Did you know that 94% of employers conduct background checks during their hiring process?
Background checks can make or break your chances when you’re job hunting, applying for housing, or seeking loans. Certain records create years of social stigma that affects your life’s many aspects.
The good news is you can take control of your digital footprint and remove unwanted information from background check databases. The process might seem overwhelming at first. Legal processes like expungement for criminal records and specialized background check removal services have cleared over 35M+ records. These proven methods help clean up your background check.
This piece will show you the exact steps to remove your name from background checks. You’ll learn to protect your privacy and take charge of your personal information. Let’s begin your fresh start!
Understand What’s in Your Background Check
You should know exactly what shows up in your background check before trying to remove any information. Most people are surprised to learn what these reports actually contain.
Run a self-background check
The best way to clean up your record starts with seeing what others can find about you. Running a background check on yourself makes sense through the same services employers use:
- Consumer reporting agencies like TransUnion, Experian, and Equifax
- Specialized background check companies such as GoodHire, HireRight, or Sterling
- People search sites including Spokeo, BeenVerified, and Intelius
The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) gives you the right to get one free copy of your report each year from every consumer reporting agency. This right helps you see exactly what information needs to be fixed.
Google your name with different variations to find what shows up in simple internet searches. Include your middle name, initial, or previous names. Take time to look through these results carefully – you might be surprised by what’s available to the public.
Identify public vs private records
Knowing where your records come from helps you remove them more effectively. Your background information usually comes from two main sources:
Public records are managed by government agencies and include:
- Criminal records (arrests, charges, convictions)
- Court records (civil lawsuits, bankruptcies, judgments)
- Property records
- Marriage and divorce records
- Professional licenses
Anyone can request these records legally, but you’ll need to visit specific government offices or their websites to access them.
Private records are kept by companies and include:
- Credit history
- Employment history
- Address history
- Social media profiles
- Data broker information
This difference matters because each type needs its own removal strategy. Public records usually need legal processes like expungement. Private records need you to contact companies directly.
Remember that even after public records are removed or sealed legally, they might still exist in private databases that bought the information earlier. That’s why you need an integrated approach to clean up your background check completely.
Start with Legal Record Removal
Legal record removal is the quickest way to clear your background check permanently. Your situation determines which legal remedies you might qualify for.
Check eligibility for expungement or sealing
You need to find out if your record qualifies for removal. Your eligibility usually depends on several factors. These include how much time has passed since the offense, whether you completed your sentence, and how serious the offense was. The court also looks at your full criminal history and if you’ve paid all fines and costs.
Most serious offenses like violent crimes, sex offenses, and DUIs don’t qualify for expungement. The rules are more relaxed for juvenile records. Some states automatically expunge these records when you turn 18.
Understand the difference between expungement and sealing
Expungement completely destroys records so courts and agencies can’t access them anymore. The law treats it as if the whole ordeal never happened, and you can legally say it didn’t occur.
Record sealing works differently. It hides records from public view but keeps them available to law enforcement and some government agencies. Both options help with background checks, but expungement is the only way to remove records completely.
How to file a petition in your state
Here’s how to file for expungement:
- Get and fill out the forms from your state’s court website
- Turn in your application with a filing fee ($20-$30 in most states)
- Show your government-issued ID and required documents
- The court review takes about 35-60 days
- Show up for your hearing if needed (some states don’t require hearings)
Each state has its own rules. You should look up your state’s specific expungement laws. Some courts also need you to notify district attorneys or law enforcement agencies.
When to think about a pardon
A pardon might be your best option if expungement isn’t possible. Pardons show official forgiveness for a crime but don’t erase your records. They are great for:
- Getting back rights you lost after felony convictions
- Dealing with violent offenses that can’t be expunged
- Federal offenses (which have very few expungement options)
You should know that pardons often need long waiting periods. Most require 10+ years after completing sentences and proof that you’ve changed your life.
Remove Your Name from Private Databases
Your court records might be officially cleared, but your information could still exist in private databases. You’ll need to take extra steps beyond legal expungement to get a truly clean background check.
Why expungement doesn’t affect private databases
The data broker industry is worth about $200 billion and operates with minimal oversight. These companies gather public records and sell them online. They rarely update their records at the time changes occur. Private background check companies keep their own databases that don’t sync automatically with court-ordered expungements. This means potential employers might see your expunged records long after they’ve been removed from official sources.
How to contact background check companies
You can clean up your records by doing this and being organized:
- Identify which companies have your data – Search your name on Google with terms like “background check” to find relevant databases
- Visit each company’s opt-out page – Look for terms like “removal,” “delete,” or “opt-out” on their websites
- Submit formal requests – Show documentation that proves your record was expunged
- Follow up after one week – Check if your information is gone using an incognito browser window
Note that some companies own multiple sites. PeopleConnect runs Intelius, Instant Checkmate, Truthfinder, and US Search. You can submit one removal request that covers all these sites.
Using a background check removal service
The quickest way to handle this is through specialized background check removal services that reach out to hundreds of companies. These services typically:
- Remove information from 40-600+ background check sites
- Complete most removals within 3-6 weeks
- Give guarantees and proof of removal
- Keep your information protected for life against reappearing
These services cost money but save you considerable time compared to handling it yourself. The DIY approach needs constant attention since information often shows up again.
Monitor and Protect Your Digital Footprint
The legal and database removal process is just the beginning. Your privacy protection needs constant watchfulness. Regular attention to your digital footprint helps prevent future problems with background checks.
Set up Google Alerts for your name
A good monitoring system lets you spot when your information shows up online quickly. Google Alerts works like an early-warning system and tells you when websites, news articles, or blogs mention your name.
To set up alerts:
- Visit Google.com/alerts
- Enter your name in the search box (add variations and common misspellings)
- Click “Show options” to customize frequency, sources, and language
- Select “Create Alert” to start monitoring
The best coverage comes from creating separate alerts for different versions of your name, including nicknames and maiden names. This proactive step helps you tackle issues quickly before they show up in background checks.
Use privacy tools to track your data
Simple alerts aren’t enough. Specialized privacy tools are a great way to get protection against data collection. Research shows companies and individuals actively look for ways to exploit your personal information for marketing, research, and customer segmentation.
Effective privacy tools include:
- DeleteMe and Optery: Services that reach out to hundreds of data brokers to remove your information
- Privacy Bee: Combines data removal with tracker blocking technology
- VPN services: Mask your browsing activities from tracking
- Ad blockers: Stop tracking cookies from following you online
These tools work together to create barriers against unwanted data collection that might appear in background checks.
Tips for long-term reputation management
One-time efforts won’t cut it for reputation management. Here’s what you need for lasting protection:
- Search your name in incognito mode to see what others find
- Review and tighten privacy settings on all social platforms
- Create new online accounts sparingly to keep your digital footprint small
- Use a password manager to create secure, unique passwords for each service
- Think twice before linking accounts together
Note that managing your digital footprint is more like a marathon than a sprint. A systematic approach to these strategies helps you keep better control over what shows up in future background checks.
Conclusion
Background checks affect our lives by a lot. They can influence everything from job opportunities to housing applications. You need to take control of your digital footprint with proper removal strategies to protect your future opportunities.
Legal processes like expungement provide permanent solutions. Private databases need dedicated effort through opt-out procedures or removal services. Your privacy needs consistent monitoring and active management of your digital presence.
Contact us at Take This Down to get a free consultation. We can help remove unwanted content. On top of that, privacy protection isn’t just a one-time task. It needs regular attention to keep your background check clean.
Your digital footprint needs constant watchfulness. This helps you control your personal information better and safeguard opportunities. Start cleaning up your background check today. Your future self will be grateful.
FAQs
Q1. How can I remove my information from background check websites? To remove your information from background check websites, you can contact each company directly and follow their opt-out procedures. This may involve submitting a request online, sending an email, or mailing a written request. Some sites may require you to provide identification to verify your identity before removing your information.
Q2. Will removing my information from these sites affect my ability to get a job? Removing your information from public background check websites should not negatively impact your job prospects. Employers typically use specialized background check services that access official records, not public people-search sites. However, it’s a good idea to be upfront about any relevant information during the hiring process.
Q3. How long does it take for my information to be removed after I opt out? The time it takes to remove your information can vary by company. Some may process requests within a few days, while others may take several weeks. After the initial removal, it’s advisable to check periodically to ensure your information hasn’t reappeared, as some sites may repopulate data over time.
Q4. Is it legal for these websites to have my personal information? Most of the information on background check websites is compiled from public records, which is generally legal. However, the way this information is collected, used, and distributed may be subject to various privacy laws. You have the right to request removal of your information from these sites.
Q5. How can I prevent my information from appearing on these sites in the future? While it’s challenging to completely prevent your information from appearing on these sites, you can take steps to minimize your digital footprint. Be cautious about sharing personal information online, use privacy settings on social media, and regularly monitor your online presence. Consider using services that help maintain your online privacy and opt out of data broker lists.