Lookback Reporting Options

Verified First Lookback Options on Criminal Searches

A lookback time frame is the length of time Verified First researches potential criminal records on applicants. Verified First provides a variety of lookback reporting options, including 7 year, 10 year, and unrestricted options. Below is information on the different available options.  

7 year lookback options

The default and standard setting on most criminal searches, our seven year lookback reports criminal records found within the last 7 years. Verified First will report conviction cases seven years from the disposition date. In some cases, prison/parole release dates will be used if readily available. 

Verified First will also report a minimum of 7 years in cases involving homicide, kidnapping, and sexual assault/abuse when the information is easily accessible when checking the main court index. 

In addition, Verified First will report pending cases and open warrants where allowed by law. 

7 year lookback searches include:

• Single County Criminal
• State Criminal Records
• Federal Criminal Records
• Nationwide Criminal Database (if this is set for a 7 year lookback, records research will report results using the same timeframe)
• Unlimited County Criminal

10 year lookback options

For an additional fee, Verified First can extend the lookback time frame for certain searches from 7 years to 10 years. However, if specific state restrictions conflict with a 10 year lookback, the state restrictions will override the 10 year lookback.

The 10 year lookback is calculated from a case’s file date. In determining reportability, Verified First will report conviction cases 10 years from the disposition date. In some cases, prison/parole release dates will be used if readily available. 

For example, if a 10 year county criminal lookback was run today, our researcher will search back to see if the candidate had any cases filed between 10 years ago today and the present. 

Verified First will also report a minimum of 10 years in cases involving homicide, kidnapping, and sexual assault/abuse when the information is easily accessible when checking the main court index. 

In addition, Verified First will report pending cases and open warrants where allowed by law. 

10 year lookback searches include:

• Single County Criminal
• State Criminal Records
• Federal Criminal Records
• Nationwide Criminal Database (if the Nationwide is set for a 10 year look-back, Records Research will report using the same timeframe)
• Unlimited County Criminal* 

*Note: Setting this search to a 10 year lookback will NOT change the name of this search. Verified First takes the data pulled from the Social Security Trace report and searches each jurisdiction listed in the last 10 years. This only includes jurisdictions pulled from the Social Security Trace. Additional names are not added automatically to the order.

Unrestricted lookback options

For an additional fee, certain criminal searches can be run under an unrestricted lookback time period at the clients request. Unrestricted reporting pulls records as far back as what is available through a county’s public access terminal (PAT), where records are held—resulting in this search scope varying per jurisdiction. Just like the 10 year lookback, if specific state restrictions conflict with an unrestricted lookback, the state restrictions will override the unrestricted lookback. 

Unrestricted lookback searches include: 

• Single County Criminal
• State Criminal Records
• Federal Criminal Records
• Nationwide Criminal Database (if the Nationwide is set for unrestricted reporting, Records Research will report using the same timeframe)
• Unlimited County Criminal*

*Note: Setting this search to an unrestricted lookback will NOT change the name of this search. Verified First takes the data pulled from the Social Security Trace report and searches each jurisdiction for all available data. This only includes jurisdictions pulled from the Social Security Trace. Additional names are not added automatically to the order.

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