SSN Trace for Employers
An SSN trace, also called a People Search (Name & SSN), returns the names and addresses associated with the first name, last name and Social Security number a candidate provides. Employers order it as part of a background check, and CHCKED uses what it returns to add counties to criminal searches.
What an SSN trace shows
An SSN trace, also called a People Search (Name & SSN), returns the names and addresses associated with the first name, last name and Social Security number a candidate provides. The names include aliases, maiden names and other name variants. The addresses show where the person has lived.
A social security number trace is pointer data. CHCKED uses the places a person has lived to decide which counties to add to the criminal searches in an order, so the county searches reach beyond the address a candidate lists.
The report shows what the search returned. It does not say why a name or address appears.
How a social security number trace widens criminal searches
The candidate provides their details
CHCKED invites the candidate by text message and email to enter their information, including their Social Security number. The workflow is built to ask for each piece of information once, and it works on a mobile phone.
The search runs on name and Social Security number
CHCKED searches on the first name, last name and Social Security number provided and returns aliases, maiden names, other name variants, addresses, counties, dates of birth and phone numbers.
CHCKED adds counties to the criminal searches
CHCKED uses the places the person has lived to decide which counties to add to the criminal searches in your order. County, federal and national criminal searches are separate searches from the trace. CHCKED limits the results in this report to the past seven years.
You view the report
CHCKED emails you when you submit the order and again when the report is ready. You view the report securely, with each result and its match quality.
Reading SSN trace results
Illustrative example with fictional information.
| Name & SSN | Address | County | DOB | Indicator Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
MAYA R REED XXX-XX-0000 (555) 010-0142 | 100 SAMPLE STREET SAMPLEVILLE, ST 00000 Reported on: 05/14/2026 | SAMPLE COUNTY | 01/15/1992 | Exact name match SSN exact match |
MAYA R REED XXX-XX-0000 (555) 010-0142 | 200 EXAMPLE AVENUE EXAMPLETOWN, ST 00001 Reported on: 02/08/2021 | EXAMPLE COUNTY | 01/15/1992 | Exact name match SSN exact match |
REED MAYA XXX-XX-0000 (555) 010-0188 | 300 SAMPLE ROAD SAMPLEVILLE, ST 00000 Reported on: 04/10/2017 | SAMPLE COUNTY | 01/15/1992 | SSN exact match |
MAYA LINDGREN XXX-XX-0000 | 400 TEST LANE TESTBURG, ST 00002 Reported on: 10/29/2014 | TEST COUNTY | 01/15/1992 | SSN exact match |
Result Quality Criteria: the "Name & SSN" search is based on the Social Security Number and name provided. A record is considered "high quality" if the SSN, first name, and last name all match. "Medium quality" records are those where the first and last names are inverted, or a middle initial was returned different than was searched for, and/or the SSN does not match. All other matching combinations between name and SSN are considered "low quality" results.
What an SSN trace is not
- Not an identity verification
- An SSN trace lists names and addresses. It does not confirm who a candidate is.
- Not a criminal record search
- It does not search court or criminal records. County, federal and national criminal searches are separate searches.
- Not a credit check
- The trace does not report credit information.
- Not a confirmation from the Social Security Administration
- The trace does not check the number with the Social Security Administration. It does not confirm whether a number is valid or when it was issued.
- Not E-Verify or Form I-9
- E-Verify and Form I-9 are separate employment eligibility processes.
Using SSN trace results fairly
Federal, state and local laws affect how employers may use information in a background report. The Fair Credit Reporting Act requires a written disclosure and the candidate's written authorization before a background report is obtained, and notices before and after a decision based on a report. CHCKED handles pre-adverse and adverse action notices in its platform, automated and at no cost to your company. A medium or low quality result may not belong to the candidate, and a difference between a result and what a candidate provided does not by itself show anything about the candidate. You are responsible for following the laws that apply to your business. CHCKED does not recommend hiring decisions.
Common questions about SSN trace
What is an SSN trace?
An SSN trace, also called a People Search (Name & SSN), returns aliases, maiden names, other name variants and addresses for the name and Social Security number provided. Employers use it in a background check, and CHCKED uses it to add counties to criminal searches.
What does SSN trace mean on a background check?
It means the report includes a search on the candidate's name and Social Security number that returns names and addresses. It is a starting point for other searches. It is not a finding about the candidate.
What do high, medium and low quality results mean?
High quality means the Social Security number, first name and last name all match. Medium quality means the first and last names are inverted, a middle initial differs from the one searched, and/or the Social Security number does not match. Low quality means any other combination of name and Social Security number matches.
What does "no records found with that criteria" mean?
The search returned no records for the name and Social Security number provided. It is not a finding about the candidate.
Does a background check show previous addresses?
Every CHCKED employment package includes an SSN trace, which returns addresses associated with the name and Social Security number provided. CHCKED limits the results in the report to the past seven years.
Does an SSN trace show criminal records?
No. An SSN trace returns names and addresses. It does not search criminal records. County, federal and national criminal searches are separate searches.
Is an SSN trace the same as validating a Social Security number?
No. An SSN trace returns names and addresses for the name and number provided. It does not confirm whether a number is valid or when it was issued.
A separate search of court records in a specific county
A separate search of federal court records
A search of a national criminal database
A separate search of sex offender registries
Compare employment screening packages
Ready to screen your next hire?
Every CHCKED employment package includes an SSN trace. Start an employment background check. CHCKED's US-based support team can answer questions by phone, email or chat, 8:30 to 5:00 Central, Monday through Friday.