Background Check - FAQ

1

What is a background check?

A background check is a pre-employment screening that verifies key information about a candidate—such as identity, criminal history, employment & education history, and more. It helps organizations make confident hiring decisions and maintain a safer, more trustworthy workplace.

2

Why are background checks important?

Background checks reduce risk by confirming that the people you hire meet your organization's standards. They help protect your team, customers, and reputation while supporting compliance with industry and regulatory requirements.

3

How do organizations decide which types of background checks are right for them?

Background check scopes can vary widely, and every organization has different needs. In general, screening programs are designed to confirm that the people you hire meet your standards for safety, trust, and compliance. The right mix of components helps protect your team, customers, and reputation while supporting your company's policies, industry expectations, and regulatory requirements. Most organizations choose background check components based on one or more of the following priorities: Safety, Protection, and Liability — checks that focus on confirming identity and identifying potential safety or compliance risks (criminal court records, sex offender registry, government watchlists, motor vehicle records); Positional Prerequisites — checks that verify whether a candidate has the education, credentials, or specialized training needed for the position; and Honesty and Integrity — checks that confirm the information provided by a candidate is accurate, supporting a culture of trust from the very beginning. MyHire can help you choose the right mix of components for your organization—so you only screen for what truly matters and get the best balance of cost, speed, and risk protection.

4

What types of background checks does MyHire offer?

MyHire offers a full suite of screening services designed to support safe, compliant hiring, including: Name and address history (Social Security Trace), Digital Identity Verification through Government ID with AI validation, Criminal record searches (Local, State, Federal — Felony and Misdemeanor), Sex-offender registry search, Motor vehicle (driving) records (MVRs), Employment verification, Education verification, Professional license verification, and Watchlist and sanctions search. Your service selections can be customized based on your industry, role types, and risk profile.

5

Tell me more about your Digital Identity Verification through Government ID with AI Validation!

Our Digital Identity Verification makes confirming a candidate's identity fast, accurate, and effortless. Using secure mobile technology and AI-powered validation, candidates complete the entire process electronically—no paperwork, no delays. The candidate receives a secure link on their mobile device, takes clear photos of the front and back of a government-issued ID, then takes a live self-photo. Our system compares the selfie to the ID images using advanced AI to confirm likeness. The images are run through an electronic ID verification engine, typically returning a result within seconds. Once the identity is verified, all background check forms automatically pre-populate with the candidate's validated information—reducing data-entry errors, saving time, and improving accuracy across your entire screening process.

6

How long do background checks take?

Many components return results instantly or within minutes. County-level criminal searches or employment/education verifications can take longer, depending on court access or response times.

7

Do applicants need to give consent for a background check?

Yes. The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requires employers to provide clear disclosure and obtain written authorization before running a background check. MyHire provides compliant forms and a simple digital workflow to make this easy.

8

Can the applicant fill out their own forms electronically and on mobile devices?

Yes! The MyHire platform is extremely user friendly. It includes full digital and mobile capability for your candidate experience, and even for your administration of the platform. Of course, you are in complete control, and if you prefer not to use the digital experience, that is fine as well.

9

How does MyHire ensure compliance?

Compliance is built into every step—forms, data sources, communications, and reporting. We follow FCRA and state-specific requirements, including adverse action guidance, ensuring your hiring process remains consistent and defensible.

10

Does MyHire offer continuous criminal monitoring in addition to background checks?

Yes. A pre-hire background check is essential, but it only reflects a moment in time. MyHire's continuous criminal monitoring provides ongoing awareness of newly established criminal court records and sex-offender registrations across all 50 states, helping you reduce risk between background checks or periodic rechecks.

11

How much do your background checks cost?

We offer flexible pricing tailored to your organization's size, risk profile, and hiring needs. MyHireHR helps you design a screening package that fits your budget and your risk tolerance. Our pricing factors in: which background screening components you need, the number of checks you run each month, whether you want continuous monitoring or one-time pre-hire checks, and your industry-specific compliance or regulatory requirements. MyHire is happy to collaborate with you about your program, and are committed to providing enterprise level service with enterprise level discounts!

12

Do you offer support if we have questions about background check reports?

Absolutely. Our live, U.S. based team is here to help you understand what everything means and any questions you have along the way.

13

How do we get started?

Getting started is quick and easy. Simply Sign Up or Contact Us with any questions you may have.