Canadians - question on the police checks

[pro_star 52]

Okay so, I'm curious. How far back did you have to go for your criminal check?

I'm asking cause in trying to eliminate as much red tape as possible, I may request this one in advance. But....depending on how far back I need to go, I'll need to bug different jurisdictions/branches.

If you're not Canadian and feel like answering, please do so just let us all know where you're from - the info could be useful to another fiancé

You all are awesome!

[katchoo12 8]

The criminal check go back as far as it can, meaning if you did something back at 18 it would be there even if it is 20 years ago...

[katchoo12 8]

Usually criminal offence are registered in your file starting at 18, sometimes before 18 year old if it was very serious. You just have to go to the commissionnaires, they will do all the research at once on the canadian level) so no need to travel to different police station in the country. FYI, I did my criminal check about 3 week before my interview at the consulate. I hope it helped !

[pro_star 52]

Ah okay thanks just wasn't sure how long it would take - and the whole waiting bit is making me antsy! Figured I'd get something done in the meantime!

Good to know about the commissionaires, here I was thinking I'd have to contact RCMP, Calgary police and opp.

[hikergirl 277]

The Commissionaires are generally cheaper and faster than a lot of the local police.

Not all - but definitely cheaper and faster than the Lethbridge Police.

We are lucky in Canada because of CPIC - the national database.

Other countries have to get police clearances from each province they’ve lived in because of not having centralized checks.

[pro_star 52]

Oh fair enough thanks all