Where to go

This information is for people applying for a criminal record check using fingerprints.

Inside Canada

Local police service

Visit your local police service to take your fingerprints and to process your application for a certified criminal record check or a vulnerable sector check. Some police services may direct you to an accredited fingerprint company.

Note

If you require a vulnerable sector check, you must go to your local police service.

Accredited fingerprinting companies

Visit a fingerprinting company accredited by the RCMP to process your application for a certified criminal record check.

Note

Accredited fingerprinting companies do not provide vulnerable sector checks.

Outside Canada

You can submit an application for a certified criminal record check from outside of Canada. First you have to get your fingerprints taken and then you have to submit your application through an accredited fingerprint company.

Step 1: Contact an authorized agency to get a paper copy of your fingerprints

Contact an authorized agency in the country in which you are situated and request a paper copy of your fingerprints.
Examples of authorized agencies:

• police services
• embassies / consulates of foreign governments (for example not Canadian government embassies/consulates) government departments
• notaries of the public
• foreign private fingerprinting company that is subject to a memorandum of understanding with an accredited Canadian private fingerprinting company
• foreign private fingerprinting company that is subject to a memorandum of understanding with a local police service or government department

Make sure the paper copy of your fingerprints has:

• prints of all ten fingers taken in black ink
• name and address of the authorized agency that you visited
• signature and name of the official who took your fingerprints

Step 2: Contact an accredited fingerprint company in Canada to complete the application process

Contact an accredited company within Canada to convert your paper fingerprint form to a digital format. The accredited company will submit your application to Canadian Criminal Real Time Identification Services ( CCRTIS ) electronically.

Note

Do not mail these fingerprints or your application directly to the RCMP 's CCRTIS as it will not be accepted.