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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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