States. This is a non-negotiable baseline check for any role involving interaction with the public, customers, clients, or vulnerable populations.
The Statewide 7-Year Criminal History tells you about convictions in the state you search going back 7 years. This covers the majority of criminal records most relevant to employment decisions.
The Known Aliases search ensures you are not missing records filed under a different name the candidate has used. This is how a thorough background check catches records that a basic name-only search would miss.
SSN Verification and Age Verification together confirm the candidate is who they say they are. Identity fraud in job applications is more common than most employers realize, and these two checks are the first line of defense.
Death Index Verification confirms the SSN belongs to a living person, protecting against the use of deceased individuals’ identity information.
The Nationwide Criminal History Search expands the criminal records search from a single state to the full national database, giving you visibility into convictions from any state the candidate may have lived in or been charged in.
What Causes a Red Flag on a Background Check?
This is one of the most searched questions by both employers reviewing results and candidates preparing for screening. Understanding what triggers a red flag helps both sides of the process make better decisions.
The most common red flags that appear on a standard background check include felony or misdemeanor convictions within the 7-year criminal history window, particularly violent crimes, theft, fraud, or crimes directly relevant to the role being filled. A sex offender registration will always be treated as a disqualifying finding for most positions. SSN Verification failures, where the number provided does not match the subject or has been flagged for fraud, are a significant identity red flag. A mismatch between the name and date of birth on the application versus what records return during Age Verification is a common signal of a falsified application. Records found under a known alias that were not disclosed on the application can raise concerns about transparency. And a Death Index flag, where the SSN is associated with a deceased individual, is an immediate identity fraud indicator.
It is important to note that not every red flag automatically disqualifies a candidate. Employers are generally required under FCRA guidelines to conduct an individualized assessment, considering the nature of the offense, the time elapsed, and the relevance to the specific job. The background check surfaces the information; the employer makes the decision.
How to Run a Standard Background Check on ClearCheck
Getting your results takes only a few minutes from start to finish.
Step 1: Add the Standard Background Check to your cart and complete your purchase for $29.99. ClearCheck accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, Apple Pay, and Google Pay.
Step 2: Enter the subject’s first and last name, Social Security Number, and date of birth.
Step 3: Receive your results digitally through your ClearCheck account. Reports are available 24/7 and accessible at any time after your purchase is complete.
How to Run a Standard Background Check on Someone for Employment
If you are an employer running a background check on a job candidate, the process on ClearCheck is straightforward. Before initiating the search, make sure you have obtained the candidate’s written consent as required by the FCRA. Then enter their full name, SSN, and date of birth into the ClearCheck system and complete your purchase. Results are returned through your account and available immediately.
For employers screening multiple candidates, ClearCheck’s 24/7 account access means you can run searches and review results on your own schedule without waiting for a third party to process requests.
How to Run a Standard Background Check on Someone for Free
Free background check tools exist, but they come with significant limitations that make them unreliable for employment or any situation where accuracy matters. Free services typically pull from incomplete, outdated, or unverified public databases. They rarely include SSN Verification, Death Index, or national criminal history searches. They cannot confirm identity with the same accuracy as a search anchored to a verified SSN. And they offer no accountability or consistency in how records are sourced or updated.
For $29.99, the ClearCheck Standard Background Check gives you access to verified national databases, seven distinct searches, and results you can actually rely on. For employment decisions, tenant screening, or any situation with real stakes, the cost of an inaccurate free check is significantly higher than the cost of doing it right.
Standard Background Check vs. Other ClearCheck Packages
The Standard Background Check sits between the Basic and Professional tiers, offering substantially more depth than the Basic while remaining more focused and affordable than the Professional package.
The Basic Background Check ($19.99) covers sex offender status and a 7-year statewide criminal history. No SSN required. Ideal for quick personal screening or low-risk situations.
The Standard Background Check ($29.99) adds SSN Verification, Known Aliases, Age Verification, Death Index Verification, and a Nationwide Criminal History Search to the Basic package. It is the entry point for true employment-grade screening and the right choice for most standard hiring decisions.
The Professional Background Check ($39.99) adds 20-Year Address History, Nationwide Tax Lien Search, Nationwide Judgement Search, and Nationwide Bankruptcy Search on top of everything in the Standard package. Recommended for roles involving financial responsibility or when a deeper financial and residential history is needed.
The Elite Background Check ($49.99) is ClearCheck’s most comprehensive package for the highest-risk screening situations.
About ClearCheck
ClearCheck’s mission is to provide accurate, reliable, and comprehensive background checks that help individuals and organizations make informed decisions. We uphold the highest ethical standards, respect individual privacy rights, and deliver results through an advanced platform backed by extensive research and national database access. Our goal is to be the trusted source for background information that enhances safety, security, and peace of mind for every client we serve.
