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Can I get a copy of my own background check?

Absolutely! You have the legal right to receive a copy of your own background check report. In fact, federal law requires that you be provided with a copy under certain circumstances, and you can request one at any time. Whether you want to review it for accuracy, understand what employers are seeing, or keep it for your records, getting your own background check report is straightforward and free.

Your Legal Right to Your Background Report

Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), you have the right to:

  • Receive a free copy of any background check report about you
  • Get your report quickly when you request it
  • Understand what information is being reported about you
  • Dispute any errors you find in the report

When You're Automatically Entitled to a Copy

You must receive a copy of your background report if:

  • Your employer is considering not hiring you based on the report (pre-adverse action)
  • You're denied employment due to background check findings (adverse action)
  • You request a copy for any reason
  • You're disputing information in your report

How to Request Your Consumer Report

Option 1: Contact CIChecked Directly

Phone Request:

  • Call us at (518) 271-7546
  • Have your identifying information ready
  • Request a copy of your consumer report
  • We'll verify your identity and process your request

Email Request:

  • Send your request to support@cichecked.com
  • Include your full name, date of birth, and Social Security Number
  • Specify that you're requesting a consumer copy of your background report
  • Include a copy of your photo ID for verification

Online Request:

  • Visit our Consumer Reports page at cichecked.com/consumer-reports
  • Complete the identity verification form
  • Submit your request electronically
  • Receive your report via secure email

Option 2: Request Through Your Employer

When This Makes Sense:

  • During the hiring process when you want to see what your employer sees
  • After receiving a pre-adverse action notice
  • When you want to verify the report your employer received

How to Request:

  • Contact your employer's HR department
  • Ask for a copy of your background report
  • They're required to provide it if they used it for employment decisions
  • This should be provided at no cost to you

What Information You'll Need to Provide

Required for Identity Verification:

  • Full legal name (including any suffixes like Jr., Sr., III)
  • Date of birth
  • Social Security Number
  • Current address
  • Government-issued photo ID

Additional Information That May Help:

  • Previous addresses from the past 7-10 years
  • Name variations you've used professionally
  • Employer name who requested the original report
  • Approximate dates when the background check was conducted

Cost and Timeline for Personal Reports

No Cost to You

  • Consumer reports are completely free under federal law
  • No processing fees or administrative charges
  • No subscription or membership required
  • No hidden costs regardless of report complexity

Timeline for Delivery

Standard Processing:

  • Within 5 business days of your request (federal law requirement)
  • Usually 1-2 business days for most reports
  • Same day delivery often possible for recently completed reports

Rush Processing:

  • Within 24 hours for urgent requests
  • Same day if you call before 2 PM EST
  • Available at no additional cost for legitimate urgent needs

Factors That May Affect Timeline:

  • Identity verification if additional documentation is needed
  • Report complexity for multi-state or international components
  • Technical issues with secure delivery systems
  • Holiday schedules may add 1-2 days

What You'll Receive in Your Report

Complete Background Information:

  • Criminal history from all searched jurisdictions
  • Employment verification results and any discrepancies
  • Education verification confirmations
  • Professional licenses and certifications checked
  • Identity verification results
  • Any additional searches specific to your position

Report Format and Details:

  • PDF format for easy reading and printing
  • Clear section headings for different types of information
  • Specific sources for each piece of information
  • Dates and jurisdictions for all searches conducted
  • Explanation of findings and what they mean

What's NOT Included:

  • Employer's hiring decision or recommendations
  • Internal employer notes or evaluations
  • Comparison to other candidates
  • Information not legally reportable (like sealed records)

Understanding Your Report

How to Read Your Background Report:

Clear Results:

  • "No records found" means no issues in that search area
  • "Verified" means information was confirmed as accurate
  • "Unable to verify" means the source couldn't confirm information