Backgrounds Online's Knowledge Bank

Background checking a juvenile applicant varies slightly from a normal report and requires the consent of a parent or guardian. Make sure you know what permissions are required before running a check.

Employers can perform juvenile background checks with permission from the applicant’s parent or guardian. This is usually done by having the parent/guardian sign the release of information. A special release of information can be provided to employers for this purpose by Backgrounds Online. Parental permission for juvenile background checks is required for anyone under the age of 18 years.

While employers can conduct juvenile background checks, the results and scope can be limited. For instance, the majority of juvenile criminal records are sealed. Criminal records normally become public record at the age of 18. The only exception to someone under the age of 18 having a criminal record reported would be if they were tried and convicted as an adult.

Furthermore, because a person cannot establish credit until the age of 18, there would be no reason to run a Pre-employment Credit Report, even if the applicant was applying for a position where this would normally be requested.

Motor vehicle records, employment verifications, education verifications and personal references are all checks that can be performed for juvenile background checks.