Same RCMP CPIC database search as your local police station — delivered by email in 15 minutes, 24/7. No appointment, no wait.
A police information check (PIC) is a search of the RCMP's Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC) database — Canada's national database of criminal records, outstanding warrants, and judicial orders. It is also known by different names across Canada:
Regardless of what your employer calls it, the core search is the same: a name-based query of the RCMP CPIC database for criminal convictions, outstanding warrants, and judicial orders. SafeHire's online check performs this exact search through Bridgewater Police Service and delivers results directly to your email.
"Police information check" and "criminal record check" are functionally identical when done online — the CPIC database search is the same. Only the vulnerable sector check is meaningfully different.
| Feature | Police Information CheckSafeHire provides | Criminal Record CheckSafeHire provides | Vulnerable Sector Check |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it searches | RCMP CPIC database | RCMP CPIC database | CPIC + pardoned sex offence registry |
| Available online | Yes — via SafeHire | Yes — via SafeHire | No — fingerprints required at local police |
| Turnaround time | 15 minutes | 15 minutes | 2–8 weeks |
| Cost | $64.99 | $64.99 | $25–$65 (varies by police service) |
| Required for | Most employment, volunteering, licensing | Same as PIC | Working with children, elderly, or vulnerable persons |
| Accepted by employers | Yes | Yes | Required for designated positions only |
Important: Vulnerable Sector Check Cannot Be Done Online
If your employer requires a vulnerable sector check, it must be obtained in person through your local police service. This check requires fingerprinting and searches an additional database for pardoned sexual offences. SafeHire provides criminal record checks and police information checks — not vulnerable sector checks.
Get your check online in 15 minutes instead of waiting weeks at your local police station.
Skip the line at Calgary Police Service's Westwinds Campus
Faster alternative to Toronto Police Service at 40 College St
No appointment needed at VPD
Available 24/7, no visit to EPS required
Instant results vs. 5–10 day wait at Ottawa Police
Online alternative to Winnipeg Police Service
Accepted by Montreal employers across sectors
Skip the RCMP Surrey Detachment wait
Online instead of in-person at Peel Regional Police
Available 24/7 for Hamilton residents
Faster than Peel Regional Police
Skip the wait at London Police Service
Online check for Waterloo Region residents
York Regional Police alternative
York Regional Police alternative
Online results in 15 minutes
Online alternative to Kingston Police
Skip Guelph Police Service wait times
Online for Windsor area residents
Durham Regional Police alternative
Available 24/7 across Nova Scotia
Online instead of VicPD
Online for Okanagan residents
Available in every Canadian city and town. Results in 15 minutes anywhere in Canada.
Province-specific information about requirements, regulatory bodies, and processing times.
Police information checks are required across virtually every sector in Canada.
Most Canadian employers require a police information check as part of the onboarding process. This applies across industries from retail and hospitality to financial services and technology.
Many regulated industries require staff to renew their police information check annually or every 1–3 years, including healthcare, childcare, and education.
Sports coaches, mentors, church group leaders, and volunteers at charities and non-profits across Canada require police information checks. Positions with vulnerable populations typically need the enhanced vulnerable sector check.
Landlords may request a police information check as part of the rental application process in Canada. Some rental platforms also facilitate background check requests.
IRCC may require a Canadian police certificate as part of permanent residence applications. Note: For immigration purposes, an RCMP-certified fingerprint-based check is required — different from a standard police information check.
Real estate agents (RECO, BCREA), security guards (PSISA, Security Services Act), insurance brokers, healthcare professionals, and teachers all require police information checks for provincial licensing.
Both domestic and international adoption processes require police information checks for all adults in the household. Provincial child welfare agencies use these as part of the home study.
Uber, Lyft, DoorDash, Skip The Dishes, and Instacart all require police information checks for Canadian drivers before platform activation. Most accept online checks from accredited providers.
Four steps. Fifteen minutes. No office visit required.
Complete the secure application form with your name, date of birth, and address. Takes 3–5 minutes.
Securely verify your identity through our digital ID verification process. No in-person visit required.
Pay $64.99 by credit or debit card. Your payment is SSL-encrypted and PCI compliant.
Get your police information check results by email in as little as 15 minutes. Share the PDF with your employer.
Results in 15 minutes · Accepted by employers across Canada
A police information check (PIC) is a search of the RCMP's Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC) database for criminal convictions, outstanding warrants, and judicial orders. It's the standard background check used for employment and volunteering across Canada. The terminology varies by province — it may be called a criminal record check, police record check, or police clearance certificate — but the core CPIC database search is the same.
Yes, functionally. Both search the RCMP CPIC database for criminal convictions, outstanding warrants, and judicial orders. "Police information check" is the preferred terminology in Alberta and some other provinces, while "criminal record check" is more common in Ontario and BC. SafeHire's online check is accepted under both names by employers across Canada.
SafeHire's online police information check costs $64.99 (standard) or $74.99 (rush). In-person checks at local police stations range from $25–$85 depending on the city and service. RCMP-certified fingerprint checks cost $25 (RCMP fee) plus the fingerprinting agency fee. SafeHire provides the fastest option at a competitive price.
SafeHire delivers results in as little as 15 minutes for applicants with clear records. Checks that require manual review typically take 3–5 business days. By comparison, in-person checks at local police stations take 1–8 weeks depending on the city. Online is consistently the fastest method.
The majority of Canadian employers, staffing agencies, volunteer organizations, and licensing bodies accept online police information checks from accredited providers like SafeHire. This includes employers in healthcare, education, construction, oil and gas, financial services, retail, technology, and more. Some federally regulated positions or government security clearances may have specific requirements — check with your employer if unsure.
A standard police information check is sufficient for most employment and volunteering purposes. A vulnerable sector check (VSC) is required when you will have unsupervised access to children, the elderly, or persons with disabilities — such as teachers, childcare workers, healthcare staff, and coaches. The VSC additionally searches a database of pardoned sexual offences and requires fingerprinting. The organization requesting the check will specify which type is needed.
No. A police information check can only be requested by the individual named on the check, or by an authorized party with the individual's written consent. You cannot run a background check on another person without their knowledge and consent. Employers typically send applicants a secure link to complete their own application.
There is no official expiration date, but most Canadian employers and organizations accept checks completed within the past 3–6 months. Some have policies requiring checks dated within 90 days. SafeHire results are clearly timestamped with the date of completion.
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Also available: Compare options · Business accounts · Vulnerable sector checks