The following is a list of the many questions we receive regarding services accessible by public. Click on a question to jump to the answer.
Q. What if I live out of town and am unable to attend your office in person with this Pardon form?
A. Out of Town - Obtaining a Pardon
Q. How do I go about obtaining a Pardon?
A. Obtaining a Pardon
Q. What if I live out of the country and need something that proves I have no criminal record in Canada?
A. You may obtain a copy of your Canadian criminal record (if any) by reporting to your local police department and requesting to have your fingerprints taken.
- Have the person taking your prints certify in writing on the fingerprint form that the prints belong to you.
- Ensure your date of birth, height, weight, eyes and hair colours are indicated on the form.
- Also, please indicate the reason for the fingerprints (i.e. visa application, police clearance, immigration, employment, etc.).
- You should be prepared to present proper identification to the police, and pay any fees that might be charged for this service.
The fingerprint form should then be forwarded by mail to:
Commissioner
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
P.O. Box 8885
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
K1G 3M8
Attn: Civil Section
- Include a short note with the form stating that you require a police clearance based on fingerprints for the reason as indicated on the fingerprint form.
- You must also clearly state the address to which the R.C.M.P. are to mail the documentation.
- Also include a CERTIFIED CHEQUE or MONEY ORDER in the amount of twenty-six dollars and seventy-five cents ($26.75) in Canadian funds payable to 'THE RECEIVER GENERAL OF CANADA'. The R.C.M.P. will not process the request unless the fee is included. DO NOT SEND CASH.
The R.C.M.P. will forward the results of the fingerprint check directly to you at the address you provide. The documentation will indicate whether or not you have any criminal convictions recorded against you in the 'National Repository for Criminal Records' in Ottawa. If no convictions are recorded the document will serve as your police clearance. If any convictions are recorded, the documents will state what they are and the corresponding disposition.
This procedure is necessary, as positive identification MUST be made of a person applying for a copy of their record or a police clearance certificate. The R.C.M.P. will not release this information even to a person's legal counsel without fingerprint evidence. The R.C.M.P. advise that an applicant usually received his/her documentation with six (6) weeks, although on average the period is much shorter.
Q. What if I need reports for court purposes (criminal or civil)?
A. You can make a request through Freedom of Information, or alternatively, subpoena the 'Records Disclosure Clerk or Designate' to bring them to court. It will be at the discretion of the presiding Judge or Justice whether or not the reports are relevant to the case and should be released.
Q. What if I don't have sufficient identification?
A. For the purposes of obtaining a police clearance, your alternative is to submit your fingerprints to the R.C.M.P., who will either issue a certificate stating you have no record, or provide a copy of the record if one exists. There are additional fees for this service, and the R.C.M.P. usually process these within three to six weeks of receipt.
Q. Do you provide fingerprinting services for Immigration, Visa and other civil requests?
A. Fingerprinting for civil purposes' is available from Monday to Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. There is a $40.00 fee for this service.