How to Conduct a County Criminal Background Check?

County criminal background checks help employers find accurate criminal history information during the hiring process. Most criminal records come from county courts, where felony and misdemeanor charges are filed and handled by local law enforcement agencies.

These checks are often part of pre-employment background checks. Employers use them to verify candidate records and make better hiring decisions based on reliable and up-to-date information.

What Is a County Criminal Background Check?

A county criminal background check is a type of background screening that pulls criminal records from county courts. These court records include felony and misdemeanor charges filed in a specific jurisdiction. Since most records occur at the county level, this type of check provides more detailed information than a national criminal background check.

County criminal records checks are often performed in multiple counties, especially when a social security number trace reveals that a candidate has lived or worked in different locations. County searches can return recent and up-to-date information, including pending cases and sentencing outcomes.

What Shows Up on a County Criminal Records Search?

A county criminal background search may return several types of criminal record information. This includes case numbers, charge types, felony or misdemeanor classification, the name of the court, final disposition, disposition date, and sentencing details such as jail time or community service. It also covers pending criminal cases and active warrants based on court records from county courts.

Some records will not appear in a county search. These include expunged or sealed records, most traffic infractions, federal crimes (which are handled in the federal court system), and civil cases like divorce or small claims. Petty offenses or dismissed charges may also be excluded, depending on state law and local reporting rules.

County vs. State vs. National Background Checks

Each type of criminal background check offers different levels of detail and scope. Here’s a comparison:

Type of Check	Scope	Benefits	Limitations
County Criminal Background Check	Specific county	Most accurate and current; detailed records	Limited to one county at a time
State Criminal Background Check	Entire state	Broader than county; may catch missed data	Some counties may not report to the state database
National Criminal Background Check	National databases	Useful as a first-pass scan; fast	May not have current or complete records
Federal Court Background Check	Federal court system	Covers federal crimes like identity theft and tax evasion	Doesn’t include state or county cases

Employers often use a national background check to identify potential criminal activity, then conduct a county criminal records search to confirm and gather more detailed information.

When Should Employers Use a County Criminal Records Check?

Employers conduct background checks to verify a candidate’s criminal history before making a hiring decision. These checks may be used to confirm results from a national criminal background check, investigate concerns from a social security number trace, or meet industry-specific background screening requirements.

A county criminal records check is especially helpful when hiring for positions that involve sensitive data, financial oversight, or direct interaction with vulnerable populations. This type of search provides more accurate information at the local level and helps identify issues that may not appear in state or national criminal background checks.

How to Conduct a County Criminal Background Check

1. Use a Social Security Number Trace

Begin by using a social security number trace to identify a candidate’s address history. This step reveals the counties where the person has lived or worked.

2. Choose a County Search Method

There are two main ways to conduct a county criminal background check:

Do-It-Yourself (DIY)

• Visit county courthouses in person or use online databases if available
• Often slow and limited to public terminals or clerk assistance
• May not include identifiers like date of birth, which can complicate matching

Through a Background Check Provider

• Consumer reporting agencies (CRAs) use automated systems and court runners
• Can access both digital records and physical court files
• Provide legally compliant reports and faster turnaround
• Help match records using date of birth, aliases, and other identifiers

3. Review the Report

Make sure the report includes all relevant criminal record information, including pending cases, charges, and court decisions. Confirm that the data matches the candidate’s identifiers.

Turnaround Time and Record Accuracy

Most digital records from county courts are available within 1 to 3 business days. Some rural or smaller counties may still rely on paper files, which can take up to 10 business days or more.

Delays may also happen in counties where personal identifiers (like full birth dates) are redacted. In these cases, background check services use probabilistic matching tools and local court runners to verify the correct records.

Federal Compliance

Employers and background check providers must follow the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).

The FCRA mandates that employers:

• Provide disclosure and obtain written consent from the candidate
• Respect laws governing non-conviction information reporting limits
• Allow unlimited reporting of criminal convictions unless restricted by state law
• Follow the adverse action steps before denying employment based on the report

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)

The EEOC advises employers to consider the nature of a candidate’s criminal convictions about the job being offered. Employers should assess how the offense relates to the responsibilities of the position.

Using blanket policies that disqualify applicants with any criminal record can result in violations of federal civil rights laws. Each case should be reviewed individually to avoid discriminatory practices.

Local and State Laws

State and local jurisdictions may have specific laws governing background checks:

• Ban-the-box laws: Delay criminal background questions until after an interview or job offer
• Expungement laws: Prevent reporting of sealed or expunged criminal records
• State lookback limits: Restrict reporting of convictions older than 7 years in some states

Employers should review applicable laws before conducting or using a county criminal records check.

Why Use a Background Check Provider?

A background check provider, also known as a consumer reporting agency, has the tools and access to conduct county criminal background checks effectively. These providers can search across multiple counties, retrieve digital or physical court records, and match data using SSN traces and alias names.

They also deliver accurate results and legally compliant reports in less time than manual searches. Working with a provider helps reduce hiring risks and strengthens the quality of employment screening for job candidates.

Conclusion

County criminal background checks are one of the most reliable ways to access detailed criminal history information during the hiring process. Because most records occur at the county level, these checks provide employers with the most up-to-date information about a candidate’s criminal convictions, pending criminal cases, or court records. They are especially useful when reviewing multiple counties based on a candidate’s address history. Employers conducting background checks as part of their employment screening process benefit from the accuracy of a thorough county criminal records search. Using these checks, along with a national criminal background check and state criminal records, helps confirm findings, validate court data, and support informed hiring decisions.

If you need legally compliant reports, Sapphire Check offers background check services that include direct access to county records. Our team helps you conduct background checks with accurate results, fast turnaround, and full legal compliance. Contact us today to get started.

FAQs

What is a county criminal background check?

A county criminal background check searches court records in a specific county for felony and misdemeanor charges. It provides the most up-to-date information on criminal history, including charges that were filed and prosecuted.

How far back does a county criminal background check go?

Most county criminal background checks go back seven years. However, some states permit the reporting of criminal convictions beyond that period, unless restricted by state law.

What shows up on a county criminal background check?

A county criminal background check shows case numbers, types of charges, offense level, court outcomes, sentencing, and any pending criminal cases or active warrants.

How long does a county criminal background check take?

A county background check typically takes 1 to 3 business days for digital records. Manual searches in counties without online access can take up to 10 business days or more.

What’s the difference between a county and a national background check?

A county background check searches court records in a specific county, offering the most accurate and detailed information. A national background check scans multiple databases but may not include the most current records.