Enhancing Background Checks with County-Level Searches and Applicant Data
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By
Turn Staff
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In today’s compliance-focused hiring landscape, employers depend on background screening companies for accurate checks. While national databases and 7–10 years of address history are standard, they can miss records tied to recent or unlisted addresses. Turn Technologies highlights the importance of county-level searches based on the applicant’s current address at consent, even if not in national records. This blog explores why this approach is vital, how it reduces risk, and the benefits it brings to hiring.
The Importance of County-Level Searches Based on Applicant-Provided Addresses
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:
- Local records may be updated far more rapidly than most aggregated databases.
- Some jurisdictions do not report all records to national or aggregated databases.
- Missed recent addresses can happen if the applicant’s disclosed address does not line up with the address history obtained from consumer credit or other national data.
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.
How Does This Impact Hiring Decisions?
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:
- An applicant may have moved within the past year to a new county not reflected in their previous 10-year residence history.
- The national databases may take months to update new records from local jurisdictions.
- A criminal offense or civil judgment registered at the new county level may be hidden absent a targeted county-level search.
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.
Real-World Application: Turn’s Methodology
Turn Technologies implements a thorough process:
- Applicant Address Verification:
During the consent phase, applicants must disclose their current address. - Cross-Referencing:
This address is compared to historical address data obtained from national databases. - County-Level Search Execution:
Each unique address triggers a dedicated search in that county’s records, independent from national database hits or standard historical address parameters. - Consolidation and Reporting:
Results are carefully curated into a comprehensive and detailed report, alerting employers of any potential adverse findings from any jurisdiction tied to the applicant’s self reported address.
Statistical Support
A 2023 report from the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) revealed that undisclosed criminal convictions still remain the most common and persistent discrepancy in candidate backgrounds, with 40% of employers citing it as the top discrepancy identified during background checks. This clearly underscores the urgent need for comprehensive and accurate verification processes to maintain workplace safety and compliance.
According to Turn Technologies’ experience and data, county-level searches provide more accurate, up-to-date, and relevant information, as they involve direct access to local courthouse records. This targeted approach helps mitigate the risk of outdated or incomplete data that broader, nationwide searches may miss.
Turn Technologies implements this robust and effective strategy by conducting county-level criminal record checks based on the self-reported current address. We thoroughly verify records in the specific county where the candidate currently resides by using the address and zip code provided during the application process.
Conclusion
County-level searches based on applicant-provided addresses are not simply an added layer of diligence but a fundamental best practice in modern background screening. By explicitly incorporating all applicant-disclosed addresses into county record searches (irrespective of whether those addresses appear in historical data or trigger national database hits) Turn Technologies provides a critical service that enhances screening accuracy and safeguards the hiring process.
Employers significantly benefit from reduced risk, a clearer and more accurate candidate profile, and compliance with evolving regulatory expectations. Turn’s thorough methodology is a model for the industry that other CRAs should adopt to ensure no critical record goes undetected, ultimately supporting safer and better-informed hiring decisions in today’s complex workforce environment.
For those seeking to optimize their background checks with tried and true methods fully supported by industry standards and best practices, conducting county-level searches based on the applicant’s declared addresses is absolutely indispensable. Turn Technologies is committed to helping you hire smarter and safer.
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.
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