Will a Sealed Record Show Up on a Background Check?
When a sealed record should not appear
Once sealed, the case is generally treated as though it never happened for most background checks. That means:
Employers and landlords should not see it.
Consumer reporting agencies are not allowed to report it.
You do not have to disclose it in most standard applications.
If a screening company still reports it, the report may violate the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).
When a sealed record might still show up
Errors can occur when:
A background check company uses outdated or unmaintained databases
Court updates didn’t sync with third-party data sources
The screening company matched the record to the wrong person (mixed file)
The sealed case is listed in older versions of a database that were never refreshed
These mistakes are more common than people realize.
What to do if your sealed case appears
If a sealed case shows up on a background check:
Get the full report used by the employer, landlord, or platform.
Dispute the entry directly with the background check company and include proof the case is sealed (court order or docket screenshot).
Request that they issue a corrected report to the employer.
If the sealed record caused a denial, you may have the right to pursue compensation under the FCRA.
How We Can Help
If a sealed record showed up on your background check, we can help you dispute it immediately and evaluate whether you have an FCRA claim for compensation, especially if the mistake caused you to lose a job or opportunity.