Steps to obtain a certified Criminal Record or a Vulnerable Sector (VS) check

Steps

1. Have your fingerprints taken
2. Fill in your application
3. Make sure your application is complete
4. Submit your application
5. Verify the status of your application (optional)
6. Electronic submission of fingerprints

Step 1: Have your fingerprints taken

To obtain a certified Criminal Record check you must submit a full set of all 10 fingerprints.

To have your fingerprints taken, you can go to your local police service or an accredited company. Police services might offer to take your fingerprints entirely electronically or with ink and scan them to forward to the RCMP electronically. For a vulnerable sector check, you must go to your local police service because they also need to check local police records.

If you are outside of Canada:

Submitting electronic fingerprints to the RCMP is not currently available outside of Canada. However, you can contact accredited companies within Canada who will digitize ink fingerprints taken overseas and submit them electronically to the RCMP.

Your submission must contain:

• rolled and flat impressions of all ten fingers taken with black ink
• your full name, date of birth and sex
• the name and address of the police agency
• the signature of the official taking the fingerprints

Step 2: Fill in your application (paper submission) or provide the following information to the person taking your fingerprints (electronic submission)

1. Clearly state the reason for your certified criminal record check:
   • Adoptions - Canadian and International
   • Foreign travel - Visas, U.S. Waivers, Border Crossing
   • Employment (specify the job title and the name of the business/organization not using abbreviations) - federal, provincial, municipal governments; private industry; Canadian police agencies
   • Volunteer work (specify the job title and the name of the organization)
   • Applications for immigration to Canada ^{Footnote *}
   • Applications for Canadian Citizenship
   • Applications to obtain criminal record to apply for a Record suspension
   • Name change
   • Permanent residency in foreign countries (all countries except Canada)

   Note:

   If you apply for a Vulnerable Sector (VS) check, you must provide the name of your employer, the title of the position and the description of how the position deals with vulnerable persons.

2. Provide the following personal information:
   • your full name
   • your date of birth
   • your sex
   • your mailing address
   • your phone number

Step 3: Make sure your application is complete

Verify the information recorded by the person taking your fingerprints and ensure that it is accurate.
Your application must contain the following:

• your full name
• your date of birth
• your sex
• your mailing address
• your phone number, fax number or email address
• the reason for your application
• the processing fees (if applicable)
• the third party consent letter (if applicable)

Step 4: Submit your application

Most police services can now submit your fingerprints electronically; however, it is recommended to confirm with them as the services they offer can vary.

If the police service does not offer electronic submission options, they might direct you to the nearest police service offering it or an accredited agency.

Step 5: Verify the status of your application (optional)

Criminal Record and Vulnerable Sector (VS) checks are completed in the order received. The RCMP cannot make any exceptions as it will negatively impact individuals currently awaiting results.

To enquire about the status of your application, it is important to wait until after the processing time has passed.

If your application has taken longer than the times indicated and you require an update on the status of your application, please email CCRTIS-SCICTR@rcmp-grc.gc.ca providing only the following information:

• Your full name
• Your date of birth
• The type of application you submitted – (Vulnerable Sector check or Criminal Record check)
• The date your application was submitted to the RCMP
• A phone number where you can be reached on weekdays
• The document control number (DCN) if it is available

Step 6: Electronic submission of fingerprints

• RCMP-Accredited companies for electronic fingerprint submission

Date modified:

2014-11-14