FCRA-Compliant Criminal Screening
Criminal background checks are one of the most important tools employers have for protecting their workplace, their employees, and their organization. Research Services provides thorough, accurate, and fully FCRA-compliant criminal searches conducted by experienced researchers.
Our criminal screening solutions help you:
- Hire the right candidate
- Stay compliant with legal requirements
- Protect employees and business environment
- Safeguard organizational integrity and assets
PBSA Accredited | In Business Since 1996
Research Services has been a trusted partner in background screening for decades. As a PBSA-accredited firm, we adhere to the highest standards of accuracy, legal compliance, and professional ethics.
Our team brings unmatched experience across county, federal, national, international, and specialty criminal searches — giving employers the confidence they need to make sound hiring decisions.
Our Criminal Search Services
County Criminal
Direct courthouse searches for pending cases, felony & misdemeanor records.
Learn more →Federal Criminal
All 94 federal district courts. White-collar crime, drug trafficking & more.
Learn more →International Criminal
Coverage across 250+ countries worldwide.
Learn more →National Criminal Index
Powerful prescreening tool across statewide repositories & court admin offices.
Learn more →Sex Offender Registry
All 50 states, D.C., U.S. territories & Native American tribes.
Learn more →Statewide Criminal
State-level criminal records; CT reaches back 35+ years.
Learn more →
Criminal Search Comparison
| Search Type | Coverage | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|
| County Criminal | Single county courthouse — most accurate source available | Same day – 2 business days* |
| Statewide Criminal | Entire state depository; CT records back 35+ years | Same day – 48 hrs |
| National Criminal Index | Multi-state repositories & court admin records across the U.S. | Same day |
| Federal Criminal | All 94 U.S. district courts | Same day |
| Sex Offender Registry | All 50 states, D.C., U.S. territories & tribal registries | Same day |
| International Criminal | 250+ countries worldwide | Varies by country |
* County turnaround varies by jurisdiction. Most return same day or next day. Some counties — including many in California, Michigan, and Maine — require on-site researcher access and can take 5–7+ business days.
How to Choose the Right Criminal Search
No single search covers everything. The right combination depends on the role, the industry, and where your applicant has lived and worked.
- County Criminal — records pulled directly from the courthouse are the most accurate available. Order one for every jurisdiction where the applicant has lived or worked.
- Statewide Criminal — broader and faster than county, but some counties don't report to the state depository. Best used alongside county searches for higher-risk roles.
- National Criminal Index — a prescreening tool, not a standalone check. It flags jurisdictions worth digging into; always follow up with a county or statewide search on any records it surfaces.
- Federal Criminal — a completely separate court system. White-collar crime, drug trafficking, immigration violations, and other federal offenses will never appear in a county or statewide search.
- Sex Offender Registry — covers all 50 states, D.C., U.S. territories, and Native American tribes. Should be included in virtually every screening package.
- International Criminal — essential when an applicant has lived, worked, or studied outside the United States.
What FCRA Requires From Employers
The Fair Credit Reporting Act governs how employers can use background check results in hiring decisions. Before ordering any check, you must obtain written authorization from the applicant. If you intend to take adverse action based on the results, FCRA requires a two-step process: a pre-adverse action notice with a copy of the report, a reasonable waiting period, and then the formal adverse action notice.
You are also required to use only FCRA-compliant consumer reporting agencies. Working with a PBSA-accredited firm like Research Services means your screening program is built on these requirements from the ground up — so you're protected at every step.
Why Employers Choose a PBSA-Accredited Agency
PBSA accreditation — awarded by the Professional Background Screening Association — is the background screening industry's highest standard. Accredited firms undergo rigorous audits covering data security, legal compliance, researcher training, and quality control. Fewer than 10% of background screening companies hold this designation.
For employers, it means the reports you receive are held to a verified standard of accuracy and compliance. It also provides an added layer of legal protection — you can demonstrate due diligence in selecting a qualified screening provider. Research Services has maintained PBSA accreditation while serving employers across the country since 1996.
Connecticut employers: see our complete guide to Connecticut background check laws for state-specific requirements including Clean Slate, Ban the Box, and HB 6100.