Civil Records Search

A civil records search (also known as a civil background check or civil court records search) looks into non-criminal lawsuits and legal actions involving your candidate. While criminal checks focus on violations of criminal law, civil searches uncover cases in civil court, from lawsuits over money, contract disputes, property issues, and landlord-tenant matters, to restraining orders and family law matters. ScoutLogic’s civil records check typically involves searching county and federal court databases for any cases in which the individual was a party to a lawsuit (either as the plaintiff, defendant, or in some other involved capacity).

While civil cases may not carry the same stigma as criminal convictions, they can still be highly relevant to hiring decisions, especially for higher-level positions or roles that involve fiduciary responsibilities.

Identify financial or fraud red flags. Civil court records can reveal issues such as past fraud, embezzlement, or breach of contract cases involving the candidate. Suppose a candidate has declared bankruptcy multiple times or has outstanding civil judgments for debts. In that case, a civil search will provide more detailed information on lawsuits, foreclosures, or liens, which is helpful in roles where financial integrity is crucial.

Assess litigation risk. Some individuals have a history of frequently suing employers or being sued by them. A civil search could show, for example, that the candidate sued their last three employers. This doesn’t automatically disqualify someone, but it’s useful context for you as an employer. In sensitive hires, civil background checks provide a more comprehensive picture of a candidate’s professional history beyond what they have reported.

Protect your company and avoid surprises. Civil records can highlight behavior that might not be criminal but is still concerning. Insight into someone’s past work behavior can act as a character or integrity indicator, supplementing other background information. Civil records searches add an extra layer of due diligence, filling in gaps left by criminal checks and resume verification that could lead to unpleasant surprises down the road.

Stay compliant. Some regulated industries or high-security roles require a broader scope of background checks. For instance, someone in a position that handles sensitive information or has a high-level security clearance might undergo a civil check as part of their vetting, because espionage or intellectual property theft issues often surface in civil courts. Similarly, roles in finance or government contracting sometimes require checking civil records, such as bankruptcies or SEC filings.

ScoutLogic provides civil records searches with the same level of thoroughness and efficiency as our other services, ensuring you get meaningful insights without hassle.

Comprehensive civil court coverage. If requested, we can search both county-level civil courts and federal civil courts for records involving your candidate. By covering both, ScoutLogic ensures a wide net. Our civil search capabilities span the nation, similar to our criminal searches, utilizing a combination of electronic court databases and manual court record retrieval as needed.

Relevant results focus. Civil courts generate a large volume of records, many of which are likely to be irrelevant. ScoutLogic’s team reviews civil search results to filter out noise and highlight what matters. We aim to provide actionable insights, not overwhelm you with every trivial lawsuit. Our Scouts are trained to recognize which records might signal a concern for an employer and which are minor life events. This judgment and context are key – you’re not just getting raw data, but a curated understanding.

High-quality data and verification. Accessing civil records can sometimes be challenging – not all courts have centralized databases like those for criminal records. ScoutLogic invests in quality data sources and has a network of court researchers. If a potential match arises, we verify identifiers to ensure it’s your candidate.

Customization and scope control. Not every employer needs a civil search on every candidate. ScoutLogic works with you to determine when to deploy civil checks. For many clients, we run civil searches on finalists for higher-tier positions or those with financial duties. And we do it quickly: many civil court searches can be completed in 2-5 days (some even faster if electronic).

Clear reporting & consultation. Civil matters can be complex. ScoutLogic doesn’t just dump a docket printout on you; we translate it into plain language. If you have questions about a civil record, our Scouts are here to help you interpret it. This consultative support ensures you fully understand the information.