Navigating Canada Criminal Record Checks: A Comprehensive Guide

Canadian background checks are used across employment, immigration, licensing, volunteering, and legal applications. Depending on the purpose of the request, the level of verification required can vary from a basic Name-Based Check to a fingerprint-based Criminal Record Check conducted through the RCMP.

Understanding the difference between these checks is important before starting an application. Some checks rely only on a person’s name and date of birth, while others require fingerprint verification against Canada’s National Repository of Criminal Records.

The process, documentation requirements, and processing timelines can all change depending on the type of background check being requested. For applicants inside or outside Canada, knowing which check applies to the application can help avoid delays and incorrect submissions. 

Canada uses multiple types of background checks depending on the level of screening required. The three most commonly requested checks are Name Based Checks, Judicial Matters Checks, and fingerprint-based Criminal Record Checks.

Name Based Check

A Name-Based Check searches records using a person’s name and date of birth through the Canadian Police Information Centre system. These checks are commonly used for employment, internships, volunteer roles, and educational requirements where fingerprint verification is not required. 

Because the search is conducted using personal information rather than fingerprints, processing is generally simpler than a fingerprint-based Criminal Record Check. 

Judicial Matters Check

A Judicial Matters Check contains broader information than a standard Name Based Check. Depending on the jurisdiction and application type, it may include findings such as outstanding charges, arrest warrants, judicial orders, absolute discharges, and conditional discharges.

These checks are often requested for regulated workplaces, financial positions, volunteer screening, and applications where additional judicial information is required beyond standard criminal history verification.

Criminal Record Check

A fingerprint-based Criminal Record Check is the most detailed level of Canadian criminal background verification. The check is conducted by the RCMP against Canada’s National Repository of Criminal Records using fingerprint comparison rather than only name and date of birth information. 

This type of verification is commonly required for immigration, residency applications, professional licensing, executive-level employment, adoption matters, and positions involving vulnerable sectors.

For fingerprint-based applications, fingerprints are collected on the official C-216C fingerprint form before submission through the RCMP verification process.

Fingerprint-based Criminal Record Checks involve additional stages compared to standard Name Based Checks. 

Instead of relying only on personal information, the RCMP requires fingerprint verification to confirm identity and search criminal record databases more accurately. This reduces the possibility of identity mismatches that can occur with name-based searches. 

For applicants inside Canada, fingerprints are collected by an authorized fingerprint technician and submitted electronically through an RCMP-accredited company. 

For applicants outside Canada, fingerprints are first collected in ink on the official C-216C fingerprint form. Those fingerprint forms are then mailed to an RCMP-accredited company in Canada for digitization and electronic submission to the RCMP CCRTIS system. 

Because fingerprint verification involves multiple stages, accuracy during fingerprint collection and document preparation becomes important before submission begins. 

Processing times for Canadian background checks vary depending on the type of check being requested and whether fingerprint verification is required. 

Name-based checks and Judicial Matters Checks are generally processed more quickly because they rely on personal information searches rather than fingerprint comparison. 

Fingerprint-based Criminal Record Checks involve additional stages, including fingerprint collection, digitization, electronic submission, and RCMP verification.

RCMP 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. 

Applications may also take longer if:

• Fingerprint quality requires reprocessing.
• Identity information does not match the supporting documents.
• Additional verification is required by the RCMP.
• Fingerprints are submitted from outside Canada. 

Because processing timelines are controlled independently by the RCMP, applicants are generally advised to begin the process well before immigration, employment, licensing, or legal submission deadlines.

Step 1: Appointment Scheduling 

Applicants can schedule a fingerprint collection appointment based on their location and application requirements. Appointments are arranged for fingerprint collection on the official C-216C fingerprint form required for RCMP Criminal Record Check applications. 

Step 2: Identity Verification 

Applicants are required to present two valid government-issued IDs. At least one ID must include the applicant’s name, date of birth, signature, and photograph. Photocopies of both IDs are required for submission purposes.

Step 3: Fingerprint Collection 

Fingerprints are collected by trained associates on the official C-216C fingerprint form.

Step 4: Submission Through Globeia Incorporated 

Globeia Incorporated in Toronto, Canada, is accredited by the RCMP to take and submit civil fingerprint verification requests to the RCMP for civil purposes.

Once the fingerprint forms reach Globeia Incorporated, the fingerprints are digitized and electronically submitted to the RCMP CCRTIS system for criminal record check. 

Step 5: RCMP Verification and Result Issuance 

The RCMP independently conducts the Criminal Record Check against Canada’s National Repository of Criminal Records.

Step 6: Additional Coordination Services 

Depending on the application requirements, Globeia can also coordinate: 

• International courier handling.
• certified translation coordination.
• apostille and authentication coordination through the designated competent government authority.

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. 

Canadian background checks can involve different levels of verification depending on the purpose of the application. While some applications only require a Name Based Check, others require fingerprint-based Criminal Record Checks conducted by the RCMP. 

Understanding the difference between these checks, the role of fingerprint verification, and the submission process through an RCMP-accredited company can help applicants prepare the correct documents before starting the application. 

For fingerprint-based Criminal Record Check applications, Globeia coordinates fingerprint collection and submission support through Globeia Incorporated in Toronto, Canada, for applicants inside and outside Canada.