How long does a background check take?

We get this question all the time — and trust us, we wish there were a one-size-fits-all answer. Background checks aren’t cookie-cutter; every company runs a different combo of screenings, and each type of check pulls info from different sources. But here’s the good news: most Vetty background checks wrap up within 4–10 business days.

That said, a few things can add some extra time to the process.

What Can Slow Things Down?

If your background check includes education, employment, or reference verifications, those pieces can take longer because we're waiting on real humans (schools, employers, references) to respond. And as much as we’d love to speed-dial them into action… we play by their timeline.

Want the Fastest Turnaround? Start Strong.

As soon as you get your Get Started email, fill out your Vetty info accurately and completely. This helps us hit the ground running.

Using your Vetty profile, you can track your progress, see which checks are being run, and upload any extra details we may need.

How Long Do Specific Checks Take?

Once you submit your info, we usually receive results for:

• Social Security Number Trace

• National Criminal Database

• Sex Offender Registry

• Terrorist Watchlist

…all within about 30 minutes.

County Criminal Checks take longer because timing depends entirely on the counties where you’ve lived over the past 7–10 years. Some counties return results in a day; others may take a few weeks (and in rare cases, over a month). Some courthouses are still working through backlogs from COVID-19 closures. You can view known court delays here.

Waiting on a Verification?

Sometimes we’re simply waiting for a past employer or school to confirm your info. If you want to help speed that up, you can email support@vetty.co with any supporting documents you have, like a transcript, W2, or other proof of employment or education.