Just about every job you apply for will have some type of background check process. Whether it’s identity verification using your Social Security number (SSN) or a criminal records search, employers want to learn more about applicants before hiring them. Background checks are an important part of the process because they ensure that applicants meet company or government standards.
While background checks are common, sometimes it’s hard to know what will show up on them. Sure, criminal records, sex offender status, and employment history commonly show up on these checks, but will a warrant show up on a background check for a job?
The short answer is that anything can show up on a background check, but it’s more complicated than that. Read on to find out why.
What Is a Background Check for a Job?
A background check for a job is something that businesses and the government use to learn more about applicants. Their purpose is to verify someone’s identity, education, and employment, and to ensure that they don’t have any red flags in their public records. For these reasons, most background checks will pull information about criminal records, prior employment, and much more.
What Is a Warrant?
Warrants are legal documents that are issued by magistrates or judges. The purpose of a warrant is to give law enforcement officers the ability to make an arrest or search a location even if the person declines to invite officers in when they first arrive.
Warrants don’t automatically mean someone is guilty of a crime; they just give law enforcement the authority to pursue a suspect or someone they believe is involved in a crime.
Will a Warrant Show Up on a Background Check for a Job?
Yes, warrants can show up on a background check for a job, but it depends on the type of warrant. That said, warrants that haven’t been executed yet will now show up on a background check. Therefore, it can be tricky to determine if a warrant will show up on your background check unless you check your records for any outstanding warrants.
Types of Warrants That Show Up on Background Checks
When it comes to warrants showing up on a background check, some are more common than others. Common warrants that will show up on a background check tend to include:
- Arrest Warrants: Arrest warrants that have been executed will show up on a background check. A warrant is executed when the suspect is brought into custody.
- Bench Warrants: Warrants that judges issue when someone fails to appear in court.
- Civil Warrants: If someone violates a court order in a civil case, it might show up on a background check.
Depending on the state and type of warrant, some other warrants might also show up on a background check.
Types of Warrants That Don’t Show Up on Background Checks
Some warrants are less likely to show up on background checks. These warrants tend to include:
- Search Warrants: These warrants are issued by judges and give law enforcement officers the ability to search someone’s home, car, or other possessions.
- Open Warrants: Any warrant that hasn’t been executed may not show up.
- Traffic Warrants: Some warrants for traffic crimes won’t show up on a background check.
- Fugitive Warrant: A fugitive warrant is issued when someone is located in a different state from the crime. Some states may not show this information during background checks.
- Material Witness Warrants: These warrants are issued when judges need a witness for a case, and the witness is not cooperating. They don’t usually show up on background checks.
While these warrants don’t usually show up on background checks, sometimes they might. It depends on the state, job, and type of warrant.
How to Check Your Records for Warrants
The best way to determine if a warrant will show up on a background check is to check your records. In other words, we recommend using a tool like UnMask to run a background check on yourself to see what types of records show up. If you don’t see a warrant in the full report, there’s a good chance that it won’t show up on a background check.
Overall, this is the best way to prepare for a background check if you’re unsure about any warrants on your record. Plus, you can find out if any states have fugitive warrants out for you.
Prepare for Your Next Background Check
Most types of warrants don’t show up on background checks, but state laws, the type of warrant, and whether or not it was executed can play a role. Always check your records with a reliable background check tool before applying, and take care of any warrants you may have against you. If you know a warrant will show up, be open and honest about it for the best results.