How to Check Your Criminal Record Check Application Status in Canada

Check Your SafeHire Application Status

If you ordered your criminal record check through SafeHire, checking your status is simple:

1. Visit safehire.ca/status
2. Enter the email address you used when placing your order
3. Your results will be resent if complete, or you'll see your current status

What the status messages mean:

• Processing: Your application is in queue. Most clear-record checks complete within 15 minutes of payment.
• Completed: Your results have been delivered to your email. Check your inbox and spam/junk folder.
• Manual Review: Your application requires human review — a potential name match is being confirmed. This does not mean you have a criminal record. Results arrive within 3–5 business days.

Haven't received your results? Check your spam folder first — automated emails are sometimes filtered. Use the status page to have results resent.

Check your SafeHire status now →

Check Your Status with Local Police Services

Toronto Police Service

TPS does not have a public online status tracker. Follow up by phone with the Records Management Services unit. Have your application reference number ready.

Timeline: Toronto Police estimates 7–10 business days, and says there is no rush service.

Website: tps.to/police-checks — full detail on police checks in Toronto

OPP (Ontario Provincial Police)

Contact the specific detachment where you applied directly. Find detachment contact info at opp.ca.

Timeline: Not published centrally; it varies by detachment.

Calgary Police Service

CPS takes applications through its online Police Information Check portal at calgarypolice.ca.

Timeline: Not published. Calgary Police says applications are processed in date order, that it is dealing with high volumes, and that applications cannot be expedited. See police checks in Calgary.

Vancouver Police Department

VPD applications and status go through its online police check service at vancouver.onlinepolicecheck.ca.

Timeline: Not published by the VPD. See police checks in Vancouver.

Ottawa Police Service

Apply and track online at olbc.ottawapolice.ca. The Customer Service Desk is by appointment only.

Timeline: Generally 7–10 business days, longer if another police service has to respond. See police checks in Ottawa.

Edmonton Police Service

Online application services at edmontonpolice.ca. Contact EPS Records for status.

Timeline: Edmonton Police says checks are currently processed within 5–10 business days, with no on-the-spot service. See police checks in Edmonton.

RCMP — Fingerprint-Based Certified Check

Check status at rcmp-grc.gc.ca using your transaction number from the fingerprinting agency.

Timeline: 3 business days (electronic) or up to 120 days (mail).

If submitted by mail and pending more than 60 days, contact the RCMP's Canadian Criminal Real Time Identification Services (CCRTIS) directly.

Why Is My Background Check Taking So Long?

Name Match Requiring Manual Review

The most common cause of delays. When your name and date of birth partially match an existing CPIC database record, your application is flagged for manual review. This is normal and does not indicate you have a criminal record. Takes 3–5 business days for SafeHire; considerably longer at police stations.

Common Name

Applicants with common surnames (Smith, Brown, Singh, Li, Kumar, Wilson) experience more name-match delays because more database entries could potentially match. Expect slightly longer processing if your name is common.

Incomplete Application

Discrepancies between your stated name/address and your ID can require clarification. Always use your full legal name exactly as it appears on your government-issued photo ID.

Police Service Backlog

Peak periods with highest volumes: January/February (post-holiday new hires), May/June (education hiring season), August/September (back to school, healthcare hiring). During peak periods, police station processing times extend significantly.

Holiday Closures

Police services observe all statutory holidays. Applications submitted before long weekends will not be processed until offices reopen. SafeHire processes applications 24/7, 365 days a year.

RCMP Certified Check Delays

RCMP-certified checks by mail are subject to backlogs — up to 120 days. Electronic submission through an accredited fingerprinting agency takes just 3 business days.

Need Your Results Faster?

If You Haven't Ordered Yet

SafeHire delivers results in as little as 15 minutes by email — no appointment, no travel, no waiting. Same RCMP CPIC database, results accepted by the vast majority of Canadian employers.

Order your criminal record check — results in 15 minutes →

If You're Already Waiting on a Police Station Check

Option 1: Contact the police service's records department, explain your situation, and ask if expedited processing is available.

Option 2: Order a SafeHire check in parallel. Many employers will accept the SafeHire result to allow you to start work, with the police station check to follow. Discuss this with your employer first.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know when my background check is done?

SafeHire sends results to your email when complete. Police services mail, email, or notify you to pick up the document. Processing times: 15 minutes (SafeHire) to weeks at police stations.

My background check has been processing for 2 weeks — is something wrong?

If you applied at a police station, 2 weeks is within the normal range. If you applied through SafeHire and it's been more than 5 business days, use the status page or contact SafeHire support directly.

Can I speed up my police station background check?

Some services offer expedited processing for an additional fee. The alternative is using SafeHire for a 15-minute standard criminal record check.

Why does my SafeHire check say manual review?

Manual review means your application partially matched an existing CPIC record requiring human confirmation. This is a normal process step — not an indication you have a criminal record. Most manual reviews resolve within 3–5 business days.

I ordered weeks ago and haven't heard anything — what should I do?

For SafeHire: use the status page at safehire.ca/status. For police services: contact the records unit directly with your reference number. Check your email spam folder — results emails are sometimes filtered.

Can I cancel my background check application?

For SafeHire: contact support if you need to cancel before completion. For police services: contact the records unit — cancellation policies vary.