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Page Updated: 13.06.25
Low Cost Detectives have over 30 years experience running Criminal Background Checks
Low Cost Detectives Criminal Background Checks. Looking to verify someone’s criminal history anywhere in the world?
Low Cost Detectives is your international partner for professional criminal background checks, trusted by businesses, organizations and individuals across 190 countries. Whether you’re hiring globally, screening tenants, or protecting your business, our service delivers fast, accurate and fully compliant results. No matter where you or your candidates are based.
We combine advanced technology with local expertise, ensuring every background check meets the highest standards of accuracy, privacy and legal compliance. Our multilingual team understands the complexities of international screening, from the Netherlands and Europe to the Americas, Asia, Africa and beyond.
Get in touch with our Expert Background Check Detectives
Introduction to Global Criminal Background Checks
In today’s interconnected world, verifying criminal history on an international scale is essential for employers, landlords and individuals who operate across borders. As global mobility rises, traditional domestic checks are no longer enough.
Many candidates, tenants, or business partners have lived, worked, or studied in multiple countries. International criminal background checks provide a comprehensive view of an individual’s history, helping you make informed, confident decisions and reduce risk, no matter where you or your candidates are based.
This global approach is now a vital component of responsible hiring, risk management, and personal safety for organizations and individuals worldwide.
What’s Included in an International Criminal Background Check?
A thorough international criminal background check goes beyond basic local screening to deliver a complete picture of an individual’s past across multiple countries. Key components include:
Criminal Record Searches: Access to official criminal records, court databases, and police reports in over 200 countries, tailored to local regulations and availability.
Identity Verification: Confirmation of an individual’s identity through global databases and official documentation, reducing the risk of fraud or impersonation.
Employment and Education Verification: Validation of previous employment history and academic credentials, ensuring candidates have the qualifications and experience they claim.
Global Watchlists and Sanctions Checks: Screening against international watchlists, sanctions, and regulatory lists to identify potential risks related to terrorism, financial crime, or other serious offenses.
Country-Specific Checks: Adaptation to local laws and requirements, as the depth and type of information available can vary significantly from one country to another.
This comprehensive approach ensures you have all the relevant data to make secure, compliant, and confident decisions. Whether you’re hiring, renting, or entering into a partnership.
How Our International Process Works
Low Cost Detectives has streamlined the process of conducting global criminal background checks to make it as simple and secure as possible for our clients:
Request & Consultation: Submit your request online or speak directly with our expert team to outline your needs and target countries.
Consent & Documentation: We obtain all necessary legal consents and collect required identification documents, ensuring full compliance with GDPR and other international privacy laws.
Data Collection & Verification: Our multilingual investigators access official records, verify information across borders, and conduct in-depth research using secure, encrypted systems.
Reporting & Results: You receive a clear, comprehensive report detailing all findings, including criminal history, identity verification, and any red flags—delivered quickly and securely.
Ongoing Support: Our team is available to explain results, answer questions, and advise on next steps, whether you need further checks or legal guidance.
With our global reach, advanced technology, and deep local expertise, you can trust Low Cost Detectives to deliver fast, accurate, and fully compliant international criminal background checks. No matter where your business or personal interests take you.
Why Choose Low Cost Detectives for Global Checks?
Low Cost Detectives is a trusted leader in international criminal background checks, serving clients in 190 countries. Our unique strengths set us apart in the global screening industry:
Speed and Accuracy: We deliver fast turnaround times without sacrificing the precision and reliability of our reports. Our team leverages advanced technology and local partnerships to ensure every check is thorough and up to date.
Global Coverage: With an established network spanning Europe, South America, Asia, Africa, North America, and Oceania, we provide truly international reach. Whether you need checks in a single country or across multiple continents, we have the expertise and resources to deliver.
Multilingual Support: Our team speaks multiple languages, ensuring clear communication and seamless service for clients and candidates worldwide. This is especially valuable for global businesses and international hires.
Compliance and Data Security: We adhere to all relevant international laws, including GDPR and local privacy regulations, protecting your organization from legal risks and safeguarding sensitive information.
Trusted by Businesses and Individuals: Our services are relied upon by multinational corporations, SMEs, NGOs, landlords, and private individuals who need dependable, compliant, and confidential background screening.
Choosing Low Cost Detectives means choosing a partner with the experience, infrastructure, and dedication to support your global ambitions with confidence and integrity.
Compliance and Data Privacy Across Borders
Conducting criminal background checks internationally requires strict adherence to a complex web of data privacy and employment laws. At Low Cost Detectives, compliance and data security are at the heart of our operations:
GDPR and European Standards: For checks in Europe, we operate fully in line with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). This includes obtaining explicit consent, providing transparent privacy notices, and limiting data collection to what is strictly necessary. Candidates have the right to access and control their personal data, and all processing is documented and justified.
Global Privacy Laws: We stay up to date with privacy regulations in every region we serve, including PIPEDA in Canada, the Privacy Act in Australia, PDPA in Singapore, and local laws throughout Asia, Africa, and the Americas. Our legal team reviews every process to ensure compliance with both international and country-specific requirements.
Secure Data Handling: All data is encrypted and stored securely, with strict access controls and audit trails. We use GDPR-compliant contracts with our partners and suppliers, and never share information with unauthorized third parties.
Consent and Transparency: We always obtain informed consent from individuals before conducting checks and provide clear information on how their data will be used. Our privacy policies are accessible and easy to understand, fostering trust and transparency.
Minimizing Risk: Our compliance-first approach protects clients from legal penalties, reputational harm, and data breaches—ensuring your international background checks are not only effective but also fully lawful.
With Low Cost Detectives, you can be confident that your global background screening program meets the highest standards of privacy, security, and compliance, wherever your business operates.
Supported Countries and Regions
Low Cost Detectives offers criminal background checks in 190 countries and territories, providing truly global coverage for our clients. Whether you need screening in Europe, South America, Asia, Africa, North America, or Australia/Oceania, our team has the local expertise and international reach to deliver accurate and compliant results. Our network includes direct access to official records and trusted sources in major jurisdictions such as the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Brazil, South Africa, India, China, the United States, Canada, Australia, and many more.
We understand that each country has unique processes and legal requirements for background checks. Our specialists guide you through the specific documentation, consent, and timelines needed for each region, ensuring a smooth and efficient experience.
For more detailed information or to request a background check in a specific region, explore our dedicated pages:
Europe: Comprehensive checks across the EU, UK, and non-EU countries
South America: Expertise in Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Chile, and beyond
Asia: Coverage from India, China, and Japan to Southeast Asia and the Middle East
Africa: Localized screening in South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, Egypt, and more
North America: United States, Canada, Mexico, and Caribbean nations
Australia/Oceania: Australia, New Zealand, and Pacific islands
Our global coverage ensures you can screen candidates, tenants, or partners with confidence. No matter where they are located.
Industry-Specific Solutions
Every industry faces unique risks and regulatory demands when it comes to background screening. Low Cost Detectives delivers tailored criminal background check solutions for a wide range of sectors worldwide:
Finance and Banking: Ensure compliance with international regulations and safeguard against fraud by thoroughly vetting employees and contractors.
Education: Protect students and staff by screening teachers, administrators, and volunteers in line with local and international standards.
Healthcare: Comply with strict licensing and safety requirements by verifying the backgrounds of medical professionals and support staff across borders.
NGOs and Nonprofits: Maintain trust and credibility by screening international volunteers and employees, especially for roles involving vulnerable populations.
Property Management and Real Estate: Reduce risk by screening tenants and property managers, whether for residential or commercial properties.
Global Employment Screening: Support multinational hiring and remote work with comprehensive checks for candidates in any country.
Tenant Checks: Verify rental applicants’ criminal history and identity, helping landlords make informed decisions and maintain safe communities.
Our industry-specific approach ensures you receive background checks that are relevant, compliant, and actionable for your sector. Wherever your operations or interests lie.
Frequently Asked Questions About International Criminal Background Checks
Please find a list below of frequently asked questions and answers
Turnaround times vary depending on the countries involved and the depth of the check required. Most global background checks are completed within 3 to 10 business days. Some countries with complex legal systems or manual records may take longer, but we always keep you informed of expected timelines.
Yes, all our checks are conducted in strict compliance with international and local privacy laws, including GDPR in Europe and relevant regulations in other regions. We obtain explicit consent from individuals and follow best practices for data protection and transparency, so your screening process remains fully legal and secure.
Our reports typically include criminal record searches, identity verification, employment and education history, and checks against global watchlists or sanctions lists. The exact details depend on the countries involved and local record availability, but we always aim to provide the most comprehensive and relevant information possible.
Absolutely. Our international network allows us to verify criminal history, identity, and credentials across multiple countries, ensuring you receive a complete picture of your candidate’s background, ideal for global hiring, expat placements, or international tenant screening.
We use advanced encryption, secure data storage, and strict access controls to protect all information handled during the background check process. Our systems are regularly audited for compliance with GDPR and other privacy standards, and we never share your data with unauthorized third parties.
Criminal Background Checks Interesting Links and Articles:
GOV.UK – Criminal Records Checks for Overseas Applicants
This official government resource explains how to obtain criminal records checks or ‘Certificates of Good Character’ from countries around the world. It covers the process for overseas applicants, legal requirements, and guidance for employers and individuals seeking international background checks.
Forbes – Background Screening Compliance Updates Employers Need in Q1 2025
A global overview of the most significant legal updates in background screening for 2025, including compliance, digital identity, and regulatory trends. The article highlights how evolving laws are shaping best practices for international criminal background checks and what employers must know to stay compliant worldwide.
First Advantage – 2025 Global Trends Report: Speed and Compliance on Top
This report outlines the key trends in global background screening for 2025, emphasizing the increasing importance of speed, automation, and regulatory compliance. It provides insights into how organizations across different regions—including Europe, the Americas, and Asia—are adapting their criminal background check processes to meet new challenges.
Criminal Background Checks – Europe – Asia – Africa – Australasia – North America – South America – Oceania
