Criminal Record Check in Canada
Criminal history checks in Canada are essential tools used to assess an individual’s background in relation to criminal activity. These checks are often performed by employers, IRCC, and other entities that require a clear understanding of a person’s past. The process involves searching various databases for any records of criminal offences.
Different Types of Criminal History Checks in Canada
I: Criminal record check
A criminal record check includes:
- applicable criminal convictions
- findings of guilt under the federal Youth Criminal Justice Act
II: Criminal record and judicial matters check
A criminal record and judicial matters check, includes:
- applicable criminal convictions
- findings of guilt under the federal Youth Criminal Justice Act
- absolute and conditional discharges
- outstanding charges, arrest warrants and certain judicial orders
III: Vulnerable sector check
A vulnerable sector check includes:
- the same type of information that is disclosed in a criminal record and judicial matters check
- applicable findings of:
- not criminally responsible due to mental disorder
- record suspensions (pardons) related to sexually-based offences
- in certain circumstances, non-conviction charges related information, when a strict test is met
- conviction
- Active (non-expired) absolute or conditional discharge information
- outstanding charges (for immigration and travel purposes)
- Non-conviction information ( for immigration and travel purposes)
- immigration information ( for immigration and travel purposes)
- see more details, please click types of Certified Criminal Record Checks from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police website.
Name-based Criminal Record Check
- Using names and dates of birth is the most common way to check a person’s criminal history.
- Criminal record checks are typically conducted using a person’s name and date of birth. This information is checked against the RCMP’s Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC) system, which includes the National Repository of Criminal Records. Sometimes, other national and local databases may also be searched.
- However, name-based criminal record checks can be unreliable for verifying someone’s identity. This is because last names can be common, spellings can vary, and people sometimes use nicknames or legally change their names. In some cases, individuals may intentionally change their names to hide a criminal record.
Fingerprints-based Criminal Record Check
- When name-based criminal record checks cannot conclusively verify a person’s identity, you may be required to submit fingerprints. This process is referred to as a “certified criminal record check.”
- The RCMP’s Canadian Criminal Real Time Identification Services (CCRTIS) performs a fingerprint search of the National Repository of Criminal Records.
- In rare cases where fingerprints cannot be processed electronically, the police service will use a paper copy of your fingerprints.
- Fingerprint-based criminal record checks are conducted with your informed consent and involve sharing the results with a third party you designate on the application form.
- The fingerprints provided to CCRTIS are solely for identity verification purposes and are not entered into a database for search or storage. For more details on Certified Criminal Record Checks, click here.
How To Get a Level I, II or III Criminal Record Check
How To Get Your Fingerprints- based Criminal Record Check
Inside Canada - digital Fingerprints
All fingerprint submissions to the RCMP must be done electronically, except for certain Federal Government Offices that still require ink fingerprints on the RCMP C216C Form.
Visit a fingerprinting company accredited by the RCMP around you.
Bring two pieces of government-issued Identification to process fingerprints submission in person.
Outside Canada - Fingerprints Card
You can apply for a certified criminal record check from outside Canada by following steps:
- Contact us to request the International Fingerprints Guide
- Have your fingerprints taken by local authorities
- Send your fingerprinting package to the Goodwin Canada Office
- Goodwin Canada will convert your fingerprint card to an electronic format and submit it directly to the RCMP.