PBSA Accredited
Background Screening Association
FCRA Compliant
Fair Credit Reporting Act
100% US-Based
Support and Operations
Equifax Data
Smart Screen™ Network
How It Works
Your candidates get a simple, mobile-friendly experience — no logins, no portals, no confusion.
Your candidate receives a text or email with a secure, single-click link. No app downloads, no account creation.
The candidate takes a photo of their driver's license or state ID. Our AI reads it instantly — no typing required.
We run the candidate's information against 3,400+ jurisdictions, county courts, and state prison systems — all in one search.
Disclosures and authorization forms are presented automatically. The candidate signs right on their phone — done in under 90 seconds.
See what a real 3rd Degree background check looks like.
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Our platform is powered by Kizuna, decision-intelligence that turns raw records into relevant hiring signals. Map risk. Surface trends. Decide with confidence.
Risk Signal Analysis
From onboarding to adjudication, our US-based team is with you every step of the way. Your candidates get clarity. You get peace of mind.
Background Checks
Criminal, employment, education, MVR, biometric identity, ordered in seconds and delivered in hours, not days. One portal. One price.
Results in as little as 5 minutes
90% complete within 24 hours
PBSA accredited. FCRA compliant.
We built 3rd Degree because we were tired of watching employers get ripped off. Hidden fees, offshore support, and zero transparency. So we did the opposite.
Smart Screen™ by Equifax is integrated into 3rd Degree and provides instant access to 1,900+ county jails, 30+ state prison systems, 185M+ records, and 50+ sex offender registries. All in one search.
Explore Smart ScreenGovernment ID scan + biometric selfie match with real-time liveness detection. We verify your candidate is who they say they are. Not a photo, not a mask, not a deepfake.
See how it worksFCRA disclosures, digital signatures, state & local compliance forms, adverse action notifications, and EEOC questionnaires, all generated and tracked automatically. You stay protected without lifting a finger.
Learn about compliance3rd Degree has been an outstanding partner to my company! We can quickly uncover fraudulent attempts to purchase vehicles by verifying their identity. Quick, easy, inexpensive, and always professional!
Mark N
Compliance Specialist
We started using 3rd Degree Screening around 6 months ago and I have been consistently impressed with their customer service (thanks Jimmy!) and the ease of the portal to request background checks. All of the checks have come back quicker than I had expected and were very thorough.
Lindsay K.
Head Recruiter
We have been using 3rd degree exclusively since 2019. 3rd Degree have been a reliable partner we trust. They have been successful in promptly completing complex background checks onshore and offshore. We highly recommend working with them.
Lynda Foll
Owner
Pay per background check. No contracts, no hidden fees, no surprises. Lock in your rate forever.
Choose your plan
24-90 hours Turnaround Time
Any records identified outside the current county or federal jurisdiction may require confirmation at the originating source and are subject to an additional fee.
*Possible 3rd Party Fees
Get Started24-90 hours Turnaround Time • Comprehensive Coverage*
*Possible 3rd Party Fees
Get Started24-90 hours Turnaround Time • Comprehensive Coverage*
*Possible 3rd Party Fees
Get Started24-90 hours Turnaround Time
Any records identified outside the current county or federal jurisdiction may require confirmation at the originating source and are subject to an additional fee.
*Possible 3rd Party Fees
Get Started24-90 hours Turnaround Time • Comprehensive Coverage*
*Possible 3rd Party Fees
Get Started24-90 hours Turnaround Time • Comprehensive Coverage*
*Possible 3rd Party Fees
Get StartedRunning over 200 background checks a year?
Get volume-based pricing tailored to your organization.
Built-In Compliance
FCRA disclosures are generated, delivered, and tracked the moment a check is ordered. State-specific forms and restrictions apply automatically based on the candidate's location.
Candidates sign on any device in under 90 seconds. Every signature is timestamped, geo-tagged, and stored with a complete chain of custody for auditors and legal.
Pre-adverse and final notices are generated, queued, and tracked automatically. Mandatory waiting periods are enforced by the system, not by a calendar reminder.
3,400+ jurisdictions each have unique reporting rules. Our engine applies those filters before results reach your dashboard, so you never see information you can't legally consider.
100%
FCRA Compliant
50-State
Coverage
Zero
Manual Forms
24/7
Audit Trail
Every compliance step is automated and documented.
Your audit defense is built in, not bolted on.
Expert guidance on background screening, compliance, and smarter hiring.
Avoid costly surprises: our compliance team breaks down the contract clauses that trip up most employers. Here's how to negotiate better terms.
From inconsistent screening policies to skipped adverse action steps. Here's how to avoid the compliance traps that hurt hiring decisions.
Stay compliant and protect your hiring process. A clear breakdown of your obligations under the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
Get a Demo
Skip the sales pitch. We'll walk you through a real report, show you how Smart Screen™ works, and answer every question with no commitment.
Fill out the form and we'll reach out within one business day.
