Please also review the FAQ’s on this page. If you still need help after doing so, you may contact us via the form below.
Most Canadian employment background checks are completed within a week, however, there can be extenuating circumstances that cause delays in the process. The most common delays are related to unresponsiveness by past employers or academic institutions.
Please check that you have entered all the mandatory information in this section by reviewing all fields with an asterisk (*). If anything mandatory is missed when you try to proceed, the text changes to red. Once you enter this information, you will be able to proceed.
Please review our Privacy Policy that can be found online: www.sterlingbackcheck.ca/about/privacy-clients.
Electronic Identify Verification, or EIV, is a method of online identify verification. Here, you will be asked a series of questions based on your credit history through TransUnion. Note that this is not a credit check and does not affect your credit score.
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Every employer has their own specific background screening requirements that are based on their industry, regulations, the type of positions they hire for, etc. Examples of our services include: criminal record checks, credit history checks, education and employment verifications and references. Any questions about why certain types of background checks have been requested or how the results will be interpreted or used should be directed to the requesting organization.
How do I prepare for my background check?Before a background check is started, you will need to sign a written authorization which allows the process to begin. While every company has their own specific background screening criteria, there are some common pieces of information you’ll be asked for, including your current address, date of birth and contact information. Other information may be requested based on the services to be completed.
How do I ask a question about my specific background check?First, please review the FAQ’s on this page. If you still need help after doing so, please contact us via the form below.
What if I can’t remember every detail about my past employment or education?Try to provide as much information as you can and be as accurate as possible, but do not intentionally make up inaccurate information. We will compare the information you provide with the information the past employer or academic institution provides.
What language can I complete my online consent forms in?You may complete them in either English or French.
What do you do with my personal information?Please review our Privacy Policy that can be found online: www.sterlingbackcheck.ca/about/privacy-clients/.
How do you protect my privacy?We take the necessary technical and organizational measures to ensure personal information is secured against accidental access, destruction, loss, modification or disclosure and take appropriate steps to reduce or eliminate harm in case of a breach. Personal information held by Sterling Backcheck is stored on secure servers located in Canada. We aim to collect, use, disclose and retain personal information in accordance with your expectations and the law. You can find full details of our privacy practices in the relevant privacy statement.
What browser is best to use?We recommend Firefox or Chrome as the best web browser to use.
Will I get hired if I have a criminal record?Every company has their own specific hiring criteria and Sterling Backcheck does not make hiring decisions or recommendations for our clients. Any questions about hiring policies should be directed to the requesting organization.
Will juvenile records show up on my background check?Sterling Backcheck conducts criminal record checks in accordance with the Dissemination of Criminal Record Information Policy. Convictions under the Youth Criminal Justice Act (or one of its predecessors) will not produce a negative criminal record check.
Will an expunged record show up on my background check?Sterling Backcheck conducts criminal record checks in accordance with the Dissemination of Criminal Record Information Policy. Record suspensions (formerly called pardons) will not produce a negative criminal record check unless the suspension has been revoked.
Can a prospective employer conduct a background check on me without my permission?No. In order to conduct a background check through Sterling Backcheck, an employer must get your authorization to do so in writing before they can proceed.
Most Canadian employment background checks are completed within a week, however, there can be extenuating circumstances that cause delays in the process. The most common delays are related to unresponsiveness by past employers or academic institutions.
What is EIV?Electronic Identify Verification, or EIV, is a method of online identify verification. Here, you will be asked a series of questions based on your credit history through TransUnion. Note that this is not a credit check and does not affect your credit score.
Why would I fail EIV?The system will ask you some questions about your credit history to confirm your identity. Most people pass, but some individuals may not be able to proceed online for the following reasons:
If you are not successful with EIV, you will be prompted with another method of verifying your identity. The method presented will vary depending on what your potential employer has chosen, but it may include you going back to your Hiring Manager, completing an alternate online ID verification (Sterling ID) or going to Canada Post. Please ensure you review & read the options given to you carefully & thoroughly.
What is DPOI and what are the requirements to verify ID through Canada Post?DPOI, or Digital Proof of Identity, is a method used to verify your identity in person at a Canada Post location. To do this, you will need a primary piece of ID such as a driver’s license or passport, a secondary piece of ID that displays your full name, as well as proof of residence. For proof of residence, you will need a bank statement, a utility bill or another acceptable document as per Canada Post that displays your full name and current address as you provided on the online forms. For a full list of acceptable documents for DPOI, please see the form generated to complete DPOI at Canada Post.
What is Sterling Identity Verification (SIV)?Sterling Identity Verification (SIV) is a method if ID verification to confirm your identity. It leverages facial recognition and fraud detection technology, while being easy, convenient and efficient for you to use.
What if I don’t have the required number of references or verifications to provide?Please do your best to provide the required number of references or verifications requested. If you truly do not have the complete information, you may put “NA” to be able to proceed to the next step. Please note that in doing this, it may delay your check in being completed.
Will someone contact me if there’s a problem with my background check?If additional information is required from you, you’ll hear from either the employer requesting the background check or from Sterling Backcheck directly.
What is the difference between an education verification and a credential verification?An education verification is a program completed as a post-secondary institute, such as a degree, diploma, or certificate. An education verification can also be high school education. A credential verification is a designation that you have completed such as licensing or certifications (ie: CPA/CGA for accountants).
How do I add self-employment?Please note that we are not able to verify self-employment at this time, however, we may ask you to provide documentation to support this.
Once you have completed the online forms and the identity verification, you can download a copy of your completed consent forms. A button will appear for you to do so. You can download and keep a copy of these forms for your records.
I put the wrong information on my consent forms. What do I do?Please contact us using the form below as soon as possible so we can let you know how to proceed. If emailing us, please indicate your full name the company you are applying to work with.
How do I get a status update on my background check?You can follow up with your Hiring Manager at the company you have applied to. Please contact us by using the online form below.
Where do I send missing information or corrections to my file?If you have any updates or corrections you would like to make to your form, please email ordersCanada@sterlingcheck.com. It is important that the below information are included in your email:
Sterling Backcheck will only share the results of the background check with the requesting organization. We do not control how personal information will be used once it has been disclosed to our client.
How do I dispute the results of my background check?If you have had recent updates to your criminal record, there may be a time delay before information is updated on the Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC) repository. If you still want to dispute the finding of your report, please contact us at 1-866-455-5671 or email dispute.resolution@sterlingcheck.com including details of your dispute with your full name and company that requested the background check.
How do I request a free copy of my background check?Please contact us at 1-866-455-5671 or accessrequests@sterlingcheck.com.
Does my employer need to share the results of the background check with me?In most situations, you have a right to know what personal information is held about you. You can ask for copies of your personal information from your employer or from Sterling Backcheck.
How do I contact Sterling for assistance?You can contact Sterling with any questions you have using the form on this page. You may also call us, based on the location of the employer who has requested your screening.
If you were given a client code or phone extension number in your initial email, please use it to reach your dedicated team faster.
If your screening is with a Canada-based employer, please call 1-866-455-5785.
If your screening is with a US-based employer, please call 1-888-889-5248.
If your screening is with an employer based in Asia or Australia, please call 1-800-215-3919.
If your background check has been requested by an employer who is based in EMEA (Europe, Middle East, or Africa) and you need to speak to Sterling, you can call our EMEA Support Team free of charge. View free phone numbers.