Fee Schedule for ESR International Screening Services

Fee Schedule for ESR International Screening Services

August, 2002 (Because of the unique nature of International searches, this fee schedule is subject to change without notice. Pricing for services in a particular country will be confirmed at the time an order is placed.)

ESR conducts international screenings for American employers who also hire individuals from abroad, or for employers who specialize in international recruiting. However, ESR does not operate as an international investigative agency or provide one-time international searches. For one-time searches or due diligence investigations, ESR recommends the services of private investigators or security firms who specialize in international due diligence searches.

1. Employment and education verification: $45.00 per each verification (plus any long distance phone charges and international translation services as applicable). If part of an ESR package, the surcharge is $35.00 per each verification

    This service requires that an applicant provide sufficient information to allow ESR to contact the employer or school. ESR requires that an applicant supply the name of a contact person and contact phone number. If ESR is required to conduct independent research to locate the contact information for the employer or school, there is an additional fee per employer or school searched. ESR also needs the applicant's phone number in the event additional information is needed.

2. Criminal record search:

    Please note the following:
        a. FEES: The fees below are PER COURT in a country and NOT for the entire country. Unless otherwise noted, foreign searches are conducted in each court where an applicant has lived or worked. Very few countries have "national" criminal searches available to private employers.    If the search exceeds three courts, ESR will first notify the employer.
        b. IDENTIFIERS: In order to identify the person, ESR requires full name and date of birth. If a country has a national ID number, that may also be necessary. For many countries, the mother's maiden name is also required. Other countries may have other requirements, and ER will advise when necessary.
        c. SOURCES: ESR makes efforts to work with the best available sources of records in any country. However, often times records are not "official" government records. Records may not be available from the government, and sources may obtain records directly from courts, police agencies or other government agencies depending upon the location involved. Outside of the United States, there is less access to public records and the types of information needed for background screening. Each country has its own laws, customs and procedures for background screenings. If there is a question about the source of a record in a particular country, please contract ESR.   It is important to keep in mind that for the fees charged, these searches are intended for employment screening only as part of a hiring program. In sensitive situations, where the need for a criminal record search is important for a due diligence investigation, ESR would recommend contacting an investigator in the relevant country.
        d. SCOPE OF SEARCH AND JURISDICTIONS TO SEARCH: Each search is normally for a single court or jurisdiction. A criminal check may require multiple searches. ESR requires sufficient information to determine the courts to search, which typically includes past addressees and employers. For example, if an applicant merely indicated London, England," ESR will search the main criminal court in London. However, the main court covers very little of the actual jurisdiction of the London area and records can be missed. If ESR receives multiple addresses that are covered by the same court, ESR will charge just for the one search that covers the multiple addresses. If the addresses involve multiple courts, then ESR will need to conduct searches for each relevant Court.   Even though international criminal searches have limitations, the fact that an employer has notified an applicant a search is being conducted assists the employer in exercising due diligence. An applicant with something to hide may either be discouraged from applying if they believe an international check is being conducted, or it may encourage greater honesty in the hiring process.
        e. Turnaround time is normally 48-98 hours. In some countries there are some courts that may take longer for a variety of reasons.
        f. Fees include translation of court documents.
        g. For most counties, the search is for felony level offenses. However, some courts do allow researchers to obtain misdemeanors.
        h. If a search is needed in a country not listed, please contact ESR. We are constantly developing new resources all over the world.

Prices are per court searched. Screenings may require searches in multiple courts. PRICES AND AVAILABILITY SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE. Other countries may also be available.

American Samoa $90 El Salvador $130 Marshal Islands $90

Antigua $110 England $90 Mexico $95

Argentina $135 Fiji $130 Netherlands $130

Aruba $90 Finland $130 New Zealand $95

Australia $95 France $145 Nicaragua $130

Austria $135 Germany $130 Panama $115

Bahamas $90 Great Britain/UK $90 Paraguay $130

Barbados $90 Greece $145 Peru $130

Belgium $135 Greenland $130 Philippines $100

Bolivia $145 Guam $80 Poland $145

Brazil $145 Guatemala $135 Portugal $130

Canada (see below) $60 Hong Kong $145 Puerto Rico $65

Cayman Islands $90 Iceland $130 Scotland $90

Chile $145 India $135 Singapore $145

Indonesia $145 South Africa $130

Columbia $145 Ireland $90 Spain $130

Cook Islands $130 Israel $145 Taiwan $145

Costa Rica $130 Italy $145 Thailand $145

Denmark $130 Jamaica $90 Trinidad/Tobago $95

Dominican Republic $95 Japan $145 Venezuela $145

Ecuador $145 Malaysia $130 US Virgin Islands $85

Mariana Islands $90 Sweden $130

New Additions

Ukraine 185 Ivory Coast $185 Switzerland $185

Netherlands Antilles $90 Korea $145 Turkey $185

Azerbaijan $185 Lithuania $185 Yugoslavia $185

Botswana $185 Luxembourg $145

Czech Repub. $145 Morocco $145

Eritrea $185 Romania $185

Ghana $185 Russia $185

Hungary $145 Saudi Arabia $185

Notes on Canadian criminal records. Employers should exercise caution in working with information providers who advertise Canadian criminal searches. In Canada, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police maintains the official government system. More information is available at http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/html/crimrec.htm#civil. An official Canadian criminal record can only be obtained through the RCMP, or an authorized agency. Any unauthorized access would be difficult to defend if an applicant or employee challenged the search on privacy grounds, or if the search had to be defended in court. An employer should be careful to ascertain the source of the information.

ESR offers two types of Canadian searches:

First, ESR is able to provide a nationwide search through a recognized Canadian Agency. A special release is required.
Second, ESR can also offer searches of an individual Province at the court level at a reduced fee. Not all Provinces or jurisdictions are currently available. No special form is required. Please contact ESR Customer service for details.

An individual in Canada may also go to a local police station and request a police clearance. It requires that fingerprints be taken. For a helpful discussion of the procedure, please see: http://www.police.hamilton-went.on.ca/communty/youasked/records.htm