Some volunteers — especially foreign nationals currently in the United States — do not have a U.S. Social Security number. VolunteerBadge can still screen them against U.S. criminal, sex-offender, and watchlist records when your organization opts in.
Off by default
Go to Settings → Screening and turn on Allow screening without a U.S. SSN. Until you enable it, applicants cannot choose the no-SSN path and direct/API no-SSN checks are blocked.
How volunteers apply without a U.S. SSN
On the hosted application's identity step, the applicant checks I do not have a U.S. Social Security number and completes the rest of the form (name, date of birth, self-reported U.S. address, address history, FCRA signature). Identity verification follows your existing org setting — it is not forced extra for no-SSN applicants.
Direct checks & API
- Dashboard direct check: when the setting is on, check This person does not have a U.S. Social Security number in the Run background check drawer. Full U.S. address is required.
- API:
POST /api/v1/checks/instant(certified no-SSN) requires the same org setting plusauthorizationOnFile: true.
Pricing & scope
- Same price: 1 credit / $5 per check.
- U.S. records only — not foreign-jurisdiction criminal screening.
- No SSN trace and no SSN-derived address history. Applicant address history is labeled self-reported.
- Hits: any possible match is reviewed by a human CRA before release (typically within up to 3 business days); clear searches can complete immediately.
Existing no-SSN volunteers
Volunteers already on file as no-SSN can still be re-screened even if you later turn the setting off for new enrollments.