---
title: Four Ways to Speed Up Your Background Checks
description: Improving the turnaround time of your background checks helps your company secure top talent. Here's how to do it.
image: https://blog.hiringthing.com/hubfs/speed-up-background-checks.jpg
---

[![HiringThing-Teal-Green](https://blog.hiringthing.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Graphic%20Elements/Logos/HiringThing-Teal-Green.png?width=1686&height=270&name=HiringThing-Teal-Green.png "HiringThing-Teal-Green")](https://hiringthing.com)

Open main menu Close main menu

- [Blog](https://blog.hiringthing.com/)
- Platform Open the submenu 
    - Products Open the submenu 
          - [Applicant Tracking](https://www.hiringthing.com/white-label/applicant-tracking-system/)
          - [Employee Onboarding](https://www.hiringthing.com/white-label/employee-onboarding/)
          - [Workflow Management](https://www.hiringthing.com/white-label/workflow-management/)
    - Overview Open the submenu 
          - [White Label](https://www.hiringthing.com/white-label/)
          - [Partner Experience](https://www.hiringthing.com/partner-experience/)
          - [Developers](https://www.hiringthing.com/developers/)
          - [Integrations](https://www.hiringthing.com/integrations/)
          - [Security](https://www.hiringthing.com/security/)
- Solutions Open the submenu 
    - Industries Open the submenu 
          - [HR Technology](https://www.hiringthing.com/white-label/hr-technology/)
          - [PEO & ASO](https://www.hiringthing.com/white-label/hr-organizations/)
          - [HR Consulting](https://www.hiringthing.com/white-label/hr-consulting/)
          - [Staffing](https://www.hiringthing.com/white-label/staffing/)
          - [Construction Software](https://www.hiringthing.com/white-label/construction/)
          - [Franchise](https://www.hiringthing.com/white-label/franchise/)
          - [Associations](https://www.hiringthing.com/white-label/associations/)
- Company Open the submenu 
    - [About Us](https://www.hiringthing.com/company/)
    - [Careers](https://careers.hiringthing.com/)
    - Compare HiringThing Open the submenu 
          - [HiringThing vs. JazzHR](https://www.hiringthing.com/hiringthing-vs-jazzhr/)
          - [HiringThing vs. ICIMS](https://www.hiringthing.com/hiringthing-vs-icims/)
          - [HiringThing vs. GoHire](https://www.hiringthing.com/hiringthing-vs-gohire/)
    - [Press](https://www.hiringthing.com/company/press/)
    - [Contact Us](https://www.hiringthing.com/company/contact-us/)
- Log In Open the submenu 
    - [Applicant Tracking](https://login.hiringthing.com/users/login)
    - [Employee Onboarding](https://app.hiringthing-onboarding.com/signup)
- [GET STARTED](https://www.hiringthing.com/private-label/discovery)

[HiringThing News](https://blog.hiringthing.com/tag/hiringthing-news) [HR 101](https://blog.hiringthing.com/tag/hr-101)

# Four Ways to Speed Up Your Background Checks

![Alisiana Peters](https://blog.hiringthing.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Professional-Headshot.jpg?width=45&name=Professional-Headshot.jpg) 

[Alisiana Peters](https://blog.hiringthing.com/author/alisiana-peters)

[Share this blog post on Twitter](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=I+found+this+interesting+blog+post&url=https://blog.hiringthing.com/speed-up-background-checks) [Share this blog post on Facebook](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://blog.hiringthing.com/speed-up-background-checks) [Share this blog post on LinkedIn](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://blog.hiringthing.com/speed-up-background-checks)

![Team hires new employee with shake of the hand](https://blog.hiringthing.com/hubfs/speed-up-background-checks.jpg)

*Improving the turnaround time of your background checks helps your company acquire top talent and creates a stronger talent pipeline. Here are four simple things you can do to improve your turnaround time.* 

After completing an interview process and finding the candidate of your dreams, [completion of a background check](https://blog.hiringthing.com/prioritize-references-background-checks) is often the final requirement on your hiring checklist. A fast background check helps your company acquire top talent and improve productivity through filling open positions more quickly. With this in mind, it’s not surprising that many hiring managers view turnaround time as the most important factor when conducting a [background screening](https://blog.hiringthing.com/background-screening-boosts-bottom-line).

​Despite this, there are a few considerations that make it difficult to complete a background check quickly. Some factors, such as verification delays from an employer, an inefficient retrieval system for court records, or a slow response from a county clerk, are outside the control of a screening provider. Fortunately, not everything is out of your hands.

There are several things you can do to improve the speed of your background checks.

## 1. Choose the Right Screening Provider

Some businesses make the mistake of only choosing a screening provider based on cost, rather than quality and turnaround time. However, this approach can actually lead to higher costs if you take into account increased [time-to-hire](https://blog.hiringthing.com/fill-job-faster-with-ai) and loss of productivity from unfilled positions. When choosing a provider, it’s beneficial to choose one with business practices streamlined for quick turnaround.

For example, many providers outsource their workers overseas, which often create longer turnaround times because of a language barrier and a lack of familiarity of the American judicial system. Verified First employs all of their customer service and compliance agents in their Meridian, Idaho headquarters. Our local expertise results in faster turnaround times for our clients.

## 2. Leverage an Online Collection Process

If your provider collects candidate data online, leveraging their process will improve hiring efficiencies. An online ordering progress or [applicant tracking system](https://blog.hiringthing.com/all-businesses-benefit-from-ats-use) integration creates many benefits for an employer. It will reduce data errors, duplicate information, and expedite obtaining candidate approval for screening. A smooth online process also improves the candidate experience – creating a stronger brand and impression of your organization.

## 3. Provide All Necessary Documentation

Screening providers need specific documentation before they can run a background check. Some information is required to run a search, such as a candidate’s SSN and date of birth. Other documentation, such as a signed disclosure and authorization forms, is required to comply with legal requirements such as the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).

Before submitting an order directly to your provider, review a checklist of required materials. If you submit an order without required information, it will take more time when your screening professionals need to follow up for more information. Through ensuring your provider has everything they need the first time, you will reduce a delay in the screening process.

## 4. Submit Your Screening Request Early in the Day

Many screening researchers have dozens of names on their task lists for high-volume search areas. Because orders are typically processed in the order they are received, an early request makes it more likely that your order will begin processing in the same day.

## Faster Turnaround Time Improves Your Hiring Process

A faster turnaround time has significant benefits for onboarding. If you extend a job offer contingent on passing a background check, a fast turnaround will reduce the chance that a candidate will lose interest or move on to a different offer. Through implementing the above steps, you can mitigate unnecessary delays in your background check turnaround times.

*This article is courtesy of our partner, Verified First. [Visit their website](https://www.verifiedfirst.com/hiringthing.html) to learn more about how our integration speeds up your hiring process.*

### About HiringThing

[HiringThing is a modern recruiting and employee onboarding platform](https://www.hiringthing.com/)as a service that creates seamless talent experiences. Our [white label solutions](https://blog.hiringthing.com/guide-to-white-label-saas-partnerships) and open API enable technology and service providers to offer hiring and onboarding to their clients. Approachable and adaptable, the platform empowers anyone, anywhere to build their dream team.

Approachable and adaptable, the HiringThing platform empowers everyone, everywhere, to hire their dream team. Try our easy-to-use, feature-rich applicant tracking system with a [free 14-day trial](https://register.hiringthing.com/register/start) today!

[![BEGIN TRIAL NOW](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/9445952/83543b04-8528-44f7-bb79-38573e86c881.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/9445952/83543b04-8528-44f7-bb79-38573e86c881)

![Alisiana Peters](https://blog.hiringthing.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Professional-Headshot.jpg?width=150&name=Professional-Headshot.jpg)

#### Alisiana Peters

Alisiana Peters was a Marketing Coordinator at HiringThing.

## Related Articles

[![Happy co-workers reviewing tech on a tablet](https://blog.hiringthing.com/hubfs/private-label-ats-enhances-hr-tech.jpg)](https://blog.hiringthing.com/private-label-ats-enhances-hr-tech-companies)

[SaaS Insights](https://blog.hiringthing.com/tag/saas-insights) [The State of HR Tech](https://blog.hiringthing.com/tag/the-state-of-hr-tech)

### [What Is A Private Label ATS? Can It Improve Your HR Tech Company's Tech Stack?](https://blog.hiringthing.com/private-label-ats-enhances-hr-tech-companies)

Hiring has become one of the most complex and competitive parts of running a business, and outdated tools can quickly slow the process down. A private label ATS allows...

![Alisiana Peters](https://blog.hiringthing.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Professional-Headshot.jpg?width=45&name=Professional-Headshot.jpg) 

[Alisiana Peters](https://blog.hiringthing.com/author/alisiana-peters) 

[Read More](https://blog.hiringthing.com/private-label-ats-enhances-hr-tech-companies)

[![Three colleagues prepare to conduct job interviews in a conference room. ](https://blog.hiringthing.com/hubfs/people-working-together-startup-company.jpg)](https://blog.hiringthing.com/productive-job-interviews)

[HR 101](https://blog.hiringthing.com/tag/hr-101)

### [Seven Tips for a Productive Job Interview](https://blog.hiringthing.com/productive-job-interviews)

## Interviewing Can Be Tough

The more prepared to conduct an interview you are, the smoother it’ll go. However, if you don’t have much experience in the interviewing...

![Alisiana Peters](https://blog.hiringthing.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Professional-Headshot.jpg?width=45&name=Professional-Headshot.jpg) 

[Alisiana Peters](https://blog.hiringthing.com/author/alisiana-peters) 

[Read More](https://blog.hiringthing.com/productive-job-interviews)

[![HiringThing\_Logo\_White\_no-space](https://blog.hiringthing.com/hs-fs/hubfs/HiringThing_Logo_White_no-space.png?width=275&name=HiringThing_Logo_White_no-space.png "HiringThing_Logo_White_no-space")](https://hiringthing.com)

---

A modern recruiting platform as a service that creates seamless hiring experiences. Approachable and adaptable, the platform empowers anyone, anywhere to hire their dream team.

[Follow us on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/hiringthing) [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.youtube.com/c/hiringthing) [Follow us on Twitter](https://www.twitter.com/hiringthing) [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/HiringThing/)

- [Platform](https://www.hiringthing.com/private-label/)
- [Developers](https://www.hiringthing.com/developers)
- [Company](https://www.hiringthing.com/company)
- [Blog](https://blog.hiringthing.com)
- [Start Trial](https://register.hiringthing.com/register/start)

- [Support](https://support.hiringthing.com/support/home)
- [HiringThing Status](https://status.applicant-tracking.com/)
- [Remote Work Hub](https://www.hiringthing.com/company/remote-work-hub/)

```json
{
  "@context" : "https://schema.org",
  "@type" : "BlogPosting",
  "author" : {
    "@type" : "Person",
    "name" : "Alisiana Peters",
    "url" : "https://blog.hiringthing.com/author/alisiana-peters"
  },
  "dateModified" : "2026-09-29T21:33:45.461Z",
  "datePublished" : "2018-02-28T08:00:27.000Z",
  "headline" : "Four Ways to Speed Up Your Background Checks",
  "image" : [ "https://blog.hiringthing.com/hubfs/speed-up-background-checks.jpg" ],
  "mainEntityOfPage" : {
    "@id" : "https://blog.hiringthing.com/speed-up-background-checks",
    "@type" : "WebPage"
  },
  "publisher" : {
    "@type" : "Organization",
    "logo" : {
      "@type" : "ImageObject",
      "url" : "https://blog.hiringthing.com/hubfs/HiringThing_Logo_TealGreen.png"
    },
    "name" : "HiringThing, Inc."
  }
}
```

```json
{
  "@context" : "https://schema.org",
  "@id" : "https://hiringthing.com/#organization",
  "@type" : "Organization",
  "contactPoint" : {
    "@type" : "ContactPoint",
    "contactType" : "customer support",
    "url" : "https://www.hiringthing.com/company/contact-us/"
  },
  "description" : "HiringThing is a white label recruiting and employee onboarding platform that helps partners and employers deliver seamless hiring solutions.",
  "foundingDate" : "2012",
  "knowsAbout" : [ "Applicant tracking systems", "White label HR software", "Recruiting software", "Employee onboarding", "Candidate experience", "Hiring process optimization" ],
  "logo" : {
    "@type" : "ImageObject",
    "height" : 60,
    "url" : "https://www.hiringthing.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/HiringThing_Logos_HiringThing_Logo_Teal_Green.svg",
    "width" : 600
  },
  "name" : "HiringThing",
  "sameAs" : [ "https://www.linkedin.com/company/hiringthing", "https://twitter.com/hiringthing", "https://www.facebook.com/HiringThing", "https://www.youtube.com/c/hiringthing" ],
  "url" : "https://www.hiringthing.com/"
}
```

```json
{
  "@context" : "https://schema.org",
  "@id" : "https://blog.hiringthing.com/#website",
  "@type" : "WebSite",
  "inLanguage" : "en-US",
  "name" : "HiringThing Blog",
  "publisher" : {
    "@id" : "https://hiringthing.com/#organization"
  },
  "url" : "https://blog.hiringthing.com/"
}
```

```json
{
  "@context" : "https://schema.org",
  "@id" : "https://hiringthing.com/authors/alisiana-peters#person",
  "@type" : "Person",
  "description" : "Alisiana Peters was a Marketing Coordinator at HiringThing, writing about recruiting, hiring and HR best practices.",
  "jobTitle" : "Marketing Coordinator",
  "knowsAbout" : [ "Recruiting", "Hiring best practices", "Human resources", "Employee onboarding" ],
  "name" : "Alisiana Peters",
  "url" : "https://blog.hiringthing.com/author/alisiana-peters",
  "worksFor" : {
    "@id" : "https://hiringthing.com/#organization"
  }
}
```

```json
{
  "@context" : "https://schema.org",
  "@id" : "https://blog.hiringthing.com/speed-up-background-checks#webpage",
  "@type" : "WebPage",
  "breadcrumb" : {
    "@id" : "https://blog.hiringthing.com/speed-up-background-checks#breadcrumb"
  },
  "inLanguage" : "en-US",
  "isPartOf" : {
    "@id" : "https://blog.hiringthing.com/#website"
  },
  "name" : "Four Ways to Speed Up Your Background Checks",
  "primaryImageOfPage" : {
    "@type" : "ImageObject",
    "url" : "https://blog.hiringthing.com/hubfs/speed-up-background-checks.jpg"
  },
  "speakable" : {
    "@type" : "SpeakableSpecification",
    "cssSelector" : [ "h1", "h2" ]
  },
  "url" : "https://blog.hiringthing.com/speed-up-background-checks"
}
```

```json
{
  "@context" : "https://schema.org",
  "@id" : "https://blog.hiringthing.com/speed-up-background-checks#breadcrumb",
  "@type" : "BreadcrumbList",
  "itemListElement" : [ {
    "@type" : "ListItem",
    "item" : "https://blog.hiringthing.com/",
    "name" : "Blog",
    "position" : 1
  }, {
    "@type" : "ListItem",
    "item" : "https://blog.hiringthing.com/tag/hiringthing-news",
    "name" : "HiringThing News",
    "position" : 2
  }, {
    "@type" : "ListItem",
    "item" : "https://blog.hiringthing.com/tag/hr-101",
    "name" : "HR 101",
    "position" : 3
  }, {
    "@type" : "ListItem",
    "name" : "Four Ways to Speed Up Your Background Checks",
    "position" : 4
  } ]
}
```

```json
{
  "@context" : "https://schema.org",
  "@id" : "https://blog.hiringthing.com/speed-up-background-checks#article",
  "@type" : "BlogPosting",
  "about" : [ {
    "@id" : "https://blog.hiringthing.com/speed-up-background-checks#term-turnaround-time"
  }, {
    "@id" : "https://blog.hiringthing.com/speed-up-background-checks#term-screening-provider"
  }, {
    "@id" : "https://blog.hiringthing.com/speed-up-background-checks#term-fcra"
  }, {
    "@id" : "https://blog.hiringthing.com/speed-up-background-checks#term-disclosure-and-authorization-form"
  }, {
    "@id" : "https://blog.hiringthing.com/speed-up-background-checks#term-contingent-offer"
  } ],
  "alternativeHeadline" : "How to Improve Background Check Turnaround Time",
  "articleSection" : [ "HiringThing News", "HR 101" ],
  "author" : {
    "@id" : "https://hiringthing.com/authors/alisiana-peters#person"
  },
  "dateModified" : "2025-12-19",
  "datePublished" : "2018-02-28",
  "description" : "Improving the turnaround time of your background checks helps your company secure top talent. Here's how to do it.",
  "headline" : "Four Ways to Speed Up Your Background Checks",
  "image" : {
    "@type" : "ImageObject",
    "height" : 630,
    "url" : "https://blog.hiringthing.com/hubfs/speed-up-background-checks.jpg",
    "width" : 1200
  },
  "inLanguage" : "en-US",
  "isAccessibleForFree" : true,
  "keywords" : [ "background checks", "background check turnaround time", "screening provider", "FCRA", "time-to-hire", "ATS integration" ],
  "mainEntityOfPage" : {
    "@id" : "https://blog.hiringthing.com/speed-up-background-checks#webpage"
  },
  "publisher" : {
    "@id" : "https://hiringthing.com/#organization"
  },
  "wordCount" : 700
}
```

```json
{
  "@context" : "https://schema.org",
  "@id" : "https://blog.hiringthing.com/speed-up-background-checks#faq",
  "@type" : "FAQPage",
  "mainEntity" : [ {
    "@type" : "Question",
    "acceptedAnswer" : {
      "@type" : "Answer",
      "text" : "A fast background check helps you secure top talent and fill positions sooner. If an offer is contingent on the check, faster turnaround reduces the chance a candidate loses interest or accepts another offer."
    },
    "name" : "Why does background check turnaround time matter?"
  }, {
    "@type" : "Question",
    "acceptedAnswer" : {
      "@type" : "Answer",
      "text" : "Some factors are outside a screening provider's control, such as employer verification delays, inefficient court record retrieval or slow county clerk responses."
    },
    "name" : "What delays background checks?"
  }, {
    "@type" : "Question",
    "acceptedAnswer" : {
      "@type" : "Answer",
      "text" : "Don't choose on cost alone, since slow checks raise time-to-hire and lost productivity. Look for streamlined practices; overseas outsourcing can slow turnaround due to language barriers and unfamiliarity with the U.S. judicial system."
    },
    "name" : "How do you choose a screening provider for speed?"
  }, {
    "@type" : "Question",
    "acceptedAnswer" : {
      "@type" : "Answer",
      "text" : "Providers need details like the candidate's SSN and date of birth, plus signed disclosure and authorization forms required by the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Missing information causes follow-up delays."
    },
    "name" : "What documentation do background checks require?"
  }, {
    "@type" : "Question",
    "acceptedAnswer" : {
      "@type" : "Answer",
      "text" : "Yes. Orders are typically processed in the order received, so submitting early in the day makes it more likely processing starts the same day."
    },
    "name" : "Does the time of day you submit a background check matter?"
  } ]
}
```

```json
{
  "@context" : "https://schema.org",
  "@id" : "https://blog.hiringthing.com/speed-up-background-checks#glossary",
  "@type" : "DefinedTermSet",
  "hasDefinedTerm" : [ {
    "@id" : "https://blog.hiringthing.com/speed-up-background-checks#term-turnaround-time",
    "@type" : "DefinedTerm",
    "description" : "How long it takes to complete a background check.",
    "inDefinedTermSet" : {
      "@id" : "https://blog.hiringthing.com/speed-up-background-checks#glossary"
    },
    "name" : "Turnaround time"
  }, {
    "@id" : "https://blog.hiringthing.com/speed-up-background-checks#term-screening-provider",
    "@type" : "DefinedTerm",
    "description" : "A company that conducts pre-employment background checks.",
    "inDefinedTermSet" : {
      "@id" : "https://blog.hiringthing.com/speed-up-background-checks#glossary"
    },
    "name" : "Screening provider"
  }, {
    "@id" : "https://blog.hiringthing.com/speed-up-background-checks#term-fcra",
    "@type" : "DefinedTerm",
    "description" : "The Fair Credit Reporting Act, which sets legal rules for background checks.",
    "inDefinedTermSet" : {
      "@id" : "https://blog.hiringthing.com/speed-up-background-checks#glossary"
    },
    "name" : "FCRA"
  }, {
    "@id" : "https://blog.hiringthing.com/speed-up-background-checks#term-disclosure-and-authorization-form",
    "@type" : "DefinedTerm",
    "description" : "A signed form notifying and getting consent from a candidate for screening.",
    "inDefinedTermSet" : {
      "@id" : "https://blog.hiringthing.com/speed-up-background-checks#glossary"
    },
    "name" : "Disclosure and authorization form"
  }, {
    "@id" : "https://blog.hiringthing.com/speed-up-background-checks#term-contingent-offer",
    "@type" : "DefinedTerm",
    "description" : "A job offer that depends on passing a background check.",
    "inDefinedTermSet" : {
      "@id" : "https://blog.hiringthing.com/speed-up-background-checks#glossary"
    },
    "name" : "Contingent offer"
  } ],
  "name" : "Background Check Glossary"
}
```