To successfully apply for a Record Suspension in Canada, you must disclose every single alias listed on your CPIC record to the Parole Board of Canada. Failing to include a known alias can leave parts of your record exposed, and the federal processing fee for the application is currently $50 CAD.
Applying for a federal Record Suspension, historically referred to as a Canadian Pardon, is a transformative step toward clearing your name and securing better employment opportunities. However, the process becomes significantly more complex if you have multiple aliases associated with your identity. An alias can be anything from a maiden name and a nickname to a simple spelling mistake made by a police officer during an arrest. 🔍
If your Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) file contains aliases, it is your responsibility to ensure that each one is properly addressed. The Parole Board of Canada (PBC) relies entirely on the accuracy of your application. If a known alias is omitted, your granted Record Suspension might not cover offences linked to that specific name, leaving your criminal record partially visible to employers during background checks. We strongly recommend consulting a qualified lawyer or law firm if your criminal history spans multiple provinces or complex identities.
Step-by-Step Process in Canada
Whether you reside in Toronto, Vancouver, or Montreal, federal law dictates how criminal records are sealed under the Criminal Records Act. Because the RCMP manages the Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC) database centrally, the fundamental steps for handling aliases remain consistent nationwide.
Step 1: Obtaining Your Fingerprints and CPIC Report
The very first step is to obtain your official criminal record from the RCMP. You must visit an accredited fingerprinting agency in your local community. These agencies capture your fingerprints digitally and submit them directly to the RCMP in Ottawa. Within a few weeks, you will receive your CPIC report, which will clearly list any convictions, absolute or conditional discharges, and every alias the police have on file for you. 📄
Step 2: Cross-Referencing Your Aliases
Once you have your CPIC report in hand, carefully examine the section detailing your personal information. You must cross-reference every name listed against your own memory and records. If the police recorded your name as “John Doe” but also “Jon Doe” and “Johnny Doe,” every single variation is considered a distinct alias in the eyes of the law. You must list all of these on your Record Suspension Application Form.
Step 3: Gathering Local Police Records and Court Documents
For every jurisdiction where you have lived for the past five years, and for every location where you were convicted of an offence, you must obtain a Local Police Records Check and Court Informations (Certificates of Conviction). When requesting these documents from the local courthouse or police detachment, you must ensure they search their local databases using your primary legal name as well as all aliases identified on your CPIC report.
Step 4: Submitting the Application to the Parole Board of Canada
After compiling all court documents and local police checks, you must carefully fill out the official Record Suspension Application. Ensure that the “Aliases” section of the form is meticulously completed. Once finalized, the application package, along with the mandatory federal fee, is submitted to the Parole Board of Canada for review. Most applicants choose to have a law firm review their package before submission to avoid costly delays.
How Much Does it Cost in Canada?
Clearing a criminal record involves several distinct costs, which can vary slightly depending on your municipality, but the federal fees are standardized. 💰
- Parole Board of Canada Fee: The official government filing fee is $50 CAD.
- RCMP Fingerprinting: Typically ranges from $50 to $100 CAD, depending on the private agency you use.
- Local Police Records Checks: Usually costs between $30 and $70 CAD per jurisdiction.
- Court Documents: Retrieving Certificates of Conviction generally costs $15 to $30 CAD per document.
- Lawyer Fees: If you hire a legal professional to navigate complex alias issues, expect to pay between $1,000 and $2,500 CAD for full representation.
| Service | Average Cost (CAD) | Payable To |
|---|---|---|
| PBC Application Fee | $50 | Receiver General for Canada |
| Fingerprinting | $50 – $100 | Accredited Agency |
| Local Police Check | $30 – $70 | Local Police Department |
How Long Does the Process Take?
The timeline for securing a Record Suspension depends heavily on the nature of your past offences and how quickly you can gather documents for all your aliases. 🕑
- Document Gathering: Collecting RCMP reports, court documents, and local police checks across multiple aliases can take 3 to 6 months.
- Summary Conviction Processing: Once accepted, the Parole Board of Canada takes up to 6 months to process an application for a summary conviction.
- Indictable Offence Processing: For an indictable offence, the Board may take up to 12 months to reach a decision.
- Mandatory Wait Periods: Remember, you cannot even apply until you have completed all sentences and waited 5 years for a summary conviction or 10 years for an indictable offence.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What exactly qualifies as an alias on a CPIC record?
An alias is any variation of your name known to the justice system. This includes maiden names, adopted names, shortened nicknames (like “Mike” for “Michael”), or even typographical errors made by law enforcement during booking procedures.
What happens if I forget to list an alias on my application?
If you fail to disclose a known alias, the Parole Board may return your application as incomplete, or worse, they may grant the Record Suspension only for the name provided. This means convictions under the forgotten alias will remain fully visible on your criminal record.
Do I need separate local police checks for each alias?
Generally, you use one Local Police Records Check form per police jurisdiction, but you must list every single alias on that specific form. The local police department will then run searches for all the provided names simultaneously.
Can I fix a misspelled name on my CPIC record before applying?
It is exceptionally difficult to alter historical police records. Instead of trying to correct the spelling with the RCMP, the standard legal procedure is to simply list the misspelling as an official alias on your Record Suspension application.
Will having multiple aliases delay my Pardon?
Having multiple aliases does not necessarily delay the Parole Board’s processing time once the application is submitted. However, it will undoubtedly add time to your personal preparation phase, as courthouses and police stations must conduct broader searches.
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