A criminal record can still appear on private background checks even after the underlying Florida case was dismissed, sealed, or expunged. Background check removal focuses on correcting or removing criminal-history information that remains with private screening companies and related databases. If the official record is still public, expungement or sealing may need to be addressed first.
What Is Criminal Background Check Removal?
Criminal background check removal focuses on correcting, updating, suppressing or removing eligible criminal-history information held by private screening companies and related databases. It is separate from the court process used to seal or expunge an official Florida record.
Courts, FDLE & Criminal Justice Agencies
Expungement or sealing addresses the official record when the case is eligible.
Background Check Companies & Private Databases
Private entities may independently retain or report copies of your criminal-history information.
Background Check Removal
These private records may require separate correction, dispute, update, or removal.
How To Remove a Criminal Record from a Background Check?
Here are the 7 steps on how to clear a criminal record from background checks:
Step 1: Identify What’s on Your Report
- Request your background check from a prospective employer, landlord, or consumer reporting agency.
- Review the report carefully for any criminal entries, even charges that were dismissed, sealed, or expunged in the past.
Step 2: Identify Who Is Reporting the Record
Find the background check company or private database responsible for the information, such as:
- Employment screening companies
- Tenant screening companies
- Consumer reporting agencies
- Private criminal-record databases
Common examples include Checkr, LexisNexis, BeenVerified, and PeopleFinder. Identifying the exact company is important because each provider may have a different dispute, correction, or removal process.
Step 3: Clear the Official Record, If Needed
If the underlying Florida record is still publicly available, sealing or expungement may need to happen first. Once granted, keep the court order and case documents as proof of the record’s updated legal status.
For the complete legal process, see our Florida Expungement and Sealing Process.
Step 4: Gather Supporting Documents
Prepare documents showing the correct record status, such as:
- Court disposition
- Dismissal documentation
- Expungement or sealing court order, if applicable
- Case number and jurisdiction
- Copy of the disputed background report
Step 5: Submit a Dispute or Removal Request
Contact the company displaying the record and use its applicable dispute, correction, removal, or opt-out process.
For example, Checkr and LexisNexis provide processes for disputing or correcting information in certain reports, while BeenVerified and PeopleFinder provide mechanisms for managing or removing information from their platforms.
Clearly identify:
- Which record should be reviewed
- Why it is inaccurate, outdated, sealed, or expunged
- What the correct information should show
- Supporting documentation
For companies covered by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), you have the right to dispute inaccurate or incomplete information, and the company must follow applicable reinvestigation and accuracy requirements. Not every private database is covered by the FCRA, so the process may differ by provider.
Step 6: Follow Up With Each Provider
Private background-check companies maintain separate databases, so correcting a record with one provider does not automatically update the others.
- Track each request and response.
- Provide additional documentation if needed.
- Follow up on unresolved disputes.
- Repeat the process with other companies still reporting the record.
Step 7: Verify Removal
- Confirm that the record has been deleted from private background check platforms.
- Check that the correct disposition appears.
- Verify that duplicate or improperly reported sealed/expunged records no longer appear.
Background Check Removal Services
Florida-Focused Coverage Across the Private Record Sources That Matter
Erase The Case is 100% focused on Florida expungement and sealing, we know how Florida criminal-history information can continue to surface through private screening companies, people-search platforms, public-record databases, and data providers.
Our approach focuses on the private sources that matter most for Florida records, helping reduce the risk that an expunged or sealed record remains visible when an employer, landlord, or other screening party runs a background check.
Background Check & Screening Providers
Private employment, tenant, credentialing, and commercial screening companies that report Florida criminal-history information.
And other background check and screening providers.
People-Search & Private Record Data Providers
Private platforms that aggregate or provide access to Florida public-record, court, identity, and criminal-history data.
And other private record and data providers.
How Long Does a Background Check Removal Take?
Background check removal typically takes 2 to 6 weeks, based on Erase The Case’s experience handling Florida criminal-record cleanup. The exact timeline depends on the private providers involved, the number of databases reporting the record, and whether additional documentation or follow-up is required.
Factors that can affect the timeline include:
- Number of private databases involved
- How quickly each provider processes the request
- Whether the record has already been sealed or expunged
- Whether additional court documents are requested
- Whether follow-up is needed to confirm the update.
*Internal case benchmark; individual timelines vary by provider and circumstances.
Why Choose Erase The Case?
A More Complete Florida Background Check Removal Process
Background check removal is not just about contacting one database. A Florida criminal record may remain across multiple screening companies and private record sources, each with its own update process. Erase The Case combines Florida-specific criminal-record knowledge with provider-by-provider cleanup to make the process more complete.
100% FLORIDA FOCUS
We focus exclusively on Florida expungement and sealing, with experience handling the court orders and criminal-record documents used to update private records.
BROADER PRIVATE COVERAGE
We address criminal-history information across screening companies, people-search platforms, public-record databases, and private data providers — not just traditional background check companies.
SOURCE-BY-SOURCE
Private databases operate independently, so relevant providers may require their own documentation, follow-up, and verification.
COMPLETE RECORD KNOWLEDGE
We understand how Florida expungement or sealing connects with the private background check cleanup that may be needed afterward.
The result is a Florida-focused process designed to address both the legal status of the criminal record and the private copies that may continue appearing afterward.
Free Eligibility Test
Only takes 2 minutes to find out if you are eligible. Take our test now!
DO I QUALIFY?FAQs
Can You Clear a Background Check Without a Lawyer?
While you can contact data brokers and background check companies to clear your record, it can be complex and time-consuming. Hiring a background check removal lawyer helps protect your rights under Florida law and the FCRA, ensuring effective navigation.
Can you remove records that were already expunged?
Yes. Many background check companies fail to update their databases after an expungement. We help enforce your legal rights to have them removed.
Is background check removal permanent?
Once removed from third-party databases, records are generally gone for good. However, we recommend periodic monitoring to ensure continued compliance.
Do I need to go to court?
Not usually. Our team handles the process outside of court in most cases. If legal enforcement is required, we’ll handle it on your behalf.
