What GoodHire Does

GoodHire is a background check company that employers and landlords use to screen people before hiring or renting to them. The company pulls information from public records, court documents, and databases to create a report on your criminal history, driving record, and other details. You do not order a GoodHire report yourself — an employer or landlord orders it about you, and you are notified that a check is happening.

GoodHire operates under federal law, which means the company must follow strict rules about what it can report, how it handles your information, and what you can do if something in the report is wrong. Understanding how the process works helps you know what to expect and what rights you have if a report affects a job or housing decision.

Key Takeaways

  • GoodHire is hired by employers or landlords to check your background, not by you — you will receive a notice when a check is ordered.
  • The company reports criminal convictions, arrests, driving violations, and other public records, but cannot report arrests that did not lead to conviction after a certain time period.
  • You have the right to see your own GoodHire report and to dispute any information that is wrong or incomplete.
  • If a GoodHire report leads to a negative decision about hiring or housing, the employer or landlord must tell you and give you a chance to respond.
  • You can contact GoodHire directly to request your report, dispute errors, or ask questions about what appears in your file.

What Information GoodHire Reports

GoodHire pulls data from multiple sources to build a background report. The company searches county court records for criminal convictions, checks the National Sex Offender Public Website, reviews driving records from state motor vehicle departments, and accesses databases of civil judgments and liens. The exact information varies depending on what the employer or landlord ordered and what is available in your state.

Criminal convictions are the most common item on a GoodHire report. The company reports felonies and misdemeanors, along with the date, location, and sentence. Arrests that did not result in conviction may appear, but federal law limits how far back GoodHire can report them — generally seven years for most records, though some states have different rules. Driving violations, unpaid fines, and civil court judgments may also show up, depending on what the ordering party requested.

GoodHire cannot report certain things: medical records, financial information unrelated to a judgment, or information that is too old under federal law. The company also cannot report arrests that were dismissed or sealed, though errors do happen and you have the right to dispute them.

When You Will Be Notified

Before GoodHire can pull your background information, the employer or landlord must notify you in writing that a check is happening. This notice must be separate from other documents — it cannot be buried in an process form — and must clearly state that a background report will be ordered. You must give written consent before the check proceeds.

The notification process is called pre-adverse action notice. It tells you that a background check is coming, but it does not mean you will be rejected. After GoodHire completes the report, if the employer or landlord decides not to hire or rent to you based on information in that report, they must send you another notice — called an adverse action notice — that explains what information led to the decision and gives you a chance to respond.

How to Get a Copy of Your GoodHire Report

You can request your own GoodHire background report at any time, whether or not an employer or landlord has ordered one. Visit GoodHire's consumer disclosure website or call their consumer support line to request your report. You will need to provide identifying information such as your name, date of birth, and address. GoodHire will send you a copy of your report, usually within a few business days.

Requesting your own report is useful if you know you are about to explore for a job or apartment and want to see what will show up. It gives you a chance to spot errors before an employer or landlord sees them. There is no cost to request your own report — GoodHire provides it free to consumers.

Disputing Errors in Your Report

If your GoodHire report contains information that is wrong, incomplete, or outdated, you have the right to dispute it. Common errors include arrests that were dismissed but still appear, convictions listed under the wrong name or date, or records that are too old to be reported under federal law. To dispute an item, contact GoodHire in writing and explain what is incorrect. Include any documents that support your claim, such as court records showing a case was dismissed.

GoodHire must investigate your dispute within 30 days. The company will contact the source of the information — usually the court or agency that provided the record — and ask them to verify it. If the source cannot confirm the information, GoodHire must remove it from your report. If the information is confirmed as accurate, it stays on the report, but you can add a statement explaining your side of the story.

If you believe GoodHire made an error in how it reported accurate information — for example, listing a conviction under the wrong date or location — you can also dispute that. Keep records of all disputes you file and follow up if you do not hear back within 30 days.

What Happens if a GoodHire Report Affects a Job or Housing Decision

If an employer or landlord decides not to hire or rent to you because of information in your GoodHire report, they must send you an adverse action notice. This notice must include a copy of the report, an explanation of what information led to the decision, and information about how to contact GoodHire to dispute the report. You have the right to see exactly what the employer or landlord saw.

After you receive an adverse action notice, you can contact GoodHire to dispute any errors in the report. You can also contact the employer or landlord directly to explain your side of the story — for example, if a conviction is old, if you have since completed rehabilitation, or if the information is straightforward wrong. Some employers and landlords will reconsider their decision if you provide new information or if GoodHire corrects an error.

Your Rights Under Federal Law

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) is the federal law that governs how GoodHire and other background check companies operate. Under the FCRA, you have the right to know that a background check is being ordered, to see your own report, to dispute errors, and to know why a negative decision was made. GoodHire must follow strict rules about accuracy, must investigate disputes, and cannot report certain information.

If GoodHire violates the FCRA — for example, by reporting information that is too old, by refusing to investigate a dispute, or by not following proper procedures — you may have grounds to file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) or to pursue legal action. Many states also have their own laws that provide additional protections beyond the FCRA.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a GoodHire background check take?

Most GoodHire reports are completed within one to three business days, though some may take longer if records are difficult to locate or if court systems are slow to respond. The employer or landlord will tell you how long the process typically takes in your area.

Can GoodHire report arrests that did not lead to conviction?

GoodHire can report arrests, but federal law limits how far back. Generally, arrests older than seven years cannot be reported, and arrests that were dismissed or resulted in acquittal should not appear on your report. If an old arrest or dismissed case shows up, you can dispute it.

What if I disagree with a decision made based on my GoodHire report?

You can contact the employer or landlord to explain your situation and provide additional context. You can also dispute any errors directly with GoodHire. If you believe GoodHire or the employer violated your rights under the FCRA, you can file a complaint with the CFPB or consult with a lawyer.

Does GoodHire report credit information?

No. GoodHire is a background check company, not a credit reporting agency. It does not pull credit scores or credit history. It reports criminal records, driving records, and public court documents only.

Can I see my GoodHire report before an employer orders one?

Yes. You can request your own GoodHire report at any time by visiting their consumer disclosure website or calling their support line. This is free and can help you spot errors before they affect a job or housing decision.