How Much Does It Cost to Apply for a Record Suspension in Calgary?

Having a past criminal conviction can create significant barriers in your life, affecting your ability to secure employment, find housing, or volunteer in your community. 🔒 Fortunately, the Canadian justice system allows individuals who have completed their sentences and demonstrated good behaviour to apply for a record suspension (formerly known as a pardon). A record suspension keeps your criminal record separate from public databases, meaning it will no longer appear on a standard Police Information Check in Calgary.

While the process of clearing your name is empowering, it involves navigating federal bureaucracy and paying various administrative fees. It is important to note that you are not required to hire an expensive law firm to complete this application; you can do it yourself by carefully following the guidelines set by the Parole Board of Canada (PBC). Understanding the exact costs involved at both the local Alberta level and the federal level will help you budget effectively for this important step forward.

Step-by-Step Process for a Record Suspension in Calgary

Applying for a record suspension requires gathering official documents from multiple agencies. 📍 The process must be completed in a specific order, starting with local Calgary institutions before your file is sent to Ottawa.

Step 1: Obtaining Fingerprints from the Calgary Police Service

The first mandatory step is getting a certified criminal record check from the RCMP. To do this, you must have your fingerprints taken locally. You can visit a certified third-party fingerprinting agency in Calgary or go directly to a Calgary Police Service (CPS) district office. You must inform them that the fingerprints are specifically for a “Record Suspension Application.” The RCMP will process these fingerprints and mail you an official copy of your criminal record, which serves as the foundation for your application.

Step 2: Requesting Court Documents

Once you receive your RCMP record, you must obtain court documents for every single conviction listed. 🏦 If your convictions occurred in Calgary, you must visit the criminal clerk’s office at the Calgary Courts Centre. You will need to request a “Court Information Form” that details the specific offence, the date of conviction, the sentence, and proof that all fines, restitution, and victim surcharges have been paid in full.

Step 3: Getting Local Police Records

Next, you must obtain a Local Police Records Check from every police service in whose jurisdiction you have lived for the past five years. If you have lived exclusively in Calgary, you will submit this form to the Calgary Police Service. They will check their local databases to ensure you have not been involved in any recent incidents that did not result in formal charges but might affect your good conduct assessment.

Step 4: Submitting to the Parole Board of Canada

After compiling the RCMP record, Alberta court documents, local police checks, and a copy of your identification, you will complete the official PBC application forms. 📤 You must mail the complete package along with the federal processing fee directly to the Parole Board of Canada in Ottawa for their final review and decision.

How Much Does it Cost in Total?

The costs for a record suspension are spread across several different agencies. 💰 While the federal fee has been significantly reduced in recent years, the local administrative costs add up. Here is a breakdown of the typical expenses you will face in Calgary:

• Parole Board of Canada Application Fee: The official federal processing fee is exactly $50.00 CAD.
• Fingerprinting Services: Third-party accredited agencies or the Calgary Police Service generally charge between $50 and $85 CAD for digital fingerprinting, plus an RCMP processing fee of $25 CAD.
• Alberta Court Documents: Obtaining certified court records from the Calgary Courts Centre typically costs between $20 and $40 CAD, depending on the number of pages.
• Local Police Records Check: The Calgary Police Service charges an administrative fee for completing the local records check form, which is usually around $65 CAD.

How Long Does the Process Take?

Patience is required when applying for a record suspension. ⏰ First, you must wait until your mandatory waiting period has expired (typically 5 years for a summary conviction and 10 years for an indictable offence, starting after your entire sentence is completed). Gathering the required documents in Calgary usually takes 2 to 4 months. Once the Parole Board of Canada accepts your application, they generally take up to 6 months to process applications for summary convictions and up to 12 months for cases involving an indictable offence.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Author: lawyerinfo.ca