International Background Checks 

The International Disclosure and Authorization Form

ESS provides a special Disclosure and Authorization form for applicants who are citizens of another country who are not working in the United States.   Not many other countries have consumer laws equivalent to the U.S. Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), but the International D & A informs the international applicant of the same FCRA rights and disclosures afforded U.S. applicants, and it lets them know that ESS adheres to host country privacy laws as well.

Ø      The International Disclosure and Authorization form should specifically disclose the nature and scope of the background check.   In order to meet the definition of "informed consent" as described in the privacy laws of several other countries, ESS asks that the "Authorization" paragraph of the International D & A form be specific.  In other words, the applicant should only be asked to authorize those searches and reports that will actually be ordered. For example, if a degree verification and criminal history search are to be ordered from ESS, then the "Authorization" paragraph should refer only to educational and criminal sources or reports. This section of the form can be edited, or ESS can customize the forms for you in advance.

Ø      The International Disclosure and Authorization form is available at www.essclientservices.com under "Downloadable Forms and Files."

Criminal History Searches

Employment Screening Services offers its clients the ability to check for criminal records in most other countries. Searches are conducted through experienced, local specialists who have a thorough knowledge of the country's laws and judicial information system. Prices vary widely between countries (See www.essclientservices.com).  Turnaround times vary from 1-2 days to six weeks.  Most average between 1-2 weeks.  

Information Needed for International Criminal History Search

 1.      Complete International Disclosure and Authorization

Ø      If the applicant recently moved to the U.S., then we need the most recent residential address from his/her home country.

Ø      Canada nationwide searches require a special form and two ID's (www.essclientservices.com). Provincial searches are available with no special forms or requirements.

Employment Verification

The key to successful international employment verifications is to obtain as much information as possible from the applicant.  Please require employment applications and emphasize completeness, legibility, and accuracy.

Information Needed for International Employment Verification

1.      Complete International Disclosure and Authorization

2.      Complete Employment Application

Ø      In addition to the standard employment data requested on employment applications, emphasis should be placed on the importance of complete employer names, addresses, phone numbers and email addresses to main contacts.

 
 In absence of such information, ESS will contact the applicant to obtain this information (if this is client policy) but much time can be saved by having the information up front.

Ø      India:  ESS has a business partner in India who has a high verification success rate.  The cost of utilizing this source is an additional $35 and the turnaround time is approximately three to ten days excluding any Holy Day events.

Education Verification

Those entering the U.S. on an education or employment visa are often required to have their educational credentials (degrees, licenses, certifications) evaluated by a service certified by the U.S. State Department.   These services do more than translate the foreign credentials.   A certified credential evaluation service verifies and translates the credentials into a document that explains the U.S. equivalencies. If evaluation documents are provided to ESS, we can often verify their authenticity as well as that of the evaluation service.  If evaluated credentials are not available, ESS proceeds with direct verification.

Information Needed for International Education Verification

1. Complete International Disclosure and Authorization
2. Complete Employment Application - including full name of institute, address, including full international phone number, email address and website; applicant's full name on record, date of graduation, student ID number, and type of degree
3. Copy of Diploma

 Ø      India:  ESS has a business partner in India who has a high verification success rate.  The cost of utilizing this source is an additional $35 and the turnaround time is approximately three to ten days excluding any Holy Day events.  In addition to the information above, the following information is needed to utilize this source: the applicant's full name as on file with the institution, and the applicant's mother and father's full name. 

Even with the most concerted effort, some foreign colleges and universities simply do not disseminate student information to third parties.  However, they will accept a request from the former student to send a copy of the transcript to a third party, such as an employer.  If a specific degree or equivalency is essential to the position, an employer may wish to pursue the verification through ESS as normal, but also ask the employee to have his/her official transcript sent directly to the employer.

Reference Checks

Reference checks are typically routine as long as the applicant provides an accurate phone number.  Email addresses are also helpful. There is no additional charge unless we must communicate by phone and our contact does not speak English or Spanish.

Personal Credit Reports

 
 Personal credit reports are available in most countries but the cost varies widely between countries and it changes often.  Please call ESS for a specific quote.  Credit reports from other countries typically include information sought through credit databases, civil courts and manual investigations. International credit reports will generally not be as detailed as we are accustomed to in the U.S. as privacy laws do not permit detailed trade line information to be transferred outside the home country's borders.

Language Services

ESS uses all information available to make contact by phone, fax, or email to successfully complete employment and education verifications and reference checks. If contact is made with a non English or Spanish speaker and there are no other options available, ESS subscribes to a language service that is available at all times.  The cost of utilizing language services normally does not exceed $35 per verification or reference.  It is helpful if language service fees are authorized in advance so that a verification can be completed at the time of the call rather than waiting for authorization, which often means 24 hours before the call can be attempted again.