United States (USA) Criminal Record Check: Process, Coverage, and Requirements

### Who is the source of criminal check data in the United States? Federal Databases and local courts (in some circumstances). ### What details are required from the candidate to submit the check? - First Name - Last Name - Date of Birth - Current or last registered address in the USA - Full Social Security Number or SSN - Zinc cannot run the standard United States Criminal Record Check without a full SSN. - If you do not have an SSN, contact Zinc Support. Zinc may need to discuss a separate employer-approved alternative check, but the standard US Criminal Record Check cannot proceed without an SSN. - Consent ### Is a Social Security Number (SSN) required for a US Criminal Record Check? Yes. A full Social Security Number (SSN) is required for the standard United States Criminal Record Check. Zinc cannot run this check without the candidate's full SSN. If the candidate does not have an SSN, they should contact Zinc Support; Zinc may need to discuss a separate employer-approved alternative check, but the standard US Criminal Record Check cannot proceed without an SSN. ### Do you offer an SSN trace? Zinc does not offer a standalone SSN trace. As part of our US Criminal Check, the National Criminal Database Check functions similarly to an SSN Trace. ### What is covered in the criminal check? The Criminal History verification in the United States offers comprehensive nationwide coverage across various Federal databases. This verification is available for citizens and foreigners over 18 years of age and is conducted with the candidate's explicit consent for a specific application purpose. Federal coverage includes searches of records from authorities such as the Department of Justice, the FBI, and the National Sex Offender Registry, ensuring consistency for crimes prosecuted under federal law. In the event that a record is found, state and county records will also be pulled taking into account the diverse legal frameworks and judicial practices of each state. This dual-level approach ensures a thorough examination of criminal convictions and offences, excluding those deleted by rehabilitation laws or considered spent. The verification process includes records from the National Criminal Database (NCD), which aggregates data from various counties, state departments of corrections, and state courts. It also encompasses federal-level checks for severe offences and state and county-level checks for more localised crimes. The reporting contains information on all the following criminal convictions or offences, except those deleted by rehabilitation laws or considered spent: - Robbery - Identity theft - Tax evasion - Counterfeiting - Embezzlement - Illegal firearms sales - Kidnapping - Murder - Lynching - Child pornography - Computer crimes - Federal hate crimes - Animal cruelty - Tax evasion - Counterfeiting - Illegal wiretapping - Damaging or destroying public mailboxes - Electoral fraud The sentencing for criminal offences in the United States varies depending on the nature of the offence and the specific sentencing guidelines in place. Generally, offences such as traffic violations, petty theft, disorderly conduct, public drunkenness, curfew violations, loitering, and minor assault are classified as spent or minor offences under applicable state criminal laws and federal statutes. These offences typically carry lighter penalties and generally do not have lasting legal implications on an individual's criminal record. ### What is the expected turnaround time? [Here.](https://zincwork.com/turnaround-times) ### Period covered by the check Conviction records can go back many years and it depends on local laws and on which records are available in digital form. For accurate reporting purposes, cases from up to 7 years ago will be included in the report. ### Privacy statement The details contained in this report should not be used as the sole reason for making a decision. Zinc Work Ltd is not liable for any inaccuracies or incompleteness in the information appearing in this report since it is provided to Zinc Work Ltd by third parties. This report has been produced for the purchaser of the report and Zinc Work Ltd will have no liability to loss.