{"ok":true,"canonical_url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/background-check","api_url":"https://dealroom.so/api/public/glossary/background-check","data_freshness":{"sba_records_through":"2026-05-31","fdic_records_through":"2026-03-31","dealroom_last_updated":"2026-06-15","timezone":"America/Chicago"},"source_summary":["Public SBA 7(a) loan records","FDIC institution data","DealRoom lender and franchise enrichment"],"term":{"slug":"background-check","term":"Background check","group":"People and paperwork","definition":"This is a review of your criminal and civil history. It's a mandatory part of the SBA loan process for all owners and key principals.","what_it_means":"As part of the character review, all owners of 20% or more must undergo a background check. This screens for felonies, fraud, embezzlement, or other serious offenses that could disqualify you from an SBA loan. Be upfront with your lender about any past issues, as undisclosed information will likely surface and cause deal delays or rejection.","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/background-check","official_sources":[{"slug":"sop-50-10","title":"SOP 50 10 — Lender and Development Company Loan Programs","official_url":"https://www.sba.gov/document/sop-50-10-lender-development-company-loan-programs","official_label":"View on SBA.gov","authority_tier":2,"publisher":"U.S. Small Business Administration","source_guide_url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/sources/sop-50-10"},{"slug":"sba-form-1919","title":"SBA Form 1919 — Borrower Information Form","official_url":"https://www.sba.gov/document/sba-form-1919-borrower-information-form","official_label":"View on SBA.gov","authority_tier":4,"publisher":"U.S. Small Business Administration","source_guide_url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/sources/sba-form-1919"}],"related":[{"slug":"character-review","term":"Character review","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/character-review"},{"slug":"felony","term":"Felony","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/felony"},{"slug":"fraud","term":"Fraud","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/fraud"},{"slug":"form-1919","term":"Form 1919","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/form-1919"}],"related_questions":[{"question":"What kind of records does the SBA check about my personal background?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/what-kind-of-records-does-the-sba-check-about-my-personal-background"},{"question":"Does the SBA check my personal background, like criminal history, for a loan?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/does-the-sba-check-my-personal-background-like-criminal-history-for-a-loan"},{"question":"When is a lender required to conduct a criminal background check for non-owner managers or key employees of an applicant business?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/when-is-a-lender-required-to-conduct-a-criminal-background-check-for-non-owner-managers-or"},{"question":"Does the lender need to collect separate consent forms for background checks from non-owner spouses?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/does-the-lender-need-to-collect-separate-consent-forms-for-background-checks-from-non-owne"},{"question":"Are there any specific character or background checks for owners applying for an SBA 7(a) loan?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/are-there-any-specific-character-or-background-checks-for-owners-applying-for-an-sba-7-a-l"},{"question":"Does the SBA check my personal credit score directly when I apply?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/does-the-sba-check-my-personal-credit-score-directly-when-i-apply"}]},"caveats":["Definitions represent DealRoom's plain-English interpretation for buyers; verify regulatory terms against the official SBA and eCFR sources listed.","Not legal, tax, or financial advice, and not an SBA eligibility determination."],"citation":{"label":"DealRoom.so Glossary — Background check","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/background-check","source_type":"DealRoom Data"}}