Do arrests show up on background checks?
Whether you’ve recently been arrested or it’s been a while, it makes sense that you’d want to know if prior arrests will show up on a background check. From missing out on career opportunities to having government services denied, an arrest being revealed during a background check can be devastating.
In short: yes, arrests do show up on background checks.
The slightly longer answer: whether your arrest shows up on a background check will depend on the state in which you were arrested, the reason for the arrest (and if it resulted in charges or a conviction), and when the arrest took place.
A lot also depends on what you mean by a “background check”—read on to learn more.
Not all background checks are the same
A background check can mean a proper criminal background check, like those performed by government agencies before hiring you or giving you security clearance, or it can mean someone looking you up online, like before a first date.
In the first case, the person performing the background check is likely to use internal tools that load data directly from the public record, including court records. In the second, the person looking you up will probably type your full name and email or phone number into a search engine and end up on a people search site.
Why is this important? Because it’s far easier to have your data taken down from people search sites than it is to have your criminal record expunged or sealed.
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What an arrest doesn’t mean
Having an arrest appear on your background check doesn’t mean you’ve committed a crime, it doesn’t even mean you’ve been charged with a crime. Of course, being arrested is serious and—for most people—an intimidating and disorienting experience. But all it means is that you’ve been lawfully detained on suspicion of criminal activity.
It doesn’t mean that you’ve been indicted (charged), and it certainly doesn’t mean you’ve been convicted. In other words, you’re innocent until proven guilty in a court of law—at least in the law’s eyes. It’s important to keep this in mind when discussing your arrest record.
What you should do if you’re worried about your arrest record
The best and least satisfying answer here is: seek legal counsel. There are too many variables in play for anyone, even a lawyer, to give you sound legal advice without knowing the particulars of your case. Many firms will even offer a free consultation.
If your arrest is no longer part of an active investigation, contact local law enforcement or the clerk’s office about having your arrest record expunged or sealed. This is often a long and difficult process, and courts generally aren’t keen to seal criminal records, but it’s definitely worth a try.
Arrest-record and mugshot websites are notoriously reluctant to remove profiles from their search results. They often require court documents confirming that your records have been sealed or expunged or charges dismissed before they’ll even consider acting. But these sites mightn’t be your biggest problem.
If it’s regular people search sites (also known as people finder sites) that are showing up when you search for yourself online, then you’re in luck. An automated personal information removal service like Incogni can opt you out of sites like these without you having to lift a finger.
FAQ
Do pending charges show up on a background check?
Pending charges can and often do show up on background checks. Whether your pending charges will do so will depend on the nature of the charges (misdemeanor or felony, for example) and the state in which the charges are pending.
If you have been charged but not convicted is it on your record?
Your criminal record is very likely to show charges even where no conviction resulted. This will vary from state to state and will depend on the nature of the charges, but charges will generally show up on criminal background checks. Your record should show whether the charges were dismissed.
Do police reports show up on background checks?
Police reports can show up on background checks, but most employers and others performing background checks won’t dig so deep into your record. If a police report didn’t result in either charges or a conviction, then it’s less likely to show up in a background check, but it’s still possible.
What is a red flag on a background check?
A red flag on a background check can be anything that raises concerns with the person reviewing your background report. This can include arrests, if they’re relevant to the purpose behind the background check, but it can also include things like a poor credit score or simply inconsistencies in your story.
What typically shows up on a background check?
Typically, a background check, like the kind performed by a potential employer, can reveal your personal details (like your name, aliases, age, address history, and phone number), your employment history, education, criminal charges and convictions, driving record, and credit history.
What does FTI mean on a background check?
FTI on a background check means federal tax information. It refers to the part of a background check that’s required for people whose roles would require them to have access to or handle others’ federal tax information (FTI).