Frequently Asked Questions
Organizations
If you are a college or university, your sales representative will provide you with student instructions sheets with step by step instructions for ordering background checks. Instruction sheets can be mailed or emailed for you to then distribute to your students.
You may view background checks in two ways, either by logging into your account using a username and password or by entering the password provided by the applicant or student in the 'View Now' box. There is no charge to view results. To ensure security, it is important that organizations do not accept paper copies of background checks and always use the password to view the original background check securely on CertifiedBackground.com.
- How do applicants or students use your website to place orders?
- Can my organization pay for the background checks?
- How can I re-order Student Instruction Sheets or Custody & Control Forms?
- How can I locate alternate drug testing facilities?
- How do I view a background check?
- Is there an easy way to review all of my applicants' or students' background check results?
- Do you offer fingerprinting?
- How long is a background check valid?
- Is it important for applicants to be re-certified?
- Can we use your company for traditional employment screening services?
- Is my personal information secure on CertifiedBackground.com?
- Can I link your site to my organization's website?
- Have more questions?
- How do I use CertifiedBackground.com?
- How do I pay for my background check?
- How do I access my results?
- It has been more than 72 hours. Where are my results?
- There is an extra charge on my bill. What is this?
- My results are posted, but I can't open them. Why?
- My package contains a drug test. I have already submitted my order online. What do I do next?
- I was given a CertifiedBackground.com Badge. What can I do with the badge?
- Can a background check be used for multiple organizations?
- How long is my report valid?
- What if I don't have a Social Security Number (SSN)?
- Is my personal information secure on CertifiedBackground.com?
- Have more questions?
Organizations
How do applicants or students use your website to place orders?
The CertifiedBackground.com website provides an easy platform for placing and paying for orders. Instruct your applicants or students to visit CertifiedBackground.com and click on either 'Students', 'Applicants', 'Contractors' or 'Volunteers' to begin.If you are a college or university, your sales representative will provide you with student instructions sheets with step by step instructions for ordering background checks. Instruction sheets can be mailed or emailed for you to then distribute to your students.
Can my organization pay for the background checks?
Yes. Our applicant funded payment plan can be adjusted easily so that your organization may pay for background checks.How can I re-order Student Instruction Sheets or Custody & Control Forms?
To re-order Student Instruction Sheets or Custody & Control Forms, please use the re-order form.How can I locate alternate drug testing facilities?
Visit Quest Diagnostics or LabCorp for alternate drug testing locations.How do I view a background check?
For a step by step explanation on managing your account, view a demo.You may view background checks in two ways, either by logging into your account using a username and password or by entering the password provided by the applicant or student in the 'View Now' box. There is no charge to view results. To ensure security, it is important that organizations do not accept paper copies of background checks and always use the password to view the original background check securely on CertifiedBackground.com.
Is there an easy way to review all of my applicants' or students' background check results?
Yes. CertifiedBackground.com's Record Scan automatically scans all of your background check results and alerts you of any records that require your immediate attention. A green icon next to an applicant's name indicates that no records were found, a yellow yield sign indicates that a record was found and your attention is required. Record Scan is free for all users who review their results online. For a customized review designed to meet your organization's specific needs, a more extensive Record Scan is available for a small fee. With Extensive Review, a red X indicates that a record was found that failed the criteria provided by your organization.Do you offer fingerprinting?
No. However, we offer a background screening package designed specifically for those interested in covering the criminal scope of a fingerprint check and for those interested in supplementing their fingerprinting background checks.How long is a background check valid?
A background check will be securely stored on the CertifiedBackground.com website indefinitely. Organizations may determine their own policy for how long they consider a report to be valid.Is it important for applicants to be re-certified?
Yes. Many organizations require "re-checks" or "re-certification" on an annual or semi-annual basis. All CertifiedBackground.com clients are automatically offered a re-certification package to use at their discretion.Can we use your company for traditional employment screening services?
Yes. CertifiedBackground.com offers corporate employment screening services, drug testing and investigative services through its parent company, Castle Branch Inc. Email an account representative at sales@castlebranch.com or visit our website www.castlebranch.com.Is my personal information secure on CertifiedBackground.com?
Absolutely. CertifiedBackground.com is a secure website. CertifiedBackground.com does not divulge or sell any of your information to any third party under any circumstance. We place a high priority on the privacy of our customers and the security of their information. For more information regarding security, please see the security link along the bottom of this page or read our privacy policy.Can I link your site to my organization's website?
Yes. You may use our internet address (www.certifiedbackground.com) or use this graphic.Have more questions?
Email us at info@certifiedbackground.comApplicants & Students
How do I use CertifiedBackground.com?
View a demo which explains how to place your order or contact customerservice@certifiedbackground.com.How do I pay for my background check?
CertifiedBackground.com accepts credit or debit with Visa or MasterCard as well as money orders. If we receive your money order for the correct amount owed, we will send you an email confirmation of receipt and your background check will begin. If your money order is insufficient and does not cover the cost of additional searches required of your background check, we will send you an email stating the remainder owed. In this case, we will not begin processing your order until full payment is received. It is very important that you use your real email address when you submit your order as this is the only way to receive communication from us.How do I access my results?
When the background check is complete, return to www.CertifiedBackground.com. Enter the password you have been given into the "View Now" box. You will be prompted to enter the last four digits of your social security number. Your results will be shown in a read-only PDF format. To share your results with your organization or employer, simply provide them with your password and the last four digits of your social security number. They will access your background check in the same manner.It has been more than 72 hours. Where are my results?
All aspects of your order must be complete before your results are posted. If your package includes a drug test, then you must take your drug test before we can post the results. Also, some packages include employment verifications. Verifications are dependent on the contact information given to reach the employer and the cooperation of the employer. A contact that is out of the office, hard to reach or does not promptly return our phone calls can result in a delay. It is also important to remember that the 72 hour window refers to business hours; weekends and holidays are not included. If your package does not include a drug test or an employment verification and it has been more than 72 business hours since you placed your order, please contact us at status@certifiedbackground.com to receive a status update.There is an extra charge on my bill. What is this?
Some organizations request that CertifiedBackground.com perform additional searches if an applicant/student has lived in multiple counties within the past 7 years. Each additional county that is searched causes an additional charge, which is usually not covered in an organization's basic package. Maiden names and previous married names also require additional searches which can result in additional fees. Your organization should inform you if your search requires additional counties or names to be searched.My results are posted, but I can't open them. Why?
You must have internet access and a PDF reader, such as Adobe, installed on your computer to view your background check results. Adobe Reader is available as a free download. If you have a PDF reader installed on your computer but are still having trouble accessing your results, please contact us at customerservice@certifiedbackground.com.My package contains a drug test. I have already submitted my order online. What do I do next?
Once your payment has been received, you will receive a confirmation email. Print this email and give it to the administrator who gave you your original instruction form. The administrator will provide you with a Chain of Custody form (the order form for your drug test) and directions to a drug testing facility. Once you have taken your drug test, results will be posted on your online report within 72 hours.I was given a CertifiedBackground.com Badge. What can I do with the badge?
The badge is designed to allow you to take your background check with you. It's a portable way of carrying your background check from school to work sites to volunteer organizations or anywhere background checks are required. Simply present your badge to an administrator requiring background checks. Instructions for accessing your background check is located on the back of your badge.Can a background check be used for multiple organizations?
Yes. The CertifiedBackground.com Badge allows you to share background check results with whomever you choose. The CertifiedBackground.com Badge is a versatile way to provide background information to multiple organizations, while saving you time and money.How long is my report valid?
Your background check can be accessed with your secure password indefinitely. Some organizations may require "re-certifications" or "re-checks" on an annual or semi-annual basis. The time frame in which organizations consider background checks to be valid varies depending on individual policies.What if I don't have a Social Security Number (SSN)?
If you are not a U.S. Citizen or have never been assigned a Social Security Number (SSN), fill the SSN required field with 000-00-0000. You must provide an explanation for why you were not able to provide a SSN for your order in the "Notes" field, found on the right hand side of the screen as you are adding your identifiers.Is my personal information secure on CertifiedBackground.com?
Absolutely. CertifiedBackground.com is a secure website. CertifiedBackground.com does not divulge or sell any of your information to any third party under any circumstance. We place a high priority on the privacy of our customers and the security of their information. For more information regarding security, please see the security link along the bottom of this page or read our privacy policy.Have more questions?
Email us at info@certifiedbackground.com.
- CertifiedBackground.com eliminates the administrative burden by coordinating the background check process from start to finish.
- CertifiedBackground.com will assist you in creating a customized background check package for your applicants.
- Applicants order their own background checks securely on the CertifiedBackground.com site.
- Administrators and applicants can access results easily online 24 hours a day.
