Phone toll-free at 1-888-433-1011

Criminal record check authentication may be required if the purpose of the criminal record check is to be used in a foreign country.

There are two types of criminal record checks in Canada. There is a basic Criminal Record Check or Police Clearance Letter where only your name and date of birth are searched in the National Repository of Criminal Records maintained by the RCMP. The other type of criminal record check is a RCMP Certified Criminal Record Check.

What is a Certified Criminal Record Check?

In addition to the basic Criminal Record Check or Police Clearance Letter where only your name and date of birth are searched, you may also be asked to include your fingerprints.

To get a RCMP Certified Criminal Record Check while you are in Canada, you must personally attend a local police station to have your fingerprints taken, or use a fingerprinting service in Canada if you do not live near a police station that can assist you.

To get a RCMP Certified Criminal Record Check from outside of Canada, you must have your fingerprints taken and then use an accredited Canadian company that specializes in this process and can digitize your fingerprints. They will submit the application to the RCMP to get your Certified Criminal Record Check.

Does a Criminal Record Check require Notarization?

A criminal record check that is issued at a local police detachment must be notarized before going through the authentication and legalization process.

However, a Certified Criminal Record Check with fingerprints that is issued by the RCMP headquarters in Ottawa does not require notarization.

What steps are required for the authentication of a Criminal Record Check?

Global Affairs Canada in Ottawa will authenticate a Certified Criminal Record Check issued by the RCMP headquarters or a notarized local criminal record check.  Once your document has been authenticated by Global Affairs Canada (JLAC office), it can then be submitted to the relevant diplomatic mission for legalization.

Does IDC provide Criminal Record Check Authentication?

You may have the Certified Criminal Record Check sent directly to us from the RCMP. Once it has been issued, we can handle the authentication at Global Affairs Canada. If needed, we can also provide legalization at an Embassy or Consulate of the destination country.

We will personally handle each step of the process on your behalf and can save you several weeks of processing time.

Contact our friendly staff to find out more about how we can help you with this process. Call us toll free at 1-888-433-1011, or complete a Request Info form.

Click for the BBB Business Review of this Legal Information Services in Ottawa ON

IDC is proud to have been recognized by the Better Business Bureau with a Torch Award for Market Place Trust