--- title: "Criminal Records vs Background Check | Comparison" description: "Compare standalone criminal record searches with comprehensive background checks. Learn what each includes and which is right for your screening needs." lang: en json-ld: | { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Article", "headline": "Criminal Records Search vs Full Background Check", "description": "Compare standalone criminal record searches with comprehensive background checks. Learn what each includes and which is right for your screening needs.", "author": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "1SkipTrace" }, "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "1SkipTrace", "url": "https://1skiptrace.com" }, "mainEntityOfPage": "https://1skiptrace.com/guides/compare/criminal-records-vs-background-check" } --- [ 1 SkipTrace Skip Trace Services ](/) - [](/about)About - [](/how-it-works)How It Works - Services - [](/coverage)Coverage - [](/who-we-serve)Who We Serve - [](/resources)Resources - [](/faq)FAQ - [](/contact)Contact [Order Skip Trace](/order)[(844) 791-9800](tel:844-791-9800) [Guides](/guides)Comparison # Criminal Records Search vs Full Background Check Compare standalone criminal record searches with comprehensive background checks. Learn what each includes and which is right for your screening needs. ## Scope of Each Service A criminal records search focuses exclusively on criminal history — felony and misdemeanor convictions, pending cases, and sex offender registries. A full background check includes criminal records PLUS employment verification, identity confirmation, address history, and education verification. Your choice depends on why you're conducting the search and what level of detail your situation requires. ## For Employment Screening Most employers need a full background check that verifies the candidate's identity, confirms employment history, and checks criminal records. Using only a criminal search misses important verification steps. Note that employment screening background checks must comply with FCRA requirements, including proper disclosure and authorization procedures. ## For Investigation Purposes For investigative purposes — checking on a person of interest, due diligence on a business partner, or litigation preparation — a criminal records search may be sufficient if you only need to know about criminal history. For a complete picture, combine a criminal search with our other services: skip trace for location, asset search for financial profile, and business entity search for corporate connections. Feature Criminal Records Search Full Background Check Criminal History ✓ Detailed ✓ Included Employment Verification ✗ Not included ✓ Included Identity Verification ✗ Not included ✓ Included Address History ✗ Not included ✓ Included Sex Offender Registry ✓ Included ✓ Included Best For Quick criminal check Employment, tenant screening ## More Comparisons [ ### Skip Trace vs People Search: What's the Difference? Compare skip tracing and people search services. Learn which service you need, h… ](/guides/compare/skip-trace-vs-people-search)[ ### Comprehensive vs Basic Skip Trace: Which Do You Need? Compare comprehensive and basic skip trace services. Learn what's included in ea… ](/guides/compare/comprehensive-vs-basic-skip-trace)[ ### Skip Tracing vs Background Check: Key Differences Skip tracing and background checks serve different purposes. Learn when you need… ](/guides/compare/skip-tracing-vs-background-check)[ ### Asset Search vs Property Search: What's Included? Understand the difference between asset searches and property searches. Learn wh… ](/guides/compare/asset-search-vs-property-search) ## Ready to Get Started? 95%+ success rate. Money-back guarantee. [Place Your Order](/order) [(844) 791-9800](tel:+18447919800) [ 1 SkipTrace Skip Trace Services ](/) Professional, compliant skip tracing services for attorneys, real estate professionals, debt collectors, and investigators. 95%+ success rate, nationwide coverage. [info@1SkipTrace.com](mailto:info@1skiptrace.com)[(844) 791-9800](tel:844-791-9800)[Order Skip Trace](/order) #### Services - [Skip Tracing Services](/services/skip-tracing) - [Real Estate Skip Tracing](/services/real-estate-skip-tracing) - [Debt Collection Skip Tracing](/services/debt-collection-skip-tracing) - [Legal Skip Tracing](/services/legal-skip-tracing) - [PI Skip Tracing](/services/private-investigation-skip-tracing) - [Pricing](/pricing) #### Who We Serve - [Attorneys](/who-we-serve/attorneys) - [Call Centers](/who-we-serve/call-centers) - [Law Enforcement](/who-we-serve/law-enforcement) - [Private Investigators](/who-we-serve/private-investigators) - [Banks & Debt Collectors](/who-we-serve/banks-debt-collectors) - [Real Estate Professionals](/who-we-serve/real-estate-professionals) #### Partner Services - [Apostille Services](https://1apostille.com) - [Document Retrieval](https://1docretrieval.com) - [Mobile Notary Services](https://1mobilenotary.com) #### Resources - [Blog & Insights](/blog) - [FAQ](/faq) - [How It Works](/how-it-works) - [Nationwide Coverage](/coverage) #### Hours & Coverage Mon-Fri: 8AM-8PM EST Sat: 9AM-2PM EST Nationwide Coverage All 50 States 1SkipTrace is not a consumer reporting agency as defined by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). We do not provide consumer reports for credit, employment, tenant, or insurance eligibility. All searches require a documented permissible purpose under applicable federal and state law. © 2026 1SkipTrace. All rights reserved. [Privacy Policy](/privacy-policy)[Terms of Service](/terms-of-service)[Acceptable Use](/acceptable-use)[Compliance & Ethics](/compliance) ![](https://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/conversion/17551685902/?label=nkseCJzR5KQcEI7ypbFB&guid=ON&script=0)