{"ok":true,"canonical_url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/what-kind-of-records-does-the-sba-check-about-my-personal-background","api_url":"https://dealroom.so/api/public/questions/what-kind-of-records-does-the-sba-check-about-my-personal-background","question":"What kind of records does the SBA check about my personal background?","topic":"Eligibility & background checks","audience":"new","bot_mode":"buyer","short_answer":"The SBA checks your personal credit history, criminal record, and any past defaults on federal debt to determine eligibility.","rule":"As part of the eligibility review, the SBA requires lenders to assess the character of the principals. This involves reviewing personal credit reports, checking for past bankruptcies or judgments, evaluating criminal history disclosures on SBA Form 1919 (looking for specific disqualifying offenses), and verifying no defaults on previous federal loans or obligations (via systems like CAIVRS).","example":"When you submit SBA Form 1919, the lender will use that information, along with your credit report and a federal database check, to ensure you meet the character requirements for an SBA loan.","what_lenders_check":"Lenders are responsible for conducting thorough background checks to ensure the borrower and principals meet all SBA character eligibility requirements. Any red flags in credit, criminal, or federal debt history can jeopardize the loan's eligibility for a guaranty.","required_facts":["Personal credit","Criminal history","Federal debt defaults","CAIVRS check"],"source_families":["SOP 50 10 - Lender and Development Company Loan Programs","SBA Form 1919 - Borrower Information Form","13 CFR Part 120 - Business Loans","Criminal Justice Reviews for SBA Business Loan Programs - Final Rule"],"official_sources":[{"title":"SOP 50 10 - Lender and Development Company Loan Programs","url":"https://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/2025-05/SOP%2050%2010%208%20Technical%20Updates%20effective%206.1.2025.docx"},{"title":"SBA Form 1919 - Borrower Information Form","url":"https://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/2025-03/2025.02.27%20Form%201919%20-%20Updates%20%28FINAL%29_03-12-2025%20%281%29.pdf"},{"title":"13 CFR Part 120 - Business Loans","url":"https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-13/chapter-I/part-120"},{"title":"Criminal Justice Reviews for SBA Business Loan Programs - Final Rule","url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/04/30/2024-09009/criminal-justice-reviews-for-the-sba-business-loan-programs-disaster-loan-programs-and-surety-bond"}],"related_questions":[],"related_terms":[{"term":"Personal Background Check","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/personal-background-check"},{"term":"Background Checks","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/background-checks"},{"term":"Background check","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/background-check"},{"term":"Criminal Background Check","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/criminal-background-check"},{"term":"Character and Background Checks","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/character-and-background-checks"},{"term":"Cancellation of the SBA guaranty","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/cancellation-of-the-sba-guaranty"}],"related_tools":[{"name":"SBA 7(a) payment & fee calculator","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/calculator"},{"name":"Find an active SBA 7(a) lender","url":"https://dealroom.so/lenders"}],"data_freshness":{"last_reviewed":"2026-06-13","sba_rule_sources_checked_through":"2026-06-13"},"citation":{"label":"DealRoom.so SBA 7(a) Q&A","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/what-kind-of-records-does-the-sba-check-about-my-personal-background","source_type":"DealRoom Q&A"},"caveats":["Grounded in the current SBA rulebook; verify against official sources before relying on it for a live deal.","Not legal, tax, or financial advice and not an approval decision."]}