Volunteer Background Checks

Parents, guardians, and girls trust that Girl Scouts is a safe and welcoming space—and at USAGSO, we take that trust to heart. One of the ways we help keep our girls safe is by requiring criminal background checks for certain volunteer roles.

If you’re regularly working with girls, handling money, Girl Scout property, or helping out at overnight events, a background check completed in the last three years is required.

This includes volunteers serving in the following roles:

OCMT Members
Troop Leaders
Troop Cookie Coordinators
Episodic Volunteers (if volunteering at an overnight event or handling money/property)
Camp Counselors/Volunteers
Overseas Volunteer Partners

Need a background check for your volunteer role? Submit the USAGSO background check form.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do new volunteers get a background check? toggle arrow

When you register as an Adult Volunteer and select a role that requires a background check (troop leader, OCMT member, cookie coordinator, Overseas Volunteer Partner, or Camp Counselor/Volunteer), you’ll begin receiving weekly emails from USAGSO inviting you to complete the Background Check Form. Episodic Volunteers will not receive weekly emails but should submit the form below if volunteering at an overnight event or handling Girl Scout money or property.

👉 BACKGROUND CHECK

When completing the form, choose one of the following options:

Request a Background Check: Volunteers can request to have a background check run by our approved vendor, Sterling Volunteers. Volunteers who select this option will be sent an email from Sterling Volunteers inviting them to setup their account and complete their background check. Volunteers are responsible for the cost of their background check and will be asked to pay via credit card or PayPal when submitting the background check form.
Submit a Third-Party Background Check:
Volunteers may submit results from a background check conducted by another organization (such as a school, government, or religious organization). Name, date, and eligibility status should be clearly visible, and results must be in English (Google Translate for images may be used). Third-Party background checks are valid for three years from the date of completion or until the background check’s expiration date, if provided.

I’ve been volunteering for years—why do I need to do this again? toggle arrow

Thank you for your ongoing commitment! Per USAGSO policy, volunteers in select roles must complete a background check every three years—either through Sterling Volunteers or via an approved third party. Volunteers who do not complete this requirement may not regularly supervise girls, handle money or property, or attend overnight events.

Overseas Committee Management Teams are responsible for checking that all adults working with girls have valid background checks. Troop Leaders who do not comply with this policy put girls at risk and violate USAGSO’s insurance requirements, which may result in corrective action.

How much does a background check cost? toggle arrow

💡 Effective October 1, 2025 to September 30, 2026, USAGSO will cover the cost of volunteer background checks run through Sterling Volunteers if a check is needed for their role or participation.

The normal cost for background checks run through our vendor is as follows:

$8 USD – U.S. Check (requires United States social security number and recent US address)

$35 USD – International Check (for non- U.S. citizens or U.S. citizens without a recent US address)

How long does the process take? toggle arrow

Completing the background check form takes just a few minutes. Once your background check form has been received by USAGSO, we will review the information and begin processing. If you requested a background check from Sterling Volunteers, our background check vendor, you will receive an email within 2 business days inviting you to setup a Sterling account and complete your Girl Scout background check. Most checks are completed in 24–72 hours, though some may take longer if more jurisdictions are involved or if records are found.

Will this affect my credit? toggle arrow

No. We do not check your credit or financial information—only your criminal background.

Can I use a background check from another organization? toggle arrow

Yes! Volunteers may submit a recent background check from a school, military, religious, or government organization. Results must be clear and submitted using our Background Check Form.
👉 BACKGROUND CHECK

Do I need to provide my Social Security Number? toggle arrow

Yes, if you have one. Sterling Volunteers uses a secure online portal to collect your information. USAGSO does not see or store your SSN, and only the last four digits are retained by Sterling Volunteers.

What could disqualify me from volunteering? toggle arrow

USAGSO cannot work with an adult who has been convicted of, has pleaded guilty to, has received adjudication for, or has pleaded no contest to the following crimes:

Automatic Disqualification

Registered Sex Offender
Crimes against children
Felony offenses against persons
Felony offenses against a family member
Crimes defined as public indecency
Crimes involving the use of weapons
Any violent crime
Any felony drug-related offense
Any felony conviction within the five (5) year period preceding the background check
Any offense involving driving under the influence, driving while intoxicated or equivalent within the five (5) year period preceding the background check will be automatically disqualified but may be eligible for reversal upon appeal by prospective volunteer
Residing on the same premises as a registered sex offender (may only participate as a parent/guardian)

Possible Disqualification

For all other criminal offenses, or felony convictions older than the five-year period, USAGSO shall review the applicant’s situation on a case-by-case basis. The decision whether to allow service within USAGSO’s discretion, and factors to be considered include, but are not limited to:

The nature and severity of the criminal conduct
The position for which the person seeks to volunteer
The length of time since the criminal conduct occurred
The circumstances under which the crime was committed
The degree of rehabilitation
The likelihood that the person will commit the crime again
The number of crimes committed by the prospective volunteer

What if I have other questions? toggle arrow