How to Apply for RCMP Criminal Record Check from Bogotá

Thousands of Canadians, Canadian permanent residents, and former Canadian residents now call Bogotá home, at least for part of the year. That creates a very practical problem: at some point, almost everyone in this group will need an RCMP criminal record check. Maybe it is for an immigration application, a new job abroad, a residency visa in a third country, or a volunteer program. Whatever the reason, the question is always the same: How do I get a Canadian criminal record check done when I am sitting in Bogotá, Colombia?

This blog answers that question with everything you need to know to get your RCMP criminal record check without flying back to Canada. 

An RCMP Criminal Record Check is Canada’s official, fingerprint-based background check. It is managed by the Canadian Criminal Real Time Identification Services (CCRTIS), a division of the RCMP.

Unlike a simple name-based check, which runs your name and date of birth against the database, a fingerprint-based check is considered a benchmark for identity verification in international background checks. The RCMP verifies your physical biometric prints against the National Repository of Criminal Records to prevent any chances of mistaken identity or name variations.

Anyone who has ever lived, worked, studied, or spent time in Canada can apply for an RCMP criminal record check from Bogotá. It is entirely independent of your nationality.

Here is what it means for the different groups of people living in or passing through Bogotá.

Canadian Citizens Living in Bogotá

If you hold a Canadian passport, you are always eligible to apply for an RCMP criminal record check, regardless of how long you have been outside Canada. The RCMP's database covers your entire life history in Canada, not just recent years.

Canadian Permanent Residents and Former Permanent Residents

Permanent residents of Canada are fully eligible to apply and will often be explicitly asked to do so. If you are applying for immigration to a third country, say Spain, Australia, or Portugal, and you held Canadian permanent residency at any point, the immigration authority can ask for a Canadian criminal record check.

Foreign Nationals Who Lived in Canada

This is one of the most common situations for people in Bogotá. Someone who is not and never was a Canadian citizen, but who lived in Canada on a temporary status for a meaningful period of time, can be asked for an RCMP criminal record check.

People Who Have Never Been to Canada

This surprises some people, but it is worth addressing directly. If a Colombian employer or government body is asking you for a background check, what they need in most cases is a certificate from Colombia's National Police (policia.gov.co). Submitting an RCMP criminal record check in that situation isn't technically wrong, but it will almost certainly create confusion instead of satisfying the request.

Minors (Under 18)

Minors are technically eligible to apply for a fingerprint-based RCMP criminal record check, but their eligibility is limited. The RCMP specifies that young persons under 18 may only submit applications for government employment (federal, provincial, or municipal), citizenship purposes, or personal use. The check is not available to minors for the same range of purposes as adults.

Dual Nationals

If you hold both Canadian citizenship and citizenship of another country, for example, Canadian-Colombian dual nationality, you are eligible to apply. Some immigration authorities ask dual nationals to submit background checks from both countries of citizenship. If that applies to your situation, you may need both an RCMP criminal record check and a Colombian National Police certificate.

People with a Prior Criminal Record in Canada

Having a prior criminal record in Canada does not make you ineligible to apply. Anyone is eligible to submit a request. What changes is the outcome: the result will reflect the conviction information on file rather than returning a clean result.

The Six-Month Rule

Anyone who has lived in Canada for more than 6 months after 18 years of age will almost certainly be asked to provide a Canadian criminal record check. These requests are largely a part of Colombian visa applications, where the Cancillería (Ministry of Foreign Affairs expanded its background check requirements in 2022.

There are generally two ways to obtain fingerprints while in Bogotá:

Your fingerprints must be captured on an RCMP-compatible fingerprint form, typically a C-216C card or equivalent format. Ensure that:

• All ten fingerprints are captured clearly.
  Your full legal name matches your identification documents.
• Your date of birth and personal information are recorded accurately.
• The fingerprints are suitable for electronic conversion and RCMP submission.

Poor-quality fingerprints can result in processing delays or rejection, requiring a new set of prints to be taken.

Gather Your Identification Documents

You will need valid government-issued identification before your fingerprints can be taken.

Most Bogotá applicants use a Canadian or Colombian passport. You can also use another government-issued photo identification document. 

Ensure that the name on your identification matches the information that will be submitted to the RCMP.

Can You Go to the Canadian Embassy in Bogotá?

No. The Embassy of Canada in Bogotá does not offer fingerprinting services for RCMP criminal record checks. The embassy provides consular services like passport renewals and notarizations, but criminal record checks are handled exclusively by the RCMP in Canada.

Check Top 10 Mistakes to Avoid When Applying for a Background Check

You cannot submit your fingerprints directly to the RCMP. You will have to go through an accredited entity based inside Canada to get your fingerprints digitized and submitted electronically.

Step 1: Choose an Accredited Canadian Fingerprinting Agency

These agencies act as the bridge between applicants abroad and the RCMP. Before sending your fingerprints, verify that the agency:

• Is accredited to submit fingerprints electronically to the RCMP.
• Accepts fingerprint cards collected outside Canada.
• Can receive international courier deliveries.
• Can mail results if you need the completed record check delivered to Colombia or another country.

Step 2: Send Your Fingerprint Card to Canada

Once your fingerprints have been collected in Bogotá, the original fingerprint card must be sent to the accredited agency in Canada.

Most applicants use an international courier service because it provides shipment tracking and faster delivery times. Before mailing your package, confirm that it contains:

• The original fingerprint card.
• Completed application forms.
• Copies of identification documents.
• Any authorization forms required by the agency.

Missing documents can delay the submission process.

Step 3: Fingerprint Digitization and Electronic Submission

After receiving your fingerprint card, the Canadian entity converts the ink fingerprints into the electronic format required by the RCMP.

The entity then submits the fingerprints electronically through the RCMP's secure processing system. This electronic submission process is the standard method used for applicants residing outside Canada and is significantly faster than traditional paper-based processing.

Step 4: RCMP Processing

Once submitted, the RCMP runs your fingerprints against Canada's National Repository of Criminal Records. Processing time is entirely controlled by the RCMP and can take anywhere from 3 to 120 days, excluding mailing time.

There is no way to speed this up. The RCMP does not offer expedited processing, and no third party in Bogotá or Canada can push your file ahead. Once submitted, you have to wait.

Step 5: Receive Your RCMP Criminal Record Check

After processing is complete, the results are issued by the RCMP. Depending on the service arrangement, the completed criminal record check can be:

• Mailed directly to your address in Bogotá.
• Sent to a Canadian address.
• Forwarded to an immigration consultant, lawyer, or authorized representative.
• Delivered internationally to another destination country.

Before selecting a delivery method, confirm the requirements of the authority requesting the document.

The cost of getting an RCMP criminal record check from Bogotá is made up of several separate services. Most applicants will pay for:

• Fingerprint collection in Bogotá.
• Submission through an accredited Canadian fingerprint agency.
• International courier shipping to Canada.
• Federal processing fee payable to the Receiver General of Canada.
• Depending on the provider you choose, the combined cost for these core services can range from a few hundred to several hundred Canadian dollars.

Additional costs may apply if the completed criminal record check needs to be used for immigration, employment, or legal purposes in Colombia or another country. Common optional expenses include apostille services, certified Spanish translations, notarization, and international delivery of the final certificate.

Before starting the process, ask for a breakdown of all fees so you can compare providers accurately and avoid unexpected charges later.

The complete process can take anywhere from a few days to several months depending on fingerprint quality, shipping times, and RCMP’s processing time.

Planning Around Immigration and Visa Deadlines

Because processing times can vary significantly, it is always wise to start the process well before your document submission deadline. Waiting until the last few weeks before a visa appointment or application deadline can create unnecessary stress.

Many applicants in Bogotá worry that having a prior criminal record in Canada will prevent them from getting an RCMP criminal record check. In reality, the RCMP does not refuse applications simply because a criminal record exists.

The purpose of the process is to report what appears in Canada's National Repository of Criminal Records. If a criminal record is associated with your fingerprints, the RCMP will issue a result that reflects the information on file.

Will a Criminal Record Automatically Cause Problems in Colombia?

Not necessarily. The RCMP's role is limited to reporting criminal record information. It does not decide whether a visa, work permit, residency application, or employment request should be approved.

In Bogotá, the final decision rests with the organization requesting the Canadian criminal record check. Each organization applies its own eligibility criteria and assesses criminal history differently.

If You Have a Record Suspension, Will It Still Show Up

If you received a record suspension (formerly called a pardon) and it's still valid, your old conviction usually stays hidden. The RCMP seals the record, and in most cases, the result comes back clean.

But in some cases, it can still show up, like for certain government jobs or working with children. If you are not sure where you stand, speak to a Canadian criminal lawyer before submitting your fingerprints.

Be Honest About Your Background

If the authority requesting the RCMP Criminal Record Check has asked whether you have any criminal history, it is best to answer truthfully. Attempting to hide a known criminal record can create more complications than the record itself.

For most applicants in Bogotá, the best approach is to obtain the RCMP Criminal Record Check early, review the results carefully, and ensure that any required explanations or supporting documents are prepared before submitting the certificate to the requesting authority.

Getting an RCMP criminal record check from Bogotá on your own means coordinating fingerprint collection, international courier, an accredited Canadian agency, and the RCMP. Globeia handles the entire chain so you deal with one provider, not four.

Mobile Fingerprinting at Your Door

A trained Globeia associate comes to your home, office, or any location you choose in Bogotá, including El Chicó, Usaquén, Chapinero, and surrounding areas. They arrive with official C-216C fingerprint cards, black ink, and all required materials.

On-the-Spot Quality Inspection

Poor-quality fingerprints are one of the main reasons for rejections from abroad. Globeia associates inspect every print before leaving your location. If a ridge is smudged or a roll is incomplete, they retake it immediately.

Globeia Letter of Identity Verification

Every fingerprinting session includes a Globeia Letter of Identity Verification -  a document confirming that a trained associate collected your prints to international standards, verified your identity against your government ID, and witnessed your signature. This is something a Colombian notary or local police station cannot provide.

Note: This letter is issued independently by Globeia. It is not an RCMP document and does not replace any certificate issued by Canadian authorities.

Accredited Canadian Submission

Your completed fingerprint card is couriered directly to Globeia Incorporated in Canada, where it is digitized and submitted electronically to CCRTIS. You never need to find a separate Canadian agency or manage international shipping yourself.

Third-Party Delivery Authorization

If you want the completed certificate sent to a family member, lawyer, or representative in Canada rather than waiting for international delivery, Globeia provides the CCRTIS-approved consent forms to authorize third-party mailing.

Real-Time Status Updates

You receive status updates at every stage: fingerprint collection complete, card received in Canada, submitted to RCMP, RCMP processing underway, and results dispatched. There is no point in the process where you are left guessing.

Start with the Globeia SmartForm

Create an account, fill out the SmartForm, and Globeia handles the rest, from scheduling your mobile fingerprinting appointment in Bogotá to delivering your completed RCMP criminal record check.

Getting an RCMP Criminal Record Check from Bogotá is absolutely possible without flying back to Canada, but it does require following the correct process. Whether you need the certificate for immigration, employment, residency, or another official purpose, planning ahead can make the process significantly smoother. If you run into questions about your specific situation, the FAQs below cover the most common ones. You can also create an account on our website and get  started with the process without leaving your home.