If you live in Atlanta, Savannah, Augusta, Macon, or anywhere else in Georgia and you’re getting ready to apply for a job, there’s a good chance your prospective employer will run a background check at some point in the hiring process.
But do you know what they might find?
In this guide, you’ll learn how to run a self-background check in Georgia so you can confirm that your records are accurate, catch potential errors, and understand exactly what employers will see.
Key Takeaways
- Running a background check on yourself improves your chances of getting hired by helping you identify inaccurate information about yourself, uncover potential identity theft, clean up your online presence, prepare for interviews, and demonstrate you’re not a fake applicant.
- In Georgia, background checks commonly include identity confirmation, criminal history reports, driving record checks, employment and education verification, professional license validation, and sometimes a review of your social media presence.
- At iprospectcheck, we offer reliable and secure self-background check services that meet the same standards trusted by employers across Georgia.
Why Run a Background Check on Yourself in Georgia?
1. Fix Mistakes Before Employers See Them
Background reports aren’t always accurate. They might display outdated information, confuse you with someone who has a similar name, or list incorrect details.
Checking your own background ahead of time gives you the chance to spot and fix these issues before they cost you a job opportunity.
2. Spot Identity Theft Early
If your personal information has been compromised, your report might include accounts or legal records you don’t recognize.
Running a self-check helps you catch these warning signs early, begin the process of correcting them, and talk openly with employers if needed.
3. Review Your Social Media Image
Before you start applying, it’s smart to review what’s publicly visible on your social media profiles.
Many employers in Georgia check the social media profiles of applicants during the hiring process, and even casual posts could raise red flags.
With iprospectcheck’s social media screening services, you can identify and clean up posts that may come across as unprofessional.
4. Prepare for Interview Discussions
Interviewers may bring up information they find in your background report.
If you already know what’s in your record, you can respond clearly and confidently.
Being familiar with your background helps you stay calm and professional when answering tough questions.
5. Boost Employer Confidence That You’re Not a Fake Applicant
With the rise of AI-generated profiles, deepfake identities, and fake applicants, employers are more cautious than ever.
By running your own background check and ensuring your records are accurate and verifiable, you demonstrate that you’re a legitimate, trustworthy candidate.
What Shows Up on a Personal Background Check in Georgia?
The information found in a personal background check can vary depending on the job you’re targeting and any state or industry-specific rules that apply.
However, most personal background reports typically include these reports:
Identity Verification
Verifying your identity is always the starting point of any background check.
Companies like iprospectcheck use this process to make sure the records being accessed actually belong to you, not someone with a similar name.
Accurate identity checks help ensure your report is both complete and reliable.
Criminal History
A Georgia criminal background check may search records from national criminal databases, state criminal records, federal criminal records, and county-level court files.
These checks usually focus on places where you’ve lived, worked, or studied over the past seven years.
Depending on the job, the report might include pending charges, misdemeanors, or felony convictions.
Records that are sealed, expunged, pardoned, or that didn’t result in a conviction are generally not included.
In most cases, background reports in Georgia follow a seven-year reporting window starting from the date of conviction, parole, or release.
Social Media Screening
A social media check reviews your public posts, photos, and comments across popular platforms.
The goal is to show what a potential employer might come across when evaluating your online presence during the hiring process.
iprospectcheck offers summaries of this content so you can see how your digital footprint might be interpreted by employers.
Get Your Personal Background Check Today!
How to Run a Background Check on Yourself in Georgia
Option 1: Do-It-Yourself
You can collect your own background details by using official state and federal sources.
Here are several key options available to Georgia residents:
- Georgia Criminal History Records – You can request your criminal background report from the Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC) and review arrests and convictions recorded within the state. Keep in mind that this report may not include information from other states or certain county-level records.
- County and Municipal Court Records – Employers often review local court records in areas where you’ve lived or worked. You can check these records through the website of your local court or by visiting the clerk’s office in the relevant county.
- Driving Record – For driving-related roles, employers may check your driving history. You can request a copy of your Motor Vehicle Report (MVR) from the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) to view traffic violations, suspensions, and other entries.
- Federal Court Records – If you’re applying for a position that requires federal background checks, you can subscribe to PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) to view your civil or criminal federal court history by name.
- Sex Offender Registry – To confirm your name does not appear incorrectly, you can search Georgia’s Sex Offender Registry and the National Sex Offender Public Website. These resources are often reviewed during employment screenings.
- Social Media and Online Profiles – Use a search engine to see what appears under your name and check your public social media profiles. Employers may review this content, so it’s smart to ensure your online image reflects professionalism.
- Education Verification – Reach out to your high school, college, or certification programs directly to request transcripts or proof of graduation or certification.
- Employment Verification – Contact your previous employers to confirm your job titles, employment dates, and job responsibilities. Some may require you to go through a third-party verification provider.
Pros:
- Low or no cost
- Access to official public records
- Direct control over the process
Cons:
- Time-consuming to gather everything
- Some records may require official authorization
- Information might be confusing without context
- Final results may not match employer-facing formats
Best For:
Georgia job seekers who prefer a low-cost option and are comfortable managing the process themselves.
Option 2: Order a Personal Background Check from iprospectcheck
For a quicker and more reliable option, you can request a personal background check directly from iprospectcheck.
Our reports are FCRA-compliant and closely mirror what many Georgia employers use during the hiring process.
Pros:
- Professionally prepared reports
- Reviewed by certified experts
- Quick turnaround
- Secure digital delivery
- Clear, easy-to-understand layout
- Strong data privacy and security protocols
Cons:
- Paid service
- Requires personal information for identity verification
Best For:
Individuals who want a thorough, accurate, and professional background check without having to gather everything themselves.
How to Get Started:
Visit our secure online portal and provide your full legal name, any previous names used, Social Security number, and full address history.
Once your report is ready, review it carefully.
If you spot any mistakes, such as incorrect criminal entries or job history, reach out to our team for help.
For corrections to official records in Georgia, you may also need to contact the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) or the local court where the record originated.
Get a Personal Background Check with iprospectcheck
Checking your own background before applying for jobs in Georgia gives you the opportunity to catch mistakes, update old information, and approach the hiring process with confidence.
At iprospectcheck, we offer detailed, employer-style personal background checks for individuals across Georgia and nationwide.
Order your report today and take the next step in your job search, knowing exactly what potential employers may find.
DISCLAIMER: The resources provided here are for educational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. Consult your counsel if you have legal questions related to your specific practices and compliance with applicable laws.
FAQs
How much does a personal background check in Georgia cost?
At iprospectcheck, we offer several background check packages for individuals in Georgia:
- Basic Personal Background Check – starting at $39.95
- Employer-Level Background Check – starting at $59.95
- Executive Premium Package – starting at $99.95
Please note: County court access fees and optional services, like education or professional license verification, are not included in the base cost and may vary by request.
We also offer a Social Media Analysis Report as an optional add-on for $49.95.
How long does it take to get a personal background check in Georgia?
Most personal background checks ordered through iprospectcheck are completed in under an hour.
However, if your report includes multiple counties, out-of-state records, or special verifications, it could take longer, sometimes up to 30 days, depending on how quickly the necessary agencies respond.
Do expunged records show up on a background check in Georgia?
Generally, expunged or sealed records do not appear on employment background checks used by most private employers in Georgia.
However, certain agencies, such as schools, law enforcement, or long-term care facilities, may be allowed access to sealed information under state law.
If you’re applying for a licensed or regulated role, check with the relevant board or agency to understand what records may be reviewed.
How far back do background checks go in Georgia?
Criminal convictions in Georgia can be reported indefinitely unless the record has been restricted or sealed.
At iprospectcheck, our standard checks go back seven years for criminal convictions, in line with federal and state laws.
Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), non-conviction data, like arrests or civil suits, is limited to seven years for jobs paying under $75,000 per year.
Jobs in healthcare, education, finance, or public safety may require deeper screenings to meet industry-specific requirements.
What are my rights under background check laws in Georgia?
Georgia job seekers are protected by several key laws:
- Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA): Employers must get your written consent before running a background check and follow specific steps, including sending a pre-adverse action notice and a final adverse action notice if they decide not to hire based on the background check.
- Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964: Employers cannot make hiring decisions based on race, religion, gender, or national origin. All background check practices must be job-related and fairly applied.
- Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act (FCA): Federal agencies and contractors cannot ask about your criminal history until after a conditional offer is made.
- State Ban-the-Box Law: Georgia’s statewide ban-the-box policy, enacted in 2015, prohibits public employers from asking about criminal history on initial job applications or automatically disqualifying candidates based on convictions unless exceptions apply.
- Criminal Background Check Disclosure: Under Georgia Code § 35-3-34(3)(b), employers who reject an applicant based on information from the Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC) must disclose the source, details, and impact of that information; failure to do so is a misdemeanor.
- Georgia First Offender Act: This law allows eligible first-time offenders to complete probation without a conviction; once successfully completed and sealed, the record won’t appear on employment background checks except for sensitive roles like schools or long-term care facilities.
- Georgia Record-Sealing Law: Under Georgia Code § 35-3-37, individuals can petition to restrict up to two misdemeanor convictions, preventing them from appearing on future employment background checks.
