Background Check Dispute Letter Generator
Found something wrong on your report? Generate a dispute letter to the consumer reporting agency under FCRA section 611, itemizing each error, with a checklist of documents to send and dates to track.
- FCRA §611 dispute letter
- Itemized errors
- Attachment checklist
- Word, text, print
Not legal advice · Last reviewed Oct 2026
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Why you'd use this
Background checks get things wrong: a record that belongs to someone with a similar name, a dismissed charge shown without the dismissal, a sealed case that should not appear, or an old record reported past the legal limit. Under section 611 of the Fair Credit Reporting Act, you have the right to dispute inaccurate or incomplete information with the company that made the report, for free.
This generator writes a clear dispute letter that itemizes each error, asks for a reinvestigation and a corrected report, and asks the company to notify anyone who received the report for employment purposes. It also gives you a checklist of what to send and which dates to track.
In your browser, nothing saved
Using it
- 1
Enter your details
Your name and address, the background check company, and the employer (if any).
- 2
List the errors
One line per error: what the report says and what is correct.
- 3
Send and track
Download, attach copies of your documents, send by certified mail or the company's portal, and track the 30-day clock.
What happens after you dispute
- The screening company has 30 days to reinvestigate, which stretches to 45 if you send additional information while it is looking.
- It must forward your dispute to the source of the information, such as the court.
- If information cannot be verified, it must be deleted or corrected.
- You get the results in writing, and you can ask for a corrected report to go to employers who received it.
Primary sources
Read the rules at the source. Laws and agency guidance change; last reviewed Oct 2026.
Questions people ask about this
How do I dispute a background check?
Send a written dispute to the consumer reporting agency named on your report or adverse action notice, list each error, explain what is correct, and attach copies of supporting documents such as a court disposition.
How long does a background check dispute take?
Generally 30 days from when the company receives your dispute, extendable to 45 days if you provide more information during the investigation.
Should I tell the employer?
Yes. If you received a pre-adverse action notice, tell the employer in writing that you have disputed the report and ask them to wait for the result.
Should I include my Social Security number?
Do not include your full SSN in the letter. The company may ask you to verify your identity through a secure channel.
What if the company does not fix it?
You can submit a complaint to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and consider talking to a consumer protection attorney.
General information only, not legal advice. Using this tool does not make a process compliant on its own, and federal, state, and city rules differ and change. An employment lawyer can apply them to your facts.
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