work history verification

Employment: We typically verify all employment within the last five years. Each employer is contacted to attempt to verify, at a minimum, the subject’s job title, dates of employment, reason for leaving, eligibility for rehire, and social security number. In addition, we attempt to contact supervisors at each employer to obtain further information about the subject’s attendance, performance, and any disciplinary action that may have been taken. Many companies will only check human resource records. We do not make a half-hearted attempt to verify employment. Every effort is made to obtain the verification through a qualified source.

Regulated Employment: Background checks in some industries, for example, the nuclear power industry and those positions considered "safety-sensitive" by the Federal Transit Administration, or other DOT-regulated positions, are federally regulated and mandate certain questions be asked of former employers. IRSI rigorously complies with these regulations and makes every effort to obtain, and properly document those attempts to obtain, the information required according to federal agency guidelines.

Professional License: IRSI will verify your subject’s license status with the appropriate state agency. Information obtained will typically include issue and expiration dates, and any disciplinary action if available. Licensed professionals include insurance agents, lawyers, doctors, teachers, daycare providers, and certified public accountants.

Military Records: IRSI will obtain military records from the applicant’s branch of service. Records typically include final discharge papers (DD-214) but may also include reprimands, non-judicial punishment, promotions, reviews, and sometimes medical records. A special authorization is usually required for this information. Depending on the applicant’s date of discharge, these records may be available anywhere from a few days to several months. It is recommended you request a copy of the DD-214 from your applicant in the interim.

Professional References: If your subject has been self-employed, we contact professional references (someone who has dealt with subject on a professional level, either as a client, supplier, or other business associate) to verify the nature of subject’s business, dates worked, and performance, if reference has knowledge of such.

Character References: Personal character references are sometimes contacted to verify subject’s employment / unemployment history and residence history, and to obtain general information as to subject’s character and reputation.

Education: People falsify diplomas and degrees more often than you might think. IRSI contacts each school you request (we recommend highest degree) and verifies the subject’s dates of attendance, date of graduation, degree or diploma, and major, if applicable. In addition, we also verify the subject’s name, date of birth, and social security number if available. Transcripts are obtained for an extra fee.

Criminal Records – County: Criminal records are checked at the county level covering residences and/or job sites, as requested by the client. These records include felonies, gross misdemeanors, misdemeanors and most petty misdemeanors. Records are checked covering the past seven years and include all criminal charges, not just those resulting in a conviction. All sentence requirements are reported in addition to any outstanding warrants and probation violations. Additionally, convictions older than seven years are reported when available, requested, and/or recommended (generally more serious convictions or those presenting evidence of a pattern of behavior).

Civil Records – County: Records are checked at the county level and include suits, judgments, and liens. Records are checked for a period of seven years in the counties covering the subject’s residences and include file dates, dollar amount of the action, plaintiff, and release date if applicable. Note that this is usually a name-match only; records generally do not show dates of birth or social security numbers.

Criminal Records – Statewide: Criminal records are searched at statewide repositories where available. Generally, counties are required to transmit their data to the state repository. As a result, these records may not be as complete as those at the county level but this search is recommended as a catch-all for counties that otherwise fall out of the search scope.

Criminal Records – Law Enforcement: Arrest records are occasionally checked at the law enforcement agency responsible for a suspected charge, usually if it is not found at the county level or to cross-reference county records.

Criminal Records – Copies: Copies of complaints and sentences may be obtained from the county or law enforcement agency as requested by the client. This is typically done in the case of a serious or violent crime or in situations where knowledge of the exact nature of the crime is necessary to meet certain client denial criteria. Additional fees apply.

Bankruptcy Records: Records are checked at the US Bankruptcy Court of jurisdiction in the subject’s area of residence. Records are checked for a period of 10 years and show date filed, type of case filed, and discharge date if applicable.

Federal Records: Criminal and civil records are checked at the US District Court having jurisdiction in the subject’s area of residence.

Credit records: A repository credit file is requested from one or each of the three bureaus operating in the United States: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Credit reports are a valuable tool in evaluating potential employees, borrowers, or tenants. Note that besides showing credit history, credit reports often list a residence history, past employers, and sometimes aliases and false social security numbers. Credit files may also show record of civil actions taken, including suits and judgments, liens, and bankruptcies.

Social Security Number Trace: Credit bureau records are accessed to help determine the validity of social security numbers. This report will show the state and date of issue of the number, and the name and address(es) of the person issued the number. This is an excellent tool for verifying identity and for gaining employment and residence history leads. Often addresses and employers are "developed" from this report, meaning they were not listed by the applicant. Note that no credit information is obtained from this report, and information available is subject to credit bureau error.

Driving records: Driving records are obtained from the applicant’s state of license. Coverage varies by state, but generally covers three to five years. These records will show whether or not your applicant has a valid, suspended, or revoked license and any moving violations in the coverage scope. Records will typically show date of issue and expiration, the applicant’s home address (some states do not disclose this, however; California, for example, has an anti-stalking law that prohibits release of this information), and previous states of license. Note that many driving violations are criminal offenses; this is an excellent way to back up criminal record searches.

Certified driving records: When requested, IRSI will obtain from the state of license the applicant’s certified driving record. This record is useful for showing alcohol-related offenses prior to the normal coverage scope of the driving record and whether or not the offense resulted in chemical dependency treatment. This record will also show suspensions and revocations. Additional fees apply.

Accident records: Some states report accidents on the driving record, but not all of them do. IRSI will obtain accident records from each state requested, where available. Additional fees may apply.

Motor vehicle records / license plate trace: IRSI will obtain vehicle information from the state licensed. This record typically shows vehicle description, owner and owner address, lien information, date purchased, and seller information.

Workers’ Compensation Records: IRSI will check records with each state requested to determine if the applicant has filed for workers’ compensation. Information available from each state varies but typically includes file dates, nature of injury, and status of claim. Note that some states have very strict laws governing the use of this information; a special release may also be required.

Sex Offender Registry: IRSI will search state databases, where available. Registered offenders include those convicted of sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual conduct, luring or enticing, and kidnapping. Sexual offender records have not been made public in the states of Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Connecticut.

Subject Interview: IRSI will interview your applicant to obtain missing or additional information needed to complete the background.