How Long Do Background Checks Take—and Can Automated Reference Checking Software Make It Faster?

In today’s competitive hiring landscape, every hour matters—especially when you’re racing to secure top talent. Yet one of the biggest bottlenecks in the recruitment process is the background check. So how long do background checks take, really? The answer isn’t so straightforward. Timelines can range from a few days to several weeks depending on various factors like the depth of the check, jurisdiction, and responsiveness of past employers or institutions. One of the slowest parts? Reference checking. Fortunately, automated solutions like Credibled’s reference checking software are transforming how quickly hiring decisions can be made—without compromising quality.

Table of Contents

Understanding the Background Check Timeline

What’s Included in a Background Check?

The term background verification refers to a set of screening components that go beyond a single task. A standard background check may include:

Employment history verification
Education and degree validation
Criminal record checks
Identity checks
Reference checks
Credit reports (depending on the role or industry)

These elements are often handled by different parties, which can extend the overall time required to complete the process.

Average Duration of Each Component

So, exactly how long do background checks take when broken down? Here’s a general timeline:

Criminal background check: 1–5 business days, depending on jurisdiction and access to national or international databases
Employment and education checks: 2–3 days, often delayed by unresponsive institutions
Manual reference checks: 3–7 days or more, depending on how easily references can be reached
International checks: Can take up to 2+ weeks due to legal and logistical hurdles

While most employers aim to complete all steps within 10 business days, delays are more common than most would like to admit.

Jobs You Can Get With a Criminal Record

Contrary to popular belief, there are many jobs you can get with a criminal record across a variety of industries. The key is targeting sectors that either legally allow hiring individuals with records or actively support second-chance hiring initiatives.

Why Do Background Checks Take So Long?

Manual Communication with References

One of the slowest components—and often the most inconsistent—is the manual reference check. Recruiters spend days emailing or calling referees, scheduling phone calls, and following up. This not only drains time but also contributes heavily to delays in background verification.

Waiting for Third-Party Verifications

Schools, previous employers, and government institutions aren’t always quick to respond. Each third-party interaction adds waiting time to the process. If any of them are closed, on break, or backlogged, the check grinds to a halt.

Human Errors and Inconsistencies

Manual data entry is prone to mistakes. Typos in email addresses, missed calls, or even incorrect contact details can stretch a background check far beyond its intended timeline. When asking “how long do background checks take,” these small inefficiencies can lead to big slowdowns.

How Automated Reference Checking Software Speeds Things Up

Real-Time Response Collection

Platforms like Credibled automate the reference checking process by sending digital surveys directly to referees. They can respond in their own time, from any device, which often cuts turnaround time from days to hours. This digital-first approach is detailed further in our blog: How Automated Reference Checking Improves the Quality of Your Hires.

24/7 Access and Cloud Storage

Because automated reference checks are cloud-based, there’s no time lost scheduling phone calls or manually recording answers. Recruiters can log in at any time and track the progress of each reference. This seamless availability shortens the “how long do background checks take” equation significantly.

Elimination of Human Bottlenecks

Forget endless follow-ups. With automated reminders and centralized dashboards, recruiters stay informed without chasing leads. Plus, reference responses are standardized, reducing the subjectivity and bias that can creep into traditional methods. For tips on reducing interview and reference bias, visit our guide: Interview Bias: A How-to Guide on Minimizing It.

Platforms like Credibled offer seamless integration, fraud detection, and real-time processing, helping employers make informed hiring decisions.

Why Credibled is the Solution for Faster, Smarter Hiring

Designed by Recruiters, for Recruiters

Credibled was developed by industry experts who faced the exact inefficiencies modern HR teams struggle with. We took our experiences and created a platform designed to solve real hiring problems—like figuring out how long do background checks take and how to make them faster.

Seamless Integration with Hiring Workflows

Whether you’re hiring in-house, remote, or internationally, Credibled integrates into your existing HR systems. Our features include customizable questionnaires, analytics, and built-in compliance tools that ensure speed doesn’t come at the cost of accuracy.

Results You Can Act On

With structured, bias-free insights, recruiters get actionable data that’s easy to compare and evaluate. Faster doesn’t mean riskier—if anything, automated reference checking reduces the risks associated with fake references or unverifiable claims.

Conclusion: Speed Without Sacrificing Quality

If you’ve been wondering how long do background checks take, you’re not alone. Delays can cost companies top talent and time. But not every part of the process has to move at a snail’s pace. By leveraging automation with tools like Credibled’s reference checking platform, recruiters can reduce hiring delays, gain deeper insights, and bring on better talent—faster.

FAQs:

How long does a background check take on average?

Most background checks take between 3 to 10 business days, but this varies depending on the depth of the screening and how many third parties are involved.

Can an automated reference check replace a background check?

No. Automated reference checks complement but do not replace full background checks. However, they significantly speed up the reference portion of the process, which is often the slowest step.

Is Credibled a background check provider?

Credibled focuses on automated reference checking. For full background verification and criminal record validation, visit our background check services.