How far back does a background check go in NJ?

Background checks look at your criminal history going back 7-10 years, and sometimes longer. If you have been arrested for any crime, the criminal records can affect you even if the charges were eventually dropped or you were found not guilty. Having an arrest on your criminal history can affect things like your eligibility for employment, housing, or volunteer opportunities. You may also have difficulty getting a loan or a utility over a criminal conviction

How does a background check show?

A criminal background check shows what court cases a person has been involved with, and what crimes they’ve been charged with. If there are records of criminal activity, your employer will ask for proof that the background check is more than just a search of the court records. If there are no criminal records, they will likely not run a background check, which is unfortunate because it would have given them valuable information.

How far back does a background check in NJ go?

Background checks in New Jersey typically go back seven years. This means that if you were hired in 2006, a background check would look at your employment records from 2003 or earlier. You can request a background check for your entire lifetime if you want, but this adds to the cost.

How long does a background check take to complete?

Background checks typically take between two and four weeks. The length of time it takes depends on if the applicant has a criminal, sex, drug, or violence-related history. The time it takes to complete a background check for a gun purchase can vary as well.

How far back does a background check go in NJ police?

A background check that was done for employment with a local government or law enforcement agency can be searched for your criminal history. According to the National Institute of Justice, “some states search the records for all arrests, not just convictions,” which can sometimes cause you to be denied employment even if you haven’t been convicted of a crime.