Federal background checks: Fast, compliant screening

A federal background check is a type of criminal record screening that searches federal criminal records across the 94 US federal district courts through the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) database.

Specific laws and regulations may require a federal background check for employment, depending on the nature of the role or industry. Even when employers aren’t hiring for regulated positions, they often perform federal background checks as part of a comprehensive criminal background check to review a candidate’s criminal history at the national, state, and county levels.

Running a federal background check can help employers make more informed hiring decisions, support workplace safety, and reduce legal risk. This guide to federal background checks covers what information may be reported and relevant compliance regulations to keep in mind. Understanding the background check process empowers employers and individuals to navigate screening with confidence.

As an employer, it’s important to understand how federal background checks work, what information they include, and how much they cost.

Federal background checks search the PACER database for federal criminal records. Employers can perform these checks directly or partner with a third-party background check provider, like Checkr.

Here's how the process works:

When using a consumer reporting agency (CRA) to conduct screenings, employers must adhere to the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). This federal law requires employers to:

A federal background check typically reports offenses prosecuted at the federal level, including:

The FCRA sets limits on how far back specific information can be reported:

These limitations may not apply if a candidate’s expected salary exceeds $75,000 or if the employer conducts the search independently.

State and local laws may shorten the lookback period or modify exceptions to these periods. That’s why it’s important to consult your legal counsel so you can comply with regulations based on your location and the jurisdiction in which you’re hiring.

Employers may use different types of background checks depending on the role, relevant industry requirements, and the level of screening needed.

Sometimes employers combine multiple searches for a more comprehensive hiring process.

The cost of a federal background check depends mainly on whether an employer chooses to search PACER independently or partner with a CRA, like Checkr. Here’s a look at the costs for each.

Employers who opt to access PACER independently are subject to service center fees, which may change overtime. As of March 2026, the PACER service center fees are:

Partnering with a CRA to conduct a federal background check is often more cost-effective, reducing overhead and offering the ability to bundle services.

Checkr’s Complete package, which costs $89.99 per report, includes:

Employers can add a federal background check to any other Checkr package for $10. Bulk discounts are available for organizations conducting over 300 background checks annually, making Checkr a good choice for businesses with high-volume hiring.

Individuals and job candidates should understand the processes of criminal record expungement and sealing, what to do if they find discrepancies in federal records, and how they can view their public records independently.

Expungement and sealing of records are both types of criminal record clearance. The difference is whether the records continue to exist.

In most cases, expunged or sealed records will not show up on a federal background check. However, some types of employment, particularly those involving national security, may require disclosure of all interactions with law enforcement, including expunged records.

If you find a discrepancy, error, or inaccuracy in a federal background check, your next steps depend on how you received the information.

If you accessed PACER on your own, you can notify the court where the case was filed to begin the dispute process.

If your federal background report was conducted through a CRA, you have the right to contact the agency to dispute the information. Under the FCRA’s standard “Summary of Rights” document, candidates have the right to dispute any information that is incomplete or incorrect on a background check provided by a CRA.

To view your public records, you can run a background check on yourself. Although you can search public databases independently, ordering a personal background check from Checkr simplifies the process.

With Checkr, you only need to provide basic information to get started, and reports are usually ready to review within minutes.

Running a background check on yourself gives you a preview of what employers may see. Knowing what’s on your background check can help you anticipate questions and provide context about your records. Reviewing the results also allows you to dispute inaccurate information before a prospective employer sees it.

A federal criminal background check can give employers valuable insight into a candidate's past interactions with the federal court system, helping them make informed hiring decisions. Whether you’re an employer or an individual, Checkr makes conducting federal and other background checks simple, fast, and accurate. Get started with Checkr today.

Federal background checks report offenses prosecuted at the federal level. These include financial crimes like fraud, embezzlement, and bank robbery, as well as drug trafficking, kidnapping, crimes against federal employees, and offenses committed on federal property. These checks also capture cases that cross state lines, putting them under federal jurisdiction. Beyond criminal records, a federal background check may include bankruptcies, federal civil cases exceeding $75,000 or arising under federal law, and litigation involving US government agencies.

The primary difference is in jurisdiction and scope of the check—they cover different information. State background checks search for violations at the state or county level, pulling records from multiple state databases and local courthouses. Federal background checks, on the other hand, search for federal crimes prosecuted through the 94 US federal district and appellate courts.

Federal offenses typically involve crimes that cross state lines, violate federal statutes, or occur on federal property. Many employers combine both state and federal searches to perform more comprehensive criminal background screening that’s intended to capture the scope of an applicant's history.

You can order a personal background check from Checkr by providing basic information such as your name, date of birth, and Social Security number, with results typically ready within minutes. This streamlined process gives you insight into what employers might see during their screening. Alternatively, you can access the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) database directly to search federal court records yourself. However, using a consumer reporting agency, like Checkr, is often simpler and may give you more comprehensive information.

“Passing” a federal background check depends on the employer's screening criteria and the specific requirements for the role. Federal background checks search for criminal convictions with no time limit, non-conviction records within seven years, and bankruptcies within ten years, as governed by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). Employers review these records against their internal background check policy to determine hiring eligibility. However, if an employer doesn’t want to hire you because of your background check results, they must follow a process that involves sending you a copy of your record and letting you explain or dispute the information before they make any final decision. Because running background checks involves multiple factors, and because not all criminal records may disqualify you for certain roles, using pass-fail language to describe the background check process isn’t always helpful or accurate.

The timeline for federal background checks varies depending on the method you use and the scope of the information you’re searching. When conducted through a consumer reporting agency like Checkr, federal criminal searches typically return results within one to three business days. However, searches conducted directly through PACER or ones that require manual verification from federal courthouses may take longer. For positions that require security clearances or extensive federal investigations, the process can extend to several weeks or even months.

Factors that affect turnaround time include the number of jurisdictions searched, court processing speeds, and whether additional verification is needed. Employers using Checkr benefit from streamlined processes that deliver fast, reliable results.

Federal and state background checks serve different purposes; one is not necessarily more thorough than the other. Federal checks focus specifically on crimes prosecuted in federal courts, which tend to be serious offenses like interstate drug trafficking, federal fraud, or crimes on federal property. State checks capture a broader range of offenses including misdemeanors, traffic violations, and local crimes that may not rise to federal jurisdiction.

The most comprehensive approach to background checks combines both federal and state searches, along with county-level criminal records. This multi-jurisdictional strategy helps employers find more specific and relevant information.

Yes, you have the right to dispute inaccurate information on your federal background check under the Fair Credit Reporting Act. If you identify any errors, contact the consumer reporting agency that generated the report and provide documentation supporting your dispute. Generally, the agency must investigate within 30 days and correct any verified inaccuracies.

Common errors include misidentified records, outdated information that should have been removed, or incorrect case dispositions. You may also be able to contact the relevant federal court directly to receive accurate records.

If an employer takes adverse action based on your background check, they must provide you with a copy of the report and information about your rights as a candidate. They must also give you sufficient time and opportunity to dispute inaccurate information before making a final hiring decision.

Federal background checks may show dismissed charges, depending on how long ago the dismissal occurred and whether state-specific reporting laws apply. Under the FCRA, consumer reporting agencies generally cannot report non-conviction records, including dismissed charges, that are more than seven years old. This seven-year limitation doesn't apply to criminal convictions, which can be reported indefinitely.

Some states have stricter laws that prohibit agencies from reporting dismissed charges altogether. The specific details that are visible on your report depend on the jurisdiction, the nature of the charge, and how the case was resolved. Employers should have clear policies in writing that explain how they evaluate criminal records, including dismissed charges.

Federal background checks are commonly required for positions involving federal employment; government contractors; roles requiring security clearances; and jobs in highly regulated industries like banking, healthcare, and transportation. Additionally, employers in industries that are subject to federal regulations may conduct federal checks to maintain compliance. Even private sector employers may choose to include federal searches as part of comprehensive screening, especially for executive positions or roles that involve significant financial responsibility.

The cost of federal background checks varies depending on the provider and scope of the search. When you use PACER directly, there's a per-page fee (currently $0.10 per page) with a cap per document, though fees can add up quickly for extensive searches. Consumer reporting agencies, like Checkr, typically charge a flat fee that includes federal criminal searches as part of comprehensive screening packages. For example, federal criminal searches are included in Checkr's Complete plan, which starts at $89.99 per report. This approach is usually more efficient than conducting searches manually. Volume pricing and subscription models may offer additional savings for employers that conduct regular screenings. Explore Checkr's pricing to find a solution that fits your screening needs and budget.

About the author

Hayley Harrison began her career as a hiring manager at a mid-size regional bank in the Pittsburgh area. She now brings her experience and knowledge of hiring best practices to her work as a freelancer, helping employers refine and improve their processes.