Background check API for platforms, staffing agencies and small businesses
Order screening from the system you already use, and get status updates and finished reports sent straight back to it.
Short answer
Can our platform order background checks directly through an API?
Yes. SafestHires accepts background check orders sent as XML over HTTPS straight from your own platform, applicant tracking system or app — no webhook needs to be built first. Add the optional postBackInfo block to each order (Order Entry manual, section 3.5) and status updates and finished results are posted to the web address you choose. You can also pull results for any order by its order number. Both manuals are free to download, and there are no integration or platform fees.
How the API works, in three steps
- Send the order. Your system posts an XML order over HTTPS. Each post can carry 1 to 50 orders, though one order per post makes errors easier to find.
- Tell us where to send updates. Add the optional postBackInfo block (section 3.5) with your web address and an ID. Basic or token sign-in is supported for the address you give us.
- Receive or pull results. Status and results are posted back as XML, or a PDF of the completed report. You can also pull results for an order by its order number.
Choose which updates you receive
With postBackInfo you pick the updates you want. Leave the choice out and you receive all of them. Options include:
- Each search finishing (ICR)
- The whole order finishing (OCR)
- Waiting on the candidate (IPC), or the candidate's invitation expiring (EXP)
- The order being cancelled or deleted (DEL)
- A PDF of the completed report only (PDF)
Who uses it
Platforms that hire independent contractors
Marketplaces and gig apps can start a check the moment a contractor signs up, invite the contractor by text or email to add their own details, and update the contractor's profile when the order finishes. See our contractor background check guides.
Companies that hire drivers
Driver checks such as motor vehicle records, commercial driver's license verification and FMCSA crash and inspection history can be ordered through the same connection, along with drug screens. See our transportation screening page.
Staffing agencies
Agencies can order from inside the candidate record and, with the right permissions, place orders on behalf of separate client accounts using the order_on_behalf_of block (section 3.4). See our staffing screening page.
Small businesses
Most small businesses do not need the API — they order on our website or through one of the 75+ ready-made integrations. If you run your own hiring software, the API is available at no extra cost. See small business background checks.
Download the manuals
Both manuals are free and need no agreement to review. Forward them to your developer or software vendor. The Order Entry manual includes sample code in C#, Visual Basic and Ruby.
Before you connect
- Your system must support SNI and modern encryption; very old setups, such as Java 6 or Windows XP, may not connect.
- Use TEST mode until your orders and postbacks work as expected.
- Need help? Contact our integrations team and we'll coordinate with your developers.
Background check API questions
Do we need to build a webhook before we can order?
No. Your system sends the order directly to our platform. If you want status and results sent back automatically, include the postBackInfo block with the order and give us the full web address to post to. Without it, you can pull results for an order by its order number.
Can we test before sending live orders?
Yes. Every order carries a mode of PROD, DRAFT or TEST, and it defaults to TEST when no mode is given, so you can check your connection before placing live orders.
Can a platform place orders on behalf of its clients or contractors' companies?
Yes, when the ordering account has permission. The order_on_behalf_of block (section 3.4) names the ordering account and user. If the logged-in account lacks parent privileges, the order is rejected with an error explaining why.
Can the candidate fill in their own information?
Yes. An order can send the candidate an invitation by email, text message or both, and the postback can tell you when the order is waiting on the candidate and when an invitation expires.
Which searches can be ordered through the API?
The Order Entry manual covers the searches we offer, including county and statewide criminal, national criminal, federal court, sex offender registry, motor vehicle records, commercial driver's license verification, FMCSA crash and inspection history, drug screens, employment and education verification, and SSN verification.
Does the API cost extra?
No. There are no integration fees, platform fees or seat licenses. You pay per check, and the manuals are free to download and share with your developers.