Getting an RCMP Criminal Record Check in Canada?

[John013]

As a foreign national visiting Canada. If i get my fingerprints taken at a local police station can they also send them to the RCMP for a certified criminal records check or do i have to use one of the accredited companies listed on the RCMP website? And can i have the results returned to my wife in Canada instead of my own address abroad?

 

[starnaenae]

You have to use those listed on the website. Not sure how they determine where theyre sent

 

[James_NZ1]

I've used this company twice. good service and the guy Mike is very helpful.

https://www.pacificfingerprintservice.ca/about

You have to get your finger prints done yourself and post them to the company and then they digitize your fingerprints for the RCMP. Then the RCMP send the certificate back to the company and Mike will then forward them to you or family in Canada. Within Canada post is about 10 days to overseas countries the postal service is provided by Mike at your cost but usually 5 to 7 days postage.

Remember you have to send the original certificate from RCMP to CIC not a copy.

All up including international postage it was about $200

 

[evdm]

As a foreign national visiting Canada. If i get my fingerprints taken at a local police station can they also send them to the RCMP for a certified criminal records check or do i have to use one of the accredited companies listed on the RCMP website? And can i have the results returned to my wife in Canada instead of my own address abroad?

I used Fingerscan.ca (Worldwide Forensic Services inc. affiliated with ClearNeed listed on RCMP site) on a visit to Canada and the RCMP certificate was mailed to my Husband's address.

If you're in Toronto, I found this the easiest way to go, because Toronto Police do not offer fingerprinting (that I could find) for the RCMP.

Your best bet is to use one of the listed agencies from the RCMP website but keep in mind that though that list seems pretty limited, there are many affiliate companies that operate under these agencies so you should be able to find one close to you.

 

[John013]

I used Fingerscan.ca (Worldwide Forensic Services inc. affiliated with ClearNeed listed on RCMP site) on a visit to Canada and the RCMP certificate was mailed to my Husband's address.

If you're in Toronto, I found this the easiest way to go, because Toronto Police do not offer fingerprinting (that I could find) for the RCMP.

Your best bet is to use one of the listed agencies from the RCMP website but keep in mind that though that list seems pretty limited, there are many affiliate companies that operate under these agencies so you should be able to find one close to you.

York Region Police offers fingerprinting so i thought if i do it with them maybe they can forward the prints to the RCMP, but info seems to be scarce. How much will the whole process be through Fingerscan? Will they also take the neccesary passport photo? And what is with the 2 pieces of ID that i read about here and there?

 

[evdm]

It cost me less than $50 total I believe, and that was including an extra printout of my fingerprints on the RCMP form in case I need to submit again at a later date while I'm back in the Netherlands. So far, it hasn't been necessary.

The $25 RCMP fee is waived for immigration applications.

The office will take your photo and submit it digitally to RCMP. When you get the clearance letter back it will have a printout of this photo and include copies of your fingerprints on the certificate.

For two pieces of ID I used my Passport and Driver's License, but I have an Ontario License. I don't know what they would have done with my Dutch driver's license, but I believe it would be accepted to be able to verify signature. Alternatively if you have an ID card, show this.

It was a very easy and straightforward process, even though the office did look a little dodgy and was in Scarborough, so a little out of the way for me.

There are various companies and offices around the GTA that offer these services.

I believe I got mine back in under 2 weeks, but I can't remember.

 

[John013]

It cost me less than $50 total I believe, and that was including an extra printout of my fingerprints on the RCMP form in case I need to submit again at a later date while I'm back in the Netherlands. So far, it hasn't been necessary.

The $25 RCMP fee is waived for immigration applications.

The office will take your photo and submit it digitally to RCMP. When you get the clearance letter back it will have a printout of this photo and include copies of your fingerprints on the certificate.

For two pieces of ID I used my Passport and Driver's License, but I have an Ontario License. I don't know what they would have done with my Dutch driver's license, but I believe it would be accepted to be able to verify signature. Alternatively if you have an ID card, show this.

It was a very easy and straightforward process, even though the office did look a little dodgy and was in Scarborough, so a little out of the way for me.

There are various companies and offices around the GTA that offer these services.

I believe I got mine back in under 2 weeks, but I can't remember.

Do they give you a confirmation that you applied for the RCMP check? I have no ID other than my Dutch passport so i dont know what else i could give them. I have a Ontario Photo ID card but its expired. I would apply for a new one but im not sure if they give me a new one right away or if it takes a couple of weeks.

 

[evdm]

Do they give you a confirmation that you applied for the RCMP check? I have no ID other than my Dutch passport so i dont know what else i could give them. I have a Ontario Photo ID card but its expired. I would apply for a new one but im not sure if they give me a new one right away or if it takes a couple of weeks.

I've checked my papers and I can't find that, but I'm sure I could have gotten a receipt and some form of confirmation.

You can always call the office and ask. They were a bit curt with me over the phone, but they did answer the questions I had.
I'm not 100% sure about ID requirements, also probably best asked over the phone.

I'd advise you to get a Netherlands ID card anyway, just because it's also proof of your Netherlands citizenship. If you ever were to become Canadian, you cannot let your Dutch passport or ID card expire a the risk of losing Dutch nationality. Loss of Dutch citizenship happens automatically for dual citizens unless you've been issued a Passport or ID card in the previous 10 years. Normally the Netherlands doesn't allow dual citizenship which is why loss is automatic, but if you're married to a person of the other citizenship, then you can keep it as long as you don't let documents expire.

If you become a dual citizen, having the ID card gives you extra security in case you forget to renew your Dutch passport and it expires. If you still have a valid ID card then you wouldn't have lost Dutch citizenship. My plan is to renew my passport in year 0, and my ID card in year 5, so there's always an overlap of a few years as both are valid for 10 years now. Previously ID cards could only be issued if you had your main residence in the Netherlands, but now Embassies abroad can issue them as well.

Of course, your spouse, if they aren't already, can become Dutch after living together with you for 3 years, as long as you're not living in Canada when you apply. In that case, there's even less risk of losing Dutch citizenship. Your spouse would also not have to give up Canadian citizenship to become Dutch.

 

[John013]

I've checked my papers and I can't find that, but I'm sure I could have gotten a receipt and some form of confirmation.

You can always call the office and ask. They were a bit curt with me over the phone, but they did answer the questions I had.
I'm not 100% sure about ID requirements, also probably best asked over the phone.

I'd advise you to get a Netherlands ID card anyway, just because it's also proof of your Netherlands citizenship. If you ever were to become Canadian, you cannot let your Dutch passport or ID card expire a the risk of losing Dutch nationality. Loss of Dutch citizenship happens automatically for dual citizens unless you've been issued a Passport or ID card in the previous 10 years. Normally the Netherlands doesn't allow dual citizenship which is why loss is automatic, but if you're married to a person of the other citizenship, then you can keep it as long as you don't let documents expire.

If you become a dual citizen, having the ID card gives you extra security in case you forget to renew your Dutch passport and it expires. If you still have a valid ID card then you wouldn't have lost Dutch citizenship. My plan is to renew my passport in year 0, and my ID card in year 5, so there's always an overlap of a few years as both are valid for 10 years now. Previously ID cards could only be issued if you had your main residence in the Netherlands, but now Embassies abroad can issue them as well.

Of course, your spouse, if they aren't already, can become Dutch after living together with you for 3 years, as long as you're not living in Canada when you apply. In that case, there's even less risk of losing Dutch citizenship. Your spouse would also not have to give up Canadian citizenship to become Dutch.

I contacted Fingerscan and they told me a Dutch photo id card would be acceptable as well so im going to apply for one tomorrow. I havent really thought much about dual citizenship and have been more occupied by getting this sponsorship process over with, but i will give it some more thought in the near future. Anyway i will be back in Canada in 2 weeks so i can see how this whole rcmp check thing works out. I plan to use Fingerscan as per your recommendation, Scarborough isnt that far out of my way anyway. Thanks you for all the insights.

 

[evdm]

You're welcome!

I'm heading to Canada again in 3 weeks. Good luck with everything.