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GoodHire suits small employers that run a handful of checks a year: posted packages run $29.99 to $94.99 per check plus court and DMV pass-through fees, there is no subscription, and its US-based support team helps with FCRA steps. It is a legitimate employment background check company and a Checkr brand since 2022. Its public complaint record is thin, with 4 BBB complaints in three years, but it runs on Checkr's screening operation, which draws far more disputes about incorrect report information. If you will run more than 50 checks a year, GoodHire sends you to a custom quote, so compare it with Checkr and other screeners at that point.
Your options
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PeopleFinders Alternative Adults doing a personal lookup, such as finding an old friend's contact details or checking an unknown caller, who will watch the renewal date.
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Spokeo Alternative People who want a current phone number, address or relative for someone they know, and who will cancel as soon as they are done.
- Owner
- Checkr acquired GoodHire in 2022; GoodHire lists the same 1 Montgomery St., San Francisco headquarters as Checkr3
- Packages
- Basic $29.99, Essential $59.99, Complete $94.99 per check, as listed October 20261
- Who gets posted prices
- Employers running fewer than 50 checks a year; 50 or more a year get a custom quote1
- Extra fees
- Third-party pass-through fees from courts, states and DMVs may be added; per-item add-on prices not listed1
- Speed and accuracy claims
- 90% of nationwide criminal checks delivered in under one minute; dispute rate of 0.085%, per GoodHire2
- Personal checks
- Background check on yourself from $49.994
- Support
- FCRA-certified, US-based support team for employers and candidates, per GoodHire2
Pros
- Posted prices from $29.99 per check with no subscription
- Fast database results, per GoodHire
- US-based support that helps with FCRA steps
- A+ BBB rating with only 4 complaints in three years
- Backed by Checkr's screening operation
Cons
- Court and DMV pass-through fees added on top
- Posted prices only below 50 checks a year
- Add-on prices not listed
- Very few independent public reviews
- Parent Checkr has many CFPB complaints about report accuracy
Best for: Small businesses that run a few employment background checks a year and want posted prices and help with FCRA paperwork.
Skip it if: You hire at high volume or internationally, or you need tenant screening, which GoodHire's employment packages aren't built for.
GoodHire vs. competitors
| Company | Posted price | Best fit | BBB | Next step |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GoodHire | $29.99 to $94.99 per check (under 50 a year) | Small employers | A+, accredited, 4 complaints in 3 years | |
| Checkr | $29.99 to $94.99 per check self-serve; Enterprise by quote | High-volume, gig and multi-location hiring | A+, accredited, 469 complaints in 3 years | Read review |
| HireRight | Quote only | Large and global employers | A+, not accredited, 267 complaints in 3 years | Read review |
| First Advantage | Quote; pay-as-you-go small business accounts | Large employers, now including Sterling | A+, accredited, 293 complaints in 3 years | Read review |
Background checks we reviewed
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GoodHire This review BestGuide rating: 4.3 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: Small businesses that run a few employment background checks a year and want posted prices and help with FCRA paperwork. -
PeopleFinders BestGuide rating: 4.5 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: Adults doing a personal lookup, such as finding an old friend's contact details or checking an unknown caller, who will watch the renewal date. -
Spokeo BestGuide rating: 4.4 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: People who want a current phone number, address or relative for someone they know, and who will cancel as soon as they are done. -
BeenVerified BestGuide rating: 4.3 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: People who need several personal lookups in a short window, such as tracing a relative or checking callers, and will cancel on time. -
Instant Checkmate BestGuide rating: 4.3 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: People who want to run several personal lookups in a short window, such as checking a date, a seller or an old contact, and will cancel on time. -
Intelius BestGuide rating: 4.3 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: Personal lookups, like identifying an unknown caller or finding an old friend's contact details, when you'll remember to cancel. -
PeopleLooker BestGuide rating: 4.3 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: People who need several personal lookups in a short period, such as reconnecting with someone or checking unknown callers, and will cancel on time. -
Truthfinder BestGuide rating: 4.3 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: People who need several personal lookups in a short period and will cancel before the membership renews.
GoodHire pricing at a glance
GoodHire employer packages, as listed October 20261
| Package | Price per check | What's included |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | $29.99 | SSN trace, sex offender registry, global watchlist, national criminal search |
| Essential | $59.99 | Basic plus identity verification and unlimited county criminal searches |
| Complete | $94.99 | Essential plus unlimited state criminal and federal criminal searches |
| Custom (50+ checks a year) | Quote | Custom packages from 100+ screening options |
Prices are listed as starting from and apply to employers running fewer than 50 checks a year. Court, state and DMV pass-through fees may be added. Add-ons such as drug tests, driving records and employment or education verification are offered without posted per-item prices.
GoodHire, step by step
Create an account
Sign up as an employer and confirm you have a permissible purpose under the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
Pick a package and invite the candidate
Choose Basic, Essential or Complete and enter the candidate's name and email. GoodHire collects their consent and personal details directly.
Wait for results
Database searches can return in minutes; county court searches and verifications take longer because they depend on courts and past employers.
Review and decide
If something in the report may lead you not to hire, send a pre-adverse action notice with a copy of the report and the FCRA summary of rights, then wait before deciding.
Send the final notice
If you go ahead with the rejection, send an adverse action notice, then store or destroy the report securely.
GoodHire legitimacy and licensing
Yes. GoodHire is a Consumer reporting agency. A company that assembles reports used for eligibility decisions and must follow FCRA accuracy and dispute rules. Compare background checks that sells employment background checks, and it has been owned by Checkr since Checkr acquired it in 2022. GoodHire’s site lists the same San Francisco headquarters as Checkr, and its pricing matches Checkr’s self-serve packages. The BBB rates GoodHire A+; it has been accredited since 2013 and shows 4 complaints in three years.
As a consumer reporting agency, GoodHire must follow the Fair Credit Reporting Act, including letting candidates get a copy of their report and dispute errors.
GoodHire pricing
GoodHire lists three packages, each priced per check: Basic at $29.99 (SSN trace, sex offender registry, global watchlist and national criminal database), Essential at $59.99 (adds identity verification and unlimited county criminal searches) and Complete at $94.99 (adds unlimited state and federal criminal searches). These posted prices apply to employers running fewer than 50 checks a year; above that, GoodHire quotes custom pricing.
Budget for pass-through fees. Some courts, states and DMVs charge to search their records, and GoodHire adds those fees to the bill. Drug tests, driving records and employment or education verification are available as add-ons, but GoodHire’s pricing page does not list their prices, so ask before you order.
How GoodHire Works
GoodHire operates as an online employment screening service under parent company Checkr, which acquired the brand in April 2022. The platform simplifies the background screening lifecycle by utilizing automated database searches and digital candidate workflows.
Step 1: Account Creation and Verification
To begin, employers set up an account and undergo a verification process to ensure they have a permissible purpose under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA. The Fair Credit Reporting Act, the federal law that governs consumer reports used for employment, housing, credit and insurance decisions. Compare background checks). GoodHire offers free account setup on core plans, allowing new accounts to explore the dashboard interface without immediate financial commitment.
Step 2: Candidate Consent and Data Entry
Once verified, the employer enters the candidate’s name and email address. GoodHire then contacts the candidate directly to secure digital consent and gather sensitive information like Social Security numbers. This self-service data entry reduces input errors and protects employer liability.
Step 3: Database Search and Verification
GoodHire queries national, state, and county databases to pull relevant records. Employers frequently ask: how long does a background check take? GoodHire returns 85% of clear background checks within one minute by using automated matching algorithms. For deeper manual searches, such as county court records or employment verification, processing times range from 1-5 business days.
What customers say about GoodHire
Recurring themes across the review sites and complaint records listed above, not individual quotes.
Common praise
- Simple ordering for small employers with no subscription
- Fast results on database searches
- Help with FCRA steps from a US-based team
Common complaints
- Candidates disputing incorrect information on reports (seen mostly at parent Checkr)
- Pass-through court fees that raise the final cost
- Privacy concerns from people asking to suppress their data
How GoodHire works and how long it takes
You order a check from the dashboard and GoodHire emails the candidate to give consent and enter their details. GoodHire says 90% of nationwide criminal checks are delivered in under a minute. That figure covers the fastest database part of a check. County court searches, included from the Essential package, depend on court access and often take one to three business days, and employment or education verifications wait on past employers and schools.
GoodHire says it integrates with common applicant tracking and HR systems and lets you build custom packages by role or location.
Complaints and accuracy
GoodHire’s own record is small: 4 BBB complaints in three years, no CFPB complaints filed under its name from October 2023 to October 2026, and only 2 Trustpilot reviews, both negative and the latest from February 2025. GoodHire reports a dispute rate of 0.085%.
Because GoodHire runs on Checkr’s operation, the parent’s record is relevant. Checkr drew 1,352 CFPB complaints over the same three years, most often about incorrect information on a report (860) and problems with how a dispute was investigated (345). Some GoodHire candidates may file under Checkr.
FCRA rules every employer must follow
Using GoodHire does not shift your legal duties. Under the FCRA, as the FTC explains, you must:
- Tell the applicant in writing, in a stand-alone document that is not part of the job application, that you may use a background report.
- Get their written permission.
- Before rejecting someone based on the report, give them a copy of it and the Summary of Your Rights Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, so they can review it and explain.
- After a final decision, send an Adverse action notice. The notice an employer must send before and after rejecting an applicant based on a background report. Compare background checks with the screening company’s contact details and their right to dispute and get a free report within 60 days.
- Dispose of reports securely.
Many states and cities also limit when you can ask about criminal history. Check your local rules or ask GoodHire which forms it supplies for your state.
If GoodHire ran a check on you
You can request your report and dispute anything wrong. Under the FCRA, the company must reinvestigate and correct or delete information it can’t verify, usually within 30 days. If a dispute goes nowhere, file a complaint with the CFPB. GoodHire also sells personal background checks from $49.99 if you want to see what an employer might find before applying.
Alternatives to GoodHire
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CheckrSame parent and list prices, but better if you need 200+ ATS integrations, automated adjudication or continuous driver monitoring.
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HireRightWorth a quote for large or international hiring across 200+ countries.
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State and county court record searches
Many courts offer free or low-cost public record lookups, but if you use any third-party report for hiring, the FCRA rules still apply.
Next steps
GoodHire reviews
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Frequently asked questions
Is GoodHire a legitimate company?
Yes. GoodHire is a Checkr-owned employment background check company with an A+ BBB rating, accredited since 2013, and 4 complaints in three years.
How much does GoodHire cost?
Basic is $29.99, Essential $59.99 and Complete $94.99 per check, plus any court or DMV fees. Those prices apply to employers running fewer than 50 checks a year.
Is GoodHire owned by Checkr?
Yes. Checkr acquired GoodHire in 2022. GoodHire lists the same packages, prices and headquarters address as Checkr.
How long does a GoodHire background check take?
GoodHire says 90% of nationwide criminal checks arrive in under a minute. County court searches and employment or education verifications usually take longer, often one to three business days or more.
What does a GoodHire background check show?
Depending on the package: SSN trace, sex offender registry, global watchlist, national, county, state and federal criminal records, plus optional driving records, drug tests and verifications.
Does GoodHire charge a subscription?
No subscription is listed for the posted packages; you pay per check. Employers above 50 checks a year get custom pricing.
Can I run a GoodHire check on myself?
Yes. GoodHire's personal background check reports start at $49.99.
How do I dispute a GoodHire background check?
Request your report and file a dispute with GoodHire. The FCRA requires it to reinvestigate and fix or remove unverifiable information, usually within 30 days. If that fails, file with the CFPB.
Can landlords use GoodHire?
GoodHire's packages are built for employment screening. Landlords should use a tenant screening service and follow the FCRA rules for rental decisions.
Sources (9)
Facts on this page come from company websites, government agencies and regulators, checked on the dates shown. Editorial standards
- GoodHire: Pricing (accessed October 12, 2026)
- GoodHire: Homepage (speed, dispute rate and support claims) (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Goodwin: Checkr acquires GoodHire, 2022 (accessed October 12, 2026)
- GoodHire: Personal background checks (accessed October 12, 2026)
- BBB: GoodHire, LLC profile (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Trustpilot: GoodHire reviews (accessed October 12, 2026)
- CFPB: Consumer complaint database, Checkr (Oct 12, 2023 to Oct 12, 2026) (accessed October 12, 2026)
- FTC: Background checks, what employers need to know (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Checkr: Pricing (accessed October 12, 2026)
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