Many CRAs rely heavily on national databases or a fixed 7- or 10-year historical address search timeframe. These expansive databases are aggregations of publicly available records but may not update quickly or comprehensively enough to accurately reflect recent moves or addresses, especially if new official records have not yet been indexed. As a result, highly pertinent negative information tied to a recently disclosed residential address may remain completely hidden under a search strategy limited to conventional manual review parameters.
County-level criminal and civil records searches target the jurisdiction where the applicant actually lived, providing direct access to official local court records. These searches are particularly crucial because:
Turn Technologies approach ensures the address disclosed by the applicant during the consent process is individually searched at the county level regardless of its absence in national database hits or historical address spans.
In today’s competitive and compliance-driven hiring landscape, employers rely heavily on Background Screening Companies (CRAs) to provide accurate and thorough checks of prospective employees. One paramount aspect of this process is the scope and depth of address-based record searches. While national databases and historical address data covering the previous 7-10 years are standard components, these often do not capture all pertinent information. This oversight can lead to missed adverse records associated with recent or unlisted addresses.
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), approximately 77 million Americans, or one in three adults, have a criminal record (NCSL, 2025).
For example:
By strategically leveraging county-level searches keyed to the applicant’s disclosed addresses, Turn effectively mitigates this critical blind spot, ensuring compliance with industry standards and giving employers the fullest possible candidate picture.
At Turn’s Technologies, we are committed to providing accurate and reliable background checks. By requesting additional documentation we ensure that even applicants with limited public records are thoroughly vetted. Our approach gives you the confidence to make informed hiring decisions.
Talk with our experts to uncover hidden inefficiencies and find faster, more effective ways to screen top talent.
Disclaimer: Turn’s Blog does not provide legal advice, guidance, or counsel. Companies should consult their own legal counsel to address their compliance responsibilities under the FCRA and applicable state and local laws. Turn explicitly disclaims any warranties or assumes responsibility for damages associated with or arising out of the provided information.
