CLS Enterprises of Lockport, Inc. specializing in pre-employment and prelease background screening.
Police and Fire Service Packages Available
View our complete selection of comprehensive background packages designed to address the needs of public service agencies. » more

Criminal Record Searches

The best criminal search capabilities are reserved only for Law Enforcement Agencies and provide instant results that are extremely accurate and detailed. For the rest of us, criminal searches must be conducted on either a Federal, State, or County level or a combination thereof.

CrimWATCHSM
New Service - CrimWatch
Regularly scans nationwide criminal databases and notifies you when criminal records are found for active employees. CrimWATCH runs automatically on a monthly basis with minimal effort from the employer.
   Call for details on this new service!

Federal Criminal Search
This inquiry searches for violations of federal law which tend to be much more severe in nature than state charged violations. As a general rule of thumb a very small percentage of criminal cases are ever prosecuted in federal court. It is also true that those cases prosecuted federally will generally not appear in a statewide or county inquiry.
   Return time of 24-48 hours

Individual State Database Criminal Search
This inquiry searches for violations charged on a state level and is currently offered in approximately two thirds of all states. In most cases this information is drawn from input from several different databases and may vary widely from state to state.
  Return time of  24-48 hrs.

C.O.P.S. - Criminal Offender Profile Summary™
This powerful high-speed multi jurisdictional search of state and county criminal records databases also includes the multi-state sex and violent offenders search. One of the best national tool database searches in the industry.
   Return time of 24 hrs.

Individual County Criminal Search

This inquiry is considered to be one of the most thorough available. Time and again the county level inquiry is the most likely to uncover relevant information. Researchers physically respond to the courthouse to search these records and depending on jurisdiction these inquiries can go back 7-12 years. CLS Enterprises recommends one of the following formulas in determining which counties to research.

  1. Based upon information provided by the individual being investigated during the application process check the counties in which the subject has resided or was employed.
  2. If you are concerned that the subject may have omitted some unfavorable information during the application process, first run a social security trace to obtain a more accurate address history then conduct county criminal inquiries based upon information obtained in this search.
   Up to five business days.

Other Available Inquiries

County Civil Records Search

County Court Civil Records reveal legal actions filed by individuals and businesses. These records may reveal information pertaining to the plaintiff, defendant, particulars of the action, remedies and awards. Records are generally available dating back seven years. This search helps identify high-risk candidates that may become a liability. Court fees may apply and vary by location. In many cases County Civil Record Searches can be searched by name only, however take slightly longer than County Criminal Records.

  Varies by Location

Essential Report™

The Essential Report combined several of our premium services into one. A National Criminal Tool, Multi-State Sex and Violent Offender Search, SSN Trace Tool and Terrorist Watch List.

   Return time of 24 hours

Federal Civil Search

Federal Civil Records are searched in US Federal District Courts. These records may reveal information pertaining to plaintiff, defendant, particulars of the action., remedies and awards. Typical cases might involve violations of civil rights, actions against the federal government, interstate commerce, financial entities, etc. This search is frequently incorporated into a background check for senior level manager positions.

   Usually complete within 24 hours

National Registry Check

Ideal for landlords and property managers conducting backgrounds for pre-lease purposes. The National Registry Check uses name and address match logic to summarize past court actions, prior landlord inquiries, and landlord reported history.

   Return time of 24 hours

Safety 1st Volunteer Screening ™

Safety 1st Volunteer ScreeningCLS is proud to offer the Safety 1st program to our volunteer organizations. Safety 1st combines the abilities of the C.O.P.S. Search with a SSN Search tool called AIM ™. This search is only offered to volunteer organizations and is subject to random audits. Clients allowed access to this service must certify and guarantee its uses.

   Return time of 24 hours

Social Security Number Trace and Past Address History

This search will indicate if a SSN is valid, where it was issued and the name attached to it. In addition it will list up to ten years of address history so that you know where a person has resided. This information may prove to be useful when determining where to run criminal searches.

   Return time of 24 - 48 hours

Workers Compensation Filings Report

This search will include information about injury description, date of injury, filing date, rate of compensation, and time frame. Employers are cautioned that decisions based solely or in part upon information gathered from this report may present issues with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Please refer to the Important Considerations and Resources page for direction in ADA and FCRA compliance. Availability of this particular search may vary from state to state and may take up to ten business days. Some states have specific form requirements as well as additional release waivers.

   Up to ten business days.

Employment Verification

Addresses a previous employers' recollection of an applicant during the period of employment specified in the application. This verification is conducted by way of a phone interview and information obtained includes but may not be limited to:

  • dates of employment
  • character
  • salary
  • title
  • performance
   Up to five business days.

Professional License Verification

Allows the client to confirm professional license and certifications, as well as providing the subject's professional standing with a regulatory body.

  Return time varies by agency

Education Verification

Confirmation of an applicant's highest level of education. We will verify institutions, dates, major areas of study, degrees earned and transcript information. May require a release form be faxed prior to providing this information.

  Return time varies by institution

Personal References

Conducted by way of telephone interview. Focus is placed upon the applicant's dependability, integrity, and character.

  Return time up to five business days.

Driving Record History

A driving history search can be an important aspect of any pre-employment screening process. Information provided will vary by state as will cost and turn around time. Data generally will date back 3-10 years depending on the state and will usually include issue and expiration date, status, and a record of violations, suspensions or revocations. This search is subject to all restrictions outlined in the Drivers Privacy Protection Act (DPPA) and users should be familiar with the requirements before ordering this search. Driving Record Searches are highly regulated and as such require a special service agreement and waiver. Please contact us to obtain these documents prior to ordering this type of search.

  Varies by State

Credit Reports

Credit reports used for employment background check purposes are not the same as a standard credit report. The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) specifies that certain account information must be removed from the employee background check credit report before it can be used for employment purposes. All of our reports, including credit, are FCRA compliant. Be aware that credit reports are highly regulated and require additional approvals before ordering. Please contact us for details or refer to the links provided in the Important Considerations and Resources Page.

Drug Screening

Drug screenings are conducted by way of a urine sample analysis. You will receive specifically coded forms that the applicant will take to any of 2,200 collection sites in the U.S. A sample will be collected and sent to the lab for testing. Results are usually returned to the client within three to five days.

   Return time three to five days.

Sex Offender Registry

This database search covers most U.S. states and is a list of convicted sex offenders. This search is included with the Combined State Database Search or can be ordered individually.

   Return time of 24-48 hrs

HealthCare Sanctions Report

This inquiry targets the specifics of caregivers and organizations who have been involved in matters regarding Medicare Fraud.

Bankruptcy

Conducted at the Federal District Court level and records are specific to that district only. Information obtained can include the type of bankruptcy filing, date of filing, remedies, roster of petitioners, etc. These records can go back up to ten years.

   Usually returned within 24 hrs.

Terrorist Watch List

These searches were made available post 9/11. This search checks an individual's name against several databases maintained by the government as well as private companies. This search includes several national and international most wanted lists.

Adverse Action Letter

This option ensures an employer's compliance with FCRA regulations regarding pre-adverse and adverse action letter requirements by having us prepare and send the letter for you.

Misc. Charge, Verification, or Shipping

This is usually applied to the education or employment verification inquiries in instances where a service must be employed to recover the documents or information. These fees may also be applied when special shipping requirements are necessary.