Police Record Check Near Me — Find Your Nearest Option in Canada

Skip the Trip — Get Your Police Record Check Online

When most people search for a "police record check near me," they're looking for a convenient way to get a criminal record check quickly. Good news: for the vast majority of employment, volunteer, rental, and licensing purposes, you can get your police record check entirely online — no travel required.

SafeHire delivers a CPIC criminal record check (the same national database that all Canadian police stations use) in as little as 15 minutes, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for $64.99. The results arrive by email as a secure PDF that you can share instantly with employers, landlords, or any organization that requests one.

The only situation where you must go to a physical police station is if you specifically require a vulnerable sector check (required for working unsupervised with children or other vulnerable populations) or if an organization specifically requires a police-issued letter rather than an accredited online check.

Get your police record check online now — 15 minutes, $64.99

How to Choose: Online vs In-Person

Use SafeHire online when:

• You need a standard CPIC criminal record check for employment, volunteering, a rental application, or licensing
• You need your results quickly (same day)
• You want to avoid travel, appointments, and waiting
• Your employer or organization accepts online checks (the vast majority do)
• You want to check your own record before applying for a job

Go to a police station when:

• You specifically need a vulnerable sector check (required for teachers, healthcare workers, childcare workers, coaches, and others working with vulnerable populations)
• Your organization explicitly requires a police-issued letter or stamp (uncommon, but some government bodies still require this)
• You need a check that includes non-CPIC local records (e.g., charges that were stayed or withdrawn — these may appear on a police-station check in some jurisdictions but not on CPIC)

Police Record Check Locations by Province

Ontario

Ontario has over 30 municipal police services plus the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) serving rural and smaller communities. Key locations:

• Toronto Police Service — Multiple divisions across Toronto. Processing: 3–5 weeks. Or skip the wait: online check in 15 minutes via SafeHire
• Peel Regional Police — Serves Brampton and Mississauga
• York Regional Police — Serves York Region
• Durham Regional Police — Serves Durham Region
• Ottawa Police Service — Ottawa and surrounding area
• Hamilton Police Service — Hamilton area
• Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) — Rural Ontario and smaller communities

Visit SafeHire's Ontario page for a full guide to getting your criminal record check in Ontario.

Alberta

Alberta is policed by the RCMP (for most areas outside Calgary and Edmonton) and by municipal services in major cities:

• Calgary Police Service — Calgary. Processing: 2–4 weeks
• Edmonton Police Service — Edmonton. Processing: 2–4 weeks
• RCMP detachments — Fort McMurray, Red Deer, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, and dozens of smaller communities
• Camrose, Grande Prairie, Lacombe, and other municipal services

Visit SafeHire's Alberta page for local Alberta options.

British Columbia

BC is policed by the RCMP, VPD, and several municipal services:

• Vancouver Police Department (VPD) — Vancouver
• Burnaby RCMP, Surrey RCMP, Richmond RCMP — Lower Mainland municipalities
• Victoria Police Department — Victoria
• RCMP E Division — Covers most of BC outside major cities

Visit SafeHire's British Columbia page for BC-specific information.

Quebec

Quebec has the Sûreté du Québec (SQ) as the provincial police and several municipal services:

• Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM) — Montreal
• Service de police de la Ville de Québec — Quebec City
• Sûreté du Québec (SQ) — Provincial police for rural areas and some municipalities
• Laval, Longueuil, Gatineau — Municipal police services

Saskatchewan

• Saskatoon Police Service — Saskatoon
• Regina Police Service — Regina
• RCMP F Division — Polices most of Saskatchewan outside major cities

Manitoba

• Winnipeg Police Service — Winnipeg
• Brandon Police Service — Brandon
• RCMP D Division — Most of rural Manitoba

Nova Scotia

• Halifax Regional Police — Halifax
• RCMP H Division — Most of Nova Scotia outside Halifax

New Brunswick, PEI, Newfoundland

• RCMP provides provincial policing throughout New Brunswick, PEI, and Newfoundland and Labrador
• Some municipalities have their own services (Saint John, Moncton, Fredericton, St. John's)

Police Record Check by City

Looking for a specific city? SafeHire has detailed guides for criminal record checks in every major Canadian city. Here are some of the most-searched locations:

Ontario:

Criminal Record Check Toronto | Criminal Record Check Ottawa | Criminal Record Check Mississauga | Criminal Record Check Brampton | Criminal Record Check Hamilton | Criminal Record Check London Ontario | Criminal Record Check Markham | Criminal Record Check Vaughan | Criminal Record Check Kitchener | Criminal Record Check Windsor | Criminal Record Check Barrie | Criminal Record Check Oshawa | Criminal Record Check Sudbury

Alberta:

Criminal Record Check Calgary | Criminal Record Check Edmonton | Criminal Record Check Red Deer | Criminal Record Check Lethbridge

British Columbia:

Criminal Record Check Vancouver | Criminal Record Check Surrey | Criminal Record Check Burnaby | Criminal Record Check Richmond | Criminal Record Check Kelowna | Criminal Record Check Abbotsford | Criminal Record Check Victoria

Quebec:

Criminal Record Check Montreal | Criminal Record Check Quebec City

Other Provinces:

Criminal Record Check Winnipeg | Criminal Record Check Saskatoon | Criminal Record Check Regina | Criminal Record Check Halifax | Criminal Record Check Moncton | Criminal Record Check St. John's

Processing Times by Province

Police station processing times vary significantly by location and season. Urban police services with high volumes typically have longer waits than rural RCMP detachments.

What to Bring If You Go In Person

If you do need to visit a police station for a check (particularly a vulnerable sector check), bring:

• Two pieces of government-issued ID (one must be photo ID — driver's licence or passport)
• Proof of address (utility bill, bank statement, or government document with your current address)
• Completed application form (check your local police service's website — many now require you to complete the form online before arriving)
• Payment (cash, debit, or credit card — check which forms are accepted, as this varies by service)
• If applying for a vulnerable sector check on behalf of an organization: a letter from the organization on official letterhead confirming you are a volunteer or employee

FAQ

Can I get a police record check without going to a police station?

Yes — for standard CPIC criminal record checks, you can use SafeHire online and receive results in 15 minutes. You only need to visit a police station for a vulnerable sector check or if your organization specifically requires a police-issued letter.

How much does it cost to get a police record check in Canada?

Online through SafeHire: $64.99 (standard CPIC check). Police stations charge $30–65 depending on the municipality. Vulnerable sector checks at police stations are typically $30–65 and require an in-person visit.

Do police stations require an appointment for criminal record checks?

Many Canadian police services now require online appointment booking before you visit for a criminal record check. Check your local service's website before making the trip. Some services have moved entirely to online check requests (results mailed or emailed) with no in-person visit required for standard checks.

Is the online check the same as the police station check?

Both access the RCMP's CPIC database — the national criminal records database. An online check from an accredited provider like SafeHire searches the same CPIC database as your local police station. A police station check may additionally include local non-CPIC records (such as peace bonds or non-conviction information) in some jurisdictions, but for most employment purposes the results are equivalent.

How long does a police record check take at a police station?

Processing times vary widely: Toronto Police typically takes 3–5 weeks; smaller municipal services and RCMP detachments may take 1–3 weeks. Vulnerable sector checks generally take longer (4–8 weeks) due to the additional search involved. Online checks from SafeHire take 15 minutes.

Can I get a police record check for free?

Some police services offer fee waivers for non-profit volunteers (in-person only, with organizational documentation). For paid employment, the standard fee applies. See: Free Background Check Canada — Is It Possible?.