Background Check API Overview
The Background Check API is an agentic service that autonomously conducts employment and education verification for background screening.Base URL
Quick Start Example
Create your first verification order:Core Endpoints
| Category | Description | Example Endpoint |
|---|---|---|
| Health | Service health and status checks | GET /health |
| Orders | Create and manage background check orders | POST /background-check/v1/orders |
| Order Details | Get specific order information | GET /background-check/v1/orders/:id |
| List Orders | Retrieve paginated list of orders | GET /background-check/v1/orders |
| Searches | Get searches for a specific order | GET /background-check/v1/orders/:id/searches |
| Events | Get activity events for an order | GET /background-check/v1/orders/:id/events |
| Batches | Process multiple orders in batches | POST /background-check/v1/batches |
| Inbound | Submit verification responses | POST /background-check/v1/inbound/notifications |
Authentication
All endpoints (except/health) require JWT Bearer token authentication:
Verification Types
The API supports these verification types:- Employment - Verify work history, job titles, dates
- Education - Verify degrees, graduation dates, institutions
Webhooks
Receive real-time notifications when verifications complete:Getting Started
1. Authentication
Obtain your API credentials from your THEARY account and include the JWT token in all requests.2. Create an Order
Submit a verification order with applicant details and search types:3. Monitor Progress
Track order status and retrieve results:4. Receive Notifications
Configure webhooks to get notified when verifications complete, or submit responses from employers/schools via the inbound endpoint. See Submit Inbound Notification for submitting verification responses.Error Handling
The API uses standard HTTP status codes:200- Success400- Bad Request401- Unauthorized404- Not Found422- Validation Error500- Server Error
Rate Limits
Standard API rate limits apply. Contact support if you need higher limits.Next Steps
Create Your First Order
Submit a verification order with the Orders API
Webhooks
Receive real-time verification notifications
Authentication Guide
Learn how to authenticate API requests
Search Types
Understand different verification types