A Guide to Background Checks in Mexico
Whether you have candidates in Mexico or across the globe, Checkr makes it seamless for you to quickly scale your hiring, and minimizes the complexity of evolving background check laws.
- Select a topic to scroll directly to it:
- Criminal search
- Education verification
- Employment verification
- Global watchlist search
- Disclaimer
Hiring internationally has its complexities. Laws and regulations related to background searches differ by country and are always evolving, while language and cultural nuances and can also add challenges.
Read more about the background checks Checkr offers for people working in Mexico, or those who have a history of working or living in Mexico and work in other parts of the world.
Criminal search
What is it?
The criminal search is conducted at the National level covering all Mexican states. The search returns all available criminal offenses against the applicant searched. It may include charge type, offense date, court, and file date. Other case information may not be available.
The search covers federal, state and city level jurisdictions and generates a Criminal Certificate. The search period varies per each jurisdiction. Although many jurisdictions contain historical data, only certain information will be reportable based on local regulations. It is common practice for citizens to obtain and provide an employer with a copy of their Letter of No Criminal Record (“Carta de No Antecedentes Penales” or “Certificados de No Antecedentes Penales“); however these have been discouraged by the present administration and even denied by some agencies as they are considered discriminatory; therefore they are only issued under specific circumstances.
Source
The search is conducted through the Secretariat of Protection and Citizen Security (“Secretaria de Proteccion y Seguridad Ciudadana”) at a federal level and, local or state agencies which vary per jurisdiction.
Information requirements
- Applicant’s Name - All other names by which applicant is known or have previously
- been known (such as your maiden name), must be provided in full, including given names.
- Date of birth (DOB)
- Address in Country
- CURP Number – Clave Única de Registro de Población
- Copy of Government ID
- Consent Form – Signed consent is required
The applicant should previously be provided with and have signed a data privacy notice before conducting the screening.
Estimated turnaround time
On average 5 business days.
Order an Mexico background check
Education verification
What is it?
The verification of academic status of any educational level such as high school, college and post grad. An education verification check may include institution name, dates of attendance, graduation/conferred date, degree obtained, major, minor, honors, awards, and comments.
Source
Registrars and administration offices from educational institutions across Mexico. Some institutions may require additional documentation and fees to process the verification. Name and title of the sources will be provided when applicable.
Information requirements
- Applicant’s Name (all names including Father’s Last name and Mother’s Last Name)
- Name While Attending
- Date of birth (DOB)
- Institution’s Name
- Institution Address
- Institution Telephone Number
- Dates of Attendance
- Graduation Date
- Degree Obtained/Licentiate Date*
- Major
- Minor
- Authorization – Must contain proper language for authorizing third party to obtain the information.
- Diploma/Certificate – This may be required by some institutions.
Although graduation is a common practice in Mexico, for many institutions the Licentiate Date is what determines if the applicant obtained the degree. The applicant should previously be provided with and have signed a data privacy notice before conducting the screening.
Estimated turnaround time
On average 6 to 7 days. Verifications will be closed, as Unable to Verify, after 15 business days of unsuccessful attempts.
Employment verification
What is it?
Verification of previous employment history to confirm work experience. It may include such information as the employer's name, dates of employment, position/title, and/or reason for leaving. Salary information will be provided if available for disclosure by the source.
Source
Government agencies and employers across the country. In some countries, the records of former employees are not kept in a searchable form and contacting the supervisor or manager is normal practice.
Information requirements
- Applicant’s Name - Last Name, First Name, Middle Name
- Date of birth (DOB)
- Employer’s Name
- Employer’s Address
- Employer’s Telephone Number
- Dates of Employment
- Position/Title
- Reason for Leaving
- Employee ID
- Authorization – Must contain proper language for authorizing third party to obtain the information.
Some employers may have unique processes for providing verifications that may include special authorization forms, experience letters, employment reference letters, etc. These additional requirements will be communicated at the time of ordering if the need for additional information arises with a specific employer. The applicant should previously be provided with and signed a data privacy notice before conducting the screening.
Estimated turnaround time
On average 6 to 7 business days. Verifications will be closed, as Unable to Verify, after 15 business days of unsuccessful attempts.
Global watchlist
What is it?
The Global Watchlist Search product provides a thorough search of multiple National and International repositories and government watchlists. The search consists of thousands of databases, many of which are updated daily to provide more up to date coverage.
Source
The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), FBI Most Wanted (incl. Terrorists), FBI Seeking Information, FBI Hijack Suspects, Politically Exposed Persons, governmental lists, sanctions, enforcements and warnings from over 500 agencies, criminal courts, & news sources from around the world.
Information requirements
- Applicant’s Name - Last Name, First Name, Middle, suffix
- Aliases/Other Names
- Date of birth (DOB)
- Nationality
- Authorization – Must contain proper language for authorizing third party to obtain the information.
The applicant should previously be provided with and have signed a data privacy notice before conducting the screening.
Estimated turnaround time
On average 1 to 2 days.
Disclaimer
This guide is provided for general educational purposes only. It is not legal advice, and we encourage you to seek your own independent counsel when evaluating these services. Importantly, the specific screenings offered by Checkr do not guarantee an organization’s legal rights to request or use them. Several factors, including the residency and location of your organization and your candidates, may implicate additional data privacy and employment laws.
Read more
A guide to background checks in Canada
Learn about the different types of screenings Checkr provides for people in Canada.
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