Background Check FAQs

What information do I need to order a background investigation?

In order to request a background investigation on your prospective or current employee, you will need your applicant’s:

  • Full Name
  • Email Address
  • Phone Number

Imperative will contact the applicant directly to obtain their authorization to conduct the background investigation.

You will also be required to provide your identity and payment information.

Why shouldn’t I just buy a instant “nationwide” or “comprehensive” criminal record search for $30 from another company?

Our experience is that these instant criminal records databases miss about 1/2 of the felonies and misdemeanors that we find utilizing our best-practice research methods. They often also connect criminal records to the wrong people who happen to share the same last name as the defendant.

How long will the background investigation take?

Imperative’s goal is to complete the research as quickly as possible without compromising the accuracy or quality of the research.

Once your caregiver completes the background investigation consent paperwork, the report will typically be ready in three to five business days–often much sooner.

Most of our research involves hands-on research of the records of the local courts–most often by actually sending our researcher into the actual courthouse.  However, some jurisdictions don’t provide access for the public to search their records directly. Instead, our researcher must complete a form and the court clerk does the research. Often, they do it the same day but in other jurisdictions, we may have to wait 3-5 business days.

Sometimes we must do additional research to verify that the individual named in a court document is the same individual on whom we are conducting the investigation.

For instance, protective or restraining orders often only contain the parties’ names. We must do additional research to determine whether the order found is associated with your applicant. We won’t report the information as a name-match-only record. (If we ultimately cannot determine that the record belongs to your applicant, we won’t report it but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t really associated with them.) That process can add a day or two to the research time.

When will my credit card be charged?

Your credit card will be charged today for the full amount of the transaction.

What is your refund policy?

We will offer a full refund at any time before your prospective or current employee consents to the background investigation. Once the individual has completed the background investigation consent paperwork, the report will be initiated and no refunds can be made if you cancel the report.

Please be sure you want the requested background investigation before providing your payment information.

Can I use this process to run a background check on myself or someone I am not considering employing?

This process may only be used for ordering a background investigation on individuals you intend to hire as regular or contract employees.

If you have any questions, please call us at toll free 877-473-2287.

How do I get started?

The first step is to select the background investigation option appropriate for your budget and risk tolerance and then provide the information for the individual on whom you wish to request this report.

Following our Get Started process, you’ll provide your contact information, execute our agreement, and make your payment.