Using California Public Records
Screen job applicants with California criminal records
Hiring a new employee is one of the most common reasons for using California public records. A small business may prefer to take advantage of the free information available online instead of hiring another company to perform this service.Finding an applicant with the right job qualifications is only part of the hiring process. Background checks should be essential because the employer can be held responsible for an employee’s actions on the job. CA public records can help identify individuals that could be a poor choice due to their credit or criminal history. Employers must also specifically check people who will be working with children or the elderly for any history of abuse.
There are three types of public records of particular interest when performing background checks:
1. Credit reports that show current lines of credit, payment histories and declarations of bankruptcy.
2. California vital records that show past convictions, births or divorces. These may also be useful in determining criminal history, residency requirements and alimony payments.
3. Registered sex offender lists. California requires convicted sex offenders to be kept on a list for a specified period after their conviction.
Use California court public records to get general information on individuals
Public information can include California divorce records, birth records and death records. Many cities and counties in California have websites with this information that is freely available to the general public.
Try: Alameda County provides for online payments of birth, death and marriage certificates. It also allows you to make copies of public records. Sonoma County offers an online search of public records although California law prohibits actually viewing those records on the Internet.
Use California public court records to get information on criminal history
Law enforcement agencies keep criminal records which may be publicly available. Laws vary widely by state as to the specific information you will be able to obtain. Some government agencies may also charge fees.
Try: The Office of the Attorney General for California requires fingerprints to obtain a criminal history report. TrustLine is the registry in California for child care providers who have passed a background check.
Use public records to conduct a California background check
There are many sites dedicated to performing background checks for prospective employees. These checks can also include Social Security number verification, education verification and reference checks.
Try: A Matter of Fact specializes in background checks in California and also offers a variety of related resources. Sherlock Records provides a list of sites for performing background checks in California and also allows a search by name and state.
- You will first need to obtain some basic information on the individual you are seeking state of California public records for. Job applicants will need to provide this information on the application form or on a separate form for the background check. Individuals must also grant permission for a background check in most cases.
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