Screen your volunteers,
protect your congregation.
HolyJot's free volunteer screening tool gives church leaders an instant address history preview for any volunteer — then offers a full FCRA-compliant criminal background check at no cost with a free HolyJot church account.
FCRA compliant · Free forever for basic screening
Built for your spiritual journey
Every feature is designed to help Christians grow deeper in faith — not just log their day.
Address history preview (SSN trace)
Get an instant address history report for any volunteer using an SSN trace. Verify identity and see where a volunteer has lived — the essential first step before any criminal check.
Full FCRA-compliant criminal check
Run a complete national criminal background check that meets FCRA requirements — including the pre-adverse action notice workflow — at zero cost with a free HolyJot church account.
7-year lookback on criminal records
Search records going back 7 years across all 50 states, including felonies, misdemeanors, and sex offender registry checks, to get a complete picture of each volunteer's history.
Multi-state national search
Volunteers may have lived in multiple states. HolyJot's screening covers national criminal databases — not just the county where your church is located — for thorough, reliable results.
Pre-adverse action notice workflow
FCRA compliance requires notifying applicants before taking adverse action on background check findings. HolyJot guides you through the required notices automatically, protecting your church legally.
Secure church-only access
Background check data is sensitive. HolyJot stores results in an encrypted, church-only dashboard — only authorized leaders can view reports, and data is never shared with third parties.
How it works
Enter volunteer info
Input the volunteer's name, date of birth, and SSN to initiate an instant address history preview at no cost.
Get free address history preview
View the volunteer's address history immediately — confirming identity and prior locations before proceeding to a full criminal check.
Create your free church account
Sign up for a free HolyJot church account to unlock full FCRA-compliant criminal background checks at no cost.
Run the full criminal check
Receive your complete national criminal report — typically within 24-72 hours — and use the built-in workflow to stay FCRA compliant throughout.
Frequently asked questions
Why should churches screen their volunteers?
Churches have a moral and legal duty to protect the people in their care — especially children and vulnerable adults. Volunteer screening reduces the risk of placing individuals with criminal histories in sensitive roles like children's ministry, youth group, or nursery care. It also demonstrates to your congregation and parents that your church takes safety seriously, building the trust needed for ministry to thrive.
What does a volunteer background check include?
HolyJot's volunteer background check includes an SSN trace for address history verification (instant preview), a national criminal records search spanning all 50 states, a 7-year lookback on felony and misdemeanor records, sex offender registry check, and a pre-adverse action notice workflow to keep your process FCRA compliant. Full criminal reports are available at no cost with a free HolyJot church account.
Is a background check legally required for church volunteers?
Legal requirements vary by state and role. Many states require background checks for volunteers working with minors. Even where not legally mandated, most church insurance carriers and child safety experts strongly recommend screening all volunteers who have unsupervised access to children or vulnerable adults. HolyJot's tool makes compliance straightforward and affordable.
How long does a church volunteer background check take?
The address history preview (SSN trace) is instant — you see results as soon as the search runs. Full criminal background checks are typically returned within 24-72 hours, depending on the states and counties involved. For most volunteers with no criminal history, results come back the same day.
Are background checks really free for churches?
Yes. HolyJot offers free address history previews with no account required. Full FCRA-compliant criminal background checks are available at no cost when you create a free HolyJot church account. There are no hidden fees or per-check charges for churches on the free plan.
Safe churches start with verified volunteers.
Don't leave your congregation's safety to chance. HolyJot's free volunteer screening tool makes it simple, fast, and fully FCRA-compliant to protect the people in your care.