rcmp.ca Criminal Record Checks : Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Organization : Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Facility : Criminal Record Checks
Country : Canada
Website : https://rcmp.ca/en/criminal-records/criminal-record-checks

How To Check Criminal Record in Canada?

A criminal record check will determine if you have been charged or convicted of a crime. If a name-based criminal record check does not provide a definite way of confirming your identity, you may be asked to provide fingerprints. The use of fingerprints is the most accurate way to confirm a person’s identity. They ensure that individuals cannot evade their criminal past, and protect individuals from being falsely associated with a criminal record that is not theirs.

Inside Canada

Local Police Service:
Visit your local police service to take your fingerprints and to process your application for a certified criminal record check or a vulnerable sector check. Some police services may direct you to an accredited fingerprint company.

Note:
If you require a vulnerable sector check, you must go to your local police service.

Accredited Fingerprinting Companies:
Visit a fingerprinting company accredited by the RCMP to process your application for a certified criminal record check.

Note:
Accredited fingerprinting companies do not provide vulnerable sector checks.

Outside Canada

You can submit an application for a certified criminal record check from outside of Canada. First you have to get your fingerprints taken and then you have to submit your application through an accredited fingerprint company.

Step 1: Contact an authorized agency to get a paper copy of your fingerprints
Contact an authorized agency in the country in which you are situated and request a paper copy of your fingerprints.

Examples of Authorized Agencies:
** police services
** embassies / consulates of foreign governments (for example not Canadian government embassies/consulates) government departments
** notaries of the public
** foreign private fingerprinting company that is subject to a memorandum of understanding with an accredited Canadian private fingerprinting company
** foreign private fingerprinting company that is subject to a memorandum of understanding with a local police service or government department

Make sure the paper copy of your fingerprints has:
** prints of all ten fingers taken in black ink
** name and address of the authorized agency that you visited
** signature and name of the official who took your fingerprints

Step 2: Contact an accredited fingerprint company in Canada to complete the application process
Contact an accredited company within Canada to convert your paper fingerprint form to a digital format. The accredited company will submit your application to Canadian Criminal Real Time Identification Services (CCRTIS) electronically.

Note:
Do not mail these fingerprints or your application directly to the RCMP’s CCRTIS as it will not be accepted.

Processing Times of Criminal Record Checks

The following timeframes refer to approximate processing times for all electronic fingerprint submissions received by the RCMP’s Canadian Criminal Real Time Identification Services (CCRTIS).

If manual processing is involved and/or if there is a possible match to a criminal record:
120 business days. In some cases more time may be required due to the submission of incomplete information or in an effort to clarify parts of the application with local police. This process ensures the information that is released by CCRTIS is complete and accurate.

If there is no match to a criminal record:
3 business days or less. The results are mailed to the address provided and extra time should be allowed for delivery by Canada Post.

Even if you submit your fingerprints electronically, there may still be manual processes involved. Processing times vary depending on different factors such as the number of applications received at different times of the year, the amount of manual processing related to your application and/or the reason for the application.

Note:
** Contact CCRTIS only if processing times are longer than indicated.
** Allow extra time for delivery by Canada Post.
** Requests are completed in the order received.
** The results of a certified criminal record check are mailed to the address that was provided.

Processing Fees of Criminal Record Checks

A certified criminal record check – also known as a fingerprint-based criminal record check – may require local and/or federal processing fees.

Local Service Fees:
Local fees are determined by the local police agency or the accredited fingerprinting agency taking your fingerprints. Contact them directly if you would like more information about fees they charge. The fee charged by your local police is in addition to the federal fee.

Federal Processing Fees:
The federal processing fee is 25 Canadian dollar for each criminal record check, however, the federal fee is waived in some cases (see the table below). The federal fee is collected by the police service or accredited fingerprint company taking your fingerprints. The federal fee is in addition to fees charged by your local police or accredited company.

The $25 fee will be waived for residential school Survivors and their descendants seeking to reclaim their Indigenous name(s). Eligible applicants must complete a written request at the time of fingerprinting for the fee(s) to be waived. Written request forms will also be available at fingerprinting service locations.