Background Check in Missouri: Everything You Need to Know

Brandon Way - November 29, 2024

Background checks are some of the most important parts of the hiring process, and you’ll find that they’re used in other areas as well. Learning more about background checks in Missouri is a good way to stay ahead of the curve whether you’re a hiring manager or someone who’s about to go through the process. 

While there is a lot to know about background checks in Missouri, you’re in the right place if you’re ready to learn. We take you through what a background check in Missouri looks like, how to run one, and much more. Read on to learn everything you need to know.

What Is a Background Check?

A background check is the process of looking into someone’s public records, also known as background information. 

Typically, background checks go back around seven to ten years and look for things including felonies, misdemeanors, financial records, and anything else that’s relevant. Identity verification is another important part of the process, and this is often done first. 

The purpose of a background check is to check an applicant’s records against what the employer, landlord, or agency is looking for. A great example is an apartment background check that ensures a tenant meets the standards for their building. After all, landlords might not want to rent to someone who has a history of being unable to pay debt.

Many background checks also require contacting references, so the process goes deeper than just looking into someone’s records in Missouri. 

It’s important to be as thorough as possible throughout the process for the best results. Many background checks can get personal and dive into someone’s social media accounts, online presence, and much more.

Why Background Checks in Missouri Are Important 

Background checks in Missouri aren’t just important, they’re essential in some cases. For example, if a hospital wants to work with a medical device supplier, that supplier needs to not be on any government exclusion lists. If the hospital fails to check, they’re liable for fines, penalties, and even losses in government funding. 

Background checks are also important in other industries. For instance, if someone lies about having a commercial driver’s license (CDL) or the license is suspended, letting that driver drive for your company can result in fines or other penalties. 

Industries also won’t allow sex offenders or violent criminals to work near children or around people who need care. Therefore, these industries need to have strict background check guidelines to avoid being penalized or putting their clients/customers in harm’s way.

Who Runs Background Checks in Missouri?

Background checks in Missouri are usually run by employers or during important applications for licenses but it doesn’t stop there. You’ll find that the following organizations and individuals commonly run background checks in Missouri:

• Colleges and universities evaluating students 
• Employers, hiring managers, and small business owners 
• Government agencies hiring contractors 
• Individuals who are hiring contractors to work on their property 
• Commercial driving programs
• Nonprofit organizations 
• Salespeople who are selling firearms 
• Individuals who want to learn more about people online before meeting them to avoid danger or scams 
• Landlords who want to learn more about tenants 

These are some of the most common applications for background checks in Missouri, but even individuals can run personal background checks and other types of checks.

What Information Shows up on Background Checks in Missouri?

In Missouri, you’ll find that a lot of information shows up. Ultimately, you can expect anything that’s a public record in the state of Missouri to show up on a background. So, if it’s not expunged or sealed away, there’s a good chance that someone can find your information.

That said, most relevant information for background checks in Missouri tends to include:

• Criminal Records: Information about a crime, including when it happened, sentencing, parties involved, and the conviction.
• Sex Offender Status: Information about whether or not someone is on the Missouri Sex Offense Registry.
• Education and Employment History: All relevant records for education and employment history, including length of time, credentials, and references.
• Credit Reports: This includes credit scores, information about bankruptcies, liens, and more.
• Motor Vehicle Report (MVR): Usually for driving-related jobs and includes information from Missouri’s DMV.
• Identity Verification: Background checks in Missouri will verify someone’s identity using Social Security Number (SSN) verification.

Knowing what shows up on a background check is helpful whether you’re running the check or about to go through one. You’ll want to be prepared for any type of check if you’re an applicant, and employers should get as much information as possible before evaluating a candidate

How Far Back Does a Background Check in Missouri Go?

In Missouri, background checks go back seven years due to limitations placed on the process by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and Missouri’s expungement laws. 

That said, there are some exceptions for violent felonies and sexual crimes. For example, people who commit violent sex crimes will find themselves on sex offender registries indefinitely, which will show up on a background check. 

It’s also important to note that background checks can go back further for jobs that pay more than $75,000 annually based on FCRA guidelines. For this reason, the specific job that’s being applied for can determine how far back the check goes.

How to Run a Background Check in Missouri 

When you want to run a background check in Missouri, you have a handful of options. 

You can do the research yourself with tools like Google and social media. Or, you can use outside sources including online background check tools and companies that specialize in the process. All options are viable, so it comes down to the type of background check you’re trying to run. Learn more about each method below.

Online Background Check Tools 

The best way to run a background check in Missouri is to use an online background check tool like the one we offer at CheckPeople.com. 

Our background check tool makes the process a breeze, and all you need to get started is the consent of the applicant and their first and last name. However, if you’re running a personal background check or running a check on yourself, you can skip that step.

Once you enter the information, our background check tool will handle the rest of the process for you. After around five to ten minutes, we’ll compile a full report for you that includes everything publicly available about someone. This includes:

• Criminal records 
• Civil court records 
• Marriage and divorce records 
• Education history 
• Employment history 
• Sex offender status 
• Social media profiles 
• Email addresses 
• Addresses 
• Phone numbers 
• Relatives 
• Maiden name 
• Date of birth 

Overall, we can help you find anything that’s publicly available, so we recommend starting with our online background check tool before you commit to any more expensive options. What’s more, we can point you in the right direction if you want to look through public databases yourself, so it’s a win-win.

We also recommend starting with one of our tools if you plan on preparing for a background check. Since the other methods are expensive or time-consuming, it’s the best place to start.

Background Check Agencies 

Plenty of background check agencies are available in Missouri. Whether you work with a national chain or a local company, they can help you complete the background check process in Missouri. While the cost is higher, they handle the entire process from start to finish, so all you have to do is submit the paperwork and let the agency do the rest.

Background check agencies are great tools to leverage, but only in some situations. For example, they tend to offer bulk pricing discounts for larger companies that need background checks run on dozens of employees. 

However, for small businesses, the process can be more expensive if you use a background check company. This also applies to personal background checks and background checks on contractors, so keep this in mind.

Run a Background Check in Missouri With Confidence 

Background checks are an important part of the hiring process regardless of where you live. In Missouri, the process is similar to most states, so you don’t have to worry about too much variation. 

The only things to consider are how far back the check will go, how much you’re willing to spend, and what the check is for. Once you know this information, you can make an informed decision that works for you. 

If you have a small business, plan on running a personal background check, or want to check your own records, we always recommend starting with our online background check tool. It’s more than capable of these types of checks and offers the best value.

On the other hand, corporations and other large companies might fare better with established background check agencies. This is especially true if drug testing and other more in-depth testing needs to be done.