Most competitors make you call just to find out what things cost. Every price below is what you actually pay — no surprises, no hidden fees beyond clearly noted 3rd-party court costs.
SearchMyBackground™ with Paperless Consent — included with every account
Candidates complete their own forms and sign authorization documents online. No paper, no chasing applicants. Mobile-friendly and FCRA compliant.
Why most background checks fail employers
Most employers think they’re covered… until something goes wrong.
“Instant” checks miss the gaps
Alias names and prior addresses are frequently skipped. Federal crimes are not included in most database searches. What you don’t find can still become your liability.
Inconsistency creates legal exposure
Different hiring managers running different searches on different platforms is an FCRA violation waiting to happen. Policy consistency is non-negotiable.
No human review = unvalidated results
Database hits require human validation before adverse action. Without it, you risk acting on inaccurate data — and that’s an FCRA problem too.
The result? A false sense of security — and real exposure to negligent hiring risk.
SecureSearch vs. instant background check services
| Feature | Instant services | SecureSearch |
|---|---|---|
| Alias name searching | Rarely | Always |
| County courthouse searches | No | Every address, 7 years |
| Federal courts search | Rarely | Yes — all 94 districts |
| Human validation of records | No | Every record |
| FCRA-compliant workflow | Sometimes | Always |
| Live support from real people | No | Yes |
Screen the person, not just the role
A defensible hire starts with a consistent, thorough process applied to every candidate for the same role. The right searches depend on what the position requires AND who the person is — their name history, where they’ve lived, and what records may exist in counties that databases never capture.
Start with the role
What does this position require? This shapes the baseline.
- →Finance or executive → civil + credit
- →Driver or fleet → MVR + CDLIS
- →Healthcare → sanctions check
- →All roles → multi-state + county courthouse
Look at their history
Where have they lived in the last 7 years? How many names have they used?
- →One county, one name → straightforward
- →Multiple counties → search each one
- →Multiple states or name changes → broader coverage
Apply it consistently
Same role = same searches, every time. That’s what makes a hiring decision defensible.
- →Use GCR for criminal searches → automatic
- →Add other services manually per order
- →Or ask us to build a custom package
What this costs in practice
Click any scenario to see exactly which searches are ordered and why. Every candidate deserves their own search, built around their role and history.
Carlos — warehouse associate, one name, one county for 5 years
Single location · Single name · No financial access · No driving
+
| Search | Why it’s ordered | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Multi-State Criminal Search with AliasBroad sweep · all 50 states · instant | Catches anything outside his home county. SSN trace confirms one county. | $17.00 |
| County Courthouse Criminal Search — Harris Co., TXDirect courthouse records · 7 years | Database searches miss things. Direct courthouse search is the gold standard. | $10.50 |
$27.50
* Court access fees for Harris Co. not included. If the SSN trace returned additional counties, we’d add a $10.50 courthouse search for each one.
Sandra (formerly Sandra Mills, now Sandra Torres) — office manager, 2 names, 3 counties in 7 years, accounts payable access
Two surnames · Three counties · Financial access · Staff supervision
+
| Search | Why it’s ordered | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Multi-State Criminal Search with AliasBoth names searched · SSN trace surfaces all counties | Both “Sandra Mills” and “Sandra Torres” searched. SSN trace returns all 3 counties. | $17.00 |
| County Courthouse — Fulton Co., GA (Atlanta)7-year courthouse record | Lived here years 1–3 of the lookback window. | $10.50 |
| County Courthouse — Mecklenburg Co., NC (Charlotte)7-year courthouse record | Lived here years 3–5 of the lookback window. | $10.50 |
| County Courthouse — Wake Co., NC (Raleigh)7-year courthouse record | Current county of residence. | $10.50 |
| National Federal Courts Search94 federal districts · 7 years | Financial access role — wire fraud, embezzlement, and identity theft live in federal courts, not county databases. | $20.00 |
| County Civil Search — Wake Co., NCCivil court records · 7 years | Accounts payable access — civil judgments, liens, and bankruptcies are relevant for financial roles. | $12.00 |
$80.50
* Court access fees per county not included. A one-size package would have searched one name in one county. Sandra has two surnames, three counties, and financial access — all of which affect the search design.
Michael — VP of Finance hire, 4 counties across 3 states, previous surname, signatory authority
Multiple names · Four counties · Three states · Full financial authority · Executive hire
+
| Search | Why it’s ordered | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Multi-State Criminal Search with AliasAll names · all states · instant | Both surname variants searched. SSN trace surfaces all 4 counties across 3 states. | $17.00 |
| County Courthouse — 4 counties across IL, IN & MI$10.50 per county × 4 | Every county where he lived in the past 7 years searched individually. | $42.00 |
| National Federal Courts Search94 federal districts · 7 years | Wire fraud, embezzlement, corporate espionage, identity theft — all federal crimes. Non-negotiable for any financial executive. | $20.00 |
| County Civil Search — current countyCivil court records · 7 years | Signatory authority — civil judgments, liens, and bankruptcies are required due diligence at this level. | $12.00 |
| Employment Credit Report (PEER)Instant · signed authorization required | VP of Finance with full account access — personal financial history is directly relevant. | $15.50 |
| Professional Credential Verification — CPA license$10.00 per license | Confirms CPA license status, issuance date, and any disciplinary history. | $10.00 |
| Employment Verification — 3 previous employers$10.00 per employer × 3 | Executive hire — confirm title, dates, separation reason, and rehire eligibility at each prior employer. | $30.00 |
$146.50
* Court access fees not included. This is the appropriate level of screening for a financial executive with full account access. Cutting any of these searches creates a documented gap in your due diligence.
Automate criminal search coverage with Gap Coverage Request (GCR)
GCR applies to criminal background searches only. Make two selections — once, for your whole account — and our compliance team automatically adds every appropriate county, state, and federal search for each candidate based on their address history and alias names. No extra steps, no manual county lookups.
Most employers should choose Best Practice (Option 1) for both sections — it’s the most complete coverage and the most defensible position if a hiring decision is ever questioned. Other services such as verifications, drug testing, driving records, and credit reports are added manually per order, or we can build you a custom package.
GCR applies to criminal searches only. Fees charged per search per name — costs scale with addresses and alias names found. Court access surcharges apply in some jurisdictions.
Screening at volume? Ask us about a custom package.
We can build a pre-configured package for each of your roles — so your team runs the right searches every time without having to think about it. Contact us and we’ll set it up at no extra charge.
The Defensible Workplace
New for 2026. An executive guide to employment screening, FCRA compliance, and negligent hiring risk. Learn how to build a background check program that protects your business — and that would hold up if your hiring decision was ever questioned.
Full a la carte pricing
Build the right search for each role. Every price shown is what you pay — no membership, no minimum order, no surprises.
Multi-State Criminal Search with Alias Instant
1 billion+ records across all 50 states — counties, DOC, courts, sex offender registries, and terrorism sources. Includes alias names, SSN trace & validation, death index, and address history. All flags reviewed by FCRA-certified staff before release.
⚠ Best paired with county courthouse searches — not recommended as a standalone
County Courthouse Criminal Search
Direct courthouse lookup — felonies & misdemeanors, 7-year history. All convictions and pending cases reported. Order one per county the candidate has lived in.
Same day – 3 business days · Court access fees may apply
Statewide Criminal Repository Search
State law enforcement database, 7-year history. Coverage varies by state — contact us about yours. Not available in all states.
Same day – 1+ week · Repository fees may apply · MA requires extra step
National Federal Courts Search
All 94 US district courts — wire fraud, embezzlement, corporate espionage, identity theft, and more that never appear in county or state searches. 7-year history.
Same day – 3 business days
Nationwide Wants & Warrants
Local, county, state, and federal extraditable warrants — misdemeanors and felonies. Not all agencies contribute.
1–2 business days
County Civil Search
Non-criminal civil court records, 7-year history. Recommended for roles with financial responsibility or signatory authority.
3–5 business days · Court access fees may apply
Employment Verification Agreement required
Confirms job title, dates, full/part-time, separation reason, and rehire eligibility directly with each employer. 3 contact attempts.
1–5 business days · Employer fees may apply
DOT Employment Verification with Drug & Alcohol Questionnaire
Verifies last 3 years of DOT-regulated employment and documents 10 years of employment history. Includes drug and alcohol testing history responses required under FMCSA, FAA, FRA, and other DOT agencies.
Required for all DOT-regulated drivers and operators
Education Verification Agreement required
Confirms degree, major, graduation date, and GPA. 3 contact attempts.
1–5 business days · Third-party fees may apply
Professional Credential Verification Agreement required
Verifies professional licenses and certifications — type, issuance date, current status (valid, expired, suspended, revoked), and any disciplinary history.
1–3 business days · Credentialing fees may apply
Professional Reference Interview
Structured interview with a supervisor, colleague, or personal reference — covers performance, reliability, strengths, and any concerns.
Turnaround varies
Employment Credit Report (PEER) Instant
Payment history, debts, public records (bankruptcies, liens, judgments), and address history. For roles with financial responsibility. Signed authorization required. State law may restrict use — ask us.†
Not a consumer credit report — no credit score provided
E-Verify
Post-hire employment eligibility verification through SSA and DHS. Completed after the I-9 Form. Includes application assistance and MOU setup.
1–2 business days once account established · MOU with SSA/DHS required
Motor Vehicle / Driving History Instant–5 days
3-year driving record — violations, suspensions, revocations, points, and current license status. Available from 49 states + DC. PA not available.
State access fees apply · State-specific authorization may be required
Commercial Driver’s License Check (CDLIS) Instant
Verifies current CDL and identifies all states where an additional driving record should be requested. Includes license number, state, aliases, DOB, SSN match, and up to 3 prior license states. FMCSA compliant under 49 CFR Part 391.
Required for any DOT-regulated commercial vehicle role
Healthcare Sanctions Level 3 (OIG LEIE Plus)
Checks OIG LEIE, GSA EPLS/SAM, FDA debarment lists, DEA registrant lists, DOD TriCare, HHS ORI, and disciplinary listings from all 50 states including 900+ regulatory and certification agencies. Required for healthcare industry hires.
Instant
Worker’s Compensation Search
Post-employment search identifying prior workplace injury claims — date of accident, case number, type of injury, how it occurred, and duration of absence. Not available in all states.
State surcharges may apply · Signed release may be required in some states
5-Panel Urinalysis
Amphetamines, cocaine, opiates, PCP, marijuana. Lab screen, GC/MS confirmation if needed, and MRO review.
1–3 business days after specimen received · Collection fees may apply separately
10-Panel Urinalysis
All 5-panel substances plus barbiturates, benzodiazepines, methadone, propoxyphene, and methaqualone.
1–3 business days after specimen received · Collection fees may apply separately
International Criminal / Education / Employment
Available for many countries. Depth and availability vary. Country-specific release forms required.
3–15 business days · Call 866-891-1954 opt. 2 for a quote
pricing
Important: Database searches are broad but should never be your only source. Always pair them with individual county courthouse searches for each location the candidate has lived. The SSN trace included in the Multi-State search will surface those counties for you.
Ready to hire with confidence?
Open your account in 5 minutes. No setup fees, no minimums, no contracts.
* 3rd-party court, repository, and state access fees may apply and are not included in listed prices.
† Employment credit reports and employment verifications may require a one-time physical site inspection — ask us for details.
*** Worker’s Compensation: additional state surcharges may apply. Not available in all states.
MA statewide repository requires additional steps — contact Support@SecureSearchPro.com. PA MVRs not available.
E-Verify requires execution of a Memorandum of Understanding between your organization and SSA/DHS prior to use.
All searches subject to FCRA compliance. State and local law may restrict use of certain report types.