--- title: How Verification Works: What “Verified” Means | CityVerified url: https://thecityverified.com/how-verification-works/ updated: 2026-10-29 --- [CityVerified Verification directory](https://thecityverified.com/) [How verification works](https://thecityverified.com/how-verification-works/)[Corrections](https://thecityverified.com/corrections/) [For businesses](https://thecityverified.com/claim/) 1. [Home](https://thecityverified.com/) 2. Methodology 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. Page updated October 29, 2026 ## The checks Every business gets the same checks. The four marked “Core” carry the most weight. 1. **State license** Core The trade license is active on the state licensing board's public lookup. Public record State licensing board 2. **Business registration** Core The company is an active entity on the state business registry. Public record State business registry 3. **Permit history** Core Building permits have been pulled under this license in the county's permit records. Public record County permit records 4. **Insurance** Core A current certificate of insurance was supplied by the business; we check the names and dates. Supplied by the business Certificate from the business 5. **Business identity** The business name and owner match across the public records. Public record Public records 6. **Address** The business address exists and matches the records. Public record Public records 7. **Phone** The listed phone number reaches this business. Our own check Our test call 8. **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](https://thecityverified.com/corrections/) ### 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](https://thecityverified.com/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. ## Own a business we've checked? Claim your free record to keep your details right and see when your next check is due. Verification is always free. [Claim your free profile](https://thecityverified.com/claim/) [Or send a correction](https://thecityverified.com/corrections/) - [Home](https://thecityverified.com/) - [About CityVerified](https://thecityverified.com/about/) - [How verification works](https://thecityverified.com/how-verification-works/) - [How we make money](https://thecityverified.com/how-we-make-money/) - [Corrections](https://thecityverified.com/corrections/) - [Claim a profile](https://thecityverified.com/claim/) - [Contact](https://thecityverified.com/contact/) - [Privacy](https://thecityverified.com/privacy/) - [Terms](https://thecityverified.com/terms/) CityVerified checks public records and documents so you can see who you're dealing with. We earn money from optional business profile upgrades and, when you ask for a quote, from the businesses that receive it. Neither affects verification results. © 2026 CityVerified. Records reflect what we could confirm on the date shown.