Background checks are a standard procedure that employers and other parties request a service provider to conduct on someone to verify their information. These checks are typically conducted for employment purposes to verify candidates are telling the truth about their identity and background
One critical component of background checks is criminal history. This includes checking public databases for the person’s criminal records that cover arrests, convictions, pending charges, and other details. These typically appear on a background check, but if there’s a record that’s sealed, however, whether or not it shows up may vary.
In this article, we will answer will a sealed record show up on a background check. Read on to discover if your background check will include a sealed record in the results.
What Is a Background Check?
Background check refers to the process of verifying a person’s details. It is a broader term that includes checks on identity, employment history, criminal history, social media presence, driving records, and any other general information the requesting party includes in the background check.
However, the person undergoing the background check must give consent for the type of checks conducted. Otherwise, it would be illegal to run a background check on someone according to the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
What Is a Sealed Record?
A sealed record is a criminal record hidden from the general public. It doesn’t appear on public records when someone runs a public records check on a person with a sealed record.
However, this doesn’t mean the record is erased from public databases after it is sealed. Sealing a record means that the record is hidden from public records, not removed. The purpose of sealing a record is to make it inaccessible to the public. Certain entities such as government departments and law enforcement agencies can still request access to see the sealed record. This is also true for certain employers in security-sensitive sectors such as healthcare and education.
Note that sealed records are different from expunged records. Expungement entirely erases the record from both public and private databases.
Will a Sealed Record Show Up on a Background Check for Employment
Since sealed records are hidden from public records, they don’t appear on background checks. Whether it is an arrest record or other criminal records, a sealed record won’t show up on your background check.
However, a sealed record may still show up on a background check for employment if the service provider obtained the information before it was sealed. For instance, if you underwent a background check in 2023 that included an arrest record from 2020 that was later sealed in 2024, and the current background check is conducted by the same provider, it will likely appear.
The same applies to government and law enforcement agencies. Sealed records typically show up on checks conducted by government and law enforcement agencies.
Will a Sealed Record Show Up on a Background Check if Sealed Recently?
While sealed records don’t show up on background checks, many have worries that newly sealed records might. After a record is sealed, when it happened generally doesn’t have an impact on whether it shows up on a background check or not. After a judge or court seals a record, it won’t come up on the background check, whether it has been just a few days or a month.
However, if the background check was requested even hours before the record was sealed, it may appear on the background check. Although background check service providers take some time to collect information, typically a few days, obtaining information from public records can be faster than other sources. Rest assured, a sealed record won’t show up on a background check as long as it begins after the record is sealed.
Find Out if a Sealed Record Shows Up on a Background Check
The answer to will a sealed record show up on a background check has some variables. Details regarding when the record was first created, when it was sealed, and your previous background checks all have an impact on whether it shows up on your background check. Luckily, there are ways to find out if a sealed record will appear on your background check.
Criminal records are public records therefore, you can check public records to see if the sealed record will come up. Since the source for background check service providers is the same – public records – you will essentially test if a sealed record shows up on your background check.
This check provides the perfect opportunity to get ahead of potential employers in case questions about your past may arise. However, note that the sealed record may still appear if they use the same provider as your previous background checks that obtained the record before it was sealed.
A sealed record can truly be worrying when undergoing a background check, but considering that a record is sealed to allow second chances or dismissing charges, it typically won’t affect your hiring process. Still, it is best to check public records to be better prepared in case you are asked about a sealed record.