State Job Background Checks

[GnomeKid]

Update: Got the job!  No issues on my BG check were mentioned.  In the future I'll probably still be putting my old name down also to save the anxiety, but figured anyone looking up bg check posts might appreciate the info.  Also as an FYI my name change was around 4 1/2 years ago, and all degrees past HS were recieved under my new name (because the time gap may effect if yours goes through or not).

Hello!

I just interviewed for an entry level job at a local state park a couple weeks ago.  At the end they had me fill out a background check sheet in case I was one of their applicants of choice.  In the moment I neglected (/decided against) to put my old name under the area for "other names went by."  They just called and said that I had the job if my background check goes through.  Now I'm kicking myself for just not listing my old name.  I have no trans shame... I just didn't want it held against me (I do live in the south, after all).  They called to tell me I got the job if they check goes through because the bg check itself was taking a minute. 

In filling out the housing section I asked a question about if I should list ALL houses (I bounced around a lot as a student) she said that if it got bounced back I would have to fill out another... I'm willing to wait for another check to go through... i just hope they would be if it bounces back due to my name change.  I have no criminal record. 

Obviously, I'll save myself the anxiety in the future by just listing my old name or until 7 years has passed, I suppose...

Anyway. 

Has anyone ever had issues with listing or not listing old names on background checks for gov't jobs?

[tgchar21]

How about doing one of the two alternatives I've described before:

1. If you have absolutely NO criminal history (not even arrests or minor infractions) under your old name you could try putting down "none that any records would be under" or something similar. This is what I often suggest to child or teen transitioners since if your name was changed before you'd be old enough to have a "record" you wouldn't have a problem*, but older transitioners would be less likely to be able to use this option honestly - and if ANY record fails to appear on the report because you didn't give the name it was under you could face serious negative ramifications if discovered later on (this applies to aliases you gave to the authorities as your name too and not just legally changed names).

2. Put down that you'll release the information only to the investigator (or something along those lines) - the main drawback is this may slow down the process since the investigator will then need to contact you.

*Usually they don't even care about a name that was changed when you were a child (e.g. if you were adopted), but if you want to CYA you could follow this suggestion.

ETA: I assume this is for checking your criminal history. If it's for checking your work/educational history or references, the rule is pretty simple: If they need to know the old name to properly check any of them then you'd have to give it out unless you want a false negative (i.e. come back saying no one by that name worked or attended school there, or I don't know that person - and there's really no workaround like I suggested in #2 if that's the case). You'd have to go back and let EVERY school and former employer they ask for on the application and want to verify about your name change if some have you down under your prior name (and if you omit employers for that reason you could get in trouble as they'd suspect you're trying to conceal unfavorable parts of your work history).

[GnomeKid]

Yea... looking back I definitely should have put the name down.  I don't think the people hiring me would have been looking at it. 

Good advice overall...

but I guess I'm looking to see if anyone who has neglected to put the name down has had issues with their background checks.  Whats done is done... I'm really at this point just trying to ease some anxiety.  Its a job I REALLY want and have applied to before without even getting an interview.  I'd hate to have messed it up for myself... but whats done is done.