You can get a general impression of your candidates by reading their resumes and applications and by conducting interviews, but this will not provide you with a complete picture. Law enforcement, employers, landlords, and financial institutions all use an official Missouri background check to assess a candidate’s suitability. A formal background investigation looks into court records, incarceration records, and criminal history files.
Unofficial background checks can be helpful for learning details about neighbors but cannot be used for official purposes Friends, Relatives, Enemies and Co-workers.
Access to public records in Missouri may be desired for a variety of reasons, including family tree research, inmate search, and everything in between.
As you may have discovered, it’s not always possible to search for or locate public records. Sometimes the information you need is handled by different departments or is not accessible to the general public due to exclusions.
Public records are frequently available online and can be accessed.
The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) does, however, grant individuals the right to view records.
Before requesting any documents, it is important to be aware of the state’s legal requirements because each state has its own procedures.
Missouri Sunshine Law
The Missouri Sunshine Law specifies how long state agencies and affiliates must keep records before making them publicly accessible. The majority of records, including meeting minutes, electronic communications, and spending reports, must be available according to the law. Missouri uses background checks in accordance with federal law. Any Missouri resident may submit a name-based request for a background check. Missouri mandates that licensing authorities refrain from denying a license based solely on a prior indictment, a pardon, parole, or a period of probation with no further infractions.
Missouri Data Repository
The state’s criminal history database is kept up to date by the Missouri State Highway Patrol. The Missouri Automated Criminal History System (MACHS) is the name of the database. Records from state prisons, law enforcement organizations, and courts make up MACHS.
Background Checks for Employment in Missouri
Background checks for employment are not prohibited in Missouri. In Missouri, anyone has access to public criminal history records.
Public Employment – In order to be considered for public employment in Missouri, candidates must submit to a fingerprint-based background check that includes details from both open and closed cases, including arrest records.
Missouri Lottery – Potential players in the Missouri Lottery must submit to both a fingerprint-based background check and a third-party credit history check.
Private Employment – Employers in the private sector are not allowed to run background checks based on fingerprints. A name-based check will only reveal a limited amount of data. A name-based check can only include details about charges that are currently in progress.
In Missouri, employers are required to notify and obtain permission from any applicant who will be subjected to a credit history check.
Typical Missouri Employment Background Checks
When conducting background checks, the majority of employers in Missouri request information on criminal history. However, you can ask for many different kinds of important information during a background check.
The data below could be part of a background investigation.
Workplace Verification
You can validate the information your applicants have provided about their prior employment by using employment verifications.
The company names and addresses of each applicant’s previous employers, along with the applicant’s employment dates and job titles at each organization, are listed on an employment verification report.
Verifying an applicant’s employment history enables you to make sure that they have been trustworthy and possess the appropriate experience for the position.
Verification of Education
Education verification reports detail the colleges and universities that your applicants attended as well as any degrees or diplomas they may have obtained.
You can see the colleges and universities your applicants attended, their dates of attendance, and any diplomas or degrees that were awarded, on an education verification report.
You can ensure that your candidates are capable and reliable by asking for education verification reports, which will also shield you from claims of negligent hiring.
Criminal Records
- Applicants with non-expunged criminal convictions on their records may have the following information revealed during criminal background checks for employment:
- Offense’s type or character
- the offense’s date
- The gravity of the offense (misdemeanor or felony)
- Treatment of the offense
- The disposition’s date
- Sentence details
Verifying Identity
Identity checks give you the chance to confirm that a candidate is who they say they are and that the data you receive is accurate.
You can check whether a Social Security number is legitimate and whether an applicant’s name and birthdate match the SSN you were given on this kind of report.
You will also be able to see any prior names the applicant may have used as well as any previous addresses connected to their SSN.
Check the National Sex Offender Registry
You can find out if an applicant is a registered sex offender in any U.S. state by requesting a national sex offender registry check.
In order to make an informed hiring decision, you can see the underlying sex offense conviction and other pertinent information if an applicant is registered as a sex offender.
A number of third party background check websites such as backgroundcheck.com, iprospectcheck.com, background.org, freebackgroundchecks.com and health-street.net can help you conduct a background lookup in Missouri.
You must constantly make sure that when you conduct your Missouri background check, you are in compliance with all applicable federal and state laws. You risk legal responsibility, fines, and penalties if you break these laws.