Hiring decisions are only as good as the information you have. If your background check covers only domestic records, you may be missing important details about an applicant’s past. That’s why ordering an International Criminal Search can be a critical part of pre-employment screening.
Closing the Gaps in Domestic Screening
Domestic tools like county criminal searches, statewide searches, and national criminal database searches are excellent for uncovering U.S. criminal history. But they stop at the border.
If your applicant lived in Canada, the UK, or another country, those records won’t appear in your U.S.-based searches. Without an international check, you could unknowingly hire someone with a serious criminal record abroad.
👉 Haven’t read our first article? Start here: What is an International Criminal Search?
Real-World Scenarios
Here are just a few situations where an International Criminal Search is valuable:
- Applicant lived abroad: A candidate spent three years in the UK for work. An international search could reveal offenses prosecuted under British law.
- International student: A graduate from Canada applies for a U.S. job. Without checking Canadian records, part of their history remains invisible.
- Global workforce: Your company regularly hires internationally experienced candidates. International checks help maintain consistent screening standards across the board.
Benefits for Employers
Ordering an International Criminal Search provides:
- Compliance: Helps demonstrate due diligence when screening international candidates.
- Risk reduction: Protects your business, employees, and customers from potential liability.
- Peace of mind: Ensures you’re making hiring decisions with complete data.
Flexible Coverage, Tailored to You
NCS offers customizable international background screening solutions. While Canada and the UK are our most common requests, we support many other countries across the globe. Every employer’s needs are different, and we’ll help you determine the right level of screening for your situation.
The Bottom Line
If your applicant has lived outside the U.S., a domestic-only background check isn’t enough. An International Criminal Search is a small investment that helps you protect your workplace, meet compliance standards, and hire with confidence.
Why Choose NCS?
With National Crime Search (NCS), adding international searches to your background screening is seamless. We provide:
- Global reach
- Accurate, compliant searches
- Affordable pricing
- Fast turnaround times
Our value:
Fast, compliant, and affordable background checks—powered by real people who care.
