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Do you run background checks on weekends?

Do You Run Background Checks on Weekends?

The short answer is: partially. While some automated components of your background check might process over the weekend, the bulk of the investigative work happens Monday through Friday when our team is in the office and verification sources are available.

Let's break down what actually happens to your background check when it's submitted on a weekend versus a weekday, and what this means for your timeline.

Our Operating Schedule

CIChecked Business Hours:

  • Monday through Friday: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM EST
  • Weekends: Limited automated processing only
  • Holidays: Closed (see holiday list below)

What This Means for You: If you submit your background check authorization on Friday evening, don't expect it to be completed by Monday morning. Our investigators need to be at their desks to conduct employment verifications, call schools, contact courts, and perform the human-driven investigation work that makes our background checks thorough.

Think of it this way: databases might be available 24/7, but the people who verify your employment history, confirm your education, and dig into court records work regular business hours just like most other professionals.

Weekend Processing Capabilities

What CAN Happen on Weekends:

  • Automated / scheduled database searches
  • System-generated reports

What CANNOT Happen on Weekends:

  • Employment verification calls to HR departments
  • Education verification with school registrars
  • Court clerk assistance for manual record searches
  • Professional license verification calls
  • Character reference interviews
  • Complex dispute resolution
  • Investigative follow-up requiring human contact

Most background check components require human interaction during business hours. Your previous employer's HR department isn't answering verification calls on Saturday, and your college registrar isn't processing transcript requests on Sunday.

Holiday Impacts on Timeline

CIChecked is closed on these 8 holidays:

  • New Year's Day
  • Valentine's Day
  • Memorial Day
  • July 4th
  • Labor Day
  • Columbus Day
  • Thanksgiving
  • Christmas

What Happens During Holidays:

  • All processing stops completely
  • No new background checks are initiated
  • Verification sources (courts, employers, schools) are also closed
  • Timeline delays of 1-2 additional days are common
  • Rush requests cannot overcome holiday closures

Holiday Timeline Planning: If your background check spans a holiday, add at least one extra day to your expected completion time. For holiday weekends (like Memorial Day or Labor Day), add 2-3 days to account for extended closures of verification sources.

24/7 vs. Business Hours Services

Our 24/7 Hotline: We maintain a 24/7 hotline exclusively for existing clients who need urgent assistance or updates on active background checks. This isn't a sales line—it's for people who are already in our system and need immediate help.

Business Hours Services:

  • New background check consultations
  • Technical support for portal access
  • Dispute resolution and corrections
  • Detailed timeline discussions
  • Complex case management

After-Hours Limitations: Outside of business hours, we can provide status updates and handle urgent issues, but we can't start new investigations or resolve complex verification problems until the next business day.

What Actually Processes on Weekends

Automated Systems: Some background check components run through automated systems that operate outside business hours:

Criminal Database Searches: National and state criminal databases are typically available 24/7

Identity Verification: Social Security verification and address history checks

Motor Vehicle Records: Some states provide electronic access to driving records

Credit Reports: When required for financial positions, these can generate automatically

Manual Investigation Work: The majority of background check components require human investigators working during business hours:

Employment Verification: Calling employers, verifying job titles, dates, and eligibility for rehire

Education Verification: Contacting schools, verifying degrees, and confirming attendance

Court Record Searches: Many courts require manual searches or clerk assistance

Professional License Verification: Confirming active licenses and checking for disciplinary actions

Reference Checks: Conducting interviews with personal and professional references

Realistic Timeline Expectations

Weekend Submissions: If you authorize your background check on Saturday:

  • Minimal processing until Monday morning
  • Full investigation begins Monday at 8 AM EST
  • Completion typically Tuesday or Wednesday
  • No advantage over Monday morning submissions

Friday Submissions: Background checks submitted on Friday often complete the following week:

  • Some automated components may process over the weekend
  • Manual verification work begins Monday
  • Completion typically Monday or Tuesday (assuming no verification delays)

Holiday Weekend Complications: Three-day holiday weekends can significantly impact timelines:

  • Add 2-3 days to standard completion times
  • Verification sources may also be closed
  • Some jurisdictions extend holiday closures
  • Plan accordingly for urgent hiring needs

Managing Your Expectations

Don't Panic About Weekend Timing: Submitting your background check authorization on a weekend doesn't hurt you—it just means processing starts on the next business day. You're not losing your place in line or facing additional delays beyond the normal weekend pause.

Plan for Business Day Processing:

  • Expect meaningful progress only during business hours
  • Weekend submissions begin processing Monday morning
  • Holiday impacts add at least one additional day
  • Most delays are caused by verification source availability, not our schedule

Communication During Off Hours:

  • Automated email updates continue seven days a week
  • 24/7 hotline available for existing clients with urgent needs
  • Email responses typically within 24 hours on weekends
  • Detailed consultations available during business hours

The Bottom Line

Background checks are investigative processes that require human contact during business hours. While some automated components might process on weekends, the thorough verification work that makes background checks accurate and complete happens Monday through Friday when our investigators can actually reach the people who need to verify your information.

Key Points:

  • Most background check work requires business hours
  • Weekend processing is limited to automated database searches
  • Holidays add 1-2 days to completion times
  • 24/7 hotline available for existing clients only
  • Timeline expectations should account for business day limitations

Your Best Strategy:

  • Don't delay submitting your authorization because it's a weekend
  • Provide complete information regardless of submission day
  • Plan for business day processing and holiday impacts
  • Stay reachable during business hours for any follow-up questions

Remember: thorough background checks take time because they involve real people verifying real information. We'd rather deliver accurate results during business hours than rush incomplete information over the weekend.

Questions about your specific background check timeline or holiday impacts? Call us at (518) 271-7546 during business hours, or use our 24/7 hotline if you're an existing client with an urgent issue.