How To Check Criminal Record Canada
If you are getting a job or moving to another country, you might need to give a document that shows you don’t have a criminal record. Finding out how to get one can be tricky. You may need to get this document approved and verified before it can be used in another country. This article will tell you important information about Canadian criminal record checks. We will also explain how to authenticate and legalise them. If you need more help or information, we will also give you some places to go for help.
A criminal record check looks to see if you have been accused or found guilty of a crime. If the regular background check doesn’t confirm who you are, you might need to give your fingerprints instead. Using fingerprints is the best way to make sure you have the right person. They make sure people can’t hide their criminal history and protect people from being wrongly connected to a criminal record that isn’t theirs.
What type of criminal record check do I need?
In Canada, people can get two kinds of checks to see if they have a criminal record.
- The first kind of background check is a basic one. With a basic criminal record check, the police will only use your name and birth date to see if you have committed any crimes. You don’t need fingerprints for a simple criminal record check.
- The next kind is known as a certified background check for criminal records. To get this type of criminal record check, the RCMP will look for your information in their database using your fingerprints, name, and birthdate. This kind of background check is given by the RCMP Headquarters and is the one that is usually accepted.
In Canada, some other common terms are Background Check, Police Check, RCMP Check, and Police Clearance Certificate. Other countries may call it a Non-Criminal Record Check or Certificate of Good Conduct. In Canada, there are only two types of criminal record checks – basic and certified.
How do I order a Canadian criminal record check?
You can get a basic criminal record check from your local police. You can get a criminal record check from the RCMP or a certified fingerprinting agency in Canada. If you want to join the RCMP, you will need to give your fingerprints to an authorized company or your local police. If you live in a different country and want How To Check Criminal Record Canada, you need to have your fingerprints taken by a company approved by the RCMP.
How To Check Criminal Record From outside of Canada
To send your fingerprints to the RCMP’s Canadian Crime-Fighting Service from another country:
Step 1: Ask for a physical copy of your fingerprints.
Get in touch with a government agency in your country and ask them for a physical copy of your fingerprints.
Examples of agencies that have been given official permission:
- law enforcement services
- Embassies and consulates are like special offices in different countries where people from one country can go for help when they are in another country.
- government offices
- public notaries
- A company from another country is working with a Canadian company for fingerprinting services.
- A private company from another country that takes fingerprints has an agreement with a local police or government department.
Ensure that the printed version of your fingerprints includes:
- Ten fingers pressed on paper with black ink.
- The place you went to and their contact information.
- The name and signature of the person who took your fingerprints.
Step 2: Change paper fingerprints into electronic data.
Get in touch with a certified company in Canada that can change paper fingerprint forms from outside of Canada into electronic forms and send them to CCRTIS.
Processing times
The times listed below are how long it takes for the RCMP to process electronic fingerprint submissions.
- If the work needs to be done by hand, or if there might be a match to a criminal record, it will take 120 days to finish.
- If a criminal record check doesn’t find any matches within 3 business days or less.
Even if you send your fingerprints using a electronic device, there might still be some tasks that need to be done by hand. The time it takes to process your application can be different based on how many applications there are, how much manual work is needed, and why you are applying.
Processing Fees
A certified criminal record check, also called a fingerprint-based check, might have extra fees from the local and/or federal government.
- Fees for services in your area
The cost of getting your fingerprints taken is decided by the local police or the approved fingerprinting agency. Get in touch with them if you want to know more about the money they ask for. The police fee in your area is extra on top of the federal fee.
- Fees charged by the government.
The cost for a criminal record check is $25, but in some cases, you don’t have to pay. You can see when in the table below. The police or an approved fingerprint company will charge you to take your fingerprints. The federal fee is extra money you have to pay on top of the fees charged by your local police or accredited company.
Residential school survivors and their descendants can get their Indigenous name(s) back for free. People who are eligible need to fill out a form when they get their fingerprints taken to not have to pay the fee. Request forms will be available in writing at places where fingerprints are taken.
What else must I do to use my Canadian criminal record check in another country?
In some situations, your criminal record check from Canada needs to be authorized and legalized before it can be accepted in another country. This process is used to make sure a Canadian document is real and can be accepted in other countries.
Be aware that there are other names for the Canadian authentication and legalization process, like “apostille” or “attestation”. If someone asked you for a Canadian criminal record check that has been apostilled or attested, they are just asking for the document to be made legal and official.
How do I authenticate and legalize my criminal record check?
Getting your Canadian criminal record check approved and made official has three steps:
Step 1: Getting all the papers ready.
Make sure you have your criminal record check ready to be processed. Depending on the kind of background check you have (basic or certified), you might need to get the document notarized before submitting it. You might need to send a cover letter or other documents.
Step 2: Confirming that your documents are real
After you finish your documents, you have to send them to Global Affairs Canada (GAC) to get them approved. Once the GAC staff checks your criminal record and decides it’s okay, they will stamp your document with a big red stamp to confirm that it’s authentic.
Step 3: Getting your documents approved by law
The last thing you need to do is to give your checked criminal record to the embassy or consulate of the country where you are sending your document. Once the consulate staff checks and approves your criminal record, they will put a stamp or sticker on your document to show that it has been legalized. Your paper is all set to be sent to another country.
Where can I find more info on authenticating and legalizing a Canadian criminal record check?
You can find more answers on the International Documents Canada website. You can learn about how to prove and make your documents legal in many ways. We also have a page that is just for checking people’s criminal records. They are happy to help you with any questions you have.
