Address history determines scope
Counties are selected based on where the candidate has lived and worked during the reporting period (typically the past 7 years). If they've lived in three counties, those three are searched.
Court Records
Direct searches of county-level criminal and civil courts where most cases are filed and adjudicated.
Records pulled directly from the county clerk or court system, not aggregated databases.
What's covered
County searches can include criminal records, civil records, or both, depending on the jurisdiction and the configured compliance requirements. Criminal searches are standard; civil searches are added based on role type and policy.
Serious criminal offenses prosecuted at the county level, including convictions, pending cases, and case dispositions.
Lesser criminal offenses adjudicated in county courts, including theft, assault, DUI, and other misdemeanor charges.
Civil judgments, small claims, liens, and litigation history filed in county civil courts (when civil searches are configured).
Current status of cases (pending, dismissed, convicted), sentencing details, probation, and other relevant outcomes.
Active warrants issued by county courts for failure to appear, probation violations, or other court-ordered obligations (where available).
Records dating back to the FCRA 7-year reporting limit, or longer where state law allows and role requirements dictate.
Why county
County courts handle the majority of criminal prosecutions in the United States. Skipping county-level searches means missing the primary source of criminal record data.
The majority of criminal cases in the U.S. are prosecuted at the county level, not state or federal. Skip county courts and you miss the bulk of the record.
County searches pull directly from the county clerk's office or court system, not aggregated databases, for the most complete and up-to-date information.
Each county maintains its own court system. A search in one county does not cover neighboring counties. Scope is determined by where the candidate has lived and worked.
Scoping
PSBI doesn't search random counties or use arbitrary nationwide packages. Selection is based on the candidate's address history, role-specific compliance requirements, and organizational policy.
Counties are selected based on where the candidate has lived and worked during the reporting period (typically the past 7 years). If they've lived in three counties, those three are searched.
Some positions require broader coverage or extended lookback. Roles with access to vulnerable populations often mandate searches beyond basic address history. Compliance rules apply automatically.
A county search only covers the specific county searched. It doesn't guarantee the absence of records elsewhere, which is why address-history accuracy matters.
Related searches
Statewide repository searches that provide broader coverage in states with centralized databases, supplementing or in some cases replacing county searches.
Learn more →State-mandated background check programs required by statute for regulated industries like childcare, healthcare, and education.
Learn more →Real people
PSBI is owner-operated and US-based, screening organizations since 1995. When a county court requires an in-person or manual pull, a real researcher handles it, not a ticket queue.
FCRA-compliantOwner-operated since 1995Based in Ashland, WIGet started
Tell us the roles you screen and where your people have lived. We'll scope the right counties from address history and role requirements.