How Much Does a Background Check Cost in 2025
Summary: Background check cost in 2025 depends on several key factors such as the type of search, provider, and level of detail. Trusted providers like InfoMart’s SMB screening solutions offer affordable background check options for small businesses that combine accuracy and compliance, helping employers reduce risk, build trust, and make confident, long-term hiring decisions.
Why Employers Run Background Checks
Background checks are a standard part of the hiring process. Employers screen candidates to confirm employment history, check criminal records, and verify licenses. Pre-employment background checks may also cover drug testing, driving records, or credit reports.
A background check for employment helps employers protect their team and make safe choices. InfoMart’s screening services for SMBs make it easy for growing businesses to access background check services that provide trust in the hiring process, reduce risk, and support fairness for applicants.
Employers must also follow the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) to avoid mistakes when making hiring decisions. Small business background checks give SMBs the structure they need to stay compliant while protecting their business.
Factors That Change Background Check Cost
Type of Background Check
Not all checks cost the same. A criminal search or sex offender registry check may be simple and low-cost. Employment verification or motor vehicle record checks raise the background verification cost. Employers should determine which screenings are most important for the role.
Scope of Records Searched
The scope also affects the background check cost. Costs will vary depending on if you choose local court records, national criminal searches or state, or federal records searches, for example. Checking sex offender registries or national databases yields stronger results, but this approach also increases the cost.
Level of Detail Needed
Some employers only run a criminal background screening with a Social Security number trace. Others, including those investing in mid-size business background checks, require comprehensive pre-employment screening that verifies job history, education, and drug testing. The more details included, the higher the background check cost. However, more complete employment screenings give employers confidence and protect long-term success.
Average Background Check Costs
So, what is the average background check cost? The answer depends on the number of services included. A low-cost background check may cover only one jurisdiction. Larger packages, like those including additional court records and employment verification, result in higher costs.
Some background check companies allow employers to pay for individual services, while others offer bundled screenings at a single price. Small business owners must balance needs with budget. Choosing the best background check companies for small businesses helps them stay competitive in hiring while keeping costs under control. Ordering in bulk can also lower the background verification cost.
For small and mid-sized businesses, cost is often the deciding factor in whether to screen at all. The good news is that the background check cost can be scaled. With InfoMart’s SMB portal, employers can choose affordable background checks that fit their budget, add only the services they need, and still meet compliance standards. This helps SMBs compete with larger companies by building trust in the hiring process without overspending.
At InfoMart, small businesses can conduct background checks through our SMB portal. The portal includes SSN Trace, National Criminal History Search, National Sex Offender Search, County Criminal Search, Education Verification, and Employment Verification. Additional services, such as driving records, drug testing, or professional license checks, are also available. For more advanced needs, employers can work with a sales representative to create a custom background check package.
Cheap and Affordable Background Checks: What to Know
Cheapest Options
Some providers advertise the cheapest background checks. These may be suitable for personal use or very basic pre-employment screening, but a low-cost background check may miss important information or skip critical compliance steps. A cheap criminal background check can reveal some records, but it might miss national, state, or federal searches.
Risks of Low-Cost Background Checks
The cost of a background check depends on the kind of search, its scope, and the provider you choose. While a cheap background check may seem affordable at first, missing records can lead to costly hiring mistakes later. Affordable background check services for small businesses from trusted providers protect your business and simplify compliance. They also support safe and fair hiring practices.
Balancing Cost with Accuracy
Affordable background checks are possible without shortcuts. Trusted providers and consumer reporting agencies ensure accuracy. The right partner balances cost, compliance, and quality. That’s why many HR leaders opt for affordable background checks that still include comprehensive employment screenings.
How to Choose Background Check Services
When choosing background check services, employers should ask:
Does the provider follow the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)?
Can I conduct a comprehensive background check for employment that includes a criminal search, employment verification, and professional license checks?
Will I only pay for what I need, or are services bundled?
Employers should also inquire about how the provider supports various employment purposes. InfoMart offers SMB screening solutions for small businesses and tailored enterprise services with discounts. This flexibility helps employers screen with trust and protect their business without overspending.
FAQs About Background Check Costs
What is the cheapest background check, and what does it include?
The cheapest background check is often a basic criminal records search in the state or county in which your candidate lives. It is useful for a quick screen, but it does not replace a full pre-employment background check.
How much do affordable background checks cost, and do they include employment verification?
Affordable background checks may include basic criminal records. If you need employment verification or court records, confirm they are included, since they may increase the background verification cost.
How much does a pre-employment background check cost for small business owners, and what affects the price?
Pre-employment background checks for small business owners range from low-cost screenings to comprehensive packages. The background verification cost changes based on the services selected and order volume. Be sure to ask about other mandatory fees.
How much does a background check using only a Social Security number cost, and what are its limits?
It is usually one of the lowest-cost services, but it is very limited. A Social Security number trace confirms identity and address history. It does not search criminal records, driving records, or employment history. Use it as a starting point, then add county criminal searches and verifications for hiring decisions.
Does the cost of a background check include sex offender registry searches?
Many packages include state and national sex offender searches. Confirm this is listed in the price so you know what your background check cost covers.
Key Takeaways for Employers
Background check cost is shaped by the type of search, the scope, and the provider. A cheap background check may save money upfront, but it often misses critical information. Affordable background checks with trusted background check companies protect your business, simplify compliance, and support safe and fair hiring.
Accuracy and Compliance Matter
Employers should remember that no single database covers every record. The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requires consumer reporting agencies to use reasonable procedures to ensure maximum possible accuracy. That’s why professional providers confirm data at the county or state level, not just through indexes. National databases are valuable indexes, but county court searches remain the primary source of official records.
Final Thoughts
Background check services are an essential part of hiring. Employers who invest in thorough screenings protect their business, build trust, and stay compliant. InfoMart makes it easy with trusted tools and flexible options for businesses of all sizes.
Get transparent pricing through InfoMart’s SMB portal. Choose only the background checks you need and keep costs under control. For growing businesses that need more flexibility, our team offers tailored packages with volume discounts. Contact InfoMart today to protect your business, simplify compliance, and make confident hiring decisions.
About Tammy Cohen
Tammy Cohen, an industry pioneer and expert in identity and employment screening, founded InfoMart 30 years ago. Deemed the “Queen of Screen,” she’s been a force behind industry-leading innovations. She was most recently the first-to-market with a fully compliant sanctions search, as well as a suite of identity services that modernizes talent onboarding. Tammy revolutionized the screening industry when she stepped into the field, developing the first client-facing application and a due diligence criminal search that has since become standard for all background screening companies. Cohen has received national awards and honors for her business and civic involvement, including Atlanta Business Chronicle’s Top 25 Women-Owned Firms in Atlanta, Enterprising Women Magazine’s Enterprising Women of the Year award, the YWCA of Northwest Georgia’s Kathryn Woods Racial Justice Award, and a commendation in the 152nd Congressional Record.
About InfoMart
InfoMart has been revolutionizing the global background and identity screening industry for 30 years, providing businesses the information they need to make informed hiring decisions. They develop innovative technology that modernizes talent onboarding, including a first-to-market biometric identity authentication application and a verified sanctions search. The WBENC-certified company is a founding member of the Professional Background Screening Association, and they have achieved PBSA accreditation in recognition of their consistent business practices and commitment to compliance with the FCRA. The company is dedicated to customer service, speed, and accuracy, and it has been recognized for its success, workplace culture, and corporate citizenship with over 45 industry awards. To Get the Whole Story on InfoMart, please visit www.InfoMart-USA.com, follow @InfoMartUSA, or call (770) 984-2727.