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Texas

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California

Anyone who has ever tried to get public records in California knows that it can be a challenging process.

Records are maintained across several departments within the state.

The California Constitution and the California Public Records Act state that all Californians have the right to access public records housed by both a local agency and state government agencies.

California public records include

• Criminal records
• Court records
• Inmate records
• Vital records

California has public records laws that specify response times and has limited exemptions for a public records search.

If a records request is denied in California, there is no appeals process in place.

California public records include criminal records, inmate records, court records, and vital records.

What does the California public records law say?

The California Public Records Act says that every individual has the right to access records that relate to the conduct of the people.

The California Public Records Act exempts information that is deemed solely personal that happens to be included on a public record.

Under California law, responses must be met within ten days and apply to executive and state agencies.

Residency within California is not required. However, there is no appeal option if a public records request is denied.

How can I access public records in California?

In California, you must submit a public records request to access public documents regardless of the agency. Every governmental department has a different process, procedures, and price.

A California public records request is sent via mail, email, or phone to the record-holding agency.

Some departments require you to submit a physical form.

Every department is different, so expect some variation to the rules if accessing government records from multiple places.

In general, a public records request should include:

• Your contact information
• The name of the document with a detailed description
• A time frame that you’d like to receive the materials by
• Document delivery method, whether by email or mail

California governmental public agencies and offices have different office hours and procedures. It is a good idea to always call before arriving in person.

California criminal records

California criminal records, or criminal history, can include all information relating to interactions with law enforcement and the court system.

The State of California Department of Justice maintains California criminal records.

Depending on the state and agency, it typically doesn’t have traffic offenses and sometimes won’t include misdemeanors.

• Date of arrest
• Charge
• Prosecution date
• Guilty Pleas
• Convictions
• Felony or misdemeanor charge

Criminal records are often accessed by employers who want to conduct a background check on a possible hire.

The Office of the Attorney General does release public criminal records to non-profit organizations.

What’s on a California criminal record?

A person’s criminal record includes a thorough overview of their interaction with law enforcement and is maintained by multiple agencies.

California public criminal records consist of arrests, convictions, and incarcerations.

Specifically, a criminal record or background check includes the following information:

• Personal information (name, birth date, nationality)
• Mugshot
• Fingerprints
• Distinguishing physical features, such as tattoos, scars, moles
• Any misdemeanors or felonies
• Descriptions of the crime(s)
• Arresting agency – sheriff’s office, police departments, or California state police
• Sex offender status

Where can I find California criminal records?

The Office of the Attorney General and the California Department of Justice maintains criminal records in California.

The OAG provides background checks that can be accessed through law enforcement agencies and the official California State Records Online Database.

Manual fingerprints are required as part of the government code to initiate a background search as criminal records are not provided without a person’s knowledge.

Office of the Attorney General
455 Golden Gate Avenue
Suite 11000
San Francisco, CA 94102-7004

Phone number: 415-703-5500

Criminal Inmate Records

The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation maintains California state prison records.

Every state maintains records on its prison population. For people interested in an inmate’s location, prison term, and pending transfers, inmate records are the best source of information.

What’s on a California inmate record?

California, records typically contain a combination of personal information and specific details about a person’s incarceration and arrest.

The following information can be acquired when public access is provided to inmate records:

• Name
• Birth Date
• Gender
• Arrest Records
• Mugshot
• Inmate location
• Inmate registration ID number
• Custody status
• Jail transfer info

Where can I find California inmate records?

The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation website provides prison contact information and links that allow you to locate offenders and provide information for victims and advocates.

You will use the California Inmate Locator to find an inmate’s public record.

California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
1515 S St #101n
Sacramento, CA 95811

Phone number: 916-324-7308

California court records

California court records provide extensive information from court cases. Court hours and complicated processes make obtaining public court records more difficult than other documents.

The California judiciary includes:

• The Supreme Court
• Courts of Appeal or California Appellate Court
• Superior Courts

What’s on a California court record?

The information on a court record varies depending on the court.

California court records include the following information:

• Court minutes
• Case number
• Dockets
• Orders of the court
• Judgment documentation
• Jury records and files
• Witness documentation

Where can I find California court records?

In California, court records for background checks are maintained by the California Judicial Branch.

The state of California imposes restrictions on employers that request court documents.

You can access California court records by physically going to the courthouse. You have the right to access hard copies as well as electronic court records.

You will need to find the specific court you’re making the request to in order to access public records online. You can find a complete list of courts using the California Courts website.

California vital records

The California Department of Public Health maintains vital records in the state.

California Vital Records includes:

• Birth Certificates
• Marriage Licenses
• Divorce Decrees
• California Death Records

Public vital records requests vary depending on the jurisdiction of the event.

What information do I need to request a California birth certificate?

The Application for Certified Copy of Birth Record requires specific information to obtain the document.

• First, middle, and last name of the person on the birth record you’re requesting
• City of birth
• County of birth
• Date of birth
• Both parent’s full name

Where can I find a California birth certificate?

You can request a California birth certificate online using the state’s VitalCheck system or by completing the Application for Certified Copy of Birth Record and submitting it by mail or in person.

CA Department of Public Health – Vital Records
MS: 5103
P.O. Box 997410
Sacramento, CA 95899

Phone number: 916-558-1784

The price is $29 per certified copy of a California birth certificate.

What information do I need for a death certificate in California?

The Application for Certified Copy of Death Record requires certain information to obtain a death certificate.

• First, middle, and last name of the deceased
• The county the death took place
• Date of death
• Social security number
• Date of birth
• Full name of one parent
• Spouse’s or domestic partner’s full name

Where can I find a California death record?

You can request a California death certificate online using the state’s VitalCheck system or by completing the Application for Certified Copy of Death Record and submitting it by mail or in person.

CA Department of Public Health – Vital Records
MS: 5103
P.O. Box 997410
Sacramento, CA 95899

Phone number: 916-558-1784

The price is $24 per certified copy of a California death record.

What information do I need to request a marriage certificate in California?

The Application for Certified Copy of Marriage Record will ask you for specific information to obtain a marriage record.

• Full name of both parties before marriage
• The county the marriage took place
• The date of the marriage

Where can I find an existing California marriage record?

You can request a California marriage certificate online using the state’s VitalCheck system or by completing the Application for Certified Copy of Marriage Record and submitting it by mail or in person.

CA Department of Public Health – Vital Records
MS: 5103
P.O. Box 997410
Sacramento, CA 95899

Phone number: 916-558-1784

The cost is $17 per certified copy of a California marriage record.

What information do I need to request a divorce certificate in California?

California Department of Public Health only provides the face sheet of the divorce action. The department does not provide a certified copy of a divorce decree.

Your county Superior Court Clerk will provide a certified copy of a divorce decree for a dissolution that occurred in that county.

The Application for Certificate of Record for a Divorce will ask you for specific information.

• The current first, middle, and last names of both spouses
• The date of divorce
• The county of the divorce

Where can I find a California divorce record?

You can request a limited divorce record from the California Department of Public Health by completing the Application for Certificate of Record for a Divorce and submitting it by mail or in person.

• A limited divorce record consists of:
• The names of both parties involved in the divorce
• The divorce filing date
• The county where the divorce took place
• The court case number

The cost for a California divorce record is $16.

You will need to contact your county Superior Court Clerk to inquire about their processes and fees to obtain a certified copy of a divorce decree.

California Property Records

Your local Recorder’s Office (or County Clerk) maintains property records in your county.

You will need to contact your Office of the County Clerk to inquire about the process and cost of requesting California property records.

California property records consist of all types of property-related documents including liens and unclaimed property.

What information do I need to request property records in California?

California public property request forms and processes vary depending on the information and the jurisdiction.

Example – Los Angeles County
Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk Property Records Request

Where can I find a California property record?

You will submit your public property record request to your County Recorder’s Office (or County Clerk).

You will need to contact your County Office of the County Clerk to inquire about the process and cost of requesting California property records.

Example – Los Angeles County
Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk website

FAQs

Can a public records request be submitted by non-residents in California?

California Public Records Act states that all residents can request public records.

However, other agencies and the United States citizens residing in other states have made requests and received the requested records.

Is there a records custodian in California?

California does not have a records custodian.

California Public Records Act specifically advises people statewide to contact individual agencies to gain access to records.

What exemptions exist in California?

California does grant exemptions to “any records that are not in the best public interest to be released.”

In these particular cases, public information that pertains to safety protocols, building layouts, medical records, and records of that nature fall into this exemption category.

The Fair Credit Reporting Act exempts some public records requests.

How long does California have to respond?

California has ten days to respond to a public records request.

California Public Records Act does specify a response time. Many other states do not.

Is there an appeal process in place in California for denied public records requests?

The California Public Records Act (CPRA) does not establish any type of administrative appeal process.

However, the California state legislature does leave room for individual agencies to create their own appeals process.

What fees are associated with requesting public records in California?

Every California government agency has different policies, procedures, and prices. Always check with the department you’re making the request about fees.

Most offices only charge for certified copies.

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Minnesota

Minnesota is a little different in handling its public records because of various amendments to the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act (MGDPA) since the law was first adopted. The intent was to make most everything publicly accessible.

Lobbying efforts and lawmakers have added more than a few exemptions. It can be confusing as some offices do not allow walk-in requests and require you to mail, email or fax.

However, other things most states typically list as private, such as government employee salary, are listed as public. Those needing to access records have a right to submit a request through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

Every state has different processes, so it’s essential to know the state’s law before requesting any documents.

• Criminal Records
• Court Records
• Inmate Records
• Vital Records

What does the Minnesota public records law say?

The Minnesota Public Records Law does not have a citizenship requirement to request public documents, so you can request anywhere.

However, there is no specific response time either, so you can be left waiting a while before your request is answered.

There is a myriad of exemptions in the legislative and judicial branches.

Records from the legislature are exempt in many cases. Many judicial records, such as domestic abuse records, work products, and court service records, are exempt.

The executive branch has no exemptions.

Depending on the agency involved, you can make your FOIA request in person, in writing, and online. Like other states, Minnesota cannot ask why you want records.

To learn more about conducting a public records search, visit Minnesota.gov.

How can a person access public records in Minnesota?

For public records access in Minnesota, a person must submit a public records request. The request is sent via mail, email, or phone to the record-holding department.

Every department is different, so expect some variation to the rules if you access records from multiple places.

In general, a public records request should include:

• Your name
• Parties name
• Contact information
• The name of the document
• Details about the document
• A time frame that you would like to receive the materials by
• Document delivery method, mail or email

Minnesota Criminal Records

Some criminal records are available in Minnesota, although there are some specific exemptions.

The most common need for a criminal records search is to get a job, as many employers require it.

There may be other reasons a background check is necessary, including verifying some information before volunteering for specific charities or implementing a business contract, or transacting business with a particular vendor.

Bureau of Criminal Apprehension maintaining public criminal records in Minnesota.

What’s on a criminal record?

A criminal record details a person’s history with law enforcement.

Details are extracted from several sources, including local police departments for arrests, courts for trials and convictions, and the state prison system for information about incarceration.

In Minnesota, this official document can vary, but most will include:

• Date of birth
• Photograph/mugshot
• Fingerprints
• Current and past addresses
• Former arrest records
• Current and past warrants
• Arrest report

Where can I find Minnesota criminal records?

You will use the Minnesota Criminal History Search to access the criminal record.

Available information includes public data maintained by BCA with criminal conviction data available to the public for 15 years following the completion of a sentence.

The website doesn’t include information on arrests, juveniles, criminal history from other states, federal crime information, or data deemed private.

Minnesota Inmate Records

There are an estimated 9,849 inmates in the Minnesota prison system. Inmate records can be helpful if you are an employer and seek specific information about a person’s conviction and sentence.

Crime records can also be helpful if you are a crime victim and want to know when the offender will be released or are involved in other court action with the inmate.

What’s on a Minnesota inmate record?

Like many states, Minnesota has a variety of basic information available on its inmate records.

Gaining access to these records will provide the following information:

• Name and aliases
• Date of Birth
• Social security number
• Height and weight
• DOC ID
• Booking photo
• Assigned location
• Sentence summary

Where can I find Minnesota inmate records?

You will use the Minnesota Department of Corrections Offender Search to access the inmate record.

You will need the offender’s name or the inmate identification number to do an online search. It can take several business days to get a newly sentenced inmate into the online system, so be aware of the extra time required.

Minnesota Department of Corrections
Midway Campus
1450 Energy Park Dr #200
St. Paul, MN 55108

Phone number: 651-361-7200

Minnesota Court Records

Court records contain valuable information that can be used for several different reasons. Employers may want to know details of a case involving a job applicant.

Others involved in a separate case may want details of other court actions involving the individual—some lookup court cases to find out information about their parent’s past or other family members.

Most courts offer online access to their judicial branch case records through a public access site, and the State Law Library.

What’s on a Minnesota court record?

Court records are typically large information files and can include documents from several courts, depending on the case.

It can contain all court transcripts and information on all actions in a case.

• Names of parties
• Attorney name
• City and state
• Case number
• Case type
• Case information
• Date of birth
• Court orders
• Court opinions
• Court documents
• Civil cases

Where can I find Minnesota court records?

The Minnesota Judicial Branch has a case management system that provides you with court information and guides you to which court system you need to contact for the records.

You can case search the Minnesota trial court database using the Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO).

You can also access records of the judicial branch by searching the specific court’s database.

• Minnesota District Courts
• Minnesota Appellate Courts
• Minnesota Court of Appeals
• Minnesota Supreme Court

You can also find court records by going to the court where the case was heard and talking to the Court Administrator.

In some cases, requesters feel it’s easier to call or visit a courthouse, especially if it’s to request District Court records.

Minnesota Vital Records Records

The Minnesota Department of Health – The Office of Vital Records maintains public vital records in the state.

Minnesota public vital records include:

• Birth Certificates
• Death Certificates
• Marriage Licenses
• Divorce Decrees

Minnesota vital records requests will vary depending on the documents you are attempting to access.

Office of Vital Records – Department of Health
Minnesota Department of Health
Central Cashiering – Vital Records
P.O. Box 64499
St Paul, MN 55164

Phone number: 651-201-5740

What information do I need to request a Minnesota birth certificate?

The Minnesota Birth Certificate Application will require specific details.

• The full name on the birth certificate
• Date of birth
• Gender
• City of birth
• County of birth
• Parents’ name before marriage

Where can I find a Minnesota birth certificate?

You can request a certified copy of a birth record by completing the Minnesota Birth Certificate Application and submitting it in person or by mail.

You can also contact your local Minnesota county vital records office to submit the form in person.

The cost for a certified birth certificate in Minnesota is $26.

What information do I need for a death certificate in Minnesota?

The Minnesota Death Certificate Application will require specific details.

• Full name on the death certificate
• Date of death
• Date of birth
• City of death
• County of death
• Parents’ name
• Spouse’s name

Where can I find a Minnesota death record?

You can obtain a Minnesota death record by completing the Death Certificate Application and submitting it in person or by mail.

You can also contact your local Minnesota county vital records office to submit the form in person.

The cost for a certified death certificate in Minnesota is $13.

What information do I need to request a marriage certificate in Minnesota?

The County Recorder’s Office maintains marriage records in Minnesota.

You will need to contact your local Recorder to inquire about forms, fees, and office hours.

Where can I find an existing Minnesota marriage record?

You can search the Minnesota Official Marriage System (MOMS) for a marriage record.

If you request the marriage certificate in person, you must contact the Local Registrar in the county where the marriage license was issued.

The cost of a certified copy of a marriage certificate is $9 in Minnesota.

Cambridge Deputy Registrar Office
225 Ashland St S
Cambridge, MN 55008

Phone number: 763-689-1130

What information do I need to request a divorce certificate in Minnesota?

The County Administrator maintains divorce records in Minnesota.

You will need to contact the County Administrator in your jurisdiction to inquire about forms, fees, and office hours.

Where can I find a Minnesota divorce record?

You will need to contact the County Administrator where the divorce decree was issued.

Example – Isanti County
555 18th Avenue SW
Cambridge, MN 55008

Phone number: 763-290-7020

Minnesota Property Records

The County Assessor’s Office maintains public property records in Minnesota.

The property records you can access include:

• Liens
• Titles
• Property deeds
• Mortgages
• Property tax assessment records
• Zoning information
• Probate

What information do I need to request property records in Minnesota?

Public property record requests vary depending on the Minnesota county where the property record is maintained.

Contact your County Court Administrator’s Office to inquire about forms, fees, and office hours.

Where can I find a Minnesota property record?

You will contact the County Assessor’s Office in the county that maintains the Minnesota property record.

Example – Hennepin County Assessor
Hennepin Public Property Record Search webpage
Hennepin County Government Center
300 South 6th St # A2103
Minneapolis, MN 55487

FAQs

Can a request be submitted by non-residents of Minnesota?

Minnesota records are accessible to anyone.

You can request a Minnesota public record regardless of if you live in the state, or have United States citizenship.

Is there a records custodian in Minnesota?

Minnesota does not have a records custodian.

What exemptions exist for public records in Minnesota?

There are many specific exemptions within the legislative and judicial branches, even though neither is considered exempt.

Documents related to the legislature are exempt in many cases, and judicial documents related to domestic abuse records, judicial work products, and court service records are exempt. Administrative records relating to security, employees, and applicant are also exempt.

Requesters would need to look at the law to determine if a specific document is exempt and to clarify the Minnesota rules of public access to records.

How long does that state have to respond to a public records request in Minnesota?

Minnesota does not have a time limit for the state to respond to a FOIA request.

Is there an appeals process in place for public records requests in Minnesota?

You can appeal to the Commissioner of Administration. A requester can file an appeal up to two years after receiving a denial.

What fees are associated with requesting public records in Minnesota?

Fees charged for various records in Minnesota can be a bit murky. There is no charge to inspect records in person.

There are charges for government employees to search and duplicate records electronically.

However, the agency cannot charge additionally for redacting records or spending time legally reviewing them before release.

Fees are increasing all the time in the state, especially regarding search time and labor costs.

There are no fee waivers for the media or those requests made in the public interest.

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[INFOGRAPHIC] How Safe is Uber?

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Church Background Checks for Volunteers

Any sort of organization that has constant interaction with children is going to require some sort of background check or screening. In Churches, where there is so much focus on the youth ministry and schools, screening is required of all volunteers.

Here are the following steps you need to take to protect your ministry from those who wish to do harm to children

Establish a Background Check Process in Your Ministry

Your state may have specific requirements for your church, including fingerprinting. Check with your attorney or State Police before you begin the process.

1. Establish who must undergo a background check
2. Figure out what type of background check you are going to run.
3. Determine how you will deal with matches on the background check.

What Type of Checks Should You Run on Church Volunteers?

At a minimum, you should run a national sex offender search and multistate criminal database search for your church. On a higher level, you should also run county level criminal felony and misdemeanor searches.

For church employees and those who deal with money, an employment credit report should also be ordered. Additionally, church employees should have every county of residence searched in the last 5 years.

 

 

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INFOGRAPHIC: How to Find, Recruit, Hire and Keep the Best Employees

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How Long Does an Employment Background Check Take

With more than 90 percent of employers running background checks on potential candidates, it’s important that you know what they’re looking for before you begin your job hunt. The same applies to banks where you’re seeking a loan and landlords when you’re trying to secure a new place to live. Background checks can make or break your eligibility for all of life’s necessities.

So what do you need to know about the length of your average review? Consider this your guide to understanding background checks.

Types of Background Check

The length of a background check will depend entirely on what kind of check is being run. There are several types:

Criminal Checks

These checks look for arrests, lawsuits, incarceration records and people on the sex offender registry. They typically take anywhere from 3-10 days depending on the agency doing the reporting and the amount of transgressions on record.

Citizenship Checks

More and more employers are requiring citizenship or visa checks to keep themselves from running afoul of Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE). These checks are usually nothing more than a phone call or a Social Security number run through the federal E-Verify program, so they don’t take long at all.

Credit Checks

Checking an applicant’s credit can be a time-consuming process. According to the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), employers have to get your permission for the review before any digging is done, and even after that you’re looking at a wait of 7-10 days for official processing.

Driving Checks

If you’re applying somewhere as a driver, your employer will need to check your driving record for tickets, accidents and DUIs/DWIs. Don’t expect this to happen any sooner than 48 hours, especially if the employer is having it bundled into an all-purpose background check that can take up to a week to deliver.

Employment Checks

Did you really work at that company? Hiring managers are allowed to check references, employment dates and even performance reviews. Unfortunately, there’s just no way to know how long it will your new employer to speak with your old one.

Education Checks

If you’re applying for an academic or highly technical position, your employer may want verification of your degree. These don’t take long for the schools to fax over, but keep in mind that their offices aren’t open on weekends, and not every request is processed right away.

Tenant Checks

Tenant screening takes place by landlords and homeowners who want to ensure that they’re renting to the right people. These checks look for things like income verification and good rental histories, and they usually take less than 72 hours.

Licensing Checks

Your employer may want to verify that you have the legal certification required for your job. These checks will look at issuance dates, location details and any disciplinary actions taken against you, and they typically take 3-10 days.

Types of Background Checker

In addition to choosing what kind of review to run, employers are often allowed to pick between several different methods of obtaining a background check.

Third-Party Agencies

Third-party agencies are usually the fastest with background checks. They use the Internet to comb through public records, so they typically have results within a matter of days; some agencies even run “instant” background checks that can be done in a matter of hours.

State Agencies

When employers want an official background check, they turn to the state. These reviews are ordered from places like the State Bureau of Identification (SBI) or the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS), and they typically take 7-10 business days to be mailed out.

Federal Agencies

Occasionally a bank or employer will require a background check from the FBI for the purpose of national security. These reviews take the longest; you won’t see results for 30 days or more.

Speeding Up Your Background Check

If you’re in a hurry for that new job, here are just a few ways to grease the wheels of the system:

– Fill out your forms properly. For example, don’t give your nickname or a shortened version of your name on official job applications. “Joe” isn’t in the state’s records; “Joseph” is.

– Offer as many identifiers as you can. Don’t be shy about giving out your birthday, address history or educational level. According to Security Magazine, this will keep you from being confused with other people of the same name.

– Be honest. This may sound obvious, but there’s no use in lying on a form when you’re going to be scrutinized in a background check anyway. Not only will you lose the job, but it can also slow things down when city officials confuse your records with another persons.

These are just a few things to keep in mind when wondering about the length of a background check. As you can see, it depends on a variety of factors, so be as patient as you can. Anxiety won’t make the results deliver themselves any faster.

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MVR Driving Record

In today’s difficult environment, it is important for a company to make a firm commitment to risk management. Employee screening is one essential ingredient in an overall risk management program. By thoroughly screening a prospective hire, a company can ensure that they obtain honest, reliable employees.

A company with employee drivers should take every reasonable measure to make sure that these people are safe drivers to protect their business and reduce risks. Among these steps is the use of Motor Vehicle Records Checks to determine if an applicant has a good driving history. Employee driving records have become an important Fleet Safety Program component and can help protect a company against litigation after an accident.

The Basics

An MVR or Motor Vehicle Check shows a person’s driving history including valuable information about their driver’s license such as special endorsements, license class, current and past license statuses including cancellations, revocations and suspensions and any restrictions on their license.

Aside from that, it will also show valuable information about a person’s traffic violations including but not limited to vehicular crimes, accident reports, traffic citations, DUI convictions and driving record points. MVR checks might also show personal information such as an individual’s gender, date of birth, age, weight, height and hair and eye color.

They can also uncover unanswered or unpaid summons and insurance lapses. Usually, MVR checks only show information for a specific number of years. However, the time frame differs by the state. Additionally, employers should obtain a release from the applicant before an MVR check can be run.

The Statistics Do Not Lie

The importance of an MVR check cannot be denied. Companies should determine if their employee is a safe driver not only to protect their equipment but also their customers, clients and others that their workers may have contact with. This is because motor-vehicle crashes cost companies $60 billion annually in legal expenses, lost productivity, medical care and property damage. The average motor vehicle crash costs an employer approximately $16,500.

When an employee is involved in an on-the-job crash that results in an injury, the cost to their employer is $74,000. What is worse is that it can exceed $500,000 when a fatality is involved. That figure can soar to millions of dollars per incident if punitive damages are awarded. They are also liable for a negligent lawsuit. Such lawsuits also have the potential to destroy the reputation of a company.

The Benefits

It can be hard for a company to predict how an employee will handle their job in a real work setting. If their work requires driving, auto insurance can be involved as well that can significantly affect the operations of their business. Nobody is perfect at driving, but some people are definitely worse than others.

In many cases, driving history repeats itself. Running an MVR check helps a company predict any negative activity that has a higher probability of happening in the near future. At the very least, they can talk to the prospective employee about their driving history after knowing their record and resolving any issues and worries.

However, this does not just equate to peace of mind for business owners. Their insurance company worries about their employees as well. That worry usually translates to money. This is because insurance companies have access to MVR checks, and their premiums may be based on people’s driving history.

Companies may be penalized with higher premiums if their organization reflects poorly in this domain. Insurance is frequently a hazard to operational costs. Fortunately, knowing their employee’s MVR helps companies protect themselves.

Another Hidden Benefit

In addition to companies benefiting from having MVR checks done, prospective job applicants do as well. It prevents them from having unnecessary errors that blemish their identity. Even if their job does not necessarily involve driving, an employer may still want an idea of what is on their driving record.

Having errors on their record can hurt a person’s chances of getting a job. Even if there are no errors, every violation or ticket they have might not show up on record. Knowing what isn’t and what is on their record can help an person prepare for questioning by a prospective employer.

Releasing Time

MVR checks are usually returned within one to three business days from the order date. However, each U.S. state has its own regulations and rules as to how records are released and kept. This affects the turnaround time.

Other reasons for an MVR check to be delayed include name variations and missing or incorrect license numbers. Because motor vehicle licenses are issued by individual states, and each one of them maintains its own database driving records, MVR checks are done per state as there is no national driving record database. Companies should contact the individual Department of Motor Vehicles or comparable department in each state.

A Weakness

Each state has its own regulations and rules as to how Motor Vehicle Records checks are done. Additional forms may be necessary to perform them. What is worse is that some states do not permit a prospective employer to gain access to Motor Vehicle Reports. Because of this, some companies choose to order an MVR check from a reputable third-party company. These companies provide a much faster service. In addition, they perform these checks at a much lower price or sometimes for free.