Best Background Check California: Ultimate Guide 2023

If you’re looking for instructions on how to perform a background check in California, you’re in luck as you have come across the most extensive guide available online. None of the information about conducting a background check California has been left out in this guide.

In addition to providing comprehensive information on background check California, we will also introduce you to top-notch background check services to make the process effortless. However, it’s important to note that accessing public records in California may not be a straightforward task.

Even though public records contain information, it can be difficult to locate specific background details on an individual due to the overwhelming amount of documents and data to search through. 

Therefore, we suggest utilizing background check California services as they provide the quickest and most reliable method of obtaining precise information.

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7 Best Background Check California Services 

• BeenVerified – Best Overall for Background Check California 
• PeopleLooker – Best for Fast & Accurate Results
• TruthFinder – Best Value for Money
• Intelius – Best for Accuracy
• Instant Checkmate – Best for Speed
• Spokeo – Best for CA Reverse Email Lookup
• US Search – Best for API Integration

What is a Background Check California?

Background check California involves a comprehensive examination of all state and federal public records related to an individual. By utilizing personal identification data like name, phone number, or email, one can search public records to obtain additional information. 

It’s important to ensure that no information is overlooked during the background check process. 

When you conduct a criminal background check CA, you will be provided with a range of information, which includes personal details, educational and employment history, potential family members and acquaintances, whereabouts history, legal records, sex offender details, social media accounts, and property ownership records.

If you choose to search public records manually, it’s unlikely that you will be able to access all the necessary information. Using background check California services gives you a greater chance of obtaining accurate background details about a person. 

When utilizing background check California services, the data you provide is utilized to search through vast amounts of federal and California public records within their database in order to locate pertinent information, leaving no information unturned. 

This information is then condensed into a user-friendly and comprehensive criminal background check CA report that can be easily shared with others.

A standard Background check California report may include:

• Financial assets
• A full name
• Social media profiles
• Educational background
• Aliases
• Professional licenses
• Liens
• Photographs
• Age and date of birth
• Civil court records
• Weapons permits
• Employment history
• Bankruptcies
• Criminal and arrest records

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How to Run a California Background Check?

If you want to perform a background check California, there are two ways to do it: the difficult way and the easy way. The difficult way involves manually contacting various public offices to obtain public records, requesting those records, and then sifting through them to find the information you need. 

To perform a background check California, using a people search service such as BeenVerified or TruthFinder is a simple option. All you need to do is enter the name, city, or phone number of the individual you’re searching for. 

Additionally, reverse phone lookup tools can also be utilized to search for someone using their email address. It’s essential to include all the information present in the original text while paraphrasing.

All you need to do is input the fundamental details about an individual, and the Background check California facility will go through its database. The procedure may take a few minutes, but if it takes more time, it indicates the availability of a considerable amount of genuine information.

How Can I Access Public Records in California?

It can be a challenging task to obtain public records in California, despite the fact that they’re maintained by various departments. Those who have attempted to access these records are familiar with this difficulty. 

According to the California Public Record Act and the California Constitution, individuals in California have the right to access records held by state and local agencies. This includes a wide range of information that falls under the category of public records in California.

• Court records
• Inmate records
• Vital records
• criminal background check CA records

In California, it’s important to provide all necessary information when making a request for public records, as there are only a few exceptions allowed. It’s also crucial to respond promptly to such requests. If your request for California records is denied, there is no option to appeal the decision.

If you need access to public records in California, you can request them from any government agency. However, every agency has its own set of rules, steps, and fees when it comes to obtaining these records. 

To obtain the documents you need, you will have to follow the specific procedures of the record-keeping organization and make your request via mail, email, or phone. 

Some agencies still require paper forms and it’s important to note that different government departments may have varying rules when it comes to accessing their records.

The specifics of a public records request are as follows:

• Document’s title
• Specification of when you’d want to get the documents
• Your contact details
• Method of delivery (by email or snail mail)

Be sure to contact and enquire about business hours and processes before going to the California government building or public organization.

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California Background Check Laws 

With a few exceptions, background checks are typically permitted in California. According to California law, businesses that engage in activities for the purpose of recruitment are bound by an array of regulations and restrictions. 

The following are the background check laws in California:

1. The Los Angeles and San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinances
2. California’s Ban the Box Law
3. The California Information Privacy Act (CIPA)
4. The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)
5. Anti-discrimination Laws

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)

Employers have two responsibilities under the FCRA. All employers have duties in these areas.

1. Take the applicant’s signed permission into account before doing a background check
2. Notify the candidate if they’re not hired due to background check results

The FCRA applies to employers who hire outside companies to undertake background investigations; internal background checks are exempt from the law.

CA Anti-discrimination Laws

It’s against state and federal law for California employers to discriminate against job applicants because of:

• Sexual orientation
• Race
• Ethnicity

It’s crucial to remember that California employers may break the law if they adopt a rule that automatically disqualifies any applicant with a criminal background check CA records.

The California Information Privacy Act (CIPA)

Many of the elements of the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act are duplicated in the California Investigative Protection Act. For instance, CIPA mandates that employers must request consent from a candidate before doing a criminal history check.

An employer must abide by the following requirements if it conducts an internal background check:

• The Employer shall, upon request, deliver a duplicate of the Report to the Applicant or for him to inspect the Report

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California’s Ban the Box Law

California’s “ban the box” law, AB 1008, went into effect on January 1, 2018. The law:

• Before issuing a conditional job offer, an employer isn’t permitted to inquire about a job individual’s criminal history

The once-familiar interview question, “Have you ever had a felony conviction? is now illegal. The only businesses impacted by this rule are those with 5 employees or more. The hiring process may include checking a candidate’s criminal history. 

Yet there are requirements before making a job offer. Examples of such situations include

• Screening of the applicant’s criminal background check CA, (if applicable)
• Successful completion of a criminal background check CA

The new rule mandates that if an employer learns an applicant has a history of criminal convictions, the company must conduct an independent assessment of the applicant. The employer must take several factors into account when deciding on whether or not to recruit a candidate. 

These issues include:

• How much time has elapsed since the crime was committed or the punishment was served
• Crime level, context, and severity of the behavior
• How the applicant’s criminal record could affect their ability to do their job
• The specifics of the task being done or sought

After this examination, an employer is free to reject a candidate as long as the organization’s requirements inform the decision. The candidate must be informed in writing of the decision in cases like this.

No later than 5 business days from receiving this notification, the applicant must respond.

Any comments given must be taken into account by the business. The business may choose to do one of 2 items in light of this information:

1. Reject a job candidate because of details in their criminal background check CA history
2. Employ the candidate

The Los Angeles and San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinances

Los Angeles and San Francisco both managed to pass fair chance ordinances that offered comparable protections prior to the ban the box law.

They provide a “fair chance” due to the following reason:

• The term “adverse action” refers to the process through which a potential employer rejects a job candidate because of information found in a criminal background check CA. In order to convince the committee that they should be hired, the candidate may submit supporting documentation.

Because it gives job seekers more robust protections, both municipalities updated their rules to comply with the ban the box act.

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How Far Back Does a Background Check Go in California?

In California, employers can only look at the past 7 years of an applicant’s history when doing a background check California.

Employers in California can legally conduct a criminal history check 7 years prior to making a conditional offer of employment (with some exceptions). Companies are not allowed to reject applicants because of convictions that are over seven years old.

What Can You Find With a Background Check California?

You won’t believe how much can be learned about a person through a background check in the state of California. Background check reports from services like TruthFinder, BeenVerified, PeopleLooker, and Intelius typically include the following information.

Personal Information

Individual details that let you verify that you have the right candidate at the outset of every background check report. Included in this data could be personal information like their full name, date of birth, aliases, and photos. 

Jobs and Education

Next, there’s information about their education and employment history, which can include details like their high school and university attended and places of employment in the past.

Background check services that follow the Fair Credit Reporting Act prohibit their clients from using the results of these checks for employment or tenant screening.

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Possible Relatives and Associates

In this area, we provide a list of people who may be connected to the person you’re searching for, including friends, acquaintances, and coworkers. In the process of locating a long-lost relative, you can come upon your own background check.

CA Contact Information

If you’re looking for leads, the background check California report can provide you with contact details and email addresses. This article will prove especially helpful if you’re a California business owner conducting a background check on a current or prospective employee.

CA Criminal Records

It’s recommended that criminal background checks CA and arrest histories be compiled using data from all available public law enforcement and court records in California. If they were brought before a judge, you can find out details about the type of trial they faced, when it took place, where it took place, and who presided over the case by consulting the case number and court name. 

CA Property Information

This part is helpful if you’re trying to gauge a person’s financial stability. Information on current property ownership, property taxes, market price, cost of land, mortgages, registered vehicles, and ownership details are all available.

Related Links

All websites that can lead you to the person you’re searching for are collected here. In the event that there are some, you can look for them on the internet in the form of websites, blogs, news stories, and social media accounts.

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How Long Does a Background Check Take In California?

It also depends on the specifics of your planned background check California. When you use a trustworthy people search service like BeenVerified, you can get a complete background check report in only a few minutes. 

In practice, this means that you can conduct as many checks as you like and still get accurate results every time.

In contrast, a manual background check California could take anywhere from one to three business days. 

7 Best Services for Background Check California

Now that you know how easy it’s to use a background check service in California, we’ll take a closer look at the five best options in the state. We’re going to look at each of these apps briefly to figure out what sets them apart.

You can also learn which individual person’s search website in California is best for a given need while conducting a background check. 

BeenVerified –  Best Overall for Background Check California

BeenVerified, the industry leader in background checks California, offers a wide range of options for investigating a person’s past.

That could provide a fuller picture of their history. The company employs dependable data sources and has access to California’s vast public record archive to ensure the accuracy of its reports.

One of BeenVerified’s benefits is that it has a straightforward interface that facilitates fast and simple searches. The platform’s search interface and guidelines for navigating the reports are both uncomplicated and user-friendly.

Monthly subscription costs and pay-per-search choices are just two of the company’s flexible pricing strategies, making it accessible to individuals and enterprises operating on a shoestring.

To aid with any questions or issues that may arise during the background check process, BeenVerified also offers customer support. The company has a team of professionals who can explain the system and help you interpret the data it produces.

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PeopleLooker –  Best Background Check California for Fast & Accurate Results

The PeopleLooker public records search tool allows users to find information on individuals, including criminal background check California, contact information, and more. If you’re looking into doing a background check in California, PeopleLooker may prove to be a useful tool.

PeopleLooker asserts access to various public records in the Golden State. These purportedly accessible documents include court records, criminal background check California histories, and more. This suggests that its background checks may provide more information than those of competing providers.

Its straightforward interface makes using background checks possible even for Internet novices. This can be helpful for individuals or businesses that need to do background checks but lack the necessary expertise.

California’s background check service has different pricing categories to accommodate customers with varying background check needs. Its costs are often considered fair, which is great news for consumers and businesses alike who are on a tight budget.

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TruthFinder –  Best California Background Check Service for Value

TruthFinder is the first in the state of California for background checks. Its website is so user-friendly that you can quickly and simply look up information using a person’s name, phone number, or email address.

Because of its access to the largest Californian public record databases, it can produce a vast amount of verified information about a given individual.

If you use TruthFinder’s background check services and darknet monitoring tool, you may be able to access information that isn’t publicly accessible.

TruthFinder is priced at $46 for a two-month subscription, or $28.05 each month. Learn why doing a background check with TruthFinder is your best bet. Please read our detailed analysis of the state of California. 

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Intelius – Best California Background Check Service for Accuracy

When it comes to California background checks, Intelius is on par with TruthFinder. The pinpoint accuracy of the results is the best element of this comprehensive national database.

It’s very similar to TruthFinder in terms of functionality, and its database of over 20 billion public documents gives you access to an enormous amount of data on every person living in California.

In comparison to TruthFinder, Intelius is more affordable because of its $24.86 monthly subscription price. If you select the 2-month plan, you will pay a total of $42.25. 

Like TruthFinder, but with a smaller price tag because it doesn’t monitor the deep web. Check out our review of Intelius if you’re interested in a California background check service.

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Instant Checkmate – Best California Background Check Service for Speed

If you need fast results from a background check California, Instant Checkmate may be your best bet.

As well as providing instant findings, this background check company also boasts a convenient mobile app. It’s quite improbable that a competing California background check service would have this option.

Instant Checkmate uses a massive database of public records to produce reliable historical data. This service is more expensive than average, with monthly plan prices of $34.78. It offers a three-month plan for $83.47, up from the previous two-month plan’s price of $53. 

Instant Checkmate is not only lightning fast, but also very careful with its users’ data. Visit our Quick Checkmate Review for more details.

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Spokeo – Best Background Check California Service for Reverse Email Lookup

With the use of reverse email lookup, you can find out a lot of information about a person by utilizing simply their email address. You may do company research and generate leads in California with the help of Spokeo because it’s the best email lookup background check service.

In addition to an email lookup, Spokeo is one of the best options for California background checks because it allows you to search by name, phone number, or physical location.

It also offers one of the cheapest monthly subscriptions, at only $19.99 per month. For just $44.85 for a three-month subscription, it’s one of the cheapest California background check services. See our Spokeo review if you want the whole story.

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US Search – Best for California Background Check Service for API Integration

US Search’s quick start wizard makes it easy to do background checks. If the service you use doesn’t live up to your standards, you can get your money back.

If you’re just looking for basic background checks in California, don’t be put off by their very rudimentary web interface; they may be all you need.

US Search charges $3 for each background check request in the state of California. If you have a long-term or frequent need for extensive searching, the $19.86 monthly subscription is a good value.

If you want to learn more about US Search, check out the review I wrote. 

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What Does the California Public Records Law Say?

The California Public Records Act guarantees the public’s right to view records that pertain to matters of public concern.

The California Public Record Act excludes records that contain solely private information, even if that record is available to the general public.

The state of California has a law that requires all executive and government agencies to respond to requests for public records within 10 days. You don’t have to be a California resident to get a background check, but if you’re denied, you have no recourse.

California Criminal Records – Background Check California

In California, “criminal records” can refer to any documentation of contact with the law or the judicial system, rather than just arrest and conviction histories.

The Justice Department of California keeps a record of criminal records. Depending on the law in question, this may or may not cover breaches of the traffic law.

• Arrest date
• Charge
• Felony or misdemeanor charge
• Guilty Pleas
• Convictions
• Prosecution date
• Felony or misdemeanor charge

As part of the hiring process, certain companies may research a candidate’s criminal history. The California Attorney General’s Office provides access to criminal records for the purpose of conducting background checks on nonprofit organizations.

What’s on a California Criminal Record?

The legal history of an individual may be carefully documented by some institutions. Background checks in California can look up arrests, indictments, and jail time served from the state’s online database of public criminal records.

Specifically, the following data might be uncovered in a criminal history record search or background investigation in the state of California:

• Identification data (name, birth date, nationality)
• Law enforcement agencies or the California State Police made the arrests
• Mugshot
• The commission of any offense, whether minor or major
• Fingerprints
• Identifying marks on one’s body, such as scars, tattoos, or moles
• Detailed Accounts of the Offense(s)
• Status as a sexual offender

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Where Can I Find California Criminal Records?

In California, both the State Department of Justice and the Office of the Attorney General maintain criminal records.

The OAG and other law enforcement agencies in California make available criminal records through the California State Records Online Database, which can be accessed through the California State Archives Online Database.

Criminal histories are never released without the consent of the person whose records are being checked, thus fingerprints must be submitted to the government for background checks.

Criminal Inmate Records – Background Check California

Anybody curious about a specific inmate’s present status, criminal record, or scheduled transfers can submit a request for this information to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. The prison population is tracked in detail by each state.

What’s on a California Inmate Record?

Personal details and history of arrests and incarceration can be found in several California records. Among the many things the general public might learn from detainee records are:

• Gender
• Name
• Birth Date
• Arrest Records
• Mugshot
• Inmate registration I.D. number
• Jail transfer info
• Custody status
• Inmate location

Where can I Find California Inmate Records?

The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation has a webpage where you can learn about inmates and locate resources to help victims and advocates. The California Inmate Lookup provides access to a prisoner’s public record information.

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Criminal Court Records – Background Check California

Court records in the state of California contain a wealth of information gleaned from past cases. Obtaining public court records is somewhat more challenging than acquiring other documents due to the court’s unpredictable hours and complex procedures. The components of California’s judicial system are

• Superior Courts
• Courts of Appeal or California Appellate Court
• The Supreme Court

What’s on a CA Court Record?

The records of separate courts may differ from one another.

Find the following in California case files:

:

• Court minutes
• Judgment documentation
• Orders of the court
• Case number
• Witness documentation
• Dockets
• Jury records and files

Where Can I Find California Court Records?

Although certain court data are available online, requests for California court records must be filed in person at the courts. The California Judicial Branch maintains all official court records. Because of legal restrictions, companies can’t ask for court records.

California Vital Records – Background Check California

The vital records for the state of California are kept by the California Department of Public Health. The following data can be found in California’s vital records: 

• Birth Certificates
• Marriage Licenses
• Divorce Decrees
• California Death Records

The format of requests for copies of vital public records vary widely depending on the relevant law.

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Background Check California – Frequently Asked Questions

These are a few of the most frequently asked questions in relation to criminal records checks in the Golden State. This should address any concerns you have that weren’t addressed above. 

Can I Get a Free Background Check California?

A thorough background check in California requires sifting through a lot of data, and it can be difficult to locate vendors who offer free, high-quality reports.

If you’re going to get a free background check California, you should be very careful about whatever company you choose to conduct it.

In reality, free background checks in California are useless. Finding free versions of premium background check websites like BeenVerified, PeopleLooker, or TruthFinder is exceedingly unlikely. Check out the best no-cost background check sites for more information.

How Much Is a Background Check California?

Background checks California cost between $24 and $28 monthly with services like BeenVerified, PeopleLooker, TruthFinder, and Intelius. Background checks can be performed indefinitely with this one-month membership. 

US Search, which offers background check services in California for $3 per check, allows you to purchase individual reports.

What Background Check Service Is Best for California?

BeenVerified is the best California background check service because of its comprehensive database of public documents, advanced email, and phone search tools, and capacity for dark web surveillance.

PeopleLooker is the second-best background check California service because of its user-friendly layout and inexpensive prices.

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Can a Public Record Request Be Submitted by Non-residents in California?

The state of California allows any resident, as well as any other government agency or American citizen, to conduct a background check California and request public papers in the state. 

Is There a Records Custodian in California?

Unlike other states, California does not have a central repository for official documents. A request for public documents in California must be made directly to the relevant department in accordance with the state’s Public Record Act.

What Exemptions Exist in Background Check California?

If releasing the information would not be in the public interest, it’s not required to be released in the state of California.

Even documents that are usually considered public, such as safety regulations, construction blueprints, health and medical records, and the like, may be kept in some circumstances.

Despite its name, the Fair Credit Reporting Act does not apply to all requests for public documents.

How Long Does California Have to Respond?

Where can I file a grievance if my California public records request is denied? In a large number of other countries, there is no such system in place. Is there a time limit on getting back to people? The CPRA makes no such requirement (California Public Records Act).

Can a request be appealed if it’s denied? No. But, any organization is free to develop its own appeals process if it so chooses. California’s state legislature has left the door open to instituting an administrative appeals process.

What Fees Are Associated With Requesting a Background Check California?

In California, different state agencies have different fees, processes, and laws for interacting with the general public. Before doing anything, you should check with the asking department to see if there are any potential fees involved. Certified copies are often the only fee-based service offered by government agencies.

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Bottom Line on Background Check California

Whether you need a background check California for professional purposes, to find a long-lost relative or friend, or to find out the truth about a potential spouse, the services we’ve outlined can help you obtain trustworthy information quickly and easily.

Verifying One’s Past It’s not easy to get public documents in California since you need to contact multiple government agencies. When you’ve paid for every request, there’s still more work to be done. You still need to go through the paperwork you receive to find the information you require.

This is the most comprehensive verification of your past that has ever been done. The Golden State of California makes it easy to do. Just enter the name, number, email, or physical address of the individual you’re interested in finding, and the search service will immediately compile a comprehensive report on that person’s background in California.

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DISCLAIMER: You may not use the non-FCRA approved services mentioned in this article or the information they provide to make decisions about consumer credit, employment, insurance, tenant screening, or any other purpose that would require FCRA compliance. These services don’t provide consumer reports and are not consumer reporting agencies. (These terms have special meanings under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, 15 USC 1681 et seq., (“FCRA”), which are incorporated herein by reference.) 

The information available on our website may not be 100% accurate, complete, or up to date, so do not use it as a substitute for your own due diligence, especially if you have concerns about a person’s criminal history. The services we mention do not make any representation or warranty about the accuracy of the information available through our website or about the character or integrity of the person about whom you inquire. For more information, please review each service’s Terms of Use.

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