How to Order a Background Check in Brazil
- Carlos Crameri
- Jan 9, 2024
- 6 min read
Updated: 2d
Table of contents on everything you need to know about ordering a Brazil background check.
How to Order a Brazil Background Check for Employment
Simply select "Brazil" on each service you'd like to add to your background check report on our International Background Check checkout page.
Types of Background Check Services available in Brazil
Global Background Screening, LLC makes it extremely easy to order a criminal, civil, credit, verifications and more from Brazil.
There are 10 Services available for employment purposes in Brazil. They are listed in detail below:
Brazil National Criminal Records
A national criminal record search and Civil records searches are conducted through the Ministry of Justice, State Tribunal de Justica and Federal Tribunal de Justica. Information returned will include criminal record convictions going back 7 years that have not been spent or pardoned. Civil records will return summary of any litigation filings that have been found based off the candidate's residential address. This search also comes with a criminal police certificate.
A CPF number (11 Digits) is required for the most accurate search and mandatory for certain Brazilian background check services.
What is the Brazilian CPF number? A CPF number is the Tax ID generated once an individual is registered with the Brazilian Revenue, according to Oliveira Lawyers. It stands for "Cadastro de Pessoas Físicas". All foreigners who have worked or even gone to school in Brazil should have a CPF number as well.
Brazilian Credit Report
Search is conducted through two major credit databases in Brazil for any negative information related to commercial pending debts, bank pending debts, protests, unfunded checks, judicial actions related to financial matters, bankruptcy participation, overdue debts, financial lawsuits. This service will NOT provide a full credit abstract, only a summary of any negative findings per current Brazil employment laws.
Brazil Credit Report Requirements for Employment
Mother's maiden name is required as it is part of the candidate's full legal name.
There are no restrictions for access, but an employer should define the relevant positions within to determine job relatedness and may be questioned later on after employment.
Credit report notes: A protest is when a bill/contract is not paid and the owner registers the debt in a registry (cartório). From the moment the debt is registered (named as “protesto”) in the registry, the recovery becomes valid and legal commitment and judicial execution of the debt can be made with the debtor.
Brazilian Directorship Search
A Directorship search in Brazil can help determine if an individual is registered as a director of a company, which may be used to identify conflicts of interests.
Unique Requirements:
CPF Number (11 digits)
Mother's Full Maiden Name
In-Country Address
Learn more on our global directorship searches
Brazil Motor Vehicle Report
A search conducted through the State Transportation Agency (Departmento National de Transito) DETRAN to verify the driver's license. Results will not include a full driving abstract. Full abstracts must be obtained directly by the applicant.
Right To Work
A search conducted through the Ministry of Labor and Employment (Ministério do Trabalho e Previdência) to verify a candidate's right to work in Brazil. This search generally takes 3-4 Business Days.
Social Media Screening in Brazil: Spotting Potential Red Flags
Our social media background check scans the most widely used platforms—including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter (X), LinkedIn, TikTok, and Reddit.
You can select a 3-year or 7-year lookback period. The report highlights only high-risk content, such as:
Hate speech
Drug-related images
Threats or self-harm
Harassment or bullying
Obscene or violent language
This service helps employers identify online behavior that may present reputational or workplace risks—all while ensuring reports are fair, focused, and compliant. Learn more about our social media background check and details on how our social media checker report looks like.
Latin America (LATAM) Conduct Search (NEW)
The LATAM conduct search is a search conducted at the local level and Regionwide by searching through 262 LATAM sources, including 41 Brazilian specific Anti-corruption, Attorney General, Secretary of public Security, Securities and Exchange Commission (Comissão de Valores Mobiliários) and more.
In addition, the Latin America Conduct Search includes 288 adverse media sources and 36 Brazilian-specific sources, including publicly available newspapers, magazines, and Internet research (such as Jornal O Globo, Jornal do Brasil, and many other local media) to develop risk related negative information on an individual.
Do not substitute a Criminal Search with a LATAM conduct search, as the criminal search goes directly to the Courts and Police Department.
The costs is extremely affordable for only $25
Below you will see the additional coverage provided in Central and South America totaling over 550 screening sources. Additional data sources are continuing to be added.
Click image to expand Latin America Conduct Coverage Chart
How are Criminal Charges Categorized in Brazil?
In Brazil, the criminal justice system has its own terminology to describe different types of criminal charges, which may be different from the terminology used in other countries.
Criminal charges in Brazil are categorized into two main categories: crimes and misdemeanors.
While the Brazilian legal system has some similarities to the U.S. legal system, there are some differences in the types of charges and their corresponding penalties.
Crimes are the more serious offenses and are generally punishable by imprisonment for more than two years.
Misdemeanors are lesser offenses that are generally punishable by fines or imprisonment for up to two years.
Here are some examples of common criminal charges in Brazil:
Crimes:
Homicide (homicídio)
Robbery (roubo)
Kidnapping (sequestro)
Drug trafficking (tráfico de drogas)
Corruption (corrupção)
Embezzlement (peculato)
Misdemeanors:
Petty theft (furto simples)
Vandalism (vandalismo)
Disorderly conduct (desordem pública)
Driving under the influence (dirigir embriagado)
Simple assault (lesão corporal leve)
It is worth noting that the Brazilian criminal justice system is complex and subject to frequent changes. The specific terminology and definitions of criminal charges may vary depending on the jurisdiction and the time period in question.
Data Security in Brazil (Updated 2025)
In force since September 18, 2020, Brazil’s General Data Protection Law (Lei Geral de Proteção de Dados – LGPD) is the country's first comprehensive privacy regulation. Closely modeled on the EU’s GDPR, the LGPD regulates how personal data is collected, used, stored, and shared across Brazil.
According to DLA Piper, a global law firm with significant presence worldwide, The LGPD applies to any natural or legal person (public or private) who processes personal data, regardless of:
The means or technology used,
The location of the data processor, or
Where the data is stored,
As long as any of the following conditions are met:
The data processing occurs within Brazil;
The data subject is located in Brazil;
The data was collected in Brazil; or
The intent is to offer goods or services to individuals in Brazil.
When the LGPD Does Not Apply
The LGPD does not apply in cases such as:
Processing by individuals for purely personal and non-commercial purposes;
Journalistic, artistic, or academic use;
Activities related to public safety, national defense, or criminal investigation (covered under separate legislation);
Data collected and processed outside of Brazil, where there is no onward transfer to Brazilian data processors and the original jurisdiction ensures protection similar to the LGPD.
Constitutional Protection & Legislative Authority
In 2021, Brazil passed Constitutional Amendment PEC No. 17/2019, officially recognizing data protection as a fundamental right. As of February 10, 2022, the Brazilian Constitution grants the federal government exclusive authority to legislate on data protection matters—reinforcing the LGPD as the core framework.
The Brazilian Internet Act
Before the LGPD, Brazil laid important groundwork with Federal Law No. 12.965/2014, commonly known as the Marco Civil da Internet (Brazilian Internet Act). This law governs internet use in Brazil and includes principles and rights related to:
Privacy and protection of personal data,
Net neutrality, and
User rights to information and transparency.
A key milestone in Brazil’s digital legislation, the Brazilian Internet Act introduced the first legal definition of “personal data” and set security standards for service providers. It paved the way for the LGPD by emphasizing the inviolability of private communications, the confidentiality of online correspondence, and legal duties for internet companies to safeguard data.
Why Global Background Screening Is the Best Way to Run Brazil Employment Background Checks
Ordering background checks in Brazil doesn’t need to be complicated. With Global Background Screening, you can access a wide range of employment screening services—from criminal records and credit reports to LATAM-wide conduct checks and right-to-work verifications—all through a single, easy-to-use platform.
Every search is designed to meet Brazil’s compliance standards, including LGPD and labor regulations, with results delivered clearly and efficiently. Whether you're screening a new hire in São Paulo or managing international compliance for remote contractors, our platform simplifies the process from start to finish.
