You’ve been told that you need to submit a Canadian criminal record check in a foreign country. And not only that, you’ve been told this document must be apostilled before submitting! If this is you, you probably have two important questions: 1) How do I obtain a criminal record check in Canada, and 2) What is an apostille, and how do I get one?
As one of the leading Canadian apostille (authentication and legalization) providers, International Documents Canada helps clients like you obtain and apostille criminal record checks for use overseas every day. Below you’ll find all you need to know to get your criminal record check ready to be used in another country.
What is an apostille and why do I need one on my criminal record check?
The apostille process is used to officially certify the authenticity of a Canadian document, so that this document will be accepted as legitimate in another country. Many countries will only accept a Canadian criminal record check if the document has first been apostilled. There are any numbers of reasons you might be asked to present a criminal record check in another country. A few of the most common are to teach or attend school abroad, for immigration purposes, or when applying for a job.
What does Canada call the apostille process?
The term ”apostille” is used widely around the world. However, Canada can’t actually issue an apostille. If you want to know why, our article on the Hague Apostille Convention explains this potentially confusing situation. Instead of the apostille process, Canada uses an equivalent process called document authentication and legalization. So if you’ve been told you need to get an apostille on a Canadian criminal record check, what you will actually be doing is getting this document authenticated and legalized.
Different names used for Criminal Record Checks
In Canada,. the official name is a Criminal Record Check or Certified Criminal Record Check. However, there are a number of other terms that are frequently used, including Background Check, Police Check, RCMP Check, and Police Clearance Certificate. In other countries, they may also be referred to as a Non-Criminal Record Check or Certificate of Good Conduct.
Ordering a Criminal Record Check
If you’ve been required to provide a criminal background check that has been apostilled (authenticated and legalized), you have a choice as to what type of criminal record check you obtain. In Canada, there are two types of criminal record checks. The first is a basic Criminal Record Check, where only your name and date of birth are used to identify you when the RCMP database is searched. No fingerprints are involved in obtaining a basic Criminal Record Check.
The second type is called a Certified Criminal Record Check, which uses your fingerprints as an identifier when searching the RCMP database. Certified Criminal Record Checks are considered more reliable because they use fingerprints as an identifier and this is the type of criminal record check most commonly required. Basic criminal record checks are obtained from your local police force. Certified criminal record checks are obtained by from the RCMP. If you are ordering an RCMP criminal record check, you will need to get your fingerprints taken by an accredited company, which will then be submitted to the RCMP’s headquarters in Ottawa.
If you live in another country and need to obtain a certified criminal record check, you will need to get your fingerprints taken by a company accredited by the RCMP. Contact us for more information on getting a Canadian criminal record check if you are outside Canada.
Having Your Police Check Authenticated by Global Affairs Canada
The Canadian apostille process, called document authentication and legalization, involves first authenticating your document at Global Affairs Canada, and then legalizing your document with the embassy or consulate of the country where you are presenting it. To have your criminal record check authenticated, it must be submitted to Global Affairs Canada in Ottawa. And remember, if you are submitting a criminal record check from a local police force, it will first have to be notarized before being submitted.
The staff at Global Affairs Canada will review your document. If all is in order, they will place a large red stamp directly on your document, confirming it has been authenticated.
Legalization at the Embassy or Consulate
Once your criminal record check has been processed and authenticated by Global Affairs Canada, it will then be sent to the embassy or consulate of the country where you will be presenting it. Each embassy and consulate sets its own unique requirements for the legalization process. It is critical that you know and understand what these are before submitting your documents.
This is where working with an experienced authentication and legalization service like International Documents Canada can make your life considerably easier. We monitor the changing requirements of over 200 embassies and consulates, to ensure your documents are prepared correctly before submitting. And since we authenticate and legalize many thousands of documents every year, we make sure you avoid the common pitfalls that frequently cause large delays and extra charges. Working with International Documents Canada will ensure that you avoid delays and everything is done properly, within your specific time frame.
Contact us for apostille services on your Canadian criminal record check!
At International Documents Canada we specialize in rapidly and accurately navigating the Canadian apostille (authentication and legalization) process for our clients. In addition to our apostille services, we offer a range of related services that are often needed by our clients, including notarial and translation services. Contact us today for your free consultation! We would be happy to answer any questions you have.
If you need any of the above or still have questions about the process, contact us online today or call 1 (888) 433-1011.
