RCMP criminal record checks are one of the most requested documents for foreign visas and residency applications. Whether you are relocating for work, study, or retirement, understanding the requirements of the process is essential for the success of your application for residency.
This article explores the RCMP criminal record check application process and the importance of obtaining an apostille on your documents.
What are the different types of Canadian criminal record checks?
Before you proceed to order your criminal record check, you will need to determine what type of criminal record check is required for your situation. This can depend on where you are going, the type of residency application.
There are two distinct types of Canadian criminal record checks available, as outlined below. However, the most requested version is the RCMP certified criminal record check (with fingerprints). We have outlined the differences between these types of criminal record checks below.
- Name-based Criminal Record Check:
This type of criminal record check is a name-based criminal record check. This is issued by a local police department or by an online service. Your name and date of birth are cross-referenced with the RCMP database to see if there is a match. This type of criminal record check will not include your fingerprints.
If you are in Canada at the time of your application for your name-based criminal record check, you can apply through a local police department, through an online service, or use an accredited fingerprinting agency approved by the RCMP.
If you are located outside of Canada at the time of your application for a criminal record check, you can apply through an online service.
- RCMP Certified Criminal Record Check (with fingerprints):
This type of criminal record check is called an RCMP certified criminal record Check. The RCMP certified criminal record check will include your name and date of birth. However, this record check will include your fingerprints, which are also run through the RCMP database.
If you are in Canada at the time of your application for a criminal record check, you can apply through a local police department near you or use an accredited fingerprinting agency approved by the RCMP.
If you are located outside of Canada at the time of your application for a criminal record check, you can apply through an accredited fingerprinting agency approved by the RCMP.
How can you apply for an RCMP certified criminal record check?
We can certainly assist you with your RCMP certified criminal record check application. We have partnered with an accredited fingerprinting agency in Canada, allowing us to provide you with a more streamlined process.
We will set up your RCMP certified criminal record check application with our partner agency and send you the required forms. All you need to do is complete the forms and send in your fingerprints (if applicable). When the RCMP certified criminal record check is issued, it will come directly to our office so we can obtain the apostille.
What is an apostille?
In most situations when you are using a Canadian criminal record check outside of Canada, it will require an apostille. An apostille is a type of document certification that confirms the authenticity of a document, so that the document will be officially recognized in other apostille signatory countries. Any country that has signed the Hague Apostille Convention, including Canada, will issue apostille certificates and in turn, recognize apostille certificates issued by other countries.
If the country where you are headed is not a signatory to the Hague Apostille Convention, your documents will require an additional step called “document legalization”. This last step of document legalization is done at the embassy or consulate of the destination country. You can find more about document legalization from the helpful resources on our website – see our Canadian document legalization page.
How to prepare your criminal record check for apostille?
If we are managing the apostille of your criminal record check, we will also take care of any preparation requirements. However, if you are managing it yourself, you should be aware of these important steps.
A name-based criminal record check will require notarization by a Canadian Notary Public before it can be apostilled. Once notarized, it will need to be apostilled by the office that holds jurisdiction over where the Notary Public is located.
An RCMP certified criminal record check (with fingerprints) can be apostilled directly without any notarization by the federal apostille office, called Global Affairs Canada.
Who can apostille your Canadian criminal record check?
We can look after the apostille of your RCMP certified criminal record check, plus any other Canadian documents you require. The apostilles are issued in Canada by the appropriate government office. These government apostille offices function on a jurisdictional basis, as outlined below.
- Global Affairs Canada is responsible for issuing apostilles for Canadian documents issued by certain federal government offices, such as the RCMP and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, and documents originating from, or notarized in, the provinces of Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, the Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, Prince Edward Island, and Yukon.
- Government offices in the provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, Saskatchewan, and Quebec are responsible for issuing apostilles for documents that originate from, or are notarized in, their jurisdictions.
Ready to get started or still looking for more information?
Whether you are looking for more information, or you would like assistance with obtaining your RCMP certified criminal record check, we can help. Supporting our clients to navigate the ins and outs of the process has been our business for over a decade. We would welcome the opportunity to speak with you about your documents and answer your questions.
Call us toll free at 1-888-433-1011 or send us your questions through our quick Contact Us form. Our friendly staff will get back to you right away!
