To have your mugshot and fingerprints destroyed by the Toronto Police Service (TPS), you must submit a formal application after your mandatory waiting period ends. This applies if your charges were withdrawn, stayed, or you were acquitted. The process generally takes 3 to 6 months.
Getting arrested is a terrifying experience that leaves a lasting digital footprint. Even if your charges are completely dropped by the Crown Attorney, many people do not realize that their photo and fingerprints remain in the police database. If you want a truly clean slate, you need to know how to have your mugshot and fingerprints destroyed by the Toronto Police. 📋
These identifying records are uploaded to the Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC), which is accessible by law enforcement and border agencies across North America. Fortunately, Ontario law allows individuals who were not convicted to request the destruction of these records. However, it is not an automatic process; you must actively apply for it to protect your privacy and future employment opportunities.
Step-by-Step Process in Toronto
Whether you were processed at 51 Division downtown or 32 Division in North York, the application process goes through the centralized TPS Records Management Services. 📝 Here are the exact steps to clear your name.
Step 1: Wait for the Mandatory Cooling-Off Period
You cannot apply the day you walk out of court. You must wait for the appeal period to expire. If your charges were withdrawn or you were acquitted, you must wait 5 months from the court date. If your charge was stayed, the wait is 1 year. If you signed a Peace Bond, you must wait 6 months after the bond completely expires (usually 18 months in total for a standard 1-year bond). For an Absolute Discharge, the wait is 1 year, and for a Conditional Discharge, you must wait 3 years from the court date. 📅
Step 2: Obtain Your Court Dispositions
The police need legal proof that your case is over. Visit the criminal clerk’s desk at the courthouse where your matter was resolved (such as Old City Hall, College Park, or the Ontario Court of Justice at 10 Armoury St.). Ask for a “certified true copy of the Information and Disposition” for your specific charges.
Step 3: Submit the Destruction Request to TPS
Download the “Application for the Destruction of Fingerprints, Photographs and Records of Disposition” from the Toronto Police Service website. Fill it out carefully and mail it, along with your original court disposition documents, to the TPS Records Management Services at their headquarters on College Street.
Step 4: Wait for RCMP Confirmation
Once TPS approves your application, they will destroy their local files and send a mandate to the RCMP in Ottawa. The RCMP controls the national CPIC database and will purge your fingerprints from the federal system. You will eventually receive a letter confirming the destruction is complete.
How Much Does it Cost in Toronto?
Clearing your records involves some minor administrative fees, but it is highly affordable. Here is the financial breakdown:
- Court Documents: The Toronto courthouse clerk generally charges between $15 to $25 CAD to print and certify your disposition papers.
- TPS Application Fee: Applying to the Toronto Police Service for biometric destruction is completely free ($0 CAD) for eligible individuals with non-conviction outcomes.
- Lawyer Fees: You can do this yourself, but if you hire a criminal defence lawyer or a paralegal to handle the paperwork, they may charge between $500 and $1,000 CAD for the service.
| Court Outcome | Mandatory Waiting Period in Ontario |
|---|---|
| Withdrawn / Acquitted / Dismissed | 5 Months from the court date. |
| Stay of Proceedings | 1 Year from the court date. |
| Peace Bond | 6 Months after the bond expires (typically 18 months total). |
| Absolute Discharge | 1 Year from the court date. |
| Conditional Discharge | 3 Years from the court date. |
How Long Does the Process Take?
Patience is required when dealing with police bureaucracy. After your mandatory waiting period has passed and you mail in your application, the Toronto Police Service typically takes 2 to 4 months to process the local destruction. Afterward, the RCMP can take an additional 1 to 2 months to purge the CPIC database. In total, expect the process to take about 3 to 6 months from the date you apply.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I destroy my fingerprints if I was found guilty?
No. If you were convicted of an offence, you cannot have your fingerprints destroyed. You must instead wait the required 5 to 10 years and apply to the Parole Board of Canada for a Record Suspension (formerly known as a pardon).
Will the US border agents still see my arrest?
If US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) downloaded the CPIC database while your charges were still active, they will retain that information in their own American systems forever. Destroying your records in Canada does not delete them from US servers.
What happens if TPS denies my application?
TPS can deny a request if there are compelling reasons in the public interest to keep your records (e.g., you are a suspect in another ongoing investigation). If denied, you will receive a letter explaining the reasons, and you may appeal the decision.
Does destroying my fingerprints clear police contact records?
No. Destroying fingerprints and mugshots removes your biometric data and CPIC entry, but local police services will still keep internal “police contact” notes showing that they interacted with you on a specific date.
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