Methodology
What “verified” means on CityVerified
“Verified” means the business's state license and business registration were found active in public records, with the source, reference and date written down. Every other check is shown on its own, so you can see exactly what was confirmed and what was not.
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The checks
Every business gets the same checks. The four marked “Core” carry the most weight.
- State licenseCore
The trade license is active on the state licensing board's public lookup.
Public record State licensing board
- Business registrationCore
The company is an active entity on the state business registry.
Public record State business registry
- Permit historyCore
Building permits have been pulled under this license in the county's permit records.
Public record County permit records
- InsuranceCore
A current certificate of insurance was supplied by the business; we check the names and dates.
Supplied by the business Certificate from the business
- Business identity
The business name and owner match across the public records.
Public record Public records
- Address
The business address exists and matches the records.
Public record Public records
- Phone
The listed phone number reaches this business.
Our own check Our test call
- Website
The website belongs to this business.
Our own check Website check
Public records and what the business supplies
What the public records show
Looked up by us in an official register, or confirmed by our own call or visit. Each check records the register, the reference shown there and the date of the lookup.
What the business supplied
Documents the business sends us, such as an insurance certificate. We check the names and dates on them and label them “supplied by the business”. Things a business only tells us, like its services or founding year, are shown as stated, not checked.
What the results mean
Verified
State license and business registration confirmed in public records. Shows the City Verified seal.
Partly verified
Some records checked, but the license or registration is not fully confirmed yet. Ask the business about it.
Recommended
Verified, with the strongest public review record for that trade and place. Three are featured at the top; the rest are listed alphabetically.
Re-checks and end dates
Every business is re-checked every 90 days, and before a license or certificate reaches its end date. A lapsed document shows as expired the same day; an overdue check is marked “re-check due”.
Anyone can report an error, and a business can dispute a result for free. Corrections and disputes
What “verified” does not mean
- It is not a review of quality or a guarantee of the work.
- It only covers what the records showed on the date given.
- It is not an endorsement of prices.
We never sell verification outcomes. A business cannot pay to be verified, recommended or to change a result. Paid plans only add things like photos and longer descriptions. How we make money.
Questions about our checks
Which records does CityVerified check?
The state licensing board for the trade license, the state business registry for the company itself and the county permit records for permits pulled under the license. We also confirm identity, address, phone and website, and record an insurance certificate the business sends us.
How is a license or registration looked up?
A researcher searches the official public lookup by company and license holder, confirms the record is active and matches the business, and writes down the register, the reference number shown there and the date of the search.
What does “verified” not tell me?
It does not rate workmanship, prices or service, and it does not guarantee a job. It says the license and registration matched public records on the date shown. Get written quotes and references as you would anyway.
How often are the checks repeated?
Every 90 days, and before a license or insurance certificate reaches its end date. A check that is past its re-check date stays visible but is marked as due.