7 Best Full-Service Background Check Companies in 2024

Background checks are important for hiring, renting, or personal decision-making.

Whether you’re an employer in a hiring process, a landlord doing tenant background checks, or a member of the public, full-service background check providers cover the whole package.

They don’t just conduct basic searches but delve deep into an individual’s history, including criminal record, employment history, and past residencies.

Many companies offer fast, accurate, and compliant background check services, but choosing the right one can be difficult.

In this article, we will explore the best full-service background check companies in 2024, their services, and how you can choose the right one based on your needs.

Let’s start by discussing what a full-service background check is and why it’s important.

What Is a Full-Service Background Check?

A full-service background check is a comprehensive process to verify an individual’s background.

It involves pulling data from multiple sources for information like employment history, criminal background, county court records, and driving records.

While simple online background checks can provide instant, same-day results, a full-service background screening can take much longer. It requires manual verification and an in-depth analysis of a person’s history.

It is a more thorough and detailed process, ensuring the information collected is highly accurate and reliable.

Why Conduct Full-Service Background Checks

A full-service background check helps reduce your risk of making a poor decision.

No employer wants to go through the tedious screening process and then repeat it for every other candidate. Hiring someone with a troublesome background can cost you time and money. It can also threaten the safety of your staff and workplace.

Many industries also require background checks to comply with state and federal laws. Failing to conduct these checks can lead to penalties or legal issues.

While a full background screening may seem excessive, it provides an extra layer of security and ensures your business meets legal requirements.

You can also conduct comprehensive background checks if you’re a landlord who wants to safeguard your property. If you’re looking for a job or a flat to rent, consider doing a self-background check to see if all the information is accurate.

What Is Included in a Full-Service Background Check?

A full background screening includes various services beyond a simple background check.

These in-depth investigations examine every relevant detail to confirm an individual’s history.

Criminal Background Checks

The main focus of any background check is criminal history.

A criminal background check dives into an individual’s past to identify felonies, misdemeanors, or arrests.

This is especially important for positions in industries like healthcare, education, and law enforcement, where a high level of security and trust is required.

A criminal background check searches federal and state criminal databases and county-level checks for more localized information.

It also includes searching publicly available records for a person’s name to ensure they are not on the national and state sex offender registries.

Pre-Employment Background Checks

Employment verification is a standard part of pre-employment background checks.

Verifying employment history confirms whether an applicant’s claims about their work history, including job titles, previous employers, dates of employment, and reasons for leaving, are accurate. It helps employers gauge the candidate’s character and work ethic.

This employee screening process helps avoid costly hiring mistakes by making sure that applicants are qualified for the position they are applying for.

Education Verification

Another important part of pre-employment background checks is education verification.

It checks applicants’ educational claims against their school records to confirm degrees or certifications.

This type of background screening is especially important in industries where academic credentials are highly valued and boosts an applicant’s credibility.

Credit History and Financial Checks

Credit checks are necessary for positions that handle sensitive financial information, such as banking or accounting.

A person’s credit report can demonstrate how responsible they are with money. For example, you can find out whether they have filed for bankruptcy or have any outstanding financial issues, such as debts or court records.

The information provided helps employers assess a candidate’s financial stability and capacity to handle financial responsibilities. Landlords can also assess if a potential tenant will be reliable for paying rent.

Drug Testing

Drug testing works by identifying candidates who may be struggling with substance abuse.

It is often part of the employment background check process in safety-sensitive industries like transportation and healthcare.

Drug screening helps maintain a safe and productive work environment, lessening the risk of accidents, injuries, or drug-related incidents.

7 Best Full-Service Background Check Providers

Choosing the best background check company is key to making informed hiring decisions.

Here are seven of the best background check sites, offering a full range of services, with different pricing options and unique features.

1. Stellar Background Checks

Stellar Background Checks delivers a full range of background screening services, including criminal record checks, employment and education history verifications, drug testing, and social media screening services.

We also offer international background checks, making it easy for businesses operating globally to screen candidates.

Stellar’s turnaround times, typically within one to three days, and exceptional customer service make it a great choice for employers looking to get accurate background checks and timely screening reports.

We offer five distinct packages to meet various background screening needs:

• Standard Package ($35): Covers SSN trace, criminal searches, and additional integral checks.

• Bronze Package ($54): Expands on Standard by including education and employment verification.

• Silver Package ($99): Adds an additional 10-panel drug screening.

• Gold Package ($104): Includes driving history and financial background checks.

• Platinum Package ($119): Comes with comprehensive coverage, including a federal criminal search.

We also use a pay-as-you-go model, offering flexibility without long-term contracts. Our client portal also allows you to monitor background check results as they are processed.

Fill out this form and land the best talent with Stellar Background Checks.

Key Features:

• Full range of background check services

• Fast turnaround times

• Various packages at different price points

2. Sterling

Source: Sterling

Sterling offers a variety of background check services, from criminal record checks and drug screening to employment verifications.

Founded in 1975, it is one of the oldest companies offering global full-service background checks.

Sterling provides custom reports tailored to different industries like education, financial services, transportation, and healthcare, making them a popular choice for large corporations with several locations.

Their API integrates with popular HR systems, helping automate tasks, improve efficiency, and lessen the time needed for hiring and onboarding.

Sterling’s costs greatly depend on the depth and complexity of the screening you would like to conduct.

Key Features:

• Custom, in-depth reports

• Integration with HR systems

3. GoodHire

Source: GoodHire

GoodHire offers customizable packages that include background screening services for both small companies and large enterprises.

They are known for their emphasis on FCRA compliance with services like criminal background screening, education verification, and drug testing.

GoodHire’s intuitive background check site offers employers a seamless screening experience, without any complicated setups.

Candidates can view and dispute reports on their background check site, encouraging transparency that few other platforms provide.

GoodHire offers three package options:

• Basic+ (starting at $29.99 per check): Includes SSN trace, sex offender registry search, global watchlist records, and national criminal records.

• Essential (starting at $54.99 per check): Provides everything included in the Basic+ package, along with unlimited county criminal searches.

• Professional (starting at $79.99 per check): Adds education verification and employment background check to the features offered in the Essential package.

Key Features:

• Focus on FCRA compliance

• Intuitive platform interface

4. HireRight

Source: HireRight

One standout feature of HireRight is its global reach. They offer compliance with local laws across different regions, making them a great fit for small companies with international hiring needs.

HireRight provides detailed background check services, including criminal checks, employment history verifications, and drug screening.

They offer industry-specific solutions, catering to various sectors like tech, legal, and transportation, where compliance and accuracy are extremely important.

HireRight’s platform integrates with many applicant tracking systems (ATS), streamlining workflows and processes.

They offer custom pricing based on specific services and volume of checks.

Key Features:

• Global reach

• Industry-specific and detailed reports

5. Checkr

Source: Checkr

Checkr uses advanced technology to provide fast and efficient background check services.

A favorite of tech companies and on-demand service industries, Checkr offers criminal record searches, education and employment history verifications, drug screenings, and more.

Their automated platform integrates seamlessly with HR systems and makes managing high-volume background checks easy. It also includes continuous workforce monitoring, which employers to stay up-to-date on changes to employees’ backgrounds after hiring.

Another standout feature is Checkr’s adjudication tools, which provide context on flagged issues and help employers make informed decisions when reviewing criminal records.

Checkr’s pricing is flexible, with three main tiers::

• Basic+ (starting from $29.99 per check): Includes SSN trace, sex offender registry, global watchlist, and national criminal record search, with an optional county criminal search for an additional $15 if required.

• Essential (starting from $54.99 per check): Offers a more detailed search by including a county criminal search along with the other standard checks.

• Professional (starting from $79.99 per check): Adds education and employment verification to the features included in the Essential package, ideal for advanced roles.

Key Features:

• Automated platform

• Flexible pricing tiers

• Global watchlist search included

6. First Advantage

Source: First Advantage

First Advantage is a global background screening provider, with services ranging from criminal background checks and employment verifications to credit history checks.

The company is well-known for its scalable screening solutions, which is an ideal choice for employers of all sizes across industries like healthcare, finance, oil and gas, and transportation.

First Advantage is flexible, with its prices starting at $29 per report, depending on the checks to be conducted.

Their ability to scale their services according to the size of the business and the depth of the screening makes them suitable for addressing specific business needs.

Key Features:

• Scalable screening solutions

• Flexible pricing plans

• Easy-to-order reports

7. Intelius

Source: Intelius

Intelius offers a user-friendly search engine that provides access to public records, allowing individuals to find names, addresses, and phone numbers.

They can help you learn more about friends, co-workers, neighbors, or people you’re dating, and to verify information.

They also claim to protect users from scammers and verify the legitimacy of potential online buyers or sellers.

Intelius has one of the best background check sites for those who want instant results. It delivers reports in mere minutes by aggregating data from multiple databases to get comprehensive information. However, the company is not FCRA-compliant.

The company offers multiple unlimited search offerings in three tiers:

• People search: $25.11 per month for person and address reports

• Reverse phone lookup: $35.3 per month for people search and phone reports

• Address lookup: $34.95 for person reports and advanced address reports that include ownership history and information on residents and neighbors

Bear in mind that you need to pay a one-time fee of $3.99 to access downloadable reports.

Key Features:

• People search and reverse phone lookup

• Mobile app for easy access

What to Look for in a Full-Service Background Check Company?

With plenty of background check companies out there, it can be difficult to choose.

Below are key factors to consider when selecting a full-service background check provider. These factors can help you guarantee accurate, thorough, and legally compliant results.

Compliance With Legal Regulations

When using a full-service background check company, you must know and understand the legal implications that come with accessing and using personal data.

Failing to comply with local, state, and federal regulations can have legal consequences, including lawsuits and fines. Important regulations to consider include the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), or the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) for international background checks.

The best background check services comply with all laws and use built-in compliance tools.

They should be able to demonstrate the processes they have in place to stay compliant and protect both your business and individuals.

Choosing a background screening provider that is legally compliant should be a priority, as violating any laws could lead to potential penalties and lawsuits.

Consent and Disclosure Under the FCRA

The Fair Credit Reporting Act governs how background checks are conducted for employment purposes.

Employers must obtain written consent from candidates before running a background check and provide a clear, and separate disclosure informing them of the background check process.

If negative information from the background check report affects the candidate’s hiring, employers must first give them a copy and inform them of their rights.

Privacy and Data Protection

Protecting personal data is important when conducting background checks. Companies must comply with privacy regulations like the FCRA and GDPR in Europe for global background checks.

This involves encrypting sensitive data, including criminal records and employment information. It also requires restricting data retention to only what is needed to complete the background check process.

Legal Recourse and Disputes

Errors in background checks can happen, and individuals have the right to dispute inaccurate or outdated information.

The candidate can file a dispute with the background check company, which must investigate and correct the information, usually within 30 days.

The company verifies the data with the original source, such as a courthouse or employer, and amends the report if errors are confirmed.

The FCRA protects individuals from unfair hiring decisions based on incorrect information, where they can seek damages if their rights are violated.

Fast Turnaround Times

Time is often a crucial factor in the hiring process.

When conducting background screening for an applicant, you should not wait too long to get the results. A high-quality background check provider delivers fast turnarounds for the reports you need.

A slow hiring process can lead to applicants losing interest and seeking work elsewhere. It can also cost your company money through lowered productivity.

Some background check sites deliver results for basic checks within 24 hours.

Full-service background screening can take more time. Check out if a company provides estimates on how long the process will take.

Accuracy

Choosing the best background check service means finding one that provides accurate and thorough reports.

Trustworthy background check companies should have access to multiple databases to compile an individual’s employment history, credit reports, property records, driving records, and more.

They should also verify the accuracy of these records, including manual checks, to make sure the information is truthful, reliable, and error-free.

User-Friendly Platforms and Reports

Many of the best background check sites have platforms with an easy-to-use interface where people can request and review reports.

These platforms allow employers to quickly view information such as criminal records, credit records, motor vehicle reports, and more.

A good background check site also provides an online candidate portal for candidates to view their reports, creating a more transparent process.

With the relevant information instantly available, employers can make fast and informed hiring decisions.

Pricing

Different background check sites offer different pricing models, depending on factors like the type of background check being conducted and the depth of the search.

Expect the cost to be steeper for full-service background check services, as the process takes longer and involves thoroughly verifying all records.

However, many background check sites offer flexible subscription and pricing models, allowing you to compare and choose the best fit for your needs.

Start Your Full-Service Background Check Today!

Stellar Background Checks helps companies make the winning hire with our comprehensive background check services.

We prioritize speed, accuracy, and compliance when generating background check reports to ensure you make confident, informed decisions.

Onboard top-tier talent quickly by filling out this form or contacting us at 1-800-301-4140.

FAQs About Full-Service Background Check Companies

What’s the difference between full-service and online background checks?

The main difference between a full-service background check and a basic online check is the level of detail and accuracy. Online checks are faster but often limited to searching public records.

On the other hand, full-service checks involve manual verification by professionals who confirm details like an individual’s employment history, education, and criminal history across multiple databases.

Are full-service background checks more accurate?

Yes, full-service background checks are generally far more accurate than basic checks. Many full-service background check providers use multiple data sources, including public records, official government databases, credit reports, and manual identity verification and processes.

How far back does a full-service background check go?

The length of time a full-service background check can take depends on the type of check and applicable regulations. The FCRA limits reporting on items like bankruptcies to 10 years and civil suits or tax liens to seven years.

There are no federal limits on how far back criminal background checks can go. However, some states, like California and New York, restrict criminal records reporting to seven years unless the job has a certain salary level.

How long do full-service background checks take?

Full-service background checks typically take three to ten business days, depending on the complexity. Simple checks like criminal history may be completed in a few days, while verifying multiple past employment or conducting international checks can take longer.

Factors like manual identity verification or slow processing in some jurisdictions can also affect the timeline. Many background check service providers offer expedited services for faster results if needed.