Get your police information check for Calgary online — no appointment, no trip to the station. Results in 15 minutes or less. Employers also call this a criminal record check.
Average processing time
CPIC database search
No in-person visits
No need to visit a police station or wait in line. Complete your criminal record check from anywhere in Calgary. Most checks are processed in 15 minutes or less during business hours.
Your personal information is protected with bank-level encryption. All data is stored in secure Canadian data centers and handled in full compliance with federal and provincial privacy laws.
Bridgewater Police Service searches the Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC) database to provide accurate and comprehensive results. Same quality as in-person checks from local police services.
Our criminal record checks are accepted by employers, landlords, volunteer organizations, and licensing bodies across Alberta and all of Canada.
Click "Start Your Check Now" and fill out your personal information. Takes about 3 minutes. You'll need a valid government-issued ID.
Pay with your credit card through our secure payment system. Add rush service for $10 to skip the queue during busy periods.
Bridgewater Police Service searches the CPIC database on your behalf. Our system works 24/7 to deliver fast results.
Your criminal record check arrives in your email inbox. Most Calgary residents receive results within 15 minutes during business hours.
Many Calgary employers require background checks for new hires, especially in healthcare, education, finance, and security sectors.
Schools, sports organizations, and non-profits in Calgary often require criminal record checks for volunteers working with vulnerable populations.
Landlords in Calgary may request a criminal record check as part of the rental application process.
Many professional licensing bodies in Alberta require criminal record checks for certification and renewal.
Immigration applications usually need an RCMP-certified check based on fingerprints, taken by an accredited fingerprinting company in Calgary. An online name-based check like ours does not meet that requirement.
Many Calgary residents order checks for their own peace of mind or to maintain personal records.
Both options search the RCMP CPIC database. The difference is time, cost, and convenience.
| Comparison | SafeHire (Online) | Calgary Police Service (In Person) |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | $64.99 | $75 ($25 for volunteers with a letter) |
| Processing Time | 15 minutes | Not published — processed in date order |
| Availability | 24/7, any device | Online application, or in person |
| Appointment Required | No | Only for fingerprinting, if required |
| Physical Visit | No — fully online | Only if fingerprints are needed — Westwinds Campus, 5111 47 St NE |
| Database | RCMP CPIC | RCMP CPIC + CPS local records |
| Result Format | Digital PDF by email | Official letter (in person pickup or mail) |
| Accepted by Employers | Yes — most Calgary employers | Yes |
Calgary Police doesn't publish a processing time — applications are handled in date order.
SafeHire delivers your Calgary criminal record check in 15 minutes — accepted by most Calgary employers, 24/7, no appointment needed.
Calgary's diverse economy means background checks are required across virtually every major sector. Here's what you need to know by industry.
Calgary is the energy capital of Canada, and the oil and gas sector is by far the city's largest employer. Major companies including Suncor Energy, Canadian Natural Resources (CNRL), TC Energy, Enbridge, and Imperial Oil conduct background checks for both field operations and corporate office positions. The Canadian Association of Oilwell Drilling Contractors (CAODC) recommends pre-employment screening as an industry best practice. Many upstream operators require criminal record checks for contractor badge access at facilities and plant sites.
Alberta Health Services (AHS) is the largest single employer in the Calgary zone, employing tens of thousands of clinical and non-clinical staff across hospitals, continuing care facilities, and community health centres. AHS requires criminal record checks for all staff, and checks must be renewed periodically. The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA) and the College and Association of Registered Nurses of Alberta (CARNA) both require criminal record checks as part of professional registration in Calgary and across Alberta.
The Calgary Board of Education (CBE) — Canada's third-largest public school board — and the Calgary Catholic School District (CCSD) require criminal record checks and vulnerable sector screening for all staff, substitutes, and regular volunteers. The Alberta Teachers' Association (ATA) requires members to hold a certificate of qualification and comply with the Teaching Profession Act, which includes disclosure of any criminal matters. Checks are typically renewed every three years.
Calgary's construction sector — driven by ongoing residential, commercial, and infrastructure development — requires background checks for roles involving access to residential properties, commercial buildings, or work with vulnerable populations. General contractors often mandate checks for subcontractors and trades workers with unsupervised site access. Roles in elder-care construction projects or school builds may require the enhanced vulnerable sector check.
Several major financial institutions have significant operations in Calgary, including ATB Financial (headquartered in Calgary), along with branches and offices of the major banks. Wealth management firms, insurance brokerages, and mortgage companies operating under Alberta's Insurance Act and the Real Estate Act require background checks as part of licensing through the Alberta Securities Commission (ASC) and other provincial regulators. ARTA Financial, a large Alberta-based financial services organization, also conducts checks for staff and representatives.
All major gig economy platforms operating in Calgary require police information checks for drivers. Uber, Lyft, DoorDash, and Skip The Dishes each mandate criminal record checks as part of the driver onboarding process. These platforms typically require the check to be less than 90 days old and will specify whether a third-party provider like SafeHire is acceptable. Most Calgary gig workers find that SafeHire's instant online check is the most convenient solution.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) requires Canadian police certificates for many permanent residence applications. This includes the Express Entry program, Provincial Nominee Programs, and family sponsorship applications. For Canadian-based applicants, this requires an RCMP-certified check using fingerprints. SafeHire's standard criminal record check is used for employment, not immigration purposes. For immigration applications, an RCMP certified check through an accredited fingerprint agency is required.
Calgary's charitable sector relies heavily on vetted volunteers. Major organizations including the Calgary Drop-In Centre, Calgary Food Bank, Boys & Girls Clubs of Calgary, Volunteer Calgary, and the Calgary Humane Society require criminal record checks for volunteer positions. Organizations working with children, youth, or vulnerable adults typically require the full vulnerable sector check. SafeHire's online check meets the requirements for most standard volunteering roles in the city.
Hiring multiple people in Calgary? SafeHire offers bulk ordering solutions for Calgary businesses of all sizes.
Order criminal record checks for multiple Calgary employees at once through a single dashboard. Each applicant receives a secure link to complete their own application — no need to collect sensitive personal information yourself.
Track all employee checks from one employer portal. Get notifications when checks are complete, download results, and maintain audit trails for compliance purposes — ideal for Calgary's regulated industries.
For high-volume Calgary employers, our API allows background checks to be triggered directly from your ATS or HR platform. Ideal for staffing agencies, construction contractors, and technology companies with continuous hiring needs.
Answers to the most common Calgary-specific questions about criminal record and police information checks.
A police information check (PIC) is typically used for domestic employment and volunteering purposes. It is requested by an employer or organization and shows criminal convictions from the RCMP CPIC database. A police clearance letter is a separate document issued by the Calgary Police Service, often required for immigration applications or international purposes, and follows a different process through the RCMP.
Yes. SafeHire's criminal record check searches the same RCMP CPIC database as the Calgary Police Service and is accepted by the vast majority of Calgary employers for standard employment screening purposes. If a vulnerable sector check is required (for positions working with children or vulnerable persons), that must be obtained through Calgary Police Service in person.
Most Calgary employers — including those in oil and gas, healthcare, construction, financial services, and technology — accept online criminal record checks from accredited providers like SafeHire. The results are delivered as a digital PDF that can be shared directly with your employer. Some federally regulated employers or positions requiring government security clearances may have specific requirements.
For Canadian immigration (IRCC) purposes, you typically require an RCMP-certified criminal record check, which requires fingerprints. This is different from a standard police information check. You'll need to have your fingerprints taken by an accredited agency in Calgary, then submit them to the RCMP. SafeHire's standard check is used for employment purposes and is not the RCMP certified check required for immigration.
No. A vulnerable sector check has to go through the Calgary Police Service, and it searches an additional database for pardoned sexual offences. Fingerprints are not always required: Calgary Police says a match on date of birth and gender alone triggers the need for fingerprinting, and those prints are taken by appointment at the Westwinds Campus (5111 47 Street NE). It is required for positions of trust or authority over children, the elderly, or people with disabilities.
For more information about criminal record checks across Alberta, visit the Alberta provincial page. Checks are also available in Edmonton, Red Deer, and Lethbridge. For a general guide, see our article: How to Get a Criminal Record Check in Canada.
"CPIC check" is one of the most common terms Calgary residents search for. Here is what it means and how to get one.
CPIC stands for Canadian Police Information Centre — the RCMP's national database of criminal records, outstanding warrants, and judicial orders. When you hear "CPIC check," "police information check," "criminal record check," or "background check" in Calgary, they all refer to a search of this same national database.
Both SafeHire's online check and the Calgary Police Service check search the CPIC database. The difference is speed and certainty — SafeHire delivers results in 15 minutes, while Calgary Police does not publish a processing time and says applications are processed in date order and will not be expedited.
For a complete guide on what the CPIC database contains and how it works, read our article: CPIC Check Canada — What It Is and How to Get One.
Results in 15 minutes · Same CPIC database as Calgary Police Service
Calgary residents get their check from the Calgary Police Service, which calls it a Police Information Check and charges $75 for employment and $25 for volunteers who bring a letter from their organization. Calgary Police does not publish a processing time and says applications are handled in date order. Fingerprinting, when a vulnerable sector search needs it, is done only at the Westwinds Campus at 5111 47 Street N.E., by appointment on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Walk-ins are not accepted.
| Comparison | SafeHire (online) | Calgary Police Service |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | $64.99 | $75 if required for employment, adoption, immigration or other purposes, and $25 for volunteers and unpaid practicums with a letter from the organization. Applicants applying from outside Alberta pay $80, as do record suspension (pardon) applications. |
| Turnaround | Most results in 15 minutes | Not published. Calgary Police says applications are processed in date order, that it is currently experiencing high volumes, and that applications will not be processed immediately or expedited. For a vulnerable sector search that needs fingerprints, it estimates approximately two weeks if the fingerprints are not matched to a criminal file, and in excess of 120 days if they are matched or need manual verification. |
| How to apply | Online, 24/7, from any device | Online through the Calgary Police Service PIC online application, or in person at a Calgary Police Service location. Online payment is by AMEX, Visa, MasterCard or Interac/Debit; in person also accepts cash. |
| Who can apply | Anyone living in Canada | Applicants whose identification shows an address outside Calgary must also provide proof of residency. Applications from outside Alberta are accepted at the higher $80 fee. |
| ID | Government photo ID, verified with your phone camera | Two pieces of original government-issued identification, one of which must be photo ID. Accepted photo ID includes a driver's licence, provincial photo ID, passport, permanent resident card, firearms licence and Nexus card. Accepted non-photo ID includes a provincial health care card, birth certificate, marriage certificate, immigration papers, citizenship card and citizenship certificate. |
| Vulnerable sector check | Not available — see below | Offered for positions of trust or authority over vulnerable people, including children, the elderly and people with disabilities. Fingerprints are not always needed: Calgary Police says a match on date of birth and gender alone triggers the need for fingerprinting. Prints are taken at the Westwinds Campus, 5111 47 Street N.E., by appointment on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, and walk-ins are not accepted. Fingerprinting costs $25 and is free for volunteers who provide a volunteer letter from the organization on official letterhead giving their name and specific duties. |
| Result | PDF emailed to you | Results are issued on a Calgary Police Service certificate letter and are available in the applicant's online account for 90 days from completion. Calgary Police says it does not disclose results to a third party and that information is disclosed to the applicant only. |
Calgary Police Service details from Calgary Police Service — Police Information Checks: cost and payment and Calgary Police Service — Vulnerable Sector Searches and Calgary Police Service — Police Information Check online application and Calgary Police Service — Police Information Checks, checked September 2026. Fees and times change — confirm with the police service before you apply there.
Ask whoever requested the check which type they need before you order. The difference matters: an online check is a standard criminal record check, and some roles in Alberta require a vulnerable sector check that only the police can do.
SafeHire can’t issue a vulnerable sector check, and neither can any other online provider. It has to come from Calgary Police Service. Here is what they require.
Offered for positions of trust or authority over vulnerable people, including children, the elderly and people with disabilities. Fingerprints are not always needed: Calgary Police says a match on date of birth and gender alone triggers the need for fingerprinting. Prints are taken at the Westwinds Campus, 5111 47 Street N.E., by appointment on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, and walk-ins are not accepted. Fingerprinting costs $25 and is free for volunteers who provide a volunteer letter from the organization on official letterhead giving their name and specific duties.
From Calgary Police Service, checked September 2026. Confirm before you apply.
Not sure which one you need? Compare a vulnerable sector check with a standard criminal record check.
The Calgary Police Service charges $75 if the check is required for employment, adoption, immigration or other purposes, and $25 for volunteers and unpaid practicums who provide a letter from their organization. Applicants applying from outside Alberta pay $80.
Calgary Police does not publish a processing time. It says applications are processed in date order, that it is currently experiencing high volumes, and that applications will not be processed immediately or expedited.
Only sometimes. Calgary Police says a match on date of birth and gender alone triggers the need for fingerprinting, so most applicants are not fingerprinted. When prints are required they are taken at the Westwinds Campus by appointment on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, cost $25, and are free for volunteers who bring a volunteer letter.
Yes. Calgary Police offers a PIC online application, with payment by AMEX, Visa, MasterCard or Interac/Debit, and results are available in your account for 90 days. A vulnerable sector search that needs fingerprints still has to be completed in person at the Westwinds Campus.
Most criminal record checks for Calgary residents are completed within 15 minutes during business hours. Some checks may take up to 24 hours depending on database availability. Rush service is available for priority processing.
Standard criminal record checks are priced competitively. Rush service is available for an additional $10. We offer transparent pricing with no hidden fees. See our pricing page for current rates.
No. Our standard criminal record checks cannot be used for vulnerable sector screening. Vulnerable sector checks require fingerprinting and must be done in person through local police services.
Yes. Our criminal record checks are conducted by Bridgewater Police Service using the CPIC database and are accepted by employers, landlords, and organizations across Calgary, Alberta, and all of Canada.
The check shows any convictions without pardons as of the search date. It does not include juvenile records, pardoned convictions, absolute or conditional discharges, or outstanding charges that haven't resulted in conviction.
Calgary employers across various industries require background checks. Find requirements specific to your field.
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