Madagascar Background Screening Guide

Madagascar's island geography and civil-law court system shape its screening process: criminal record requests run through the Court of First Instance tied to a person's place of birth or residence, which matters for employers screening candidates originally from outside the capital.

National Identity Verification

Madagascar's national identity document is the Carte d'Identité Nationale (CIN), the standard reference for identity verification in employment and administrative processes. A certified copy of the CIN, or a passport for foreign nationals, is required to request most official records.

Criminal Record Check

Madagascar's criminal-clearance document is the bulletin n°3, the official attestation of a person's criminal record and a required document for many professional and civil formalities. Anyone born or residing in Madagascar, including foreign nationals, can request it by submitting an application to the clerk's office (greffe) of the Court of First Instance (Tribunal de Première Instance) covering their place of birth or residence, along with a certified copy of their CIN or passport and a birth certificate or equivalent civil status document.

Employment & Education Verification

Employment verification is generally most reliable with employers based in Antananarivo, the country's administrative and commercial centre. Because the criminal record request is tied to place of birth or residence rather than a single national database, verification for candidates from outside the capital can take longer — employers should account for this when setting screening timelines.

Data Protection & Consent

Screening in Madagascar is governed by Law No. 2014-038 of 9 January 2015 on the protection of personal data, which establishes a protective legal framework for citizens and sets out the responsibilities of businesses operating in Madagascar with respect to personal data processing. Employers should ensure documented candidate consent is in place before initiating any screening involving Malagasy nationals or residents.

Practical Notes for Employers

• Confirm the court jurisdiction (place of birth or residence) tied to a candidate's record before initiating a bulletin n°3 request.
• Build extra time into screening for candidates whose records sit outside Antananarivo.
• Document candidate consent in line with Law No. 2014-038 before beginning any screening exercise.

Related Resources

See the Africa Criminal Records Index for how Madagascar compares to other markets, and the Mozambique Background Screening Guide for a nearby Indian Ocean-facing market. To discuss screening for candidates in Madagascar, contact our team.