The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requires credit bureaus to update their files every 30 days. There are no other federal laws that direct other companies, which are defined as consumer reporting agencies, to update background check records at specified intervals. Some states have laws that address the issue. For example, in California, background check companies are not allowed to include any information in their database obtained from public records without verifying the accuracy of the data. This California statute covers indictments, arrests, convictions, tax liens, civil actions and outstanding judgments. The verification must have taken place within the 30 days prior to the issuance of the investigative report.

The databases of many background check services are comprised of information data gathered from thousands of sources, which includes county, state and federal courthouses and other government databases. How these entities maintain and store the information varies. Therefore, public records contained in the databases of background check companies are only as current as the place where the data is mined. Most reliable consumer reporting agencies try to keep their public record databases as accurate and up-to-date as possible within the constraints mentioned.

If you are concerned about outdated or inaccurate data in your files, conduct a self background investigation to find out what information an employer or other person conducting a background investigation of public record will view when they access your records. You are entitled to one free credit report per year from each of the credit bureaus and the specialty companies that report information on you. In addition, obtain a dmv record, along with court files, from an online background check company. If there is outdated or inaccurate information in your files, take the appropriate steps to get the information updated, corrected or deleted.