Why Courts Close in December and What It Means for Your Job Offer
You have the offer letter in hand. The start date is set for the first week of January. You are ready to resign from your current job. But there is one final hurdle: the background check.
In any other month, a standard background check takes 2–4 days. But in December, that timeline can triple.
The culprit isn’t usually the background check company itself—it is the source of the data: The Courts. This phenomenon, often called the “December Court Freeze,” causes massive bottlenecks in the hiring process, leaving thousands of applicants in limbo right before the holidays.
This article explains why courts close, the specific dates to watch out for, and how to use Certifix Live Scan to ensure your data gets in the queue before the doors lock.
The Skeleton Crew Effect: It’s Not Just Christmas Day
Many applicants assume that courts are only closed on federal holidays (Christmas Day and New Year’s Day). This is a dangerous misconception.
While the official closure might be limited to the holiday itself, the operational reality is much slower.
1. Furloughs and Budgeting
Many county courts operate on fiscal calendars that require them to “use up” vacation time or cut costs before the year ends. This leads to:
- Partial Closures: Courts closing at noon on the weeks surrounding holidays.
- “Skeleton Crews”: Operating with 20–30% of normal staff.
- No “Runner” Access: Many records are still physical. If the clerk who retrieves files is on vacation, the “runner” (the background check researcher) cannot verify your record.
2. The “Domino Effect” on National Checks
A comprehensive background check often queries multiple jurisdictions (e.g., where you live now, where you went to college, where you worked 5 years ago).
- The Bottleneck: If one of those counties is closed or backlogged, the entire report stays “Pending.”
- Result: You might be clear in 49 states, but one small county court in a rural area on “holiday break” will hold up your entire job offer.
The Critical Dates: When Do Courts Actually Stop?
Warning: Submitting your background check during the “Critical” windows guarantees a delay. You effectively lose those days entirely.
Not sure if your county is affected? While general dates are useful, local rules rule. Check the live status of major county courts below to see if your jurisdiction is closed.
Stop Guessing Your Start Date. Don’t rely on vague “3-5 day” estimates that ignore the holidays. Enter your submission date below to see exactly when your report is likely to clear the holiday queue.
What This Means for Your Job Offer
When a background check hits a court closure delay, the status often flips to “Pending – Court Delay.” For hiring managers rushing to fill seats before Q1 budgets lock, this is panic-inducing.
1. The Rescinded Offer Risk
If your start date is firm (e.g., a training class starts Jan 6th) and your report isn’t back, some employers may rescind the offer to give the spot to a candidate who is already cleared.
2. The “Conditional Start” Gamble
Some employers may allow you to start working pending the result. However, if the delayed check eventually comes back with an error (like a mixed file), you could be terminated immediately—after you’ve already quit your old job.
Want to start anyway? Don’t just ask verbally. If you are proposing a “Conditional Start” to save your job offer, lock it in writing. Use this tool to generate a formal agreement that shows you are serious and professional.
3. The Communication Gap
HR managers are also on vacation. If your check stalls on Dec 26th, you might not be able to reach anyone to explain or push for an update until Jan 2nd.
Dreading that awkward email? If you need to tell your new boss about a delay, don’t ghost them. Use our template builder to send a professional, proactive update in seconds.
Solution: Control What You Can (The Submission)
You cannot force a county clerk to work on Christmas. However, you can ensure your request is the first one they see when they return.
The biggest mistake candidates make in December is using ink fingerprint cards (FD-258) mailed via USPS.
- The Risk: Mail gets lost in the holiday shipping rush.
- The Delay: Mail sits in a sorting room while the courts are closed.
- The Fix: Electronic Live Scan.
Why Live Scan Wins in December
By using Certifix Live Scan, your fingerprints are digitized and transmitted to the DOJ/FBI servers in seconds.
Seeing is believing. Still thinking about mailing ink cards? Watch this simulation to see how a “Standard” mail submission compares to Live Scan during the holiday rush.
Secure Your Start Date
The “December Freeze” is real, but it doesn’t have to freeze your career. By understanding the calendar and choosing the fastest submission method, you can navigate the holidays with confidence.
Don’t wait for the “Critical” dates. Find a location and submit your background check today.