Expanded Background Check: Maximum Coverage with Federal Court Records

Imagine hiring a leader in your company without knowing that they have a federal fraud conviction. Some hiring decisions require the most thorough screening possible. At National Crime Search (NCS), our Expanded Background Check is designed for employers who need maximum coverage across county, state, and federal levels.

The Expanded package builds on the Enhanced Background Check by adding a Federal District Court (Statewide) Search. This ensures you’re covering not just county and state-level records but also federal-level crimes that could otherwise go undetected.

For $74.95, the Expanded Background Check provides:

• Social Security Number (SSN) Trace
• Multi-State Criminal Database Search
• National Sex Offender Registry Search
• US Terror Watchlist (OFAC) Search
• County Courthouse Verification of Database Hits (up to 3 additional counties/states)
• County Courthouse Searches Based on Address History (up to 3 counties)
• Federal District Court (Statewide) Search

Why the Expanded Background Check Matters

County and state searches give you critical visibility, but they don’t always tell the whole story. Federal crimes — like tax evasion, wire fraud, and drug trafficking — are prosecuted in federal courts. Without a federal-level search, you could miss serious risks.
That’s why the Expanded package is so powerful: it includes everything in the Enhanced package, plus a Federal District Court Search, ensuring complete coverage and peace of mind.

The Components of the Expanded Background Check

SSN Trace: The Foundation of the Search

The Social Security Number (SSN) Trace confirms that the SSN is valid and reveals address history. This address history is essential — it determines which counties we search in-depth, ensuring that criminal records tied to past residences don’t slip through the cracks.
👉 For a detailed explanation, see our blog: What is an SSN Trace?

Multi-State Criminal Database Search: Broad Coverage

This search scans criminal records from across the country, including:

• State and county court records
• Department of Corrections records
• Sex Offender Registries
• OFAC and other security watchlists

While it offers broad coverage, not every jurisdiction contributes records to a national database. That’s why the Expanded package doesn’t stop here — it pairs the database search with county courthouse verifications and address-based county searches for accuracy.
👉 Learn more in our blog: What is a Multi-State Criminal Database Search?

County Criminal Searches: Targeted Local Accuracy

Using the SSN Trace’s address history, we search up to three counties where the applicant has lived in the past 7 years. County courthouse searches are among the most reliable ways to uncover criminal records, since many cases are only stored locally and never make it into national databases.
👉 Related blogs:

• What is a County Criminal Search?
• Why Should I Include a County Criminal Search in My Screening Process?

County Courthouse Verification Searches: Compliance You Can Trust

If the database search returns a possible hit, our researchers verify it directly at the county courthouse. This Expanded package includes up to three county/state verifications.
Here’s how charges work:

• NCS’ standard $16.95 charge for each verification is waived in the Expanded package.
• If a county itself charges an access fee (e.g., $5 in Washington County, Arkansas), that fee is still passed through to the client.

Why is this step critical? Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), criminal records found in databases must be verified directly at the courthouse before being reported. As a PBSA-accredited provider, NCS ensures you remain fully compliant.
Our expert researchers confirm:

• The record belongs to your applicant
• The information is accurate, current, and legally reportable

Federal District Court (Statewide) Search: Federal-Level Coverage

This is the defining feature of the Expanded Background Check. It searches U.S. District Courts within a state for federal-level cases, including:

• Tax evasion
• Wire fraud
• Drug trafficking
• Bank robbery
• Crimes that cross state lines

Without this search, you could miss critical information not found in county or state checks.
👉 For more insight, see our blogs:

• What is a Federal District Search?
• Why Should I Include a Federal District Court Search in My Screening Process?

The Bottom Line

The Expanded Background Check delivers the most comprehensive coverage in our core package lineup. For employers hiring into high-trust, financial, or security-sensitive roles, this package ensures that nothing slips through the cracks — from county courthouses to federal courts.