Massachusetts: In-Person Identity Verification Procedures for Background Checks Modified

The Massachusetts Dept. of Criminal Justice Information Services (DCJIS) recently issued emergency regulations modifying the process for verifying the identity of an individual for whom a background check will be run through DCJIS’s iCORI database (CORI). As part of the normal CORI process, individuals must provide written authorization to run their criminal history and requestors must verify the individual’s identity in person. Because employers must limit in-person interactions due to COVID-19 and associated public safety restrictions, requestors can verify an applicant’s identity via teleconference rather than the usual in-person process.

Additionally, if a requestor is unable to verify an individual’s identity in person, by notary, or by teleconference, then the requestor may petition DCJIS for approval to use an alternative means to verify identity. Upon termination of the current state of emergency, all CORI requests verified in this manner must be verified either in person or through submitting a notarized CORI Acknowledgement Form within seven business days. Employers should track all individuals verified pursuant to these emergency measures in order to later obtain timely identification verifications.

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