Criminal Searches and Court Searches

To be certain of a candidate's background, you may wish to run the international equivalent of a DBS if they have a non-UK address history. 

EBC can help you submit a wide range of searches internationally, there are differences in the search results and requirements which vary by country. 

You can speak to your Account Manager if you are interested in these checks, and we can advise of the process, required consent and any specific-country requirements. Results are uploaded directly into PRO. 

Some countries have a criminal search available, some have a court search and some have both! Here are some details to help you understand the differences between the two types of search - though it is important to note that the sources and results do vary per-country. 

• International Criminal Record Certificate Check
  This check obtains an official certificate or extract directly from the national police authority or government body in the relevant country. It confirms whether an individual has a recorded criminal history within that jurisdiction. Because it is issued by an official authority, it is considered the most authoritative form of confirmation, but processing times and requirements vary significantly by country.
• International Court Search Check
  This check involves searching publicly accessible court records and databases within a country or region for any cases associated with an individual. It can reveal pending cases, civil litigation, or criminal proceedings. Unlike a government-issued certificate, it does not confirm the complete criminal history and may be limited by the availability or scope of local court records but is widely used in countries where International Criminal Record Certificate Checks are not available.

In summary:

• A criminal record certificate provides official confirmation from police/government sources of whether an individual has a criminal history.
• A court search provides insight from public legal records into court cases.