Government Sanctions Lists
(OFAC/Patriot Act) - DISA’s government sanctions list checks, also known as Patriot Act searches, screen applicants against global watchlists to ensure compliance and prevent hiring prohibited individuals.
Verifying Applicants Aren't Prohibited from Working in Your Industry
A government sanctions list search will check various government sanctions databases to ensure that an individual is not prohibited from certain activities or industries. Certain safety-sensitive positions require this search to be performed to ensure that the applicant is not a known or suspected terrorist and will provide employers with information pertaining to any individuals who are listed on government watch lists. Common industries that perform these types of checks include healthcare, financial services, oil and gas, and government contractors.
A government sanctions list search helps to identify criminal activities, such as terrorism, weapons proliferation, narcotics trafficking, human rights violations, violation of international treaties, and money laundering. Depending on the nature of the position or industry to which the applicant is applying, this search might be a requirement.
DISA's Process
DISA refers to this type of search as a Patriot Act Search, which was passed in 2001 in response to the September 11 terrorist attacks to improve the abilities of U.S. law enforcement in detecting and deterring terrorism. This act simply expanded the processes that were already in place for drug dealers and organized crime. When conducting a Patriot Act search, DISA includes the following types of databases:
- Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) & Blocked Persons
- OFAC Sanctioned Countries, Including Major Cities & Ports
- Non-Cooperative Countries and Territories
- Department of State Trade Control (DTC) Debarred Parties
- U.S. Bureau of Industry & Security (formerly BXA)
- Unverified Entities List
- Denied Entities List
- Denied Persons List
- FBI Most Wanted Terrorists & Seeking Information
- FBI Top Ten Most Wanted
- INTERPOL Most Wanted List
- Bank of England Sanctions List
- OSFI - Canadian Sanctions List
- United Nations Consolidated Sanctions List
- Politically Exposed Persons List
- European Union Terrorism List
- World Bank Ineligible Firms
- Unauthorized Banks
- Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
- FBI Most Wanted
Explore DISA Services
Background Check Offerings
Pre-Employment Background Checks
DISA’s pre-employment background checks offer configurable, compliant screening solutions to help employers hire confidently and meet industry standards.
Criminal Background Check
DISA’s criminal background checks help employers hire safely by uncovering county, state, and federal records—reducing risk and ensuring workplace security.
Civil Background Checks
(Federal & County) - DISA’s civil background checks reveal lawsuits, judgments, and liens to help employers assess risk, prevent liability, and make informed hiring decisions.
SSN Validation
DISA’s SSN Validity Check flags fraudulent Social Security numbers, helping reduce identity fraud and ensure applicants provide valid, SSA-issued SSNs.
Employment Verification
DISA’s employment verifications confirm an applicant’s job history, helping employers ensure accuracy, assess trustworthiness, and make informed hiring decisions.
I-9 & E-Verify
DISA’s I-9 & E-Verify solution streamlines workforce compliance with flexible, remote verification tools—ensuring fast, accurate employment eligibility checks.
State Driving Records
DISA’s State Driving Record checks verify license status and driving history, helping employers ensure safe, qualified hires for transportation and driving-related roles.
Professional Licenses & Credentials
DISA’s professional license verifications confirm certifications directly with accrediting bodies, ensuring applicants are properly licensed, qualified, and free of disciplinary actions.
Credit Reports
DISA’s credit report checks support sensitive hiring decisions by verifying financial responsibility for roles with access to confidential data, cash, or fiduciary duties.
Adverse Action Notices
DISA supports FCRA compliance by helping employers issue required adverse action notices—ensuring candidates are informed and given a chance to dispute background check results.
Personal Reference Verification
DISA’s personal reference verifications provide insight into an applicant’s character, skills, and fit—helping employers make confident, informed hiring decisions.
Sex Offender Search
DISA’s sex offender searches check state and national registries to help employers identify registered offenders—critical for roles in education, healthcare, finance, and more.
DOT Testing Records
DISA’s DOT testing records service helps employers meet compliance by retrieving drug and alcohol test histories for safety-sensitive roles—ensuring safe, qualified hires.
Financial Due Diligence
DISA’s Financial Due Diligence services deliver in-depth, courthouse-sourced investigations to uncover financial risks—protecting your company’s reputation and investment decisions.
Education Verification
DISA’s education verification confirms degrees, dates, and credentials with schools or databases—helping employers ensure applicants meet job qualifications and hiring standards.
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