Complete Guide on How to Apply for an RCMP Criminal Record Check from the UK

If you are living in the UK and planning to immigrate to Canada, apply for a Canadian work permit, permanent residency, citizenship, or even adopt a child, you will most likely need an RCMP Criminal Record Check. This document, often called an RCMP police certificate, is the official clearance issued by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and is recognized as the gold standard for Canadian background checks.

Unlike local police certificates, the RCMP check is based on your fingerprints and confirms whether you have a criminal record registered in the Canadian national database. Because it is issued directly by Canada’s federal police authority, it is widely accepted by immigration officers, licensing bodies, and employers as the most reliable form of criminal history verification.

For UK applicants, getting an RCMP criminal record check from the UK may seem complicated, since the process requires fingerprinting and accredited submission to the RCMP in Canada. However, this check is essential to ensure that Canadian and international authorities recognize your police clearance without question.

An RCMP Criminal Record Check is an official background check conducted through the Canadian Criminal Real Time Identification Services (CCRTIS). It is based on fingerprints submitted on the C216C form, which is the standard form used worldwide for individuals applying outside Canada. 

There are two types of criminal record checks in Canada:  

• Name-Based Criminal Record Check  

A name-based criminal record check is a search of police and public records using only your full name and date of birth. In the UK, these checks can often be completed quickly - sometimes the same day, especially when conducted through authorised third-party providers.

While convenient, name-based checks have important limitations: names and dates of birth can be duplicated or entered incorrectly, which means the results may be incomplete or inaccurate. For this reason, name-based checks are not considered sufficient proof of criminal record status for purposes such as visa applications, professional licensing, or employment in regulated sectors.

Which type of criminal record check you need depends entirely on the requesting organisation. Some employers, UK Visa authorities, or international bodies may accept a name-based check, while others such as immigration departments, certain professional boards, or global employers require a fingerprint-based check or other certified verification.

Despite their limitations, name-based checks are still commonly used in the UK for faster preliminary screening, pre-employment assessments, or situations where official proof is not strictly required.

• Certified Fingerprint Based Criminal Record Check  

The certified fingerprint-based criminal record check is the gold standard for verifying your criminal record status in Canada. Unlike name-based checks, this process uses your fingerprints, typically collected via the official C216C form, to establish your identity with complete accuracy. Because fingerprints are unique to each individual, this method eliminates errors and ensures definitive results.

Timeline: Most checks are completed within 2-4 weeks, but certain cases can take up to 3-4 months. Delays may occur if your records require additional verification. For example, if a criminal record is found or further documentation is needed.

For UK applicants, certified fingerprint checks are the only type accepted for Canadian immigration purposes, including visa applications, work permits, permanent residency, and citizenship. These checks provide a fully verified record recognized by Canadian authorities and international agencies.

The RCMP background check certificate includes:

• Confirmation of whether a criminal record exists in Canada.
• Details of the record, if one is found.
• Official certification by the RCMP, making it valid for use in immigration, citizenship, or professional applications.

For applicants in the UK, a name-based search is not sufficient. You must complete a certified fingerprint-based RCMP check to meet requirements for:

• Canadian immigration purposes (visas, work permits, permanent residency, citizenship)
• Employment screening, particularly for regulated professions or international roles
• Professional licensing or certifications
• Education, volunteering, or childcare roles
• Any other situation where officially verified proof of Canadian criminal record status is required.

Certified fingerprint checks provide a fully verified and internationally recognized record, ensuring accuracy and reliability.

Unlike a simple name-based police check, an RCMP Criminal Record Check needs to be done using fingerprints as this is the only way to ensure complete accuracy and to mitigate errors that might occur due to duplicate names, differences in spelling or last names, or the similarity of date of birth.

The RCMP will require anybody applying from outside of Canada, including the UK, to submit a C216C fingerprint form. This is the official form for submitting fingerprints internationally. After fingerprints have been taken on this card it must be digitized and submitted to the RCMP through an RCMP-accredited third-party company, such as Globeia.

Because fingerprints are unique to each individual, they provide the most reliable way to verify identity. For this reason, name-based police checks or other forms of identity verification are not accepted for applications requiring official criminal record certification. RCMP fingerprint-based checks are recognized and accepted not only for Canadian immigration, citizenship, and work permits, but also for international immigration, employment screening, professional licensing, and other situations where verified criminal record status is required worldwide.

However, the process comes with its challenges:

• If fingerprints are smudged, too light, or rolled incorrectly, the RCMP may reject the submission, forcing you to start over.
• UK police stations or private agencies can capture prints on the C216C card, but they may not always follow RCMP formatting standards.
• To avoid delays, many applicants prefer using a specialist service such as Globeia, which ensures fingerprints meet RCMP requirements and are transmitted securely to Canada.

In short, fingerprints are non-negotiable for RCMP checks, and accuracy at this step determines whether your clearance is issued quickly or delayed by weeks.

Unlike FBI checks, UK applicants cannot apply directly to the RCMP. The RCMP does not accept mailed applications from abroad unless they are routed through an accredited Canadian company authorized to digitize and submit fingerprints. This makes third-party involvement essential. Here are the main routes available:

• Direct to the RCMP - Not Possible from the UK

Applicants in the UK cannot send their C216C fingerprint cards directly to the RCMP. The RCMP only accepts submissions made electronically by accredited Canadian companies. Attempting to mail documents directly will result in your application being returned unprocessed.

• Through RCMP-Accredited Third-Party Companies

This is the required and most common pathway. Once you have your fingerprints captured in the UK (on a C216C card), they must be forwarded to an RCMP-accredited service provider in Canada. These companies scan your fingerprints into the RCMP’s digital system and submit your request for a certified criminal record check.

• Some providers only handle the technical submission.
• Others, like Globeia, offer an end-to-end service that includes fingerprinting arrangements in the UK, secure transfer of your prints, RCMP submission, and optional apostille if your certificate is needed for use outside Canada.

• Via Local Fingerprinting + Canadian Partner Submission

Another option is to have your fingerprints taken locally in the UK. Either at a police station or with a private fingerprinting agency, and then send the completed C216C card to your chosen RCMP-accredited partner in Canada. While this works, there is a higher risk of fingerprint rejection if the UK-based technician is not familiar with RCMP formatting. 

That’s why many applicants prefer using experienced international companies like Globeia, which can guide you through the fingerprinting process and ensure your submission meets RCMP standards.

Obtaining an RCMP Criminal Record Check from the UK requires careful attention to detail and adherence to official requirements. The process primarily revolves around properly capturing fingerprints, submitting them through an accredited intermediary, and receiving the final certificate.

Step 1: Understand the Type of Check You Need

• UK applicants must request a certified fingerprint-based RCMP check (via the C216C form) rather than a simple name-based check.
• Certified fingerprint-based checks are mandatory for Canadian immigration, work permits, permanent residency, citizenship, or professional licensing.

Tip: Know your purpose upfront, as the RCMP certificate must match the intended use.

Step 2: Collect Your Fingerprints in the UK

Fingerprints must be taken on the C216C fingerprint form, which is specifically designed for RCMP submissions. You can have fingerprints captured at:

• Local UK police stations (appointment may be required).
• Private fingerprinting agencies offering official RCMP-compliant services.
• Third-party service providers (e.g., Globeia), which offer mobile fingerprinting at your home, office, or other convenient locations.

Critical Point: Fingerprints must be rolled correctly, clear, and complete. Poor-quality fingerprints are the leading cause of rejection.

Step 3: Fill Out the C216C Form Accurately

• Enter your full legal name, date of birth, and contact information.
• Specify the reason for your request (e.g., immigration, work, licensing).
• Provide your signature and any consent declarations required by the RCMP.

Tip: Using a trusted provider can help ensure the form is error-free, avoiding resubmission.

Step 4: Submit Fingerprints to an RCMP-Accredited Company

UK applicants cannot submit directly to the RCMP from abroad. Submission must go through an RCMP-accredited third-party company in Canada. The accredited provider:

• Receives your C216C form and fingerprints.
• Digitizes the fingerprints for secure electronic submission.
• Sends them to the RCMP for official processing.

Benefit: This step ensures faster processing and reduces the risk of errors compared to self-mailing.

Step 5: RCMP Processing

Once received, the RCMP:

• Conducts a criminal record check based on your fingerprints.
• Searches their national database to confirm if any criminal history exists.
• Issues a certified RCMP Criminal Record Check certificate.

Note: Name-based checks are not accepted for immigration or permanent residency applications; the fingerprint-based check is the only valid document.

Step 6: Certificate Delivery

The RCMP sends the certificate back to the accredited provider. Applicants can receive their certificate via:

Tip: Using a single provider ensures the document arrives safely and avoids delays from international mail.

Step 7: Apostille/Legalization (If Required)

• If the certificate needs to be used outside Canada, an apostille or legalization may be required.
• Accredited providers can coordinate the apostille, ensuring international acceptance without additional trips or confusion.

Step 8: Keep Your Certificate Secure

• Store your RCMP certificate safely.
• It may be requested for immigration, work permits, professional licensing, or adoption purposes.
• If lost, the process must be repeated, which can take weeks.

Obtaining an RCMP Criminal Record Check from the UK involves several unique challenges due to international submission requirements, fingerprint standards, and potential legal formalities. Applicants often encounter the following issues:

1. Fingerprint Rejections

• The RCMP requires fingerprints on the C216C form.
• Poor-quality prints - smudged, incomplete, or improperly rolled, are the leading cause of rejections.
• In the UK, applicants often struggle to find providers trained in RCMP-compliant fingerprinting standards.

2. Long Processing Times

• Without an accredited intermediary, applicants must rely on international mail or unverified channels, which can delay submission.
• Even correctly captured fingerprints can sit in limbo if forms or documentation are incomplete.

3. Need for an Accredited Third-Party

• UK applicants cannot submit directly to the RCMP; a Canadian RCMP-accredited provider is mandatory.
• Many companies claim to assist with RCMP checks, but some only offer partial services. They may handle submission but not coordinate apostille/legalization for international use, leaving applicants to manage multiple steps themselves.
• Coordinating between UK fingerprinting agencies, a Canadian intermediary, and apostille requirements can be confusing and time-consuming for individuals.

4. Lost or Delayed Documents

• International mailing of sensitive fingerprint forms or completed certificates carries a risk of loss or delay.
• Delays can affect time-sensitive applications, such as immigration, work permits, or professional licensing.

5. Apostille/Legalization Requirements

• If your RCMP certificate is needed for use outside Canada, it must often be apostilled or legalized.
• Coordinating apostille requests between multiple agencies can be cumbersome. Mistakes may invalidate the certificate for international purposes.

6. Complexity of Name-Based vs. Fingerprint-Based Checks

• Some applicants mistakenly attempt to use a name-based RCMP check, which is not accepted for Canadian immigration or professional licensing.
• Understanding the difference and ensuring the correct type of fingerprint-based check is requested is essential.

When obtaining an RCMP Criminal Record Check for use outside Canada, many applicants require an apostille or legalization to ensure the certificate is recognized internationally. While the RCMP certificate itself is valid in Canada, most foreign authorities such as immigration offices, employers, or universities, require official authentication.

When an Apostille or Legalization is Required:

• For countries that are part of the Hague Convention, an apostille certifies the RCMP certificate for international use.
• For non-Hague countries, a consular legalization or embassy authentication is necessary.

Why Apostille Matters for UK Applicants:

• Applicants using RCMP certificates in the EU, Middle East, Asia, or other international destinations must ensure their documents are apostilled or legalized to avoid rejection by foreign authorities.
• Even minor mistakes in the apostille process can delay visa, work permit, or immigration applications.

Who Needs Apostille/Legalization:

• Individuals applying for Canadian immigration from the UK or other countries.
• Professionals seeking international employment in sectors requiring police clearances.
• Families completing adoption processes, international school applications, or study abroad programs.

Obtaining an RCMP Criminal Record Check from the UK involves several steps that must comply with Canadian RCMP standards. Using an accredited third-party service like Globeia provides reliability, efficiency, and compliance.

Key Reasons to Use Accredited Providers:

• Electronic Submission to RCMP: Only RCMP-accredited companies can submit fingerprint-based applications electronically, ensuring faster processing and reducing the risk of rejection.

• Saves Time and Reduces Errors: Accredited providers ensure fingerprints are captured correctly on the C216C form, minimizing rejection due to smudges or incorrect formatting.

• Seamless Apostille/Legalization Coordination: Providers experienced with international documentation can arrange apostille or consular legalization as part of the workflow, eliminating the need for applicants to coordinate multiple agencies.

• Tracking and Security: Applicants benefit from real-time updates and secure handling of sensitive documents, reducing the risk of lost mail or miscommunication.

• Ensure fingerprints are captured accurately on the C216C form to avoid rejections.
• Double-check all personal details on the application form before submission.
• Use an RCMP-accredited third-party provider to streamline submission and reduce delays.
• Prepare documents needed for apostille or legalization if your certificate will be used internationally.
• Keep copies of all forms and tracking details for reference.
• Plan ahead, as international mail and processing can take several weeks.

Obtaining an RCMP Criminal Record Check from the UK involves unique requirements like fingerprint-based submission, accredited third-party handling, and apostille coordination for international use. Using a trusted, RCMP-accredited provider streamlines the process, reduces errors, and ensures your certificate is accepted for immigration, work, or professional purposes worldwide.