Background Info USA is Safe Harbor Certified:

The European Commission’s Directive on Data Protection went into effect in October 1998, and would prohibit the transfer of personal data to non-European Union nations that do not meet the European "adequacy" standard for privacy protection. While the United States and the European Union share the goal of enhancing privacy protection for their citizens, the United States takes a different approach to privacy from that taken by the European Union. The United States uses a sectoral approach that relies on a mix of legislation, regulation, and self-regulation. The European Union, however, relies on comprehensive legislation that, for example, requires creation of government data protection agencies, registration of databases with those agencies, and in some instances prior approval before personal data processing may begin. As a result of these different privacy approaches, the Directive could have significantly hampered the ability of U.S. companies to engage in many trans-Atlantic transactions.

In order to bridge these different privacy approaches and provide a streamlined means for U.S. organizations to comply with the Directive, the U.S. Department of Commerce in consultation with the European Commission developed a "safe harbor" framework. The safe harbor -- approved by the EU in 2000 -- is an important way for U.S. companies to avoid experiencing interruptions in their business dealings with the EU or facing prosecution by European authorities under European privacy laws. Certifying to the safe harbor will assure that EU organizations know that your company provides "adequate" privacy protection, as defined by the Directive.

BACKGROUND INFO USA conducts international screenings for American employers who also hire individuals from abroad, or for employers who specialize in international recruiting. However, BACKGROUND INFO USA does not operate as an international investigative agency or provide one-time international searches. For one-time searches or due diligence investigations, BACKGROUND INFO USA recommends the services of private investigators or security firms who specialize in international due diligence searches.

1. Employment and education verification:

This service requires that an applicant provide sufficient information to allow BACKGROUND INFO USA to contact the employer or school. For employment, BACKGROUND INFO USA requires that an applicant supply the name of a contact person and contact phone number. If BACKGROUND INFO USA is required to conduct independent research to locate the contact information for the employer or school, there is an additional fee per employer or school searched. For education, BACKGROUND INFO USA requires the full name and location of the school.  Some schools will require a coy of hate degree or some other information, such as a "seat number."  Determination of hate "equivalency" of a degree or a school is an additional service and additional detailed information will be required from the applicant. 

2. Criminal record search:

Please contact Background Info USA for fees applicable to a specific country.  Please note the following:

FEES: All fees are PER COURT in a country and not for the entire country. Unless otherwise noted, foreign searches are conducted in each court or police jurisdiction that permits such searches and conducted at the Court or police unit that corresponds most closely with the applicant address provided.   Searches are typically not “national" criminal searches available to private employers. If the search exceeds three courts, BACKGROUND INFO USA will first notify the employer.  Because of the fact that fees and availability are subject to change at anytime without notice, please contact BACKGROUND INFO USA for the most current fee information for each country that is relevant to a particular search. 
IDENTIFIERS: In order to identify the person, BACKGROUND INFO USA requires full name and date of birth. If a country has a national ID number, that may also be necessary. For many countries, the mother's maiden name is also required. Other countries may have other requirements, and BACKGROUND INFO USA will advise when necessary.
SOURCES: BACKGROUND INFO USA makes efforts to work with the best available sources of records in any country. However, often time’s records may not be available from the police or government agencies, and sources may obtain records directly from courts, depending upon the location involved. Outside of the United States, there is less access to public records and the types of information needed for background screening and the accuracy of court record vary around hate world.  Each country has its own laws, customs and procedures for background screenings. In many counties, there are data privacy protection rules that limit what information police agencies or government agencies can provide. In those countries, the record check is typically provided through a courthouse search or contact with a court clerk.  If there is a question about the source of a record in a particular country, please contract BACKGROUND INFO USA. It is important to keep in mind that for the fees charged, these searches are intended for employment screening only as part of a hiring program. In sensitive situations, where the need for a criminal record search is important for a due diligence investigation, BACKGROUND INFO USA would recommend contacting an investigator in the relevant country.
SCOPE OF SEARCH AND JURISDICTIONS TO SEARCH: Each search is normally for a single court.  A criminal check may require multiple searches. BACKGROUND INFO USA requires sufficient information to determine the courts to search, which typically includes past addressees and employers. For example, if an applicant merely indicated London, England," BACKGROUND INFO USA will search the main criminal court in London. However, the main court covers very little of the actual jurisdiction of the London area and records can be missed. If BACKGROUND INFO USA receives multiple addresses that are covered by the same court, BACKGROUND INFO USA will charge just for the one search that covers the multiple addresses. If the addresses involve multiple courts, then BACKGROUND INFO USA will need to conduct searches for each relevant Court. Even though international criminal searches have limitations, the fact that an employer has notified an applicant a search is being conducted assists the employer in exercising due diligence. An applicant with something to hide may either be discouraged from applying if they believe an international check is being conducted, or it may encourage greater honesty in the hiring process.
Time: Turnaround time can be up to five full business days after the order is received. In some countries there are some courts that may take longer for a variety of reasons.
Translation:  Fees include translation of court documents.
Felony level only:  For most counties, the search is for felony level offenses. However, some courts do allow researchers to obtain misdemeanors.

Maiden or Alias names:  Sometimes an applicant may have a previous name or an "alias" name.  This can occur if an applicant has married, for example, and there has been a name change.  A search for a criminal record does not include the previous name unless specifically requested. Since court indexes are maintained by the name the name used for the criminal filling.  A search under a previous or different name is in fact a separate search.

Canadian Background Screening:

BACKGROUND INFO USA offers two types of Canadian searches:

First, BACKGROUND INFO USA is able to provide a nationwide search through a recognized Canadian Agency. A special release is required. The search is through the Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC), managed by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).1972 and is located at RCMP Headquarters in Ottawa. CPIC maintains a computer-based information system that provides police officers across the nation with criminal record data that may be helpful in the arrest of suspects. Information stored in local and provincial criminal records systems may or may not be found in the CPIC database. Since there is no legislation in place that requires local police to submit criminal information to CPIC (with the exception of the Young Offenders Act), the criminal records of the central system do not reflect the totality of records that exist.

Second, BACKGROUND INFO USA can also offer searches of an individual Province at the court level at a reduced fee. Not all Provinces or jurisdictions are currently available. No special form is required. Please contact BACKGROUND INFO USA Customer service for details.

 
If a search is needed in a country not listed, please contact BACKGROUND INFO USA. We are constantly developing new resources all over the world.