Guide to Baltimore Background Checks
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Baltimore employers routinely utilize background checks in their hiring process to verify candidates’ credentials, promote a secure workplace, and manage legal risk. These screenings are governed by a framework that includes the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), Maryland’s Fair Chance to Compete Act, and Baltimore City’s Ban The Box ordinance. This guide covers the process of obtaining a background check in Baltimore and the information that may be reported.
Key takeaways:
- Businesses in Baltimore must follow the FCRA, Maryland’s Fair Chance to Compete Act, and the city’s Ban The Box ordinance when running background checks.
- Checkr offers employer background check packages starting at $29.99, with add-ons such as driving record searches and employment verification.
- As an individual, you can run a background check on yourself through Checkr, starting at $49.99, to see what employers may see before applying for jobs.
What is a Baltimore background check?
A Baltimore background check searches public record data at the city, state, and national levels. The report may include criminal convictions, pending charges, arrest records, driving records, employment and education history, professional licenses, and other relevant information.
Employers often use background checks to verify a candidate’s qualifications and eligibility for a role. Community programs and nonprofits use them to screen volunteers and help protect the people they serve.
What shows up on a Baltimore background check?
Employers may request several types of background checks, each highlighting a different part of a candidate’s history:
- Criminal history: Felony and misdemeanor convictions, open cases, warrants, and entries in the Maryland sex offender registry.
- Motor vehicle record (MVR): State DMV information, plus DOT motor carrier data for commercial drivers showing license class, status, suspensions or revocations, crashes, and serious violations such as DUIs.
- Employment verification: Confirmation of former employers, job titles, core duties, and dates of employment.
- Education verification: Schools attended, degrees or certificates earned, fields of study, and graduation years.
- Credit report: When permitted, payment history, active and closed accounts, collections, and bankruptcies (Maryland limits credit checks to finance‑sensitive roles).
- Civil court search: Non‑criminal filings such as contract disputes, tax liens, and judgments.
- Drug testing: Lab results showing recent use of controlled substances or alcohol, supporting safety and compliance programs.
How to get background checks in Baltimore
For employment purposes
You can gather records yourself through state systems such as the Maryland CJIS Central Repository or the Maryland Judiciary Case Search. Managing multiple databases and compliance steps, however, can slow hiring and increase the risk of missing a legal requirement.
With Checkr, employers receive a single report that may include an SSN trace, sex offender search, global watchlist check, and multi‑jurisdiction criminal search, plus optional MVRs or verifications. Built‑in compliance workflows help you handle consent forms and adverse action notices.
For personal use
Individuals can request personal records directly from state or local agencies, but the process often involves in‑person visits or mailed forms. Ordering a personal background check through Checkr is faster and shows exactly what an employer might see, giving you the opportunity to correct potential errors on your Checkr report before applying for a role.
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How long does a background check take in Baltimore?
The time it takes to complete a background check in Baltimore depends on the depth of the search. Instant database queries, such as national criminal or sex offender registries, can return results in minutes. More detailed screenings that require accessing Maryland court records or pulling county‑level files may take one to three business days, and occasionally longer if researchers need to visit a courthouse in person or the court is experiencing delays.
Partnering with a consumer reporting agency (CRA) like Checkr can shorten these timelines. Checkr combines automated database connections with a nationwide network of court runners, allowing the majority of Baltimore criminal background checks to wrap up within one to three business days.
Legal considerations for Baltimore employers
Baltimore employers must comply with multiple layers of regulation when conducting background checks. These regulations often include the following:
- Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA): This federal law governs how background checks conducted through a CRA are ordered and how reported information is considered in hiring decisions.
- Adverse action procedures: Employers must give candidates time to review the findings, dispute errors, and provide context before a final decision. If they choose not to hire a candidate based on background check results, employers must disclose that reason to the candidate.
- Maryland’s statewide Ban the Box law: Effective February 2020, employers with 15 or more full‑time employees in Maryland may not ask about an applicant’s criminal history until the first in‑person interview.
- Baltimore’s Ban the Box Ordinance: Since 2014, employers with 10 or more employees in Baltimore cannot inquire about criminal history or run a criminal background check until after a conditional job offer, barring certain regulated positions.
- Job Applicant Fairness Act: Maryland restricts the use of credit history in employment decisions, with a few exceptions such as finance‑sensitive roles.
Knowing these regulations and partnering with a reputable background check provider helps Baltimore businesses minimize liability, protect applicants’ rights, and make confident, compliant hiring decisions.
Get a Baltimore background check with Checkr
Screening candidates in Baltimore can be a straightforward process if your business uses the right solutions. Checkr combines automated technology with compliance tools to provide quick, thorough background checks tailored to local requirements. Our platform covers the details so you can focus on hiring.
Ready to streamline the hiring process? Get started with Checkr today.
Disclaimer
The resources and information provided here are for educational and informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. Always consult your own counsel for up-to-date legal advice and guidance related to your practices, needs, and compliance with applicable laws.
