To apply for a Record Suspension (formerly a pardon) across provincial lines, you do not need to travel back to the province of conviction. You can request your court documents and police checks remotely via mail or phone, and the standard Parole Board of Canada filing fee remains strictly $50 CAD.
Moving to a new province is often a fresh start, but an old criminal record can easily follow you across the country. 📍 Whether you currently live in Toronto, Calgary, or Vancouver, navigating the federal pardon system can feel overwhelming when your past convictions occurred in an entirely different Canadian jurisdiction. Getting a Record Suspension is a federal process managed by the Parole Board of Canada (PBC), meaning it applies nationwide regardless of where the offence took place.
Many applicants mistakenly believe they must physically return to the courthouse where they were sentenced to gather their documents. Fortunately, Canada’s legal and administrative systems allow you to handle inter-provincial court document requests and police checks entirely from your current home. This guide explains how to effectively manage this paperwork, deal with out-of-province agencies, and clear your name without unnecessary travelling.
Step-by-Step Process for Out-of-Province Record Suspensions in Canada
The process of applying for a pardon in Canada is standardized under the Criminal Records Act. 📄 However, when multiple provinces are involved, the document-gathering phase requires a bit more coordination. It is highly recommended to stay organized and keep track of all correspondence with out-of-province courts and police detachments. Generally, a local lawyer or legal professional can assist you if you find the bureaucracy too complex.
Step 1: Obtaining Your Criminal Record from the RCMP
Your first step is always to get a copy of your criminal record from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) headquarters in Ottawa. You must visit a local accredited fingerprinting agency or a police station in your current city. They will take your fingerprints digitally and submit them directly to the RCMP. In a few months, you will receive a document in the mail called a Certified Criminal Record. This document lists every summary conviction and indictable offence registered under your name across Canada.
Step 2: Requesting Court Information Remotely
Once you have your RCMP record, you must obtain a Court Information Form for every single conviction listed. 💬 If you live in Alberta but were convicted at the Superior Court of Justice in Ontario, you must contact that specific Ontario courthouse. Most Canadian courthouses allow you to request these documents by mail, phone, or through their provincial online portals. You will typically need to mail them a blank Court Information Form along with the required processing fee, which they will fill out and mail back to you.
Step 3: Completing Local Police Records Checks
The PBC requires a Local Police Records Check Form from the police service in the city or town where you currently reside. Furthermore, if you have lived in any other municipality within the last five years, you must also obtain a check from the police forces in those locations. For example, if you moved from Winnipeg to Halifax two years ago, you will need forms completed by both the Winnipeg Police Service and the Halifax Regional Police. These requests can usually be submitted online or via mail without requiring a physical visit.
Step 4: Assembling and Submitting the Application
After gathering your RCMP record, out-of-province court documents, and local police checks, you must complete the official Record Suspension Application Form. 📮 Ensure that all forms are filled out correctly and that you have included a photocopy of your valid government-issued ID. Once everything is assembled, you will mail the complete package, along with the application fee, to the Parole Board of Canada in Ottawa.
How Much Does it Cost in Canada?
While the federal application fee is uniform, the costs associated with gathering documents from different provinces can vary widely. Here is a general breakdown of what you can expect to pay in Canadian dollars (CAD):
| Expense Type | Estimated Cost (CAD) | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Parole Board of Canada Fee | $50.00 | Mandatory federal filing fee for the application. |
| RCMP Fingerprinting | $25 – $85 | Varies depending on the local accredited fingerprinting agency. |
| Out-of-Province Court Documents | $10 – $50 per court | Each provincial courthouse sets its own fee for printing records. |
| Local Police Checks | $30 – $80 each | Required for your current and previous municipalities of residence. |
| Lawyer / Legal Firm Fees | $800 – $2,000+ | Optional, if you hire a Canadian lawyer to manage the out-of-province logistics. |
How Long Does the Process Take?
Timelines can be slightly longer when dealing with out-of-province requests due to mailing times and varying provincial processing speeds. 🕙 Generally, gathering your documents can take anywhere from 3 to 6 months. Getting your Certified Criminal Record from the RCMP alone can take up to 120 days. Courthouses may take 2 to 8 weeks to process and return your Court Information Forms by mail.
Once the Parole Board of Canada receives your completed application, their processing times are strictly defined by law. For an offence processed by summary conviction, the PBC typically takes up to 6 months to render a decision. For an indictable offence, the standard processing time is up to 12 months. It is critical to ensure your application is perfect; a single missing out-of-province document can result in your file being returned, significantly delaying the process.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can a court refuse to mail my documents to another province?
Generally, no. Canadian courts regularly handle out-of-province requests for Record Suspensions. However, they may require you to provide specific identification or pay the fee via a certified cheque or money order before they release the records by mail.
Do I need to hire a lawyer in the province where I was convicted?
No, you do not need a lawyer in the province of conviction. If you choose to hire legal representation, a local law firm in your current province can usually handle all nationwide document requests on your behalf.
What if the out-of-province police station no longer has my records?
If an older police detachment has purged their local files, they will simply check off the box indicating no local records were found and stamp the Local Police Records Check form. This is common and perfectly acceptable to the Parole Board of Canada.
Does moving to a different province reset my waiting period?
No. Your eligibility waiting period (5 years for a summary conviction or 10 years for an indictable offence) begins the day you complete your entire sentence, including paying all fines. Moving between provinces has no impact on this federal timeline.
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