If my background check has expired, how do I get another updated report?
If you have received a criminal report from Carolina Investigative Research, Inc in the past, please provide only the address/es that have been used since your last report. If additional addresses are requested, you will be billed for the search. Type the word "UPDATE" in the comment box at the bottom of the form.

How do I check status of my report?

Please go to CONTACT page from the bar above which provides a way to send us an email. Please complete the form and submit. We will receive the email and answer as soon as possible. You may also call our office at 919-460-7799, ext 0 and speak with a member of our staff.

I don’t have a credit card for payment, what should I do?
You must download the release form and mail it to our office with a check or money order.

What if I have more addresses than spaces available on the form?
If this happens, you must download the form and send us the additional addresses on a separate piece of paper.

What if I have used more than one name?

Maiden names, other married names, alias, aka's (As Known As) fka, (Formerly Known As), nicknames, legal change of names, etc. will be searched. Hyphenated surnames, such as Smith-Jones, will be searched as Smith-Jones, Smith, & Jones. Please provide as accurate date as possible as to when and where a name was used. YOU WILL BE CHARGED FOR EACH NAME SEARCHED IN EACH JURISDICTION. We do not want to conduct searches where a name was not used, accurate dating will help us. We try to provide lower pricing for aka's.  Your estimated cost may not reflect all alias searches that will be performed. If you need an accurate cost, please send us an email requesting "price with aka fees".

Why haven’t I received my report?
Please check your spam, junk or deleted items folder.

How long will it take to receive my report?
If your search is limited to North Carolina only, the turnaround time for your report is 3-5 business days. If your background check requires an out of state search, the turnaround time allowed is 3 weeks. When your report is complete we will mail, e-mail, or fax our report--whichever you request.

I need my report today. Can I expedite my report?
You can expedite your report for an additional fee. Reports with ONLY NC addresses will be returned same day or early next morning. Out of state requests will be returned same day results are returned to us-usually within 72 hours.  Some locations can not be expedited, ie, Massachusetts results are returned in 2-3 weeks.

What information must I divulge for a background check?
You must release all names used and all addresses you’ve had for the last 7 years.

What do I do if I have a criminal record?
The NC Real Estate Commission requires you to provide a detailed statement of events surrounding your criminal record. You are required to report all criminal records to the NC Real Estate Commission. Court records are searched as far back as possible and may exceed 7 years.

What if I have a criminal record which does not show on this report?
You are required to report any and all criminal records to the NC Real Estate Commission.

What is a “Matched by name only, this may not be your applicant” Record?
When a record is found and there are no identifiers (name, date of birth, social security number, and etc.), CIR, Inc attempts to match the record to the correct individual. Sometimes there is no way for CIR, Inc. to eliminate an applicant from the record. In these circumstances, CIR, Inc. is required to report these records and state that they are “Matched by name only, this may not be your applicant.”

What is a “Locate”?
A Locate is an address trace pulled by your social security number. CIR, Inc. is required, by the NC Real Estate Commission, to search all names and addresses (from your release and discovered) used for the last 7 years. You will be charged for any searches which are conducted.

Who has the decision-making authority regarding the results of the criminal record check?
Carolina Investigative Research does not have any decision making authority regarding applicant's license and the results of the criminal record check. The authority rests with the North Carolina Real Estate Commission.

When will the commission review my criminal record?
The criminal record will not be reviewed by the commission until successful completion of the Real Estate exam.

Do I have to have my criminal background check completed before I can take a Real Estate Course?
No. A criminal record check is not a prerequisite for enrolling in a Real Estate Course. However, your criminal background check must be completed before you are allowed to take the NC Real Estate Exam or receive your license.

Is it safe to put my personal information online?
CIR has a secure web site. Your personal information is encrypted after you enter it. In addition, once your report is completed, your credit card information is deleted and your SSN is truncated. Please click here for our privacy policy. We will never ask you for your credit card information by email. If you receive an email from CIR asking for credit card information, it is not an official email. Your email from us will read "Please call us".

Can I use this web site to order criminal record check for a purpose other than for the NC real estate?
Yes, you can, but please put in comments why you are requesting the report. We will customize the report to reflect the end user of your request.  If you need to conduct pre-employment checks on employees, please go to www.cir-nc.com.

What is a federal criminal record search/check?
A federal record search is a search of the United States District Courts for federal felony and misdemeanor records. The cases heard in a Federal Court are separate from state jurisdictions. The crimes are investigated and brought to trial by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigations, Drug Enforcement Agency, US Postal Service, Internal Revenue Service, United States Marshalls, etc. The crimes include bank robbery, kidnapping, internet crimes, RICO crimes, tax evasion, fraud, etc. Also see screening federal records.
This search is not currently required by the Real Estate Commission, but is necessary to obtain all criminal charges. There is an additional fee for a federal search. If you have been charged with a Federal crime during the last 7 years, it is recommended that you add the search.
If you have not been arrested by a federal agency, you will not have a federal criminal record. You do not need to add this search.

Does CIR provide other services?

CIR provides employment screening and tenant screening. We also conduct investigations and investigative research. Please visit our website at www.cir-nc.com

Please also see our FORMS PAGE for links and articles related to criminal records and other industry items.

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