An Alberta criminal record check is generally conducted at a detachment of the local police. This could be the Edmonton or Calgary police or a detachment of the RCMP depending on where you live. There is also third-party background checking companies that will conduct a simple name-based criminal record check. However, this type of check will not be acceptable in all circumstances.
Due to COVID19, a criminal record is having adverse affects on the lives of almost 1 in 8 Canadians, and 1 in 3 Americans who carry a record to their name, and the public health crisis, COVID19, is making it more difficult for people to move on from their past. Employment, housing, and volunteer opportunities are now harder to come by and public health orders have slowed down services within fingerprinting and police agencies, courthouses, and the Parole Board of Canada. the Parole Board of Canada currently has limited capacity to process Record Suspension, Expungement and Clemency submissions, and are currently facing a 3 month delay in the processing of all applications. To learn more about how to clear your record during this time, visit our resource page here.
You may need a criminal background check or police information check for:
- Employment
- Volunteering
- Licences
- Record Suspension
- US Entry Waiver
- Travel
- Educational programs
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Criminal Record Check Alberta
A criminal record check is the standard name for a simple name-based check. This check will search the national repository, which is maintained by the RCMP. If you have a criminal record, you can declare it before submitting your check and will receive a confirmation that the information you provided matched the check. If you do not declare it, your record check will come back as “not clear.” In this case, you would need to get fingerprints taken in order to reveal the details of the record. As well, if your name and date of birth are similar to a person in the national repository, your record check may come back as not clear. You may need to get fingerprints to confirm that it is not you.
If there is no matching information, your criminal record check in Alberta will come back as clear.
Police Information Check
A police information check is more detailed than a criminal background check in Alberta. You need to attend a police station to get a local police check.
If you do not have a criminal record, some locations can do “on the spot” checks. If you don’t have time to wait, or don’t want to go to a location with “on the spot” checks, you can leave your application and payment and it will be sent to you.
If you have a criminal record, your record check may take longer and you may have to attend a specific location. For example, in Edmonton, you should go to the Police Information Check Section. Check your local police service or RCMP detachment for specific information about locations, fees and hours.
A police information check will search:
- CPIC (the national repository)
- The Alberta courts database
- The local police database
Vulnerable Sector Check
A Vulnerable Sector Check is a more in-depth screening and is intended for people working with children, the elderly, or people who are vulnerable due to disability or disease. In this case, pardoned offences can be revealed if they could pose a risk. This usually means sexual offences can be disclosed. Not all employers can request this type of criminal check in Alberta.
A Vulnerable Sector Check can only be performed by police.
Getting fingerprints
If you need to access the details of a criminal record from the national repository, you will need to get fingerprints taken. These can be done at a local police station or an accredited agency. The standard process is to get electronic fingerprints, so it is best to confirm with the police detachment that they offer this before going attending. If you are pursuing an application with AllCleared, we will provide a list of locations.
If you are applying for a Record Suspension (pardon) or US Entry Waiver, you will need to get fingerprints.
How To Get A Criminal Record Check in Alberta?
If you have a criminal record, you could be shut out of jobs, educational programs, volunteering, travel and other opportunities. Contact AllCleared for a free consultation about sealing your record or travelling to the United States with a criminal record at 1-866-972-7366.