Applying for a Canadian criminal record check from Brazil is a process many people approach without fully understanding what it involves, and that lack of clarity is often what causes delays. The RCMP does not accept fingerprint cards submitted directly from applicants outside Canada. The process requires ink fingerprint collection on official forms, coordination through an RCMP-accredited office in Canada, and independent verification by the RCMP itself.

This blog will give you a clear, accurate picture of how the process works, what is required of you, and where things commonly go wrong so you can approach your application with confidence.

Understanding Which Check You Actually Need

One of the most common and avoidable mistakes applicants make is applying for the wrong type of check. The requesting authority, whether an immigration body, employer, or licensing board, will specify which check they require. If you are unsure, confirm before you apply.

Name-Based Check: This check verifies your criminal history by matching your name and date of birth against records held in the Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC). It does not involve fingerprints. A name-based check is generally suitable for employment or volunteering roles where a fingerprint-based check has not been specifically requested.

Enhanced Criminal Background Check: A Police Information Check (PIC) or Criminal Record and Judicial Matter Check (CRJMC) draws from a wider range of records than a Name-Based Check. It may include convictions, pending charges, warrants, judicial orders, and conditional or absolute discharges. This level of check is required for positions involving a higher degree of trust, such as roles in healthcare or work with vulnerable populations.

RCMP Criminal Record Check: This is the most comprehensive check available and the one most frequently required for Canadian immigration, permanent residency, and visa applications from Brazil. It is fingerprint-based, which means your unique biometric identity, rather than just your name, is verified against Canada's National Repository of Criminal Records. The RCMP criminal record check is conducted, and the certificate is issued directly by the RCMP. Globeia's role is to collect your ink fingerprints in Brazil and coordinate submission through Globeia Incorporated in Toronto, Canada, which holds RCMP accreditation. Globeia does not issue the certificate.

What the Application Process Looks Like from Brazil

The process of obtaining a Canadian criminal record check in Brazil follows a specific sequence. Each step builds on the one before it, and skipping or rushing any part can result in delays or resubmission.

Confirming Your Requirements: Before anything else, confirm with the requesting authority the exact type of check they need and whether additional services such as apostille authentication or Portuguese translation will be required. Knowing this upfront shapes every decision that follows.

Preparing Your Identity Documents: Two valid government-issued identification documents are required. At least one must be a government-issued photo ID that includes your full name, date of birth, signature, and photograph. A passport or national identity card typically meets this requirement. Photocopies of both documents are required for submission purposes.

Ink Fingerprint Collection: Fingerprints must be collected in person by a trained associate on the official C-216C form. Only ink fingerprinting is used; digital or electronic fingerprint capture is not permitted for submissions originating outside Canada. The CCRTIS-approved consent form is provided at your appointment, as required by CCRTIS. The fingerprint form is completed exclusively in the presence of an authorized associate and is not available for self-completion or independent download.

Coordination through Globeia Incorporated in Toronto: Coordination through an RCMP-Accredited Canadian Provider: Once your ink fingerprints are collected, the completed forms are mailed or couriered to an RCMP-accredited company in Canada, which digitizes the fingerprints and submits them electronically to the RCMP CCRTIS. The RCMP does not accept fingerprint cards submitted directly from applicants outside Canada.

RCMP Verification and Issuance: From this point, the process is entirely in the hands of the RCMP. The RCMP independently verifies the submission against Canada's National Repository of Criminal Records and issues the RCMP criminal record check directly. Processing times range from 3 to 120 days and are determined entirely by the RCMP based on application volume and individual circumstances. Mailing time is additional. Globeia has no control over RCMP processing timelines.

Additional Requirements for Use in Brazil

Apostille Authentication: If your Canadian criminal record check from Brazil will be presented to Brazilian authorities for official purposes, apostille authentication will likely be required. Brazil and Canada are both signatories to the Hague Apostille Convention, and Brazilian institutions typically require an apostille before recognising foreign official documents.

Portuguese Translation: Depending on the context in which your Canadian criminal record check in Brazil will be used, Brazilian authorities may require an official translation. Globeia's translation service can coordinate this alongside your application, keeping everything under one point of contact.

Where Applications Go Wrong And How to Avoid It

Delays in the Canadian criminal record check process from Brazil are rarely caused by the RCMP. They are almost always the result of avoidable errors made before the application even reaches Canada.

The most common issues are:

Incorrect check type selected: A Name-Based Check and an RCMP criminal record check serve different purposes and are processed through entirely different systems. Applying for the wrong one means starting over.
Poor quality ink fingerprints: Faint, smudged, or unclear prints on the official C-216C form are among the leading causes of resubmission requests. Fingerprints must be taken carefully by a trained associate using the correct technique and ink to meet RCMP standards.
Incomplete identity documentation: Both IDs must be present, with at least one government-issued photo ID showing your full name, date of birth, signature, and photograph. Missing or unclear documentation will stall your application.
Missing consent form: The CCRTIS-approved consent form is a mandatory part of every RCMP submission. It must be completed at the time of your fingerprinting appointment; it cannot be submitted separately afterward.
Attempting to submit directly to the RCMP: The RCMP does not accept fingerprint cards mailed directly from applicants outside Canada. All completed forms must be mailed or couriered to Globeia Incorporated in Toronto for coordination and submission.
Overlooking apostille or translation requirements: If your Canadian criminal record check will be used for official purposes in Brazil, confirm whether apostille authentication or Portuguese translation is required before you submit your application. Addressing this after the fact adds unnecessary time.

Why Applicants in Brazil Work with Globeia

Since the RCMP does not accept submissions directly from applicants outside Canada, coordinating through an established partner with RCMP-accredited infrastructure is not optional; it is the only compliant route for anyone applying for a Canadian criminal record check from Brazil.

RCMP Accreditation: Globeia Incorporated in Toronto, Canada, is accredited by the RCMP to take and submit civil fingerprint verification requests to the RCMP for civil purposes.
Trained Associates in Brazil: Globeia's trained associates collect ink fingerprints on the official C-216C form at your location in Brazil, working under a memorandum of understanding with Globeia, following strict submission standards.
Submission Review: Each set of completed forms is reviewed for accuracy and completeness before being coordinated with Globeia Incorporated in Toronto, reducing the risk of avoidable delays at the RCMP.
Coordinated Document Support: Ink fingerprint collection, apostille coordination through official government authorities, and certified translation are all available through a single point of contact.
Data Security: All personal data and fingerprints are transmitted securely, retained only for as long as required, and destroyed promptly once your case is complete.

Important Disclaimers

Processing Times: Processing times are determined entirely by the RCMP. Globeia has no control over these timelines.
The Criminal Record Check: The RCMP Criminal Record Check is issued directly by the RCMP upon completion of their verification. Globeia does not issue this certificate.
Letter of Identity Verification: The Letter of Identity Verification is issued by Globeia and is not issued by, endorsed by, or affiliated with the RCMP, the FBI, or any government authority.

Conclusion

A Canadian criminal record check from Brazil is a structured process with specific requirements at each stage. The most important thing you can do before applying is to confirm exactly what the requesting authority needs, gather the correct documents, and work with associates who understand Canadian submission standards.

Globeia Incorporated in Toronto holds RCMP accreditation and manages the RCMP criminal record check submission process on your behalf. Globeia's trained associates in Brazil handle ink fingerprint collection. Apostille coordination and Portuguese translation services are available through the same point of contact, keeping your Canadian criminal record check in Brazil as straightforward as possible from start to finish.

When you are ready to begin, Globeia is here to coordinate every step of the process.

FAQs

Can I apply for a Canadian criminal record check while living in Brazil?

Yes. Globeia's trained associates collect ink fingerprints at your location in Brazil. Completed forms are then mailed or couriered to Globeia Incorporated in Toronto, which submits them electronically to the RCMP. The RCMP does not accept fingerprint cards submitted directly from applicants outside Canada, so coordination through an RCMP-accredited office in Canada is required.

What is the difference between a Name-Based Check and an RCMP criminal record check?

A Name-Based Check matches your name and date of birth against CPIC records and is typically used for employment or volunteering. An RCMP criminal record check is fingerprint-based, conducted directly by the RCMP, and is significantly more thorough. It is the most commonly required check for Canadian immigration, permanent residency, and visa applications from Brazil.

How long does the RCMP take to process a criminal record check submitted from Brazil?

Processing times range from 3 to 120 days and are determined entirely by the RCMP based on application volume and individual circumstances. Mailing time from Brazil to Canada is additional. Globeia has no control over these timelines.

What identification do I need to bring to my fingerprinting appointment?

Two valid government-issued identification documents are required. At least one must be a government-issued photo ID containing your full name, date of birth, signature, and photograph. Photocopies of both documents are required for submission purposes.

Is an apostille required for a Canadian criminal record check used in Brazil?

In most cases, yes. Brazil and Canada are both signatories to the Hague Apostille Convention. Brazilian authorities typically require apostille authentication before accepting foreign official documents. Please note that Globeia does not directly apostille official government documents and does not perform apostille services on behalf of any government authority. All apostille and authentication requests are submitted by our company to the designated competent government authority on your behalf.

Written by :

We are a background screening and document verification agency in Toronto. While we cover the Greater Toronto Area for in-person appointments, the bulk of our clientele uses our online services from different countries of the world. Globeia makes it simple and cost-effective for companies and individuals to navigate governmental red tape without breaking the bank.

Recommended by Globeia