Member Login
Keep Your Ministry Safe & Secure With
Shepherd’s WatchBackground ChecksTM
In today’s challenging environment, it’s critical to take steps to protect those in your church’s care. Properly screening your staff and volunteers is an important step in that process!
Shepherd’s Watch Background Checks is partnered with the leading global background check company, First Advantage. Because of our long-term partnership with First Advantage, we’re able to offer you best-in-class background checks at affordable prices.
Group has been serving churches for more than 50 years, and we’ve been offering background check services for more than 20 years. You can trust that we know your church’s needs and we understand the best ways to protect your church and those you serve.
When you choose Shepherd’s Watch you get…
Thank you for considering Group's Shepherd’s Watch Background ChecksTM for your church background check needs. We love the local church and have specialized in serving ministries such as yours for over 50 years. We understand the unique challenges that churches are facing today, and look forward to partnering with you in keeping your church safe.
Steps to Get Started
It’s Easyto Get Started
- Purchase your Shepherd's Watch® Lifetime Membership — one-time fee; No annual costs!
- Activate your Shepherd's Watch® account with the leading global background check company, First Advantage. Once you have purchased your membership, you will receive a confirmation email and instructions on how to set up your account.
- Login to your Shepherd's Watch Background Check Account and choose from the background check packages below for each person you're screening. Use the E-Invite permissions form to keep the process confidential and secure. And easily pay with credit card for each background check as you go.
Know the Facts
Not All Background Checksare Created Equal
Who you order your background checks from matters. One of the most common misconceptions is that all background check companies are pulling from the same set of data... this is not true!
Background check companies compile their own proprietary databases, which comprise city, county, and state records from across the country. It’s a complicated web of information, and not all cities, counties, and states provide their data in the same manner. Some are electronic, and some still rely on good ol’ paper and ink. This makes the process of retrieving data complicated and time- consuming for companies like First Advantage.
Because First Advantage is spread out across the nation, you can be confident they have one of the most comprehensive databases in the industry. Their proprietary National Criminal File searches millions of criminal records, with 6,000 to 8,000 new records added daily.
Membership Details
Your LifetimeMembership Includes...
Fees are a one-time setup cost. No annual fees.
Church
$29.99
(One-Time Fee)
Monthly Safety Newsletter
Covering topics such as...how to avoid and spot child sexual abuse and safety basics for children, youth, and at-risk adults.Videos for Volunteer Safety Training
Send these videos out to your team!Articles and Forms
Use these articles and forms for your staff and volunteers.Special Pricing on Expert Background Checks
Background checks not included in membership fee.Convenient online E-Invite system
Keeps information confidential and paperless at no added cost.
Questions?
Whether you are considering Shepherd's Watch or are already an existing member contact us at info@group.com or call 1-800-447-1070
Reliable, Affordable, and Easy to Use
Background Check Packages
Report Options | Basic Starter$9 | Basic Starter | Basic Plus$23 | Basic Plus | Vehicle Plus* | All Inclusive* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
?Social Security Number Verification | ||||||
?National Criminal Record File PLUSIncludes Department of Corrections, Administrative Office of Courts, Individual County Courts, State specific criminal record repositories, and sex offender registry within the state of residence. | ||||||
?Felony and MisdemeanorUp to two indexes at single courthouse. Current county of residence, 1 name, 7 years deep at courthouse. Fees are included, except for NY. | ||||||
?Motor Vehicle Check/Driving RecordCurrent state of residence. Access restricted in some states; requires state approval in some states. Fees are included. | ||||||
? Department of Justice National Sex Offender RegistrySearches across all 50 states. (MA and NV require additional paperwork.) Because sex offenders can move from state to state, adding this check provides stronger due diligence. Important note: The package rate covers the search for one name only, any additional aliases are $5 each in addition to the package charge. |
Additional background check packages are also available, including Employment Packages (additional fees may apply). Pay for all background checks with credit card upon ordering. Click here for a full list of options.
View All Background Check Packages*These pricing packages are also available without the National Sex Offender Registry.
Our background check partner takes steps to ensure the confidentiality and security of the personal data submitted by applicants, including encryption methods.
Social Security Number Verification
Identifies any alerts or fraudulent activity associated with the candidate’s SSN. Also verifies their name and address history and generates a list of developed/other names/aliases (ex: maiden name) and addresses. This gives you the option to expand your search to include other names if desired.
National Criminal Record File PLUS
The National Criminal Record File PLUS is First Advantage’s proprietary database of more than 200 million criminal records gathered from across all 50 states and includes sex offender registries* from 48 states plus Washington, DC (excludes MA and NV). In addition, the PLUS file utilizes proprietary technology to search for names associated with the candidate’s Social Security Number. This helps uncover names not reported by the candidate and enhances the possibility of identifying unreported criminal records.
*This search includes the sex offender registry within the state the applicant lives. Excludes MA and NV. If you want to search an applicant’s name through the sex offender registries across all 50 states, you will want to order a package that includes the DOJ National Sex Offender database.
Department of Justice National Sex Offender Registry Search
This is a manual search and costs $5 per name searched. The packages that contain this search include a single name search. If you choose to search other aliases, you will incur a $5 charge for each additional name. This search runs the applicant’s name through the DOJ National Sex Offender Public Registry which is a link against the 50 individual state maintained public sex offender registries, Puerto Rico and Guam*. This search will run the applicant’s name through ALL state public offender registries.
*NOTE: MA and NV require an additional form to be completed by your church/organization in order for these states to be included. Also note that each state public registry has a specific definition and laws regarding which crimes will require an offender to register.
County Felony and Misdemeanor
Searches the upper and lower court indices at the county seat courthouse. Both felony and misdemeanor indices will be searched as long as the records are maintained in that primary court. Approximately 80% of the time, this search will identify misdemeanors as well as felony records.
Motor Vehicle Check/Driving Record
Verifies the applicant’s type or class of driver’s license, any restrictions or violations, convictions and license revocations, automobile insurance cancellations, accidents, full name, and applicant’s address at the time of last license renewal. Availability of violation information varies by state, usually 3 or 7 years.
Questions?
Whether you are considering Shepherd's Watch or are already an existing member contact us at info@group.com or call 1-800-447-1070
Frequently Asked Questions
Background checks can reveal red flags for behaviors you need to know about. And should any sort of litigation ever emerge against your organization, you must show your due diligence in screening candidates, employees, and volunteers with church background checks.
A number of industries—especially those that require the handling of other people’s personal and private information—require background screenings. These include the home healthcare, financial, and education industries among others. But even if your organization does not operate in or provide services to these industries, there are still enough crucial reasons to run them. Many insurance companies do require that church background checks be performed when dealing with children, youth, and at-risk adults regardless of the law.
Yes, you do. If you want to order and review any kind of church background check in order to determine somebody’s eligibility, you must ask their permission. First Advantage makes this easy with a mobile-friendly online form where applicants can submit their information safely and quickly at a time that’s convenient for them.
You will only need their first and last name and email address. Once you enter their information into the online system, the applicant will receive an email with a link to an online consent form where they will fill out their own personal data. They will need to provide their Social Security Number, date of birth, full legal name, and address history for the past seven years.
The best option is to run a comprehensive background screening on your employees and volunteers at the point of hire and check annually after that. Hiring someone doesn’t mean that he or she won’t commit a crime in the future. Without a periodic check, you have no way of knowing if someone has been convicted unless the information is volunteered. It is important to check with your insurance company to see what they require.
If you intend to decline an employment applicant based on what was found in the church background screening, you need to provide the applicant with at least two notifications, commonly known as the pre-adverse and adverse action letter. For more information on the pre-adverse and adverse action letter CLICK HERE.
There are no monthly minimums, but we do ask churches to order at least one church background check a year in order to keep their account active.
It all depends on what type of report you run. 93% of all U.S. Criminal Screens are completed in 1 day. If a record is found, it will be verified before being reported to you. The verification process can take 1-3 business days.
Shepherd’s Watch: Safe and Secure Church Kit
Protect your congregation with a compassionate approach to church safety and security.
Your church doesn’t need to seem like an armed fortress to be safe. This comprehensive, ministry-focused kit helps you recruit, train, and equip a safety and security team that both protects and serves your congregation. Be ready for anything—from a medical problem to a catastrophic active-shooter situation.
Learn More