Can a background check guarantee a caregiver is safe?

No. No background check on any service can guarantee safety. Databases have gaps, records vary by county, and a clean check only means nothing was found, not that nothing exists. That's why a background check is one layer among several: interview, references, a trial shift, and staying involved.

Do I need the caregiver's permission to run a background check?

Yes. Background checks require the person's written consent. And if you decide not to hire someone based partly on the results, fair-use rules (the FCRA) generally require you to follow certain steps, such as letting them know and giving them a chance to respond. A reputable screening service walks you through this.

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Find the right caregiver

Background checks, explained simply

Q: What does a caregiver background check include?

A solid check usually includes identity verification, a national criminal database search, a sex-offender registry search, and county court records where the person has lived. Some also add a driving record if the caregiver will drive. It should be renewed periodically, since a one-time check only reflects that moment.

A background check is inexpensive peace of mind when you're bringing someone into your loved one's home. Here's what it covers, what it can't tell you, and how to use it fairly.

What a good check includes

Identity verification, confirming they are who they say.
A national criminal database search.
A sex-offender registry search.
County court records where they've lived, the most reliable source, since serious records live at the county level.
A driving record, if they'll be driving your loved one.

A check should be renewed periodically (yearly is common), because a one-time check only reflects that moment in time.

The honest part: no background check, on any service, can guarantee safety. Databases have gaps, county records vary, and a clean result means nothing was found, not that nothing exists. Treat a check as one important layer, alongside a real interview, reference calls, a trial shift, and staying involved.

Consent and fair use

Two things to know so you handle this properly:

Consent is required. You need the caregiver's written permission before running a check.
If results affect your decision, fair-use rules (the federal FCRA) generally require certain steps, like telling the person and giving them a chance to respond, before you decline based on what a report shows. A reputable screening service guides you through this.

Also fair to remember: an old, minor, or unrelated record isn't automatically a reason to say no. Look at what genuinely affects safety and trust.

How it works on HomeTogether Hire

Caregivers marked with a ✓ background-checked badge have completed identity verification and criminal, sex-offender, and county record searches, renewed each year they're active. For your loved one's privacy and the caregiver's, families see the result (checked or not), not the raw report. And because no check is a guarantee, a real person from our team stays involved from first match to first visit.

Bottom line: run a check on anyone new to your family, use a reputable service, get consent, and weigh the results fairly, then keep interviewing, calling references, and trusting your gut.

Skip the setup, they're already checked

Browse caregivers who've already completed a background check, and watch a video interview before you ever call.

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Common questions

What does a caregiver background check include?

Identity, a national criminal database, the sex-offender registry, and county court records, plus a driving record if they'll drive. Renew it periodically.

Can it guarantee safety?

No. It's one important layer, not a guarantee. Pair it with interviews, references, a trial shift, and staying involved.

Do I need their permission?

Yes, written consent. And if results affect your decision, follow fair-use (FCRA) steps. A good screening service helps you do this right.

This is general information, not legal advice. Background-check laws and fair-use requirements vary, when in doubt, use a reputable screening service or consult a professional.