Published on August 31, 2024

How to Get a Canadian Criminal Record Check for Use Overseas

Finger with digital fingerprint being taken

If you are accepting a job or moving overseas, you may require a criminal record check with apostille. In this article, we outline how to get a criminal record check for use overseas. Including, the different types of Canadian criminal record checks, and how to get an apostille.

What type of criminal record check do I need?

There are two different types of criminal record checks available to residents of Canada. The first type of criminal record check is a basic criminal record check. With a basic criminal record check the police will only use your name and date of birth to check their database to see if you have a criminal record. No fingerprints are needed for a basic criminal record check.

The second type is called a certified criminal record check. To obtain this type of criminal record check the RCMP will search their database using your fingerprints, your name, and date of birth. The certified criminal record check is issued by the RCMP Headquarters and is the most commonly accepted version.

The other terms frequently used in Canada include Background Check, Police Check, RCMP Check, and Police Clearance Certificate. Other countries sometimes use the terms Non-Criminal Record Check or Certificate of Good Conduct. But to be clear, in Canada there are only two forms of criminal record check – basic and certified.

How do I order a Canadian criminal record check?

Basic criminal record checks can be obtained online or from the local police service in your area. For RCMP certified criminal record checks you can apply directly through an accredited fingerprinting agency in Canada. If you are located outside of Canada and need to obtain a Canadian criminal record check, you will need to have your fingerprints taken and send them to a company in Canada who can submit them to the RCMP.

No matter where you are in the world, we can help you with ordering your basic criminal record check. If you are outside of Canada, we can help you with ordering your RCMP certified criminal record check. Contact us for assistance in obtaining either version of your criminal record check.

What else do I need to do to use my Canadian criminal record check in another country?

Before your Canadian criminal record check will be accepted in another country it will need to go through the document apostille process. This process is used to confirm the authenticity of a Canadian document in a way that makes it official in other apostille member countries.

You should note that there are some other names for the Canadian apostille process that you might hear, including and especially the terms “authentication and legalization” or “attestation”. If you have been told that you need to present a Canadian criminal record check that has been apostilled, authenticated, legalized, or attested, they all refer to a similar process.

How do I apostille or legalize my criminal record check?

The process of apostille or legalizing your Canadian criminal record check involves the following steps:

Step 1: Document preparation

The first step is to ensure your criminal record check is ready for processing. Depending on the type of criminal record check you have (basic or certified), and where you need to have it apostilled, you may be required to notarize the document first. You also may be required to prepare and submit supporting documents if your document requires legalization (Step 3).

Step 2: Apostille your documents

After you prepare your documents, they need to be submitted to the appropriate Canadian government office for apostille. A basic criminal record check will require notarization and then will be apostilled in the jurisdiction of where the Notary Public is located. An RCMP certified criminal record check can be apostilled directly with Global Affairs Canada without notarization.

Once the apostille office has determined that your criminal record check meets their requirements, they will place a certificate of apostille directly on your document, confirming it has been apostilled.

If your document is destined for another apostille member country, your document is now ready to use abroad.

Step 3: Legalizing your documents

If your document is destined for a non-apostille member country, the final step of the process is to submit your apostilled criminal record check to the embassy or consulate of the country where you will be going. Once the consular staff confirms that your criminal record check meets all their requirements they will proceed with the legalization. Your document is now ready to be submitted in a foreign country.

Where can I find more info on the apostille of a Canadian criminal record check?

Our website also has a wealth of information on the apostille and legalization process, and we have a page dedicated to criminal record checks.

The Global Affairs Canada website also outlines their requirements for the apostille process.

Can you help me to apostille my criminal record check?

Managing the apostille process for criminal record checks is our specialty. When you contact us for your free consultation we will discuss your situation and answer your questions. We will clearly explain your options and provide you with a detailed quote.