Background Checks

[C Med 14]

Hi all!

I've read posts on this site that would suggest that USCIS uses only the petitioner's and beneficiary's names when performing a background check (not SSN number, DOB, etc.) . I've also read that if a hit is returned on someone with the same name as a petitioner/beneficiary, USCIS will perform an extensive background check to confirm that the "hit" doesn't belong to either the petitioner/beneficiary. Is this at all true?

The reason I ask is that both myself and my fiance have very popular names (both first and last) yet neither of us has a criminal record of any kind. I can't imagine that USCIS would run only a name search but I've seen posts on this site often enough to cause me some concern. I'd hate to experience a massive delay because of this.

Surely, USCIS uses your SSN, DOB, etc. and not just a person's first and last name, right?

Thanks for the help!

[Operator 1,927]

Well I don't know the process that they use do a criminal records check but I have to assume that they would use all the information provided in the petition. I too have a very common name and I don't think that we experienced any extensive delays.

We conduct criminal records checks at work and we use both the SSN and DOB.

I wouldn't sweat it.

[C Med 14]

Well I don't know the process that they use do a criminal records check but I have to assume that they would use all the information provided in the petition. I too have a very common name and I don't think that we experienced any extensive delays.

We conduct criminal records checks at work and we use both the SSN and DOB.

I wouldn't sweat it.

I thought the same. It didn't seem plausible that they would only use the names to run a background check. Thanks!

[Irishlover 2]

My husbands name is one of the most common in Ireland, and I think it's also on a "not so nice list" in America. We had no delays because of this, so don't worry.

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

I thought the same. It didn't seem plausible that they would only use the names to run a background check. Thanks!

They cross reference hits with other available biographical information. They don't automatically assume that someone is or is not the same person in the database without looking at all of the available information.