Togo Background Screening Guide

Togo has digitized its criminal record system end-to-end, which is a genuine convenience — but the resulting certificate is only valid for 3 months, a shorter window than most regional peers, so timing matters more here than elsewhere.

National Identity Verification

Togo is rolling out a national biometric identification program assigning each resident a Unique Identification Number (NIU), with pre-registration available through the government's digital services platform. This biometric ID is intended to become the standard reference for identity verification as enrollment completes.

Criminal Record Check

Togo distinguishes three criminal record bulletins: Bulletin N°1 (B1), a complete record available only to judicial authorities; Bulletin N°2 (B2), covering most crime and misdemeanor convictions; and Bulletin N°3 (B3), the version most commonly requested for employment and administrative purposes, containing the least sensitive information. Togolese residents, whether in-country or abroad, can now request their criminal record online through the government's digital platform (casierjudiciaire.gouv.tg) rather than applying in person. Importantly, the bulletin's validity is only 3 months, so employers should request it close to the point of hire rather than early in a lengthy process.

Employment & Education Verification

Employment verification is generally most reliable with established employers in Lomé, Togo's commercial centre. Education verification should be conducted directly with the issuing institution, as elsewhere in the region.

Data Protection & Consent

Employers should ensure documented candidate consent is in place before initiating any screening involving Togolese nationals, consistent with data protection norms applied across the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA) region. Employers should confirm current requirements directly given the evolving legal landscape around Togo's biometric identification program.

Practical Notes for Employers

• Request bulletin B3 late in the hiring process, given its short 3-month validity — requesting it too early risks it expiring before onboarding.
• Use the online casierjudiciaire.gouv.tg platform where possible to avoid in-person processing delays.
• Confirm a candidate's NIU enrollment status as the biometric ID rollout continues.

Related Resources

See the Africa Criminal Records Index for how Togo compares to other markets, and the Ghana Background Screening Guide for a neighboring West African market. To discuss screening for candidates in Togo, contact our team.