Frequently asked questions

Outside the U.S., the average turnaround time (TAT) for background checks varies by country and screening. For example, global watchlist checks typically take 4 business days, while education and employment verifications usually take 6-8 business days. Refer to Checkr's International Pricing and Turnaround Time page to see a list of common turnaround times for Checkr’s most frequently requested countries.

Checkr processes candidate information and background report information consistent with applicable law and our Privacy Policy. The law that applies to your data generally depends on your location. We also require our service providers to comply with applicable law, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR).  

The GDPR went into effect on May 25, 2018. GDPR is a set of protections for individuals located within the EU and is intended to keep their data secure. GDPR applies to all individuals located within the EU. This means that any person, regardless of their citizenship, who has their personal data collected while located in the EU, receives the protections granted under GDPR. A similar law in the United Kingdom, UK GDPR, protects individuals located within the UK.

Criminal report details vary by country. Please refer to Screenings by Country for more information on what charges are reviewed.

This article will help you understand reimbursement in the following areas:

• Austria in-country
• Austria out-of country
• Belgium in-country (no cost for out-of-country)
• Germany in-country 
• The Netherlands in-country (no cost for out-of-country)  

General reimbursement information

Several countries require candidates to obtain their own criminal records because of privacy laws. Due to this, candidates may request reimbursement for fees incurred during the application process.

Candidates obtaining background checks in Austria, Germany out-of-country, and the Netherlands in-country must request a refund. Neither Checkr nor iCOVER will contact the candidate to begin the refund process.

To request reimbursement, candidates can do any of the following:

1. Follow the reimbursement request directions sent via email from iCOVER,
2. Submit the reimbursement request to the Checkr Support Team, or
3. Respond to a documentation request email from Checkr Candidate Experience. 

It is recommended that candidates wait 48 hours before requesting reimbursement. This allows time for the request to appear in iCOVER's system. 

The candidate is required to provide the following information via email:

• Proof of payment
• International Bank Account Number (IBAN)
• SWIFT/Bank Identifier Code (BIC)
• Name of the account holder

What fees are eligible for reimbursement?

• Certificate fee
• Postage fee
• Notary fee

The money is reimbursed directly to the candidate’s bank account generally within 1 week. 

Austria in-country Criminal Record Certificate Application Process

The candidate is advised in the email from iCOVER (applicant@icover-services.com) that they will be reimbursed for the cost of the certificate, postage, and notary. 

How to Request a Criminal Certificate: 

1. The candidate must apply in person at either:
   • The Police Department in the main city; or 
   • The mayor’s office in the smaller towns/villages (or “Strafregister”)
2. The candidate must provide the following: 
   • A copy of the application form; 
   • A copy of the candidate’s ID; and
   • Payment for the certificate issuance fee

How to Request a Criminal Certificate Fee Reimbursement:

For information on requesting a criminal certificate fee reimbursement, refer to the General Reimbursement Information section of this article.

Email to the candidate for the Austrian in-country process

Austria out-of-country Criminal Record Certificate Application Process

How to Request a Criminal Certificate: 

1. Candidates must apply at the closest Austrian Consulate in person. The application form will be completed by the candidate at the consulate, and their signature will be authenticated.
2. The candidate must provide the following: 
• A copy of the application form;
• A copy of the candidate’s ID; and
• Payment for the certificate issuance fee
3. After applying for your certificate, you may request reimbursement for the cost of the certificate, postage, and notary. 

How to Request a Criminal Certificate Fee Reimbursement:

For information on requesting a criminal certificate fee reimbursement, refer to the General Reimbursement Information section of this article.

Email to the candidate for the Austrian out-of-country process:

Belgium in-country Criminal Record Certificate Application Process (no cost for out-of-country)

How to Request a Criminal Certificate: 

iCOVER will send an email via applicant@icover-services.com within 24-48 hours of the background check invitation being accepted. This email will contain instructions on where candidates can apply for their certificates. If the candidate has an electronic ID, they may apply online. 

How to Request a Criminal Certificate Fee Reimbursement:

For information on requesting a criminal certificate fee reimbursement, refer to the General Reimbursement Information section of this article.

Email to the candidate for Belgium in-country process:

Germany in-country Criminal Record Certificate Application Process

How to Request a Criminal Certificate: 

iCOVER will send an email via applicant@icover-services.com within 24-48 hours of the background check invitation being accepted. This email will contain instructions on where the candidate can apply for their certificate. If the candidate has an electronic ID, they may apply online. 

How to Request a Criminal Certificate Fee Reimbursement:

For information on requesting a criminal certificate fee reimbursement, refer to the General Reimbursement Information section of this article.

Email to the candidate for Germany in-country process:

The Netherlands in-country Criminal Record Certificate Application Process (no cost for out-of-country)

How to Request a Criminal Certificate: 

After submitting the background check application, the Dutch Ministry of Justice (COVOG) will contact the candidate directly via email from vog.np.rni@minvenj.nl within 48 - 72 hours of the background check invitation being accepted to confirm their application. Please allow 48 - 72 hours.

How to Request a Criminal Certificate Fee Reimbursement:

For information on requesting a criminal certificate fee reimbursement, refer to the General Reimbursement Information section of this article.

For the Netherlands, specifically, candidates will be reimbursed for the cost of the certificate, postage, and notary.

Email to the candidate for the Netherlands in-country process:

The Norwegian Authorities require individuals to request their own certificate and no longer allow third parties to request or obtain the Norwegian certificate (police certificate or “politiattest”) on behalf of the candidate.

Checkr currently offers an out-of-country history setting that can be added to any US criminal search or verification. This option is often applied for candidates who will perform their work inside the US but who have an address history outside the US. Screening types that can be run on US screenings with out-of-country history include: 

• International Criminal
• Adverse Media
• Education Verification
• Employment Verification
• Global Watchlist

Yes, if the Criminal Certificate was issued within the last 90 days. Submit the request to Checkr Candidate Support Team.

The language you see during the background check process is determined by the work location selected by the organization to which you applied. Your background check invitation sent via email will also contain a version in English, which you can view by scrolling down through the email invitation itself.

Checkr currently offers the following languages within the Candidate Portal and application process: 

• English
• French/Français (+ Canada dialect)
• Spanish/Español (+ European dialect)
• German/Deutsch

To adjust the language displayed within the background check application or Candidate Portal, select from the dropdown located in the top right corner of the screen. Downloaded reports from the Candidate Portal are available in English.

Related article: 

• Contact Checkr Candidate Support