reference check; background check
Used for formal checks of a person's identity, history, or credentials, often in employment, rental, or security contexts.
We conduct a reference check before hiring.
A background check is required when signing a rental contract.
身元調査 is a broader investigation into someone's background, while 身元照会 is a specific inquiry or reference check, often by contacting previous employers or references.
Compound of 身元 (identity, background) and 照会 (inquiry, reference). The exact historical derivation is uncertain; the spelling is conventionally associated with the meaning.