Before spending money on a Record Suspension (pardon) application in Canada, you must run a certified CPIC criminal record check on yourself. This requires submitting digital fingerprints to the RCMP through an accredited agency. By auditing your own file first, you can verify exactly what charges are on your record and ensure your 5 or 10-year waiting period is truly over before paying the non-refundable $50 CAD Parole Board fee.
Applying for a federal Record Suspension is a tedious and highly bureaucratic process. Many Canadians make the critical mistake of rushing into the application without fully understanding what is actually written on their federal criminal record. The Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC) is the central database managed by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). It houses every single criminal conviction, absolute discharge, and peace bond across the country. If you attempt to apply for a pardon based simply on your memory of an arrest from a decade ago, you are almost guaranteed to face application delays or outright rejections.
A simple name-based background check is completely useless for a Record Suspension application. You absolutely must obtain a Certified Criminal Record Check based on your physical fingerprints. Whether you live in Montreal, Winnipeg, or a rural community in Nova Scotia, securing this document is Step 1 of the official Parole Board of Canada (PBC) guidelines. Running this check allows you and your law firm to perform a vital “audit” of your past, ensuring you know exactly whether you are dealing with summary convictions or indictable offences, which completely dictates your legal waiting period.
Step-by-Step Process for a Certified CPIC Check
Obtaining your certified record is straightforward but requires you to use the correct federal channels. Here is how you do it securely.
Step 1: Locate an Accredited Fingerprinting Agency
You cannot go to Service Canada to get fingerprints for a pardon. You must visit a private fingerprinting agency that is officially accredited by the RCMP, or in some smaller towns, your local police detachment. Ensure you specifically tell the technician that the “Reason for Application” is a Record Suspension. This specific coding ensures the RCMP prints the correct format required by the Parole Board.
Step 2: Submit Digital Fingerprints
At the agency, you will need to present two pieces of valid government-issued ID (such as a Canadian passport and a provincial driver’s licence). The technician will use an electronic scanner to capture your fingerprints and instantly transmit them via a secure portal to the RCMP headquarters in Ottawa. Ink-and-roll fingerprints are rarely used today unless you reside outside of Canada.
Step 3: Wait for the RCMP Printout
Once the RCMP processes your fingerprints, they will mail a physical, certified document directly to your home address or to your lawyer’s office. If you have a criminal record, this document will list every single charge, the date of conviction, the court location, and the specific sentence (fines, probation, or jail time). This piece of paper is the foundational document for your entire pardon application.
Step 4: Audit the File with a Lawyer
Before proceeding, sit down with a local Canadian law firm or pardon specialist to audit the CPIC printout. You need to verify that all sentences are completed and calculate the exact date your mandatory waiting period ends. If the printout shows a $500 fine that you forgot to pay back in 2015, you must immediately contact the court to pay it, as your waiting period cannot start until the balance is zero.
How Much Does it Cost in Canada?
Securing your CPIC check is the first financial step in clearing your name. Expected costs in CAD include:
- RCMP Federal Processing Fee: The federal government charges exactly $25 CAD to process the fingerprints.
- Agency Service Fee: The private fingerprinting agency will charge a service fee, usually ranging from $25 to $60 CAD.
- Parole Board Fee: Once you audit your record and submit the final pardon package, the PBC fee is $50 CAD.
- Law Firm Consultation: Having a lawyer review your CPIC check to calculate your eligibility dates often costs between $150 and $300 CAD for an initial consultation.
How Long Does the Process Take?
The timeline for receiving your CPIC check depends entirely on what is in the database. If your record is completely clean (e.g., if a previous pardon is already active or charges were withdrawn), the RCMP mails the result in about 3 to 5 business days. However, because you are applying for a Record Suspension, you obviously have a record. In cases where a record exists, manual verification by RCMP staff is required, which can take up to 120 days to arrive in your mailbox.
Name-Based Check vs. Certified Fingerprint Check
| Feature | Standard Name-Based Check | Certified Fingerprint CPIC Check |
|---|---|---|
| Accepted by Parole Board? | No. Completely invalid for pardons. | Yes. It is a mandatory requirement. |
| What is Searched? | Name and Date of Birth only. | Biometric fingerprint matching. |
| Risk of False Positives | High (if you have a common name). | Zero. Biometrics are unique to you. |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do absolute and conditional discharges show up?
Yes, but they are purged automatically. An absolute discharge is removed from CPIC after 1 year, and a conditional discharge after 3 years. If they are still showing on your record after this time, you do not need a pardon; you just need to request the RCMP to purge the file.
What if a conviction is missing from the CPIC printout?
It is very common for old convictions to be missing from the federal system. However, you are legally required to disclose all convictions to the Parole Board. You must obtain a “Proof of Conviction” directly from the local courthouse where you were sentenced to include in your application.
Can I use a background check from my employer?
No. Even if your employer recently ran a vulnerable sector check or a police background check on you, the Parole Board requires a very specific, freshly dated Certified Criminal Record Check coded explicitly for a Record Suspension.
Does my CPIC check expire?
Yes. For the purposes of a Record Suspension application, your RCMP CPIC check must be dated within 12 months of the day you submit your final application to the Parole Board of Canada. If it is older, you must get fingerprinted again.
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