Last Updated: January 2025 | Reading Time: 18-22 minutes
Complete Guide to Background Checks in Mexico
Comprehensive guide to conducting background verification in Mexico. Includes criminal records, employment verification, education checks, and legal compliance requirements.
Criminal background checks in Mexico are officially called "Constancia de Antecedentes Penales" and are issued by the Attorney General's Office (Fiscalía General de la República).
Official Criminal Record Certificate
How to Obtain Antecedentes Penales
Online Application: Visit the FGR website (gob.mx/fgr)
Required Documents: Official ID, CURP, proof of address
Payment: Government fee (approximately $200-300 MXN)
Processing Time: 3-5 business days
Validity: 3 months from issue date
Pickup: In person or authorized representative
Required Documents
Document
Type
Requirements
Notes
Official ID
INE/IFE
Original + copy
Must be current
CURP
Population Registry
Original + copy
Certified copy preferred
Proof of Address
Utility bill
Recent (3 months)
In applicant's name
Birth Certificate
Civil Registry
Certified copy
For identity verification
Types of Criminal Records
Record Categories
Federal Crimes: Handled by federal courts
State Crimes: Handled by state courts
Municipal Violations: Local infractions
Administrative Sanctions: Government penalties
Traffic Violations: Driving-related offenses
State-Level Criminal Records
State Prosecutor Offices
Mexico City: Fiscalía General de Justicia CDMX
State of Mexico: Fiscalía General de Justicia del Estado de México
Jalisco: Fiscalía del Estado de Jalisco
Nuevo León: Fiscalía General del Estado de Nuevo León
Veracruz: Fiscalía General del Estado de Veracruz
Processing Locations
City
Office
Address
Hours
Mexico City
FGR Central
Av. Paseo de la Reforma 211-213
9:00-15:00
Guadalajara
FGR Jalisco
Av. Alcalde 1351
9:00-15:00
Monterrey
FGR Nuevo León
Av. Constitución 2266
9:00-15:00
Tijuana
FGR Baja California
Blvd. Agua Caliente 10611
9:00-15:00
Limitations and Considerations
Important Limitations
Scope: Only shows convictions, not arrests or charges
Jurisdiction: Federal records may not include all state crimes
Expiration: Certificate valid for only 3 months
Privacy: Can only be requested by the individual
Incomplete Records: Some older records may not be digitized
For Employers
Legal Requirements for Employers
Consent Required: Employee must provide certificate voluntarily
Job Relevance: Must be relevant to the position
Data Protection: Comply with LFPDPPP (Data Protection Law)
Non-Discrimination: Cannot discriminate based on past convictions unless job-related
Confidentiality: Information must be kept confidential
Employment Verification
Employment verification in Mexico involves confirming work history, salary information, and job performance through official channels and employer contacts.
IMSS Employment Records
Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS)
Coverage: All formal employment in Mexico
Information Available: Employment dates, employers, salary ranges
Access: Employee can request their own records
Online Portal: IMSS Digital platform
Cost: Free for the employee
Processing Time: Immediate online, 3-5 days for certified copies
Types of Employment Verification
Verification Type
Source
Information Provided
Reliability
IMSS Records
Government database
Employment dates, employers, salary
Very High
Direct Employer Contact
HR departments
Dates, position, performance
High
Reference Checks
Former supervisors
Performance, character
Medium
Pay Stubs
Employee provided
Salary, deductions
Medium
IMSS Verification Process
Step-by-Step Process
Employee Consent: Obtain written authorization
IMSS Number: Get employee's social security number
Online Access: Use IMSS Digital platform
Document Request: Request certified employment history
Verification: Cross-reference with provided information
Documentation: Obtain official certificates if needed
Information Available Through IMSS
IMSS Employment Data
Employment Periods: Start and end dates for each job
Employer Information: Company names and registration numbers
Salary History: Contribution base salaries
Job Categories: Position classifications
Contribution History: Social security contributions
Disability Records: Work-related injuries or illnesses
Direct Employer Verification
Contacting Former Employers
HR Departments: Primary contact for verification
Information Typically Provided: Dates, position, salary, eligibility for rehire
Written Requests: Many companies require written authorization
Response Time: 3-10 business days typical
Limitations: Some companies have no-reference policies
Informal Employment Verification
Challenges with Informal Work
No IMSS Records: Informal jobs not registered
Limited Documentation: Few official records available
Reference Dependent: Relies heavily on personal references
Verification Methods: Bank deposits, contracts, witness statements
Higher Risk: More difficult to verify accuracy
Professional Services
Service Provider
Services
Cost Range
Turnaround Time
Background Check Companies
Comprehensive employment verification
$500-2000 MXN
5-10 days
Private Investigators
Detailed employment investigation
$2000-5000 MXN
7-14 days
HR Consulting Firms
Employment verification services
$300-1000 MXN
3-7 days
Legal Firms
Legal employment verification
$1000-3000 MXN
5-10 days
Legal Considerations
Employment Verification Laws
Employee Consent: Required for all verification activities
Data Protection: Must comply with LFPDPPP
Accuracy: Information must be verified and accurate
Retention: Limits on how long information can be kept
Disclosure: Restrictions on sharing information
Education Verification
Education verification in Mexico involves confirming academic credentials through official institutions and government databases.
SEP (Ministry of Education) Verification
Official Education Records
SIGED: Integrated System for Degree Management
Coverage: All officially recognized institutions
Online Verification: Available through SEP website
Professional Degrees: Cédula Profesional verification
Cost: Free for basic verification
Processing Time: Immediate for online, 5-10 days for certificates
Types of Educational Credentials
Education Level
Verification Method
Issuing Authority
Verification Time
Primary Education
School records
Local education authority
3-7 days
Secondary Education
Certificate verification
State education ministry
3-7 days
High School (Preparatoria)
SIGED database
SEP
Immediate
University Degree
SIGED + Institution
SEP + University
1-5 days
Professional License
Cédula Profesional
SEP
Immediate
Cédula Profesional Verification
Professional License Verification
Access SEP Website: Visit the official verification portal
Enter Cédula Number: Input the professional license number
Hospital Privileges: Verify current hospital affiliations
Medical School: Confirm medical education
Residency Training: Verify specialty training
Disciplinary History: Check for sanctions
Legal Professional Verification
Attorney Verification
Bar Association Membership: State bar verification
Law School Verification: Educational credentials
Practice Areas: Specialization verification
Disciplinary Record: Ethics violations or sanctions
Court Admissions: Authorization to practice
Professional Standing: Current status
Engineering and Technical Licenses
Technical Professional Verification
Professional Colleges: State engineering associations
Specialization Areas: Civil, mechanical, electrical, etc.
Project Authorization: Authority to sign projects
Continuing Education: Professional development requirements
Insurance Coverage: Professional liability insurance
Financial Professional Licenses
License Type
Regulatory Body
Verification Process
Renewal Period
CPC (Certified Public Accountant)
IMCP
Institute verification
Annual
Financial Advisor
CNBV
Banking commission verification
Annual
Insurance Agent
CNSF
Insurance commission verification
Annual
Securities Broker
CNBV
Securities commission verification
Annual
International Professional Recognition
Foreign Professional Licenses
Revalidation Process: Recognition of foreign credentials
Equivalency Studies: Comparison with Mexican standards
Additional Requirements: Exams or coursework
Professional Associations: Membership requirements
Continuing Education: Ongoing professional development
Verification Red Flags
Warning Signs
No Cédula Profesional: Missing professional license
Expired Certifications: Outdated professional credentials
Unrecognized Institutions: Degrees from non-accredited schools
Disciplinary Actions: History of professional sanctions
Inconsistent Information: Mismatched credentials
Credit History and Financial Background
Credit history verification in Mexico involves checking financial records through credit bureaus and financial institutions.
Credit Bureaus in Mexico
Credit Bureau
Market Share
Services
Contact
Buró de Crédito
70%
Credit reports, scores
burodecredito.com.mx
Círculo de Crédito
25%
Credit reports, monitoring
circulodecredito.com.mx
Trans Union
5%
International credit reports
transunion.mx
Credit Report Information
Credit Report Contents
Personal Information: Name, address, employment
Credit Accounts: Loans, credit cards, mortgages
Payment History: On-time and late payments
Credit Inquiries: Recent credit applications
Public Records: Bankruptcies, judgments
Credit Score: Numerical credit rating
Obtaining Credit Reports
Credit Report Access
Individual Access: Free annual report for consumers
Employer Access: With written consent only
Required Documents: Official ID, proof of address
Online Access: Through bureau websites
Processing Time: Immediate online, 3-5 days by mail
Cost: Free for individuals, fees for employers
Credit Score Ranges
Score Range
Credit Rating
Description
Approval Likelihood
750-850
Excellent
Outstanding credit history
Very High
700-749
Good
Good credit management
High
650-699
Fair
Average credit history
Medium
600-649
Poor
Below average credit
Low
Below 600
Very Poor
Significant credit problems
Very Low
Financial Institution Verification
Bank Reference Verification
Account Verification: Confirm account existence
Balance Verification: Average balance information
Transaction History: Account activity patterns
Overdraft History: NSF and overdraft incidents
Account Standing: Current account status
Length of Relationship: Duration of banking relationship
CNBV Financial Registry
Banking Commission Records
REUS: Registry of Users of Financial Services
Blocked Accounts: Accounts with restrictions
Fraud Alerts: Financial fraud indicators
Regulatory Actions: Banking violations
Professional Sanctions: Financial industry penalties
Legal Considerations
Credit Check Regulations
Written Consent: Required for all credit checks
Purpose Limitation: Must be job-related
Data Protection: Comply with LFPDPPP
Adverse Action: Notice required if credit affects decision
Retention Limits: Restrictions on keeping credit information
Financial Red Flags
Warning Signs
Multiple Bankruptcies: Pattern of financial distress
Recent Judgments: Legal financial obligations
High Debt-to-Income: Excessive debt burden
Frequent Late Payments: Poor payment history
Fraud Alerts: Identity theft or fraud indicators
No Credit History: Lack of established credit
Legal Compliance and Data Protection
Background check compliance in Mexico requires adherence to data protection laws, labor regulations, and constitutional rights.
Key Legal Framework
Primary Laws and Regulations
LFPDPPP: Federal Law on Protection of Personal Data
Federal Labor Law: Employment-related provisions
Constitution Article 16: Privacy and data protection rights
INAI Regulations: Data protection authority guidelines
Criminal Code: Penalties for data misuse
Consent Requirements
Type of Check
Consent Required
Form of Consent
Retention Period
Criminal Records
Written
Signed authorization
Duration of employment
Credit History
Written
Specific authorization
2 years maximum
Employment Verification
Written
General authorization
Duration of employment
Education Verification
Implied
Job application
Duration of employment
Data Protection Principles
LFPDPPP Compliance
Lawfulness: Legal basis for processing
Purpose Limitation: Specific, legitimate purposes
Data Minimization: Only necessary information
Accuracy: Accurate and up-to-date data
Retention Limits: Limited storage periods
Security: Appropriate security measures
Employee Rights
Individual Rights Under LFPDPPP
Right to Information: Know what data is collected
Right of Access: View personal data held
Right of Rectification: Correct inaccurate data
Right of Cancellation: Delete unnecessary data
Right to Object: Oppose certain processing
Right to Portability: Transfer data to another controller
Employer Obligations
Legal Requirements for Employers
Privacy Notice: Provide detailed privacy notice
Consent Management: Obtain and document consent
Data Security: Implement security measures
Access Controls: Limit access to authorized personnel
Incident Response: Report data breaches
Training: Train staff on data protection
Prohibited Practices
Illegal Background Check Practices
Discrimination: Using protected characteristics
Excessive Data: Collecting unnecessary information
Unauthorized Sharing: Sharing data without consent
Indefinite Retention: Keeping data beyond legal limits
Inadequate Security: Failing to protect data
False Information: Using inaccurate or outdated data
Penalties and Sanctions
Violation Type
Authority
Penalty Range
Additional Consequences
Data Protection Violation
INAI
$320-$3.2M MXN
Operational suspension
Labor Law Violation
STPS
$1,000-$100,000 MXN
Labor sanctions
Criminal Data Misuse
Criminal Courts
6 months-5 years prison
Criminal record
Discrimination
CONAPRED
$5,000-$50,000 MXN
Public sanctions
Best Practices for Compliance
Compliance Recommendations
Develop Policies: Create comprehensive data protection policies
Train Staff: Regular training on legal requirements
Document Processes: Maintain records of compliance activities
Regular Audits: Periodic compliance assessments
Legal Counsel: Consult with employment law attorneys
Update Procedures: Keep policies current with law changes
International Considerations
Cross-Border Data Transfers
Adequacy Decisions: Countries with adequate protection
Binding Corporate Rules: Internal data transfer rules
Standard Contractual Clauses: EU-approved transfer mechanisms
Consent: Explicit consent for international transfers
Local Laws: Compliance with destination country laws
International Background Checks
International background checks involve verifying information across borders, requiring coordination with foreign authorities and compliance with multiple legal systems.
Cross-Border Verification Challenges
Common Challenges
Legal Differences: Varying privacy and data protection laws
Language Barriers: Documents in foreign languages
Processing Times: Extended verification periods
Cost Factors: Higher fees for international verification
Document Authentication: Apostille and legalization requirements
Cultural Differences: Different record-keeping practices
US Background Checks for Mexican Residents
Verifying US Records
FBI Background Check: Federal criminal records
State Criminal Records: State-level criminal history
Employment Verification: US work history
Education Verification: US academic credentials
Credit History: US credit reports
Professional Licenses: US professional credentials
Required Documentation
Document Type
Authentication Required
Processing Time
Cost Range
Criminal Records
Apostille
15-30 days
$100-500 USD
Education Credentials
Apostille + Translation
20-45 days
$200-800 USD
Employment Records
Notarization
10-20 days
$50-300 USD
Professional Licenses
Apostille
15-30 days
$100-400 USD
Apostille Process
Document Authentication
Document Preparation: Obtain original or certified copy
Notarization: Notarize document if required
State Authentication: State-level authentication
Apostille Application: Submit to Secretary of State
Processing: Wait for apostille attachment
Translation: Translate if required
International Verification Services
Professional Services
Global Background Check Companies: Specialized international services
Professional Translation: Use certified translators
Legal Compliance: Ensure compliance with all applicable laws
Regular Updates: Keep verification information current
Important Note
Background checks must always be conducted ethically and legally. For comprehensive people search methods, visit our complete Mexico people search guide.
Complete Guide to Background Checks in Mexico
