Given that there are more than 12 million illegal immigrants in the United States and that information on U.S citizens is scattered across various databases all over 3,142 counties, it is safe to conclude that an instant background check is not possible at present. Yet, there are innumerable companies that purportedly offer instant background checks. These checks are offered at very low rates and sometimes are done free-of-charge. The apparent speedy dispensation of information and low cost are the main reasons that employers try out this option.

As of now the unavailability of a universal database on American citizens means that a background check can take time and requires a fair amount of follow-ups and co-ordination. Companies offering instant background checks have mushroomed because the demand for background screening has gone up and H.R departments are invariably stressed for time. However, what one needs to understand is that outsourcing background checks is a recent phenomenon and there are still no standards set regarding the extent of information to be mined and the manner in which the information should be construed.

Companies that opt for instant background checks often end up losing money instead of saving it. The cost of a thorough background check that covers criminal records, education, driving records, and drug tests is well worth the money spent because it is far less than having to recruit an employee all over again if a job-seeker once selected and trained turns out to have a record less than satisfactory. The costs that a company may face if an unqualified employee is made to leave include rehiring, retraining, loss in productivity, healthcare, as well as potential lawsuits.

Instant background checks may be possible if the database is on the residents of a limited area such as a county or even a state. In such a scenario, it can provide efficient pre-employment screening including social security number checks and employment credit reports. It is important to understand that in order to provide instant credit checks the databases need to be updated in real-time so that changes in an individual's records can be incorporated.

For instant background checks to become the norm, several technically innovative solutions will need to be implemented. These solutions would enable the installation of registration depots across the country that would contain records such as the name, date and place of birth, social security number, photograph, fingerprints, and driving records of individuals. This information would be fed to a central database that would be accessible from anywhere in the United States. An instant background check would not only help employers but also enable transparent business and help the government in curbing drug running and fraudulent activities.