Your options for receiving background check information vary depending on the type of background check you are conducting. Many companies offer instant background checks online for consumer credit background checks and basic criminal background checks. Some types of criminal checks, such as an FBI background check, take a number of weeks to process and are delivered through the mail. Other types of background checks, such as a previous employment background check, can be conducted over the phone.

As technology advances and an increasing number of records are being catalogued, access to background information is becoming faster and easier. Most background checks today can be conducted over the Internet with instant results, including consumer credit reports, criminal records, and driving records. Obtaining criminal information directly from an agency like the Department of Justice or Federal Bureau of Investigation is much more involved, as those agencies require certain written documentation and take longer to review the request. Often governmental agencies provide background checks through the mail believing that it ensures greater security.

There are still some types of background checks that cannot be automated, such as interviewing previous employers and personal references. These types of background checks are often conducted via telephone, although some referrers prefer to provide information in writing to minimize claims of slander.

If you’re looking for instant access to online background checks, many companies provide you just that. Order a background check online and take the hassle out of getting the background information you need.