Countries will share criminal records with one another in specific situations. However, most countries won’t require you to provide criminal records when traveling.
Understanding how countries share criminal records will make it easier to know if you need to be concerned. It may also help you screen potential employees in other countries. Read on to learn more about how global agencies and countries share criminal records.
What Are Criminal Records
Criminal records are public records that appear after you commit a crime. Most types of crimes are kept as public records, especially when the crime is a felony; some traffic violations, misdemeanors, and even violations may be kept as criminal records. Sex offender status and any restraining orders will also appear on a criminal record. Depending on the state or county, different information may be available on a criminal record.
Criminal records used to be challenging to find, but it’s not difficult anymore. According to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), criminal records are public records that are accessible by any member of the public.
What Appears on a Criminal Record?
Criminal records contain a lot of information about someone. They have all of the pertinent information about a case and its outcome. You’ll find the following information on criminal records:
- The time the arrest took place
- Where an arrest took place
- Who was at the scene of the crime
- The charges
- Someone’s plea
- How the case was resolved
- Jail time
- Pending criminal cases
Depending on what someone has done, the results may vary.
Do Criminal Records Go Away?
No, criminal records don’t go away. When a crime is committed it remains a public record, even after you pass away. That said, that doesn’t mean it’s impossible for criminal records to go away. In some cases, the court records may be sealed, which prevents agencies and companies from viewing criminal records. Cases that are sealed may be known as sealed records or adjournment in contemplation of dismissal (ACOD) records.
It’s also possible to file for court records to be sealed after they’re stored as public records. You’ll have to go through the proper channels and involve a lawyer if you want to go this route.
Also, sealed records aren’t closed off from everyone. Other countries may be able to request them, and the United States military can see them. Government agencies in the U.S. may also request to see sealed records.
How To Find Criminal Records
The Freedom of Information Act makes criminal records publicly available. However, that doesn’t make them easy to find. In fact, it may take a lot of time or cost a pretty penny to find someone’s criminal record. The good news is that background check tools like Information.com give you an easy way to find someone’s criminal record.
With Information.com, you only need someone’s name, email address, or phone number to use their criminal records check. Simply enter this information into the search bar and open the full report to view their background.
With an Information.com people search, you’ll find the following:
- Criminal records
- Sex offender status
- Court records
- Crimes committed
- Jail time
- Marriage and divorce records
- Full name
- Phone numbers
- Email addresses
- Traffic violations
We also recommend testing out Information.com’s background check tool on yourself before looking someone else up. This way you know what to expect.
How Different Countries Verify Criminal Records
In the United States, criminal records cross state lines, but the process is different internationally. Criminal records will cross international borders, but officials won’t usually check criminal records unless someone is a wanted criminal or applying for a job. So, for example, someone taking a flight to France from the United States won’t have to go through a background check.
On the other hand, national organizations like INTERPOL have a database of national criminals. They track these individuals with criminal records and may prevent them from traveling or seeking asylum/employment elsewhere.
Will Other Countries Ask About Your Criminal Record?
When traveling from the United States, some countries will ask about your criminal background, especially if you’re trying to immigrate. Always answer truthfully about your criminal record to prevent problems. Countries share criminal records, so not being honest with officials will do more harm than good.
It’s also important to note that most countries have exceptions for some crimes. In many cases, you’ll have no problem traveling to the E.U. as long as you haven’t been in prison for more than three years.
What Criminal Records Information Do Countries Share?
Countries will share all types of criminal records information if it’s relevant and accurate. Criminal records don’t change much, especially if you travel from the U.S. to the E.U., because many of the laws are similar. Therefore, information that’s shared usually includes:
- Crimes committed (with a description)
- Sex offender status
- Traffic violations
- Driving records
- Time spent in jail
- Court records
- The nature of the crime (accidental, malicious, etc.)
Some countries do have different laws than the United States. For example, marijuana usage is illegal in countries like Russia, so Russians may look closely at drug-related crimes. On the other hand, many Scandinavian countries are more lenient with drug laws and won’t look at them as closely.
Verify Your Criminal Records Today With Information.com
Countries do share criminal records. Sharing criminal records makes it easy for agencies worldwide, like INTERPOL, to access criminal backgrounds and keep an eye on national criminals. Even with national agencies and criminal records sharing, you’ll only have to undergo a background check in a few rare cases.
The most important times to check your criminal records are before immigrating to a new country or if you’re applying for a work visa. Information.com is a great resource to help you learn about your criminal record before you get caught off guard.
