Fastest way to get Canadian police clearance certificate?

[darth vader 133]

I wonder which is the fastest way to get a Canadian police clearance certificate? I have seen folks use some online services and wonder if going to the RCMP station near me is an option?

[Going through 5,671]

1 hour ago, darth vader said:

I wonder which is the fastest way to get a Canadian police clearance certificate? I have seen folks use some online services and wonder if going to the RCMP station near me is an option?

If you're inside Canada, you can get the fingerprints done at any local police station, and then they submit it to the RCMP's Canadian Criminal Real Time Identification Services (CCRTIS).

 

If you live right near a local RCMP detachment, perhaps call them and ask if you can do the fingerprinting with them directly?

Edited July 23, 2018 by Going through

[ITMFA 241]

Yikes now I'm confused because I read that we don't need the fingerprint-base police check in Canada! I'm pretty sure that you just need a name-based check through the CPIC database (run by the RCMP) so that's the one that I got. It took 3 days to process. I'd love to follow-up on this, though, since my K-1 application is still at NVC and I have plenty of time to get the other certificate if I've got the wrong one...

[ITMFA 241]

POLICE CERTIFICATES: Please obtain police certificates from the police authorities of each country where you have resided for 6 months or more since attaining the age of 16. A police certificate must also be obtained from the police authorities of any place where you have been arrested for any reason, regardless of the length of residence. Residents of Canada may obtain a certificate of no conviction issued by any Canadian police service so long as it notes that Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC) or the national criminal records repository was searched using your name and date of birth. You should ensure that the search includes all names you have previously used, including maiden names, prior married names, or names used before Canadian naturalization. If a namecheck by a police agency reveals a conviction record, that agency may refer you to the RCMP for a "Certified Criminal Record Check", which lists your criminal history, indicating the section of the Canadian Criminal Code under which you were charged, the disposition of the case, and the penalty imposed (if any). Obtaining a Certified Criminal Records Check requires submission of fingerprints. For obtaining police certificates from around the world, please visithttp://www.travel.state.gov/visa/fees/fees_3272.html .

** It is NOT necessary to obtain police certificates from the United States.

Edited July 23, 2018 by ITMFA

[ITMFA 241]

I got mine from a BC police service called the Commissionaires which uses the CPIC database. I don't have a criminal record so didn't need the fingerprint version - see the paragraph above.

[Ontarkie 14,267]

Fingerprints are only needed if you ever have been arrested or charged. Even if pardon, expunged or discharged. 

 

If you don't need fingerprints then the local police station. Some can have it back to you within the hour others maybe a week. 

 

If you need to get the RCMP fingerprints done then there is no way to speed that up. I think they list 6-8 weeks, sometimes they list 6 months. It is not fast at all doing prints, but if you need it them you need it. 

[darth vader 133]

So, I found Commisionaires website that does police checks. I wonder if folks know about them? Here is a screenshot from their website:

 

It says that you will receive your results by email. That wouldn't be acceptable by DOS would it? I wonder if there is some canuck who has successfully used Commisionaires and how did it work for them?

[darth vader 133]

Inviting @NikLR and @nightingalejules to share their opinion on Commisionaires vs RCMP for getting the background check. Which one is faster? Is Commisionaires' background check accepted by DOS?

[darth vader 133]

5 hours ago, ITMFA said:

Yikes now I'm confused because I read that we don't need the fingerprint-base police check in Canada! I'm pretty sure that you just need a name-based check through the CPIC database (run by the RCMP) so that's the one that I got. It took 3 days to process. I'd love to follow-up on this, though, since my K-1 application is still at NVC and I have plenty of time to get the other certificate if I've got the wrong one...

Can you please share where did you get the background check from? Commisionaires or RCMP office? I went to local RCMP office today and I was told that they only accept online background check requests. The local RCMP website says they are processing background check requests from July 04. So if I get a background check through local RCMP it might take 20 days!

Edited July 23, 2018 by darth vader

[ITMFA 241]

2 minutes ago, darth vader said:

Can you please share where did you get the background check from? Commisionaires or RCMP office? I went to local RCMP office today and I was told that they only accept online background check requests. The local RCMP website says they are processing background check requests from July 04. So if I get a background check through local RCMP it might take 20 days!

I got it at the Commissionaires because my local police station only does vulnerable sector record checks. I paid $50 and it was ready in 2 days for me to pick up. I don't have a criminal record and therefore didn't need the fingerprint version.

[darth vader 133]

5 minutes ago, ITMFA said:

I got it at the Commissionaires because my local police station only does vulnerable sector record checks. I paid $50 and it was ready in 2 days for me to pick up. I don't have a criminal record and therefore didn't need the fingerprint version.

Does the report look original or more like a print out? I am curious if you know people here who have successfully used background report from Commissionaires?

Edited July 23, 2018 by darth vader

[acidrain 325]

It depends on which city you are trying to get it done. I lived in Kelowna, BC which is a mid sized city. But they were able to do it in 3 hours and I picked it up the same day. But I've seen other people try to get a check done from other cities and it can take several weeks. What you describe is very normal.

 

The important thing is that your name is run through the federal database. Mine was embossed or had some sort of seal so it could not be replicated.

[NikLR 13,227]

In 2012 I had mine done at the rcmp (no city or provincial police) and I was done in 20 mins for a name check.  

[ITMFA 241]

1 hour ago, darth vader said:

Does the report look original or more like a print out? I am curious if you know people here who have successfully used background report from Commissionaires?

It looks like this! Definitely looks official. Printed on yellow paper and has an embossed seal thing. Not sure why the certificate is issued by a police station on the opposite side of the country but that's just who does this Commissionaires' checks I guess. 

[Vicki Corpse 27]

I went to the local police station(YRP) and requested one. It was $65 dollars but I was given it within minutes. The longest part of it was filing out the forum yourself.