France Criminal Record Check: Process, Requirements, and Coverage

## Source of data The source of criminal check data in France is **Le Casier Judiciaire**. ## What is the process in France 1. The requesting party requests the check from the ATS or their Zinc account. 2. You will need to follow the automated instructions to upload a copy of your ID and provide personal details from your mobile or desktop device. 3. Zinc submits the application on your behalf. 4. You will receive an email from Casier Judiciaire (noreply@justice.gouv.fr) asking you to validate your application. - Check your spam or junk folder if you don't see it in your inbox. - The email contains a **validation link** — click this to confirm your application. - Once validated, Casier Judiciaire will process your request and send a second email confirming your certificate is ready to download. - That second email will include a **reference code** you'll need to access and download your certificate. - Download the certificate and then upload it to your Zinc profile using the "Upload certificate" button, or send it directly to contact@zincwork.com. 5. Zinc receives the certificate and provides a signed digital report for your employer to review once processed. ## What details are required to submit the check - First name - Last name - Date of birth - Candidate’s email address - Place of birth - Current address - Passport/ID copy ### Accepted identity documents - **Citizens**: Valid French Passport OR Valid French ID Card (both sides) OR Valid French Driving License (NOTE: ID Cards issued between 2004 and 2013 to a person over the age of 18 at the time of the application automatically has an extended validity of another 5 years after the expiry date) - **Non-citizens**: Valid Foreign Passport OR Valid EU ID Card (both sides) OR Valid French/EU Residence Permit ## What is covered in the criminal check The certificate of criminal records contains information for all of the following criminal convictions of offenses, except those deleted by rehabilitation laws or considered spent: - Robbery - Theft and handling stolen goods - Fraud and forgery - Criminal damage - Drug offences - Motoring offenses - Violence against the person - Sexual offences - Burglary Criminal Certificate Bulletin B3’s objective is not to inform (as it is a lighter version), but to allow an individual to present evidence of the absence of any recent and serious condemnation against him/her. It is the certificate with the most restricted content. Some convictions may not be listed on this bulletin by a specific court decision. The content of B3 is limited to (art 777): - Sentence to imprisonment for more than two years without suspension or for which suspension was retracted - Sentence to imprisonment for less than two years if the court has ordered its mention onto the offender’s B3 (this is extremely rare) - Interdictions, incapacity, or forfeiture are pronounced as principal sentences while they last. Here again, the court could order that any of those condemnations would not be mentioned on the offender’s B3 By default, Zinc obtains the Bulletin n°3 when processing criminal record searches for pre-employment purposes. ## What is the expected turnaround time [Here.](https://zincwork.com/turnaround-times) ## Privacy statement The details contained in this report should not be used as the sole reason for making a decision. Zinc Work Ltd is not liable for any inaccuracies or incompleteness in the information appearing in this report since it is provided to Zinc Work Ltd by third parties. This report has been produced for the purchaser of the report and Zinc Work Ltd will have no liability to loss. --- ## Candidate FAQs **I've submitted my documents — what happens next?** Once your details have been submitted, Zinc sends your application to Casier Judiciaire on your behalf. You'll receive an email from noreply@justice.gouv.fr asking you to validate your application. After you validate it, Casier Judiciaire will process your request and send a follow-up email when your certificate is ready to download. You then need to download the certificate and upload it to your Zinc profile. **I'm waiting for the email from Casier Judiciaire — how long should it take?** The initial validation email is usually sent shortly after your application is submitted. If you haven't received it after a day or two, check your spam or junk folder. If it's not there, contact Zinc support and we can check the status of your application. **I've received the email saying my certificate is ready — what do I do?** The email will include a reference code. Use this to log in and download your certificate from the Casier Judiciaire website. Once downloaded, upload it to your Zinc profile using the "Upload certificate" button, or send it to contact@zincwork.com. **I haven't received my certificate yet and my recruiter is chasing me — what should I tell them?** Let them know your application has been submitted and is being processed by Casier Judiciaire, the French national criminal records authority. Processing times can vary. If you're concerned about delays, contact Zinc support and we'll look into it for you.