Federal Civil Records Search

While criminal background checks uncover violations of state or federal law, a Federal Civil Records search is used to identify non-criminal legal disputes. This search determines if an applicant is currently named, or has been named, in federal lawsuits as either a plaintiff or a defendant.

What Does the Search Cover?

Federal civil cases involve disputes between individuals, corporations, or government entities. To best fit your needs, this search is conducted on a per-district basis. You may order a search for specific federal districts, or we can target districts based on the candidate's current or prior counties of residence.

Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), records of civil lawsuits and civil money judgments are reportable for seven years from their date of entry. Cases typically uncovered in this search include:

• Federal civil rights violations.
• Product liability suits.
• Judgments for nonpayment of goods or severe financial disputes.
• Other non-criminal federal litigation.

How Does the Search Work?

Our team processes these searches through official federal court systems to ensure accuracy.

1. Direct Search: We utilize the PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) Case Locator (PCL), which serves as a national index for federal district, bankruptcy, and appellate courts. 
2. Identity Verification: Because names can be common, our team carefully sorts through any potential federal litigation matches using your candidate's identifying information to determine if the lawsuit genuinely belongs to them.
3. Record Delivery: If a record is confirmed as belonging to your candidate, and legally reportable, the specific details of the lawsuit or civil judgment will be added directly to your Verified First report for review.

Who Needs This Search?

Because the dissemination of negative information spreads so rapidly through social media, this search is becoming an increasingly common requirement for new hires across the board. However, it is especially critical for:

• Organizations hiring for executive, C-suite, or high-level white-collar positions.
• Public-facing roles where a candidate's controversial legal history could cause an immediate PR crisis.
• Companies looking to avoid hiring individuals with a documented propensity for initiating frivolous litigation.

Why Make This Part of Your Screening Process?

• Identify Financial and Legal Risks: While not strictly criminal, a history of major civil judgments for nonpayment of goods can serve as a massive warning sign regarding a candidate's professional and financial integrity.
• Mitigate Litigious Behavior: Protect your company by identifying candidates who have a heavily documented history of suing previous employers or business partners.
• Protect Your Brand: Uncovering past civil rights judgments or major lawsuits helps protect your organization from potential PR nightmares and ensures your new hires align with your corporate values.

Ultimately, this search acts as a critical safeguard for roles where integrity, financial responsibility, and professional reputation are paramount.

FAQ

Do you offer a nationwide federal civil search? No, we do not offer a nationwide federal civil search. This search is conducted on a per-district basis, allowing you to order searches for specific federal districts or target districts based on the candidate's current or prior counties of residence.

Do you offer federal civil searches with a 10-year or unlimited scope? By default, our standard federal civil searches are limited to a 7-year scope. This ensures compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), which restricts the reporting of non-criminal adverse information, including civil cases, to 7 years from date of filing.

What is the difference between a federal civil search and a county civil search? County civil courts handle local, everyday disputes—such as small claims, landlord-tenant issues, personal injury, and local breaches of contract. Federal civil courts handle larger-scale cases that involve federal law, constitutional rights, or parties that live in different states.

The information and opinions expressed are for educational purposes only and are based 
on current practice, industry related knowledge and business expertise. The information
provided shall not be construed as legal advice, express or implied. 

If you have any further questions, or need a product enabled on your account, 
please contact Verified First Client Services for assistance.

Call 844-709-2708 or email clientservices@verifiedfirst.com