Background check contents guide
What Shows Up on a Background Check?
A complete breakdown of every category — criminal records, credit history, eviction records, employment verification — and exactly what landlords and employers see.
Background checks don't all show the same information. What appears depends on the type of check ordered, the consumer reporting agency running it, and the laws in your state. A tenant screening report looks different from an employment background check, which looks different from a personal research search.
This guide covers every category of information that can appear on a background check — and what typically doesn't.
What shows up on a background check
Criminal history
Appears on checksFelony and misdemeanor convictions, arrests (in some states), pending charges, sex offender registration status, and federal crimes. Coverage depends on the databases searched — a national criminal search covers more than a single-state search.
Lookback period: 7 years for most records; felony convictions often indefinitely; varies by state
Credit history
Appears on checksCredit score, payment history, open accounts, collections, charge-offs, bankruptcies, and judgments. Appears on tenant screening and some employment checks. Requires separate FCRA authorization.
Lookback period: 7 years for most negative items; bankruptcies 7–10 years
Eviction records
Appears on checksCivil court filings for eviction, including cases that were dismissed or settled. Eviction records are separate from criminal records and require a dedicated civil court search.
Lookback period: 7 years
SSN verification and address history
Appears on checksConfirms the SSN belongs to the applicant and returns all addresses associated with that SSN. Used to identify aliases and ensure the criminal search covers all relevant jurisdictions.
Lookback period: All available history
Sex offender registry status
Appears on checksWhether the person is a registered sex offender in any state. Pulled from the national sex offender database and individual state registries.
Lookback period: Current registration status
Employment verification
Appears on checksConfirms dates of employment, job title, and eligibility for rehire with previous employers. Appears on employment background checks; not typically included in tenant screening.
Lookback period: Typically 7–10 years
Education verification
Appears on checksConfirms degrees earned, institutions attended, and graduation dates. Appears on employment checks for positions requiring specific credentials.
Lookback period: All available history
Professional license verification
Appears on checksConfirms active professional licenses (medical, legal, financial, contractor). Relevant for regulated industries.
Lookback period: Current status
What does NOT show up on a background check
Arrests without convictions (in many states)
Several states prohibit reporting arrests that did not result in conviction.
Expunged or sealed records
Records that have been legally expunged should not appear. If they do, you can dispute them.
Records older than the lookback period
Most negative information falls off after 7 years under the FCRA.
Medical history
Health information is protected by HIPAA and cannot appear on background checks.
Religious or political affiliation
Protected class information cannot be included in consumer reports.
Social media content
Consumer reporting agencies cannot include social media data in FCRA-compliant reports.
What shows up by check type
Tenant screening
- Criminal history (all 50 states)
- Credit history
- Eviction records
- SSN verification
- Sex offender status
- Address history
Employment background check
- Criminal history
- Employment verification
- Education verification
- Professional license check
- Credit history (for financial roles)
- SSN verification
Personal research (non-FCRA)
- Public criminal records (limited)
- Sex offender registry
- Federal court records (PACER)
- Social media (manual search)
See a sample background check report
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Frequently asked questions
Does a background check show all criminal history?
Not necessarily. Coverage depends on which databases are searched. A national criminal search covers more than a single-county search. Some county courts don't report to national databases, so a thorough check includes both national and county-level searches.
Does a background check show dismissed charges?
It depends on the state. Some states allow dismissed charges to be reported; others prohibit it. Under the FCRA, dismissed charges older than 7 years generally cannot be reported.
Does a background check show employment history?
Only if employment verification is included in the check. Tenant screening reports typically don't include employment verification. Employment background checks usually do.
Does a background check show your credit score?
Tenant screening reports typically include a credit score and credit history. Employment background checks may include credit history for positions involving financial responsibility. The applicant must authorize the credit check separately.
How far back does a background check go?
Under the FCRA, most negative information can only be reported for 7 years. Felony convictions can often be reported indefinitely. Bankruptcies stay for 7–10 years. Some states have shorter lookback periods.
Does a background check show where you've lived?
Yes — address history is typically included via SSN trace. This shows all addresses associated with the applicant's Social Security number and is used to determine which jurisdictions to search for criminal records.