Police certificates
Purpose
To determine if the applicant or their family members has a criminal record or poses a security risk to Canada
Document requirements
The PCs must have been issued in the three months prior to the submission of the e-APR.
The PCs are required upfront and mandatory for each country (except Canada) where an individual has lived for six or more months in a row.
In some circumstances, CIC must ask for the PC on behalf of the applicant. In some circumstances (e.g., New Zealand), a client must complete a consent form to initiate a PC. There are specific documents required of the applicant for such requests and they must be submitted as part of the complete application.
In exceptional circumstances, CIC may accept:
proof of having requested a PC for such countries; or
a letter of explanation of best efforts (not a guarantee of acceptance).
Individuals who must submit this documentation
The principal applicant
Their spouse or common-law partner
Their dependent children 18 years of age or older, including non-accompanying
