How Much Does a Background Check Cost? What You Need to Know

Background checks are an important part of verifying someone’s identity and criminal records. Whether you’re a small business owner or someone who wants to learn more about the person they’re speaking with, background checks have many uses. In fact, background checks may be required for loans, education, and even renting property. Regardless of the reason you need to run a background check, understanding the cost is important.

The good news is that we’re here to help. If you’re wondering how much a background check costs, you’re in the right place. Read on to learn more. We cover what a background check consists of, how much it costs, and the best places to run it.

What Is a Background Check? 

A background check is a process that verifies someone’s identity. The goal of most background checks is to check someone’s criminal record, sex offender status, social media profiles, and much more. In fact, what shows up on a background check depends on the type of background check that someone is going through. 

For example, credit agencies will run a background check on you before granting you a loan; this is known as a credit history background check. Additionally, truck and bus companies may require a driving records check that requires additional Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) approval.

Overall, the type of background check depends on the type of employment that someone is interested in. This is important to note because this can influence the cost of a background check.

How Much Does a Background Check Cost?

A background check can be anything from free to $20 to $500 per employee. Some companies offer bulk deals that may bring the cost of a background check down and there are also other resources you can use to run a background check on yourself or someone else for less than $50. 

The type of background check will also influence the price. More expensive background checks will cost more money, especially if you have to pay a third-party company to administer something like a drug test. Learn more about the cost of background checks below. 

How Much Does a Background Check Company Charge?

Most background check companies charge around $20 to $100 per employee. While this may seem cheap, the catch is that this is usually the cost of a background check if you purchase a bundle or have an ongoing relationship with the company. Therefore, it’s a great price for companies with more than 500 employees or companies that have a high turnover rate. 

On the other hand, it might be more expensive to work with these companies if you’re a small business or if you want to run an individual background check on someone.

How Much Do Online Background Check Tools Cost? 

The other option you have for a background check is an online background check tool. These tools are available online and you can visit their website, enter someone’s name, and view anything that’s a public record. While you won’t be able to get a drug test or some other types of information, they’re a great way for small businesses and individuals to run background checks if you’re not looking to break the bank. 

For example, you can run a comprehensive background check with a tool like FreePeopleSearch and download a full report that includes someone’s criminal records, court records, sex offender status, social media accounts, and much more.

Are There Any Free Background Check Options?

Yes, there are free background check options. Unfortunately, your options are limited, and free background checks might not be as comprehensive as full, comprehensive background checks. You can try using government databases, Google, and social media platforms to find information about people.

The good news is that tools like FreePeopleSearch offer free people look up options that can help you get started. Comprehensive reports might cost an additional few bucks but you can usually verify that someone exists for free, which is handy if that’s all you need.

Run a Background Check Today 

Background checks are an important part of the hiring process because they help you determine if someone is a good fit for your organization. However, background checks aren’t free, so it’s important to get the most value you can when verifying employees, students, or even contractors. 

For large companies with more than 500 employees, it’s not a bad idea to consider working with a background check agency that may offer discounts on bulk orders. However, if you’re a small business or individual, an online background check tool like FreePeopleSearch offers the best value.