Background-screening companies HireRight and General Information Services joined under common ownership, the companies announced today. The firms called the transaction a merger.

The transaction, described as “common ownership,” closed today, and terms were not disclosed.

The combined organization has customers across more than 200 countries and territories and operates offices in Latin America, Europe, Asia, Middle East and North America.

HireRight is headquartered in Irvine, Calif., with 15 offices worldwide including regional headquarters in London, Mexico City and Singapore. 

GIS provides screening services nationwide in the US with no material presence or operations abroad. It counts nearly 1,000 employees and is headquartered in Chapin, SC, with additional operations in Dallas and Columbia, SC.

Over time, the combined company will operate under the HireRight brand. It targets all sectors including staffing, healthcare, technology, financial services, transportation, education and retail.