International Background Checks
An international background check searches records in the countries where a candidate has lived, worked or studied. Fast Track covers 150+ countries through local partners, and most checks finish in 5–20 business days depending on the country.
What’s available
- International criminal records, where the country allows employer access
- Employment verification with employers outside the U.S.
- Degree verification with schools outside the U.S.
- Identity and passport verification
- Global watchlists and sanctions lists such as OFAC, UN, EU and Interpol
Which searches are possible varies by country. Some countries don’t release criminal records to employers at all, and we tell you before you order.
How criminal records work in other countries
Criminal records are kept very differently around the world:
- National police certificates: many countries, such as the United Kingdom and Canada, keep a central record. Some release it only to the candidate, who then shares it with you.
- Court searches: in other countries, records are searched court by court, like U.S. county searches.
- No employer access: some countries don’t allow private employers to see criminal records at all.
We tell you what’s possible for each country before you order, so you don’t pay for a search that can’t be done.
How an international check works
- The candidate lists every country where they’ve lived, worked or studied, and completes the consent forms each country requires.
- We send each search to a vetted local partner who knows that country’s records and privacy rules.
- Results are translated into English where needed.
- You get one report covering every country, with each search’s status in your dashboard.
Typical turnaround by search
| Search | Typical time |
|---|---|
| Global watchlists | Same day |
| Criminal records | 5-20 business days |
| Education | 5-20 business days |
| Employment | 5-20 business days |
What can delay an international check?
- National holidays and local office hours, which differ from U.S. schedules
- Countries that require original signed forms or in-person requests
- Translation of records and candidate names in other alphabets
- Slow responses from foreign schools and employers
Privacy and consent rules
Many countries have strict privacy laws. The EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), for example, limits what personal data can be collected and how it’s handled. Countries often require their own consent wording, sometimes in the local language. Fast Track provides the right forms for each country, and your U.S. FCRA obligations still apply.
Who uses international background checks?
Companies hiring remote workers abroad, U.S. employers hiring candidates who lived overseas, staffing firms with global clients, and government contractors.
Often ordered with
- Criminal Background Checks for U.S. addresses
- Employment Verification for U.S. employers
- Education Verification for U.S. degrees
Frequently asked questions
How long does an international background check take?
Typically 5–20 business days, depending on the country and the search.
Do I need extra consent forms?
Often, yes. Many countries, including those covered by the EU’s GDPR, require specific consent language. We provide the forms.
Can you check a U.S. citizen who lived abroad?
Yes. We search each country where they lived.
What if a country doesn’t allow criminal record checks?
We tell you before you order. In some countries the candidate can request their own record and share it with you.
