In these days of quick hire and quick fire, instant background checks have become a necessity. Thankfully, there are now several companies that offer employers a chance to conduct instant background checks on prospective employees.

Many online companies offer instant background checks. Most of these service providers do not require too much information to initiate the instant background checks. In fact some of them only require a name and an address while others require the individual's social security number.

All instant background checks will provide information on the individual's work history, educational qualification and credit report. Some background checks include credit payment records, driving records or criminal history.

Some providers of instant background checks also offer additional services such as criminal history check, social security trace, motor vehicle history an credit reports.

Employers looking to get an instant background check need only go online and select from the numerous service providers. With certain quality providers, the information can be obtained in an instant and can be transferred electronically from the company to the employer

Many providers of instant background checks also conduct verification of information on single state or multi-states criminal records and sex offenders, credit reports and local county DMV search are the common ones instant checks are available on. Apart from this, information on bankruptcy reports (social security number required), employment, education, references and license verification are also available through instant background checks. Most instant background checks include a verification of social security number.

Before conducting an instant background check, employers need to ask permission for the prospective applicants. This information has to be filed with the FCRA.

There is some information that an employer cannot seek to obtain through an instant background check and this includes school records. School records are confidential and cannot be released without the consent of the student. Some states also do not allow employers to run background checks into arrest and conviction records. Medical records cannot ever be disclosed in instant background checks and an individual cannot be discriminated against because of disability.

Instant background checks are a wonderful way for employers to make that all important decision on a prospective employee.