To run a background check on a babysitter, get their written consent, then order a background check through an FCRA-compliant background check company that searches county criminal records and the sex offender registry. Add reference checks, a CPR certification check, and a driving record if they'll drive your kids. A background check takes about a day and is one of the simplest ways to protect your family before you hand someone the keys.
The tips in this guide are best practices, not legal advice. Screening rules and requirements vary by state, so it's worth confirming what applies to you.
What Is a Babysitter Background Check?
A babysitter background check verifies a sitter's identity and searches their criminal history before they care for your children. A professional check typically includes:
- Identity and address history verification, which confirms who they are and where they've lived
- Criminal record searches, including county court records in the places they've lived
- Sex offender registry search, across state registries nationwide
- Watchlist checks, including government sanctions lists
For a closer look at each section, see what's in a background check report.
How to Run a Background Check on a Babysitter
Step 1: Get Their Written Consent
Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), a background check company can't run a check on someone without their written consent. Tell candidates upfront that you screen every sitter. A qualified sitter will expect it.
Step 2: Choose the Right Searches
Not every background check searches the same places. A basic check searches criminal databases across many jurisdictions. A more thorough check adds direct searches of county court records in every county the sitter has lived in. For someone alone with your children, the more thorough search is worth it.
With a Bchex background check on someone else, the sitter receives a secure link to give consent and verify their identity, and you get the results by email, typically within 24 hours.
Step 3: Check the Sex Offender Registry
A professional background check includes a sex offender registry search. If you want a quick first look before ordering one, the National Sex Offender Public Website lets anyone search state registries for free.
Step 4: Verify References and Certifications
Call at least 2 families the sitter has worked for. Ask specific questions, such as how long they babysat, how they handled an emergency, and whether the family would hire them again. If the sitter lists CPR or first aid certification, ask to see the card and confirm it's current.
Step 5: Check Their Driving Record
If your sitter will drive your kids, ask them to request their driving record from their state DMV and share it with you. Most states let drivers order their own record online for a small fee. Look for recent accidents, moving violations, and license suspensions. Learn more about what a driving record shows.
How to Read the Results
Review every record carefully before you decide. Not every record means a sitter is unsafe, and a record could belong to someone with a similar name.
Red Flags to Look For
- Any sex offender registry match
- Convictions involving violence, children, drugs, or theft
- A criminal record the sitter didn't disclose when you asked
- A driving record with recent serious violations, if they'll drive your kids
- Gaps or inconsistencies between their references and what they told you
An arrest is not the same as a conviction. Weigh how serious a record is, how long ago it happened, and whether it relates to childcare.
If You Decide Not to Hire Based on the Report
Before you make a final decision, give the sitter a copy of the report and a chance to explain or dispute it. Records can be wrong, and the FCRA gives people the right to dispute inaccurate information.
Babysitter vs. Nanny: How Much Screening Do You Need?
The more time someone spends alone with your children, the more thorough your screening should be.
- Occasional babysitter: a background check with a sex offender registry search, plus at least 2 references.
- Regular sitter or after-school care: add county court searches in every county they've lived in, and a driving record if they drive your kids.
- Full-time or live-in nanny: the most thorough check available, plus employment history, references from previous nanny jobs, and a driving record.
Benefits of Running a Background Check on Your Babysitter
- Protect your children. Confirm that the person caring for your kids doesn't have a history that puts them at risk.
- Verify identity. Make sure the sitter is who they say they are.
- Discourage the wrong applicants. Telling candidates you screen everyone deters people with something to hide.
- Hire with confidence. Verified information replaces gut feeling when you're choosing between candidates.
Challenges of Running a Background Check on a Babysitter
- Asking can feel awkward, especially with a neighbor's teenager or a friend's recommendation. Framing it as standard for every sitter you hire helps.
- Babysitting apps and nanny agencies vary. Many run a background check on their sitters, but the depth varies widely, and some only search databases. Ask exactly what was searched, or run your own check.
- Teen babysitters may not have a record to find. Juvenile records are generally sealed, so references matter even more for younger sitters.
- Results need judgment. An old, minor record unrelated to childcare may not be a reason to say no. Our guide to background check red flags can help you weigh them.
FAQ
Do You Need a Babysitter's Permission to Run a Background Check?
Yes. Under the FCRA, a background check company needs the sitter's written consent before running a check.
How Much Does a Babysitter Background Check Cost?
It depends on the provider and how many searches are included. Free options like the sex offender registry are incomplete on their own, so a professional check is worth the cost.
How Long Does a Babysitter Background Check Take?
Most Bchex checks are completed within 24 hours. Some county court searches take longer. See how long a background check takes.
Can You Run a Background Check on a Teenage Babysitter?
You can, but a teen usually needs a parent's consent, and juvenile records are generally sealed. References are especially important for younger sitters.
Do Babysitting Apps and Nanny Agencies Run Background Checks?
Many do, but what they search varies. Ask exactly which searches were included before relying on a platform's check.
Should You Re-Screen a Long-Time Babysitter?
Yes, for regular sitters and nannies. Re-screening every year or so catches records that appeared after you first hired them.
What Should Disqualify a Babysitter?
Any sex offender registry match, convictions involving violence or harm to children, and dishonesty about their record are the clearest reasons not to hire.
Conclusion
Running a background check on your babysitter takes a few minutes of your time and about a day for results, and it's one of the simplest ways to protect your family. Get their consent, choose a check that searches county court records and the sex offender registry, verify references and certifications, and add a driving record if they'll be driving your kids.
Bchex background checks for individuals use the same professional-grade databases employers use, with potential records verified at the county court level.
