Yes, you are permitted to obtain the same information from a background check that an employer or anyone else would be able to obtain. Criminal records can be obtained through various governmental agencies as well as private sources, and employment records can be obtained through previous employers. Federal law requires an employer to obtain permission from a prospective employee before conducting a background check and to provide that individual access to whatever background information was used in an adverse hiring decision.

Some items in a background check are a matter of public record, meaning that anyone is permitted access to such records. Court documents are one example. There are other types of information which are available to individuals if they meet certain criteria. An example would be consumer credit background checks. In all cases, the subject of a background check has the legal right to obtain the same background information as anyone else. In fact, he or she has exclusive access to certain background information, such as a medical report, which is restricted from public view.

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) stipulates that an employer must get permission from a prospective employee before conducting a background check. If any information in the background check leads to an adverse action, such as denial of employment, the employer must provide a copy of the report and information about how to dispute the contents of the report.

Criminal records can be obtained through governmental agencies such as the Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with restrictions. There are also many online companies that offer quick and easy access to criminal background checks. Order your criminal background report today to learn what employers can find out about you.