Applying for a record suspension (formerly a pardon) in Edmonton involves a mandatory $50 CAD application fee paid to the Parole Board of Canada. If you choose to hire a local law firm to handle the complex paperwork, expect to pay between $750 and $2,000 CAD in legal fees.
A past criminal conviction can haunt you for years, making it incredibly difficult to secure housing, travel abroad, or find meaningful employment in Edmonton. The good news is that Canada offers a legal pathway to seal your criminal record from public databases. This process, formally known as a Record Suspension (historically called a pardon), allows you to move forward with a clean slate.
While the actual government fee for a record suspension is quite low, the application process is notoriously strict and bureaucratic. Missing a single document or filling out a form incorrectly can result in your application being rejected by the Parole Board of Canada (PBC). Because of this, many Edmonton residents choose to hire a law firm to navigate the intricate legal requirements on their behalf.
Step-by-Step Process for a Record Suspension in Alberta
Applying for a record suspension is not a quick task. It requires gathering highly specific documents from multiple local and federal agencies. A lawyer will generally handle the following steps for you to ensure total accuracy.
Step 1: Obtaining Your Criminal Record and Fingerprints
The first step is retrieving your official criminal record from the RCMP in Ottawa. To do this, you must have your fingerprints taken electronically. 🖐 You can get this done at the Edmonton Police Service (EPS) headquarters or through an RCMP-accredited private fingerprinting agency in the city. The results are usually mailed back within a few weeks.
Step 2: Requesting Court Information
Once your RCMP record arrives, you must obtain official Court Information forms for every single conviction listed. If you were convicted in Edmonton, your lawyer will contact the Edmonton Law Courts to request these certified documents. This step proves to the Parole Board that all your fines, restitution orders, and victim surcharges were paid in full.
Step 3: Securing Local Police Records Checks
You must prove that you have been living a crime-free life in your community. Your legal representative will send a Local Police Records Check form to the Edmonton Police Service, as well as to the police department of any other city you have lived in during the past five years. EPS will run a check to ensure you have no outstanding warrants or recent police interactions.
Step 4: Submitting the Application to the PBC
After compiling the fingerprints, court documents, police checks, a copy of your ID, and a detailed measurable benefit statement detailing why you deserve the pardon, the complete package is mailed to the Parole Board of Canada. The application must include the official government fee.
How Much Does a Record Suspension Cost in Edmonton?
The total cost depends on whether you do the paperwork yourself or hire a professional to ensure it is done correctly. Here is a breakdown of the standard fees in CAD:
- Parole Board of Canada Fee: The mandatory federal processing fee is exactly $50.00 CAD. (Note: This fee was significantly reduced in 2022 from over $650).
- Lawyer / Paralegal Fees: Hiring an Edmonton criminal defence firm or specialized pardon agency generally costs between $750 and $2,000 CAD.
- Fingerprinting Fees: Getting your digital fingerprints taken by an accredited agency typically costs around $65 to $85.
- Local Police Checks: The Edmonton Police Service charges an administrative fee for running a local records check, usually around $70 to $80.
- Court Document Fees: The Edmonton Law Courts may charge a small fee for printing and certifying your old court records.
How Long Does the Process Take?
Patience is mandatory when applying for a record suspension. First, you must complete your entire sentence (including paying all fines and finishing probation). Then, you must complete a mandatory waiting period: 5 years for a summary conviction and 10 years for an indictable offence. ⏱ Once the PBC receives your completed application, they take up to 6 months to process summary offences and up to 12 months for indictable offences.
Record Suspension Cost Breakdown
| Expense Type | Estimated Cost (CAD) | Is it Mandatory? |
|---|---|---|
| Parole Board Processing Fee | $50.00 | Yes, paid directly to the Receiver General for Canada. |
| Fingerprints & Police Checks | $135.00 – $165.00 | Yes, required to obtain your official RCMP and local records. |
| Professional Legal Fees | $750.00 – $2,000.00 | No, but highly recommended to avoid rejection due to paperwork errors. |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do I absolutely need a lawyer to get a record suspension?
No, you are legally allowed to fill out the application and gather the documents yourself. However, the forms are complex and easily rejected for minor errors. Hiring a lawyer ensures the application is perfect on the first try, saving you months of delays.
Can a lawyer make the Parole Board of Canada process my application faster?
No. No law firm or pardon agency can speed up the federal government’s processing timelines. The PBC strictly follows its own service standards. A lawyer only speeds up the time it takes to gather your documents and submit the initial application.
What happens if I still owe a court fine from 10 years ago?
Your mandatory waiting period (5 or 10 years) does not even begin until your sentence is completely finished. If you left a $100 victim surcharge unpaid a decade ago, your waiting period will only start on the day you finally pay it off at the Edmonton Law Courts.
Will a record suspension allow me to cross the US border?
Not necessarily. The United States does not recognize Canadian record suspensions. If US Customs and Border Protection already has your criminal record in their system, you will still need to apply for a US Entry Waiver, which is a completely separate legal process.
Leave a Reply