Criminal Background Check FAQ

• All clergy;

• All members of religious orders;

• All parish and diocesan employees, including those who have no contact with children, young people, or vulnerable adults;

• All adult volunteers whose ministry or role places them in regular contact with children, young people, or vulnerable adults;

• All liturgical ministers, including Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, members of the Music Ministry (such as cantors, choir members, and instrumentalists), sacristans, adult altar servers, leaders of liturgical ministries, lectors/readers, commentators, greeters, ushers, and those involved in homebound ministry.

• Any crime against a child, young person, or vulnerable adult (as defined by the Diocese), whether classified as a felony or misdemeanor, including, but not limited to, abuse, neglect, endangerment, exploitation, or any conduct resulting in harm or potential harm.

  • Any sexual offense, whether classified as a felony or misdemeanor, including:

  • Offenses against an adult, such as sexual assault, abuse, exploitation, or coercion; and

• Offenses involving a child, including production, advertisement, transportation, distribution, receipt, sale, access with intent to view, or possession of child sexual abuse material.

• Any felony involving violence against children, young people, or vulnerable adults, including kidnapping, unlawful restraint, or domestic violence involving a minor or vulnerable adult.

• Stalking, harassment, intimidation, or grooming of a minor or vulnerable adult.

• Financial exploitation or fraud targeting a vulnerable adult.

• Drug- or alcohol-related offenses that caused, or had the potential to cause, harm or endangerment to a child, young person, or vulnerable adult.

A full Social Security Number is required to conduct a complete, accurate, and verifiable background check. Without it, the Diocese cannot conduct the necessary screenings on an individual’s identity and potential criminal history.

The Diocese of Syracuse requires comprehensive criminal background checks with multiple screening components to identify risk and prevent individuals with concerning histories from having access to children, young people, and vulnerable adults.

Social Security Number Trace & Address History Search
Verifies identity information using national databases, including names, aliases, current and previous addresses, county of residence, date of birth, age, and address history. It also validates the Social Security Number, including the state and date of issuance.

National Criminal Record Search
A multi-jurisdictional search of state and county criminal databases, including records from over 1,500 sources. This includes Department of Corrections records from all 50 states and a National Sex Offender Registry check

No. We do not request or review your credit score, and we do not ask for or have access to any financial information.

In some cases, a credit bureau may be used only to help verify identity as part of the background screening process. If this occurs, your personal credit report may show that the Diocese has “obtained a copy” of your report.

This notation:

• Does not indicate that financial information was reviewed

• Does not include your credit score

• Is required by law whenever a credit report is accessed

• Appears only on your personal credit report, not to lenders, as a result of this screening

We understand that many applicants have already completed a criminal background check (CBC) for their workplace or another organization. However, we are not able to accept or rely on background checks conducted by other entities.

This is because:

• Results are not transferable: Background checks are conducted for a specific organization and are not shared due to privacy and legal restrictions.

• Different screening standards: Each organization uses its own criteria, scope, and review process, which may differ from ours.

• Compliance requirements: We are required to initiate and review background checks directly to ensure they meet our policies and legal obligations.

• Consistency: Using the same process for everyone ensures fairness and helps maintain a safe environment for all.

For these reasons, all applicants must complete a background check through our designated process, even if they have recently completed one elsewhere.

We understand that many applicants serve in highly trusted professions—such as healthcare, the judiciary, or law enforcement—and may already undergo background checks as part of their employment.

However, all individuals who serve with the Diocese are required to complete the same screening process, regardless of profession. This consistent approach helps ensure a safe environment for everyone, especially children and vulnerable individuals.

There are a few reasons for this:

• Different organizations, different standards: Background checks completed for your employer are not shared across organizations, and we cannot rely on or access those results.

• Legal and compliance requirements: We must follow our own policies and screening procedures for all volunteers, employees, and clergy.

• Consistency and fairness: Applying the same process to everyone ensures that no one is treated differently and helps maintain trust across our community.