To get a Record Suspension in Canada, you must obtain a “Court Information” document from the specific Nova Scotia courthouse where your case was heard. The processing fee is generally between $10 and $25 CAD per document, and you must prove that all fines and sentences are fully completed.
Applying for a Record Suspension (formerly known as a pardon) is a life-changing step toward clearing your criminal record in Canada. If you live on the East Coast and your offences occurred in cities like Halifax, Dartmouth, or Sydney, you must interact with the Nova Scotia court system. The Parole Board of Canada (PBC) requires absolute proof of exactly what happened in the courtroom, how you were sentenced, and whether you paid your fines.
This proof comes in the form of a “Court Information” or a Certificate of Conviction. 📄 You cannot simply print a criminal record check and send it to the federal government. The PBC needs the official, stamped documents directly from the Provincial Court of Nova Scotia or the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia that handled your specific trial or guilty plea.
Gathering these documents can feel overwhelming, but it is a straightforward administrative process. Whether you were charged with a minor summary conviction or a more serious indictable offence, following the correct procedure ensures your federal application is not rejected for missing information.
Step-by-Step Process in Nova Scotia
Do not start calling courthouses randomly. You must approach this systematically to save time and money. Here is the general process for requesting your court documents in Nova Scotia.
Step 1: Get Your RCMP Criminal Record Check
Before you contact any courthouse, you must get your official RCMP fingerprint results. This document is the master list of your criminal history in Canada. It will tell you the exact dates of your convictions, the specific charges, and most importantly, the city where the court process took place. You cannot request court documents without knowing this exact information.
Step 2: Locate the Correct Nova Scotia Courthouse
Use your RCMP check to identify which courthouse handled your case. 📍 Nova Scotia has several justice centres, from the Halifax Provincial Court on Spring Garden Road to regional courts in Truro or Yarmouth. You must request the documents from the exact location where your sentencing occurred, as court files are generally kept locally.
Step 3: Submit the PBC Court Information Form
You must provide the court clerk with the official “Court Information Form” found in the Parole Board of Canada application guide. Fill out the top portion of the form with your personal details and the charges listed on your RCMP check. The court clerk will fill out the bottom portion, stamp it with the official court seal, and attach the relevant disposition documents.
Step 4: Verify Your Fines are Paid
The court clerk will check their systems to ensure you have paid all victim surcharges, restitution, and court fines. 💰 If you still owe money to the Province of Nova Scotia, your sentence is not considered complete, and your mandatory waiting period for a Record Suspension has not even started. You must pay any outstanding debts immediately.
How Much Does it Cost in Nova Scotia?
Getting a Record Suspension is much cheaper now than in previous years, but you still have to pay administrative fees at the provincial and municipal levels.
| Expense Type | Estimated Cost (CAD) |
|---|---|
| Nova Scotia Court Information Fee | $10 to $25 per courthouse |
| RCMP Fingerprint Check | $25 to $75 (Depends on local agency) |
| Local Police Record Check (Halifax Regional Police, etc.) | $30 to $70 |
| Parole Board of Canada (PBC) Application Fee | $50 (Federal fee) |
How Long Does the Process Take?
When you submit your request to a Nova Scotia courthouse, processing times can vary. Generally, you should expect to wait 2 to 6 weeks for the clerk to retrieve your archived files, fill out the federal forms, and mail them back to you.
The entire Record Suspension process, from getting your first fingerprints to receiving the final decision from the Parole Board of Canada, typically takes 12 to 24 months. 📅 Gathering the documents yourself is the most time-consuming part of the journey.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What if the Nova Scotia court destroyed my records?
It is very common for older records to be purged. If the courthouse no longer has your file, the clerk will fill out your PBC form stating that the records were destroyed or cannot be found. The Parole Board of Canada will accept this signed and stamped document as proof that you attempted to get the records.
Do I need to hire a lawyer to get these documents?
No, you do not need a lawyer or a pardon company to request your own court documents. Any citizen can request their own Court Information by dealing directly with the provincial court clerk. However, many people choose to hire a legal representative to handle the paperwork to ensure no mistakes are made.
Can I go to any courthouse in Nova Scotia?
No. You must contact the specific courthouse that handled your conviction. If you were convicted in Dartmouth, the Halifax courthouse will not have your files. If you have convictions in multiple cities, you must send a separate request to each individual courthouse.
What is a disposition?
A disposition is the final outcome of your court case. It tells the federal government whether you were found guilty, given an absolute discharge, sentenced to probation, or ordered to pay a fine. This is the crucial information the PBC needs to process your application.
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