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Criminal Record Checks: An Overview
It is becoming more common for employers, schools, volunteer organizations and others to request a criminal record check. You may need a record check for reasons such as:
- International travel
- Employment
- Volunteer work
- Child adoption
- Obtaining a Record Suspension
Generally, you will request one of the following:
- a certified criminal record check: verifies whether an individual has a criminal record and provides the applicant with the detailed information that can be legally disclosed
- a vulnerable sector check: additionally discloses any record suspensions for sexual offences as well as local police records relevant to the check
The record check may be conducted by your local police services or any accredited company. The process of obtaining your record will be structured as follows:
Step 1: Fingerprinting
The first step to obtaining a certified criminal record is to have your fingerprints scanned at your local police station or by an accredited company. If you are outside of Canada, you will need to have accredited companies within Canada digitize and electronically submit your fingerprints.
Note that a vulnerable sector check cannot be requested through an accredited company. The check must be requested at a local police service.
Step 2: Completing your criminal record check application
Along with your fingerprints, you will need to provide personal information such as your:
- full name
- date of birth
- sex
- mailing address
- phone number
You will also be required to explain why you are requesting a record check. Reasons may include employment, travel, obtaining a record suspension, and more.
Step 3: Submitting your application
Be sure to verify that your application is complete and accurate. All necessary fees and supporting material such as letters from third parties must be included in your submission.
Note that your fingerprints must be submitted to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) electronically. If your local police station does not offer electronic submission services, you may be directed to another station or an accredited fingerprinting company.
Step 4: Electronic submission of fingerprints
The local police or accredited company will then electronically submit your fingerprints to the RCMP.
Depending on whether you submitted a paper or electronic application, and whether there is a match for your fingerprints in the police database, your application may take anywhere from three business days to 22 weeks to process.
If your criminal record check comes back as not clear, we can help. A Record Suspension seals your criminal record for work, volunteering and travel. Get started by speaking to one of our client advisors today at 1-866-972-7366.
