FCRA Compliant · $5 Per Check · No Monthly Fee

Everything Your Nonprofit Needs to Know Before Approving a Volunteer

Volunteer coordinators deserve clear answers about what a background check actually surfaces — and confidence that nothing slips through. VolunteerBadge searches 650M+ court records, sex offender registries, FBI Most Wanted, and OFAC sanctions lists for just $5 per check, with no monthly fees and no contracts.

$5 per check No monthly fees FCRA compliant No contracts
Step 01
Send Authorization
FCRA form sent to volunteer — they e-sign before anything is pulled
Step 02
Verify Address
We cross-reference reported addresses against public records for free
Step 03
Run the Check
One click searches 650M+ records. CLEAR result in plain English
app.volunteerbadge.com/applications
Send Authorization
Send FCRA Authorization Form
Volunteer
SJ
Select volunteer…
FCRA disclosure included automatically
The form includes required disclosure language. Applicant e-signs. Consent is logged for your records.
650M+
Court records searched per check
$5
Flat price per background check
24–48 hrs
Typical turnaround time
100%
FCRA-compliant workflow

Everything your organization needs — in one place

VolunteerBadge handles the entire screening workflow so your team can focus on your mission, not paperwork.

National Criminal Records Search

Every check scans a national database of 650M+ criminal court records spanning felonies, misdemeanors, and pending charges. You get a consolidated view across jurisdictions — not just the county where a volunteer currently lives.

Sex Offender Registries and Watchlists

VolunteerBadge checks all 50 state sex offender registries, the FBI Most Wanted list, and OFAC sanctions lists in a single run. These are the records nonprofit boards and insurance carriers ask about most — and they're included at no extra cost.

Free Address History on Every Application

Because people move, VolunteerBadge automatically pulls an address history report with every application. This ensures criminal record searches cover every state and county a volunteer has lived in, closing the gap that single-county checks miss entirely.

Up and running in minutes

No IT setup. No training required. Your first check runs the same day you sign up.

app.volunteerbadge.com/invite
Invite Volunteer
Send FCRA authorization request
Full Name
Sarah Johnson
Email Address
Check Type
National Criminal Check · $5
5
per background check. That's it.

No monthly fee. No annual contract. No setup cost. No minimum number of checks. Pay only when you run a check — and only $5 each time.

Results in 24–48 hours
FCRA compliant process
Unlimited admin seats
650M+ records searched

Frequently asked questions

Does a volunteer background check show arrests that didn't result in a conviction?

It depends on the state. Many states allow reporting of arrests without a conviction, while others restrict it. VolunteerBadge is FCRA-compliant and follows applicable state reporting rules, so records that legally cannot be reported are automatically excluded. When a reportable arrest does appear, your dashboard will display it clearly so you can make an informed decision.

Will a minor or expunged offense show up on the check?

Expunged records are generally not reportable under the FCRA and will not appear in your results. Juvenile records are similarly restricted in most states. VolunteerBadge's screening process respects these legal limits — you only see what you are legally permitted to act on, which also protects your organization from adverse action liability.

How is a volunteer background check different from an employment background check?

Functionally, a FCRA-compliant volunteer check covers the same core record categories as an employment check — criminal history, sex offender registries, and watchlists. The key difference is cost and scope. VolunteerBadge is built specifically for nonprofits, so you are not paying for employment-verification add-ons you don't need. At $5 per check with no monthly fee, it is designed to make thorough screening accessible for organizations of any size.

What if a background check comes back with a record — what do I do next?

First, review the record carefully. Not every hit is disqualifying — context, age of the offense, and your organization's volunteer role all matter. If you decide not to approve the volunteer based on the report, federal law requires you to follow a two-step adverse action process: send a pre-adverse action notice (with a copy of the report), wait a reasonable period, then send a final adverse action notice. VolunteerBadge guides you through both steps automatically so you stay FCRA-compliant without needing a lawyer on speed dial.

Get Started Free

Start Screening Volunteers Today for Just $5

No setup fee, no monthly subscription, no contract. Create your free VolunteerBadge account and run your first check in minutes — you only pay when you screen.

No credit card required to sign up · First check $5 · Cancel anytime

What Shows Up on a Volunteer Background Check