First Choice conducts all county-level searches at the courthouse. Statewide searches are conducted by utilizing the respective state repository, where available. Where state repositories are not available, county searches where the applicant has lived and worked will be suggested as the standard. Nationwide searches are obtained through various databases (DOC, National Sex Offender Registry, as well as some state repository and county information, although not exhaustive) and are used as a layering research tool to supplement the other searches.
First Choice will research county criminal records including both Felony and Misdemeanor offenses. Information will be reported back based on account guidelines unless prohibited by law. We will work with you to ensure compliance with your specific screening needs.
First Choice will provide you with the background screening products and services to best meet your specific screening needs, including but not limited to the list below:
Social Security Trace
The Social Security Trace (address and name history) is a research tool consisting of nearly 200 million consumer records from over 2000 sources. First Choice will utilize any addresses and alias names uncovered in the Social Security Trace, that may not have been shared by the consumer, to obtain additional Criminal History.
County Criminal
First Choice searches for felony and misdemeanor criminal records at the county courthouse. This method of search allows us to deliver complete and accurate information, including the final disposition, which allows our clients to make a confident hiring decision.
Statewide Criminal
We conduct our Statewide Criminal searches by searching records maintained by the State Repository, depending on availability and state law. A list of available repositories and associated fees can be provided upon request.
Federal Criminal
Federal District Court records are considered crimes against the Federal Government and are accessed through the “PACER” system, a completely separate system from typical criminal records. For companies involved with import/export, handling of money and the regulated drug industry (finance, healthcare, etc.), these records are critical in making a safe hiring decision.
National Criminal Database
Our National Criminal Database search is accessing thousands of various sources containing millions of records, which are verified at the source before delivery to our clients. Criminal felony and misdemeanor records are obtained from, but not limited to, the following sources:
- Department of Corrections Prison/Parole & Release Files
- Administrative Office of Courts Records
- State and County Criminal Records
- Sexual/Violent Offender Registries and other state agencies
Sex Offender Registry (State & Nationwide available)
First Choice obtains sexual offender information from both state and national sex offender registries (including US territories), which is verified at the source before delivery to our clients.
Global Watch
Global Watch is a powerful search tool containing individuals and entities banned from entry and/or doing business in the United States and are suspected of aid to and/or involvement with terrorist activity. Global Watch is an important search component for high-risk individuals and contracts. As part of this service, First Choice searches databases made available by both US and foreign governments, as well as several international agencies. All information is verified at the source before delivery to our clients. Some of these entities include, but are not limited to:
- US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC)
- Office of Inspector General (OIG)
- Specially Designated Nationals (SDN)
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
- Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
- Interpol List
- Most Wanted Lists
- System for Award Management (SAM)
Civil Court Records
First Choice searches for civil records at the applicable courthouse. This method of search allows us to deliver complete and accurate information, including the final disposition, which allows our clients to make a confident hiring decision.
Continuous Screening
After the initial pre-employment background check, First Choice offers multiple options which can be customized to fit your exact needs. Additional ongoing screening options are as follows, including criminal and other search types:
- Motor Vehicle Report Monitoring
- Criminal Database Monitoring and Monthly Rescreening
- Healthcare Licenses Monitoring
- Reasonable Suspicion and As Needed
- Random Screenings