Building your Plan-B or even moving abroad will require you to submit certain documents, often including proof of a clean criminal record. Whether you’re a Canadian resident or living abroad, understanding the different types of criminal record checks and the correct process to follow can save you time and prevent long delays. Essentially, Canada offers various types of checks, including:
Name-based checks
Fingerprint-based checks
Vulnerable sector checks
Each serves a different purpose, ranging from basic background verification to more in-depth screening. Regardless of your current location, you’ll learn how to obtain this important document, ensuring you can move forward confidently.
This article will guide you through the entire process, including identifying which type of check you need, gathering the required information, and understanding the associated fees.
To move abroad or for immigration purposes, you will need a certified criminal record check, which is fingerprint-based and includes a comprehensive report of your criminal history certified by the RCMP
In Canada, a certified criminal record check is a local and national revision of a person’s criminal records, verified against the National Repository of Criminal Records, plus fingerprints to ensure that they are not falsely accused of crimes they have never committed.
Depending on whether you’re seeking employment, volunteering or moving abroad, you need to understand the differences between the different types of checks. Picking the right one will streamline the process and help you save time and money. Below, we break down every criminal record check available in Canada, mentioning their specific uses and requirements:
A name-based criminal record check is the most common type, often used for basic employment or volunteer positions. It is often conducted by searching your name and date of birth in the Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC) database to identify any criminal convictions. This may be the quickest option, but it may not be as comprehensive as other checks.
The vulnerable sector check is specifically designed for individuals working or volunteering with vulnerable populations, such as children, the elderly, or persons with disabilities. This check includes everything in a name-based check but also searches for pardoned sex offences. Due to the sensitive nature of this work, this check is more thorough and often required by employers or volunteer organizations in the health, education, and social service sectors. In some cases, you may need to get your fingerprints taken for accuracy purposes.
If you plan to move abroad or need a criminal record check for immigration purposes, you need a certified criminal record check. This is fingerprint-based and provides a comprehensive report of your criminal history, or lack thereof, certified by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). This is what you need for visa applications, residency permits and other international legal matters.
In the following lines, we will walk you through this last check, which is the most complete and effective for your expat journey. Whether you are applying for a second passport or residency as a Canadian, this check will help you provide your host country with the information it needs to finally give you a visa or second passport.
To get your certified criminal record check, you need to first look at where you currently reside, as the process is different in each case.
Regardless of what route you take, there is a series of documents that you need to submit along with your application, namely:
Two pieces of government-issued identification: one must include your photograph and signature, and the other must include your full name and date of birth.
Acceptable forms of photo identification include:
Driver's Licence
Government Employment Card
Military Employment Card
Age of Majority Card
Canadian Citizenship Card
Indian Status Card
International Student Card
Passport
Permanent Resident Card
Firearms Acquisition Certificate
Ontario Photo Card
BYID Card (LCBO)
Canadian National Institute for the Blind Card
Acceptable forms of non-photo identification include:
Birth Certificate
Baptismal Certificate
Hunting Licence
Fishing Licence
Hospital Card
Immigration Papers
After getting the necessary documents, go to your local police department to get your fingerprints taken and start your application. Some police departments may send you to an RCMP-approved fingerprinting company. This company will submit your fingerprints to the RCMP's Canadian Criminal Real-Time Identification Services to check against their own database.
For example, one of the companies is called ‘Canadian Corps of Commissionaires,’ which requires applicants to bring two valid government-issued identifications (one of which must be a photo ID), such as a passport or driver’s license. They claim to digitally capture fingerprints in around 10 minutes, and results will be sent either to the appropriate federal department or even directly to you.
The second step is to take the document to a notary or lawyer to have it notarized. It's important to tell the professional that you need to "notarize a true copy of the original." However, many lawyers might not be familiar with this specific term. If you're wondering where to find a qualified notary or lawyer, you can find them on the approved list on your provincial government's website.
Next, visit the appropriate government website to fill out the request form, make the payment, and include everything in the package along with a self-addressed return envelope. It’s recommended to "go to the post office and purchase a suitable envelope for the return instead of using a courier service." Be sure to follow the provided instructions carefully, as all request forms must include their own return envelope and documents with different request forms cannot be combined into a single envelope.
Finally, mail the package according to the instructions provided on the relevant government website. Be sure to send it to the appropriate address as specified for your region.
If residing abroad, Commissionaires require candidates to have their fingerprints taken overseas and sent to their headquarters in Ottawa for processing
You can still submit your application from outside the country to get a certificate criminal record check. The process involves two basic steps:
Get a Paper Copy of Your Fingerprints and Contact an Authorized Agency: In the country you live in, you need to contact an authorized agency such as police services or a private company with a memorandum of understanding with an accredited Canadian private fingerprinting company. The paper copy must include the signature and name of the official who took your fingerprints, the name and address of of the agency of your choice, and your ten fingers taken in black ink.
Complete The Application Process With an Accredited Fingerprinting Company: Contact an accredited company to turn your paper fingerprints into a digital format. Then, this company will electronically send your application to the Canadian Criminal Real-Time Identification Services.
For instance, Commissionaires requires applicants to take their fingerprints abroad and then send them to their Ottawa Headquarters for processing. Afterward, they will make a digital version of the fingerprints to be sent to the RCMP. Lastly, the results will be sent to the Commissionaires and then directly to you. Note that two pieces of valid identification must also be submitted.
If you are in Canada, your starting point is to visit a local police department or an RCMP-approved fingerprinting company
Whether you're in Canada or living abroad, obtaining your criminal record check is required for various needs such as visa applications and second passport acquisition. Understanding the differences between the types of checks—name-based, vulnerable sector, and certified criminal record checks—is also essential for ensuring you follow the correct process.
For those in Canada, visiting a local police department or an RCMP-approved fingerprinting company is your starting point. If you're abroad, the process involves getting your fingerprints taken at an authorized local agency and then coordinating with an accredited Canadian company to digitize and submit them.
Securing a Plan-B, whether a new citizenship or residency, is a must in today’s world to protect your wealth and freedom. If you want to know more about this, make sure you subscribe to our newsletter and get your copy of my free report ‘Plan-B Residencies and Instant Citizenships.’