Nanny background checks should be performed on any candidate you are preparing to hire. (Unless you’ve known the girl and her family for umpteen years and feel you know her background well enough to offer her a position.) Let’s just say, you have a candidate that before now was a total stranger. You’ve checked her references and they were all glowing. Now it’s time to make sure she is who she says she is and she’s not hiding any criminal record or shaky financial past that may indicate irresponsible behavior. If you are not going through an agency, these nanny background checks are up to you to perform. Even if you are going through an agency you should verify that the nanny background checks were done and by what company. Then verify with that screening company that your agency really does do business with them.
The following are the screening options most often offered by Nanny Background Screening companies.
- Criminal History: Since only the FBI has a nationwide list of criminal histories and they do not make this information public, your only alternative is to search State and County records. The following States are better prepared for background searches and you can usually obtain a record within a week to 10 days: Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, and Washington. If you do not live in one of these States you are probably better off checking the records of the County(ies) your Nanny has lived in. Call your County Courthouse to find out how you can access both felony and misdemeanor records.
- DMV records: In New Jersey the average person cannot call the Division of Motor Vehicles and request a driving history on a nanny applicant because we have something called the “Drivers Privacy Act.” However, certain companies can get approved by the State to access this information. For this reason, at least in NJ, you have to find a company that can legally acquire the information for you. Check with your DMV to find out what the regulations are for your State.
- Credit Reports: Credit reports can tell you a lot about the maturity and values of an individual. If you get a report back that shows defaulted loans and car repossessions, I’d say you should question whether this person is mature and honest enough to handle the everyday care of your children. You also don’t want her creditors harassing her at her place of employment, your home.
- Social Security Verification: The Social Security Administration will not verify your applicant’s SS#. They advise simply to request to see the Social Security Card. However, credit reporting agencies can check databases by Social Security number to verify where and when the SS# was issued and what name is associated with the use of the number.
