How to Get a Criminal Record Check in Canada: Complete 2026 Guide

What is a Criminal Record Check?

A criminal record check (also known as a police background check or police information check) is an official document that shows whether an individual has any criminal convictions recorded in the Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC) database — the RCMP's national database of criminal records. This check is commonly required for employment, volunteering, immigration, and various licensing purposes across Canada.

The CPIC database contains records from police services and courts across all provinces and territories. When you apply for a criminal record check, the database is searched using your name and date of birth (name-based search) or fingerprints (fingerprint-based search). Name-based searches are faster and sufficient for most employment purposes; fingerprint-based searches are more accurate and required for immigration and government security clearances.

4 Ways to Get a Criminal Record Check in Canada

Method 1: Online Through an Accredited Provider (Fastest)

The fastest way to obtain a criminal record check in Canada is through an accredited online provider like SafeHire. The process is entirely online, available 24/7, and results are delivered by email — typically within 15 minutes for applicants with clear records.

How it works:

1. Complete the secure online application with your personal information
2. Verify your identity through the digital ID verification process
3. Pay online using a credit card or debit card
4. Receive your results by email in as little as 15 minutes

Cost: $64.99–$74.99 (standard and rush options available)

Processing time: 15 minutes (clear checks) to 3–5 business days (manual review required)

Database: RCMP CPIC — the same database used by police stations

Best for: Employment screening, volunteering, rental applications, licensing

Online checks are accepted by the vast majority of Canadian employers, including those in healthcare, education, construction, financial services, and technology. The results are delivered as a secure digital PDF that can be shared instantly with your employer.

Method 2: In Person at Your Local Police Station

You can obtain a criminal record check by visiting your local police service in person. Processing times and costs vary significantly by jurisdiction.

How it works:

1. Contact your local police service to confirm their process, required documents, and hours
2. Book an appointment if required (many services now require online booking)
3. Visit with government-issued photo ID and proof of address
4. Complete and submit the application form
5. Pay the applicable fee
6. Wait for processing and collect or receive your results

Cost: $25–$85 depending on the jurisdiction

Processing time: 1–8 weeks depending on the police service

Best for: When an employer or organization specifically requires a police-issued letter

Police-station checks may also include local records that are not in the CPIC database, such as non-conviction information (peace bonds, withdrawn charges, mental health apprehensions). Ontario's Police Record Checks Reform Act regulates what non-conviction information can be disclosed.

Method 3: RCMP Fingerprint-Based Certified Check

An RCMP-certified criminal record check is the most thorough type of check. It uses fingerprints instead of name and date of birth, making it highly accurate for people with common names or previous name changes.

How it works:

1. Get fingerprints taken at an accredited fingerprinting agency in your city
2. Submit the fingerprint card along with the RCMP application form and payment ($25 RCMP fee + fingerprinting fee)
3. The RCMP processes your application and issues a certified letter

Cost: $25 (RCMP fee) + $25–$75 (fingerprinting agency fee) = $50–$100 total

Processing time: Up to 120 days by mail; 3 business days for electronic submission through accredited agencies

Best for: Immigration applications (IRCC), international travel, government security clearances, federal licensing, adoption

This is the check required by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for permanent residence applications, Express Entry, and many other immigration streams. Standard online checks from providers like SafeHire are NOT the RCMP certified check and cannot be used for immigration purposes.

Method 4: Through an Employer Screening Company

Many employers order criminal record checks on behalf of job candidates, particularly for regulated industries or large corporations. In this case, the employer uses an HR screening company that sends the candidate a secure link to complete their application online.

How it works:

1. Your employer sends you a secure link from their screening provider
2. You complete your portion of the application
3. The employer receives results directly
4. No cost to you — the employer pays

Cost to candidate: $0 (employer pays)

Processing time: Varies by provider, typically 1–5 business days

Best for: Large employers with standardized onboarding, regulated industries, bundled checks (criminal + credit + education verification)

Criminal Record Check Requirements by Province

Each province has its own regulatory bodies and requirements for criminal record checks. Here's what you need to know by province:

Ontario

Ontario is Canada's most populous province and has some of the most robust regulatory requirements. The Ontario College of Teachers (OCT) mandates criminal record checks with vulnerable sector screening for all teachers. The College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) and College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) require checks for registration. RECO requires checks for real estate agents. FSRA requires checks for insurance and mortgage brokers. Get your Ontario criminal record check →

British Columbia

BC residents can obtain checks through local RCMP detachments, municipal police services, or online through SafeHire. The BC Criminal Records Review Act (CRRA) mandates checks for anyone working with children or vulnerable adults. BC Teachers' Council requires checks for teacher certification. Get your BC criminal record check →

Alberta

Alberta is policed primarily by the RCMP, with municipal police in Calgary and Edmonton. The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA) and College and Association of Registered Nurses of Alberta (CARNA) require checks for registration. The Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) commission requires checks for licencees. Get your Alberta criminal record check →

Quebec

Quebec is Canada's only primarily French-speaking province and has unique requirements. The Sûreté du Québec (SQ) handles provincial policing. Many Quebec regulatory bodies require bilingual criminal record check documents. The CISSS and CIUSSS regional health authorities require checks for healthcare workers. Get your Quebec criminal record check →

Manitoba

Manitoba's Child and Family Services Act requires criminal record checks for foster parents and childcare workers. The Manitoba Teachers' Society and various health regulatory colleges mandate checks for their members. Get your Manitoba criminal record check →

Saskatchewan

The Saskatchewan Teachers' Federation and STQA (Saskatchewan Transportation Quality Association) have specific criminal record check requirements. RCMP F Division handles provincial policing. Get your Saskatchewan criminal record check →

Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia requires checks for regulated health professionals, teachers, and childcare workers. Get your Nova Scotia criminal record check →

New Brunswick

New Brunswick's bilingual province has French and English regulatory requirements. Checks are required for teachers, healthcare workers, and childcare staff. Get your New Brunswick criminal record check →

Newfoundland and Labrador

The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary (RNC) and RCMP B Division police the province. Checks are required for regulated professions and positions with vulnerable populations. Get your Newfoundland criminal record check →

Prince Edward Island

Canada's smallest province — policed by the RCMP. Checks are required for most professional licensing and positions working with vulnerable populations. Get your PEI criminal record check →

Criminal Record Check for Specific Purposes

Employment

Criminal record checks are requested by employers across virtually every sector in Canada. Under Canadian human rights law, employers must evaluate criminal record information in the context of the job — a record cannot automatically disqualify a candidate unless the offence is directly relevant to the role. Read our guide: Criminal Record Check for Employment →

Volunteering

Most non-profit organizations, charities, religious institutions, and community groups in Canada require criminal record checks for volunteers — particularly for roles that involve working with children, seniors, or people with disabilities. Vulnerable sector checks are often required for volunteer roles in direct care. Read more: Volunteer Background Check Canada →

Immigration

IRCC requires Canadian police certificates (RCMP-certified fingerprint-based checks) for many permanent residence and temporary residence applications. The check must be less than 6 months old at the time of submission. Provincial immigration programs may have their own requirements. Read more: Police Check for Immigration Canada →

Healthcare Workers

Regulated health colleges across Canada — including those for nurses, physicians, pharmacists, physiotherapists, and many others — require criminal record checks for initial registration and periodic renewal. Read more: Criminal Record Check for Healthcare Workers →

Teachers

Provincial teachers' colleges across Canada require criminal record checks with vulnerable sector screening for teacher certification. Most school boards also require periodic renewals. Read more: Background Check for Teachers Canada →

Daycare Workers

Childcare legislation in every province requires criminal record checks — and typically vulnerable sector checks — for all staff and regular volunteers working in licensed childcare facilities. Read more: Criminal Record Check for Daycare Workers →

Adoption

Both domestic and international adoption processes in Canada require extensive criminal record checks. Provincial child welfare agencies and adoption agencies require both applicants to provide clean criminal record checks and child abuse registry checks as part of the home study process.

US Travel (Border Entry)

A Canadian criminal record can result in being deemed inadmissible to the United States at the border. US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has access to certain Canadian criminal records through information-sharing agreements. Even minor convictions — including impaired driving — can result in a denial of entry. Canadians with a criminal record who wish to travel to the US should apply for a US Entry Waiver (I-192) from the Department of Homeland Security. A record suspension (pardon) does not automatically grant US entry rights.

How Long Does a Criminal Record Check Take in Canada?

Processing times depend entirely on the method you choose:

For a detailed breakdown of processing times by city, see: How Long Does a Criminal Record Check Take in Canada →

How Much Does a Criminal Record Check Cost in Canada?

Many employers in Canada reimburse employees for the cost of criminal record checks required as a condition of employment. Check your offer letter or ask your HR department before paying out of pocket.

For the published fee at every police service we track, see: What a police check costs across Canada →

What Shows Up on a Canadian Criminal Record Check?

A standard criminal record check (name-based CPIC search) will show:

• Criminal convictions (summary offences and indictable offences)
• Outstanding charges currently before the courts
• Active warrants for arrest
• Judicial orders (probation, conditional sentences)

A standard check will NOT show:

• Pardoned offences (record suspensions) — unless it's a vulnerable sector check
• Withdrawn charges or acquittals
• Absolute or conditional discharges (after the specified period)
• Provincial offences (traffic tickets, bylaw violations)
• Youth criminal records (generally sealed after the applicable period)
• Non-conviction information (withdrawn charges, peace bonds) — unless a police record check from certain services

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is a criminal record check valid in Canada?

There is no official expiration date, but most Canadian employers and organizations accept checks completed within the past 3 to 6 months. Some organizations specify a maximum age of 90 days in their policies. Results from online providers like SafeHire are timestamped and clearly dated.

Will employers see charges I was not convicted of?

Generally no. Only convictions appear on a standard criminal record check (CPIC name-based search). Charges that were withdrawn, stayed, or resulted in an acquittal do not appear. However, some provincial police record checks (obtained directly from police services) may include non-conviction information at the discretion of the police service, subject to provincial legislation.

Can I get a criminal record check if I'm not a Canadian citizen?

Yes. Any person residing in Canada can obtain a criminal record check, regardless of citizenship or immigration status. The check searches for any records in Canada's CPIC database associated with your name and date of birth.

Do I need a vulnerable sector check or a regular criminal record check?

It depends on your role. A standard criminal record check is sufficient for most employment and volunteering purposes. A vulnerable sector check (which additionally searches for pardoned sexual offences) is required when you will have unsupervised access to children, the elderly, or persons with disabilities. The organization requesting the check will typically specify which type is required.

What is an RCMP background check?

An "RCMP background check" usually refers to the RCMP-certified criminal record check, which uses fingerprints for a definitive identity match. It costs $25 (RCMP fee) plus the fingerprinting agency fee, and is required for immigration purposes, government security clearances, and some federal licensing applications. It is different from the online name-based check provided by SafeHire.

Can I get a criminal record check for someone else?

No — a criminal record check can only be requested by the individual named on the check, or by an authorized third party (such as an employer or police service) with the individual's written consent. You cannot run a background check on another person without their knowledge and consent.

How do I get a criminal record check if I've lived in multiple provinces?

A CPIC name-based check is national and covers all provinces and territories — you do not need separate checks from each province. One check covers your entire Canadian criminal record history regardless of where the records were created.

What if my employer requires an original document, not a digital PDF?

SafeHire provides a secure, verifiable digital certificate. Most employers accept digital results. If your employer specifically requires an original police-issued letter, you will need to obtain the check in person at your local police service. Check with your employer before applying.