What is an RCMP Criminal Record Check?
An RCMP Criminal Record Check, also called a Canadian Criminal Record Check, is an official document issued by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. It verifies whether an individual has a criminal record in Canada and is sometimes required for UK immigration, employment, volunteering, or study purposes.
Who needs an RCMP Criminal Record Check in the UK?
Anyone applying for work visas, permanent residency, volunteer positions, study permits, or employment background verification in the UK may need an RCMP criminal record check. It is mandatory for situations where Canadian criminal history verification is required.
How long is an RCMP criminal record check valid for?
The RCMP does not assign an expiry date to the certificate itself; the issuing date is printed, and the receiving authority determines how recent the document needs to be. Many organisations and immigration programs consider a document valid for three to six months from the date of issue, but this varies widely. It is always best to confirm the specific validity window with the requesting body before beginning the application.
What happens if my fingerprints are rejected by the RCMP after submission?
If the RCMP rejects a set of fingerprints due to quality issues, a resubmission with a new, properly captured fingerprint form is required. Globeia’s quality review is designed to minimise this risk, but when a rejection does occur, a fresh fingerprinting session will be arranged. Any additional RCMP processing times will restart from the point the new prints are accepted.
Is a digital copy of the RCMP certificate accepted by UK employers or authorities?
Acceptance of a digital copy depends entirely on the employer’s or authority’s own policies; many UK institutions still expect an original, physically mailed certificate or a certified true copy. The optional PDF copy provided through Globeia is a convenience for record-keeping and advance viewing, but the requesting organisation should be asked directly whether a digital scan is sufficient.
Do I need to be a Canadian citizen to apply for an RCMP criminal record check?
No, Canadian citizenship is not required. The RCMP processes criminal record checks based on fingerprints for anyone who has lived in Canada or requires a Canadian criminal record check, regardless of nationality. An applicant can be a foreign national, a permanent resident who has since moved abroad, or someone who has never held Canadian status but spent time in Canada.
What's the difference between a name-based check and a fingerprint-based RCMP criminal check?
A name and date-of-birth check searches the Canadian Police Information Centre database based solely on personal identifiers. It may sometimes produce incomplete matches or miss records if there are discrepancies in aliases or dates of birth. A fingerprint-based RCMP criminal record check confirms identity biometrically against the national criminal record repository, making it the more comprehensive and authoritative option.
What payment methods are available, and can I pay in British pounds?
You can pay securely through Stripe or PayPal. Stripe accepts major debit and credit cards, while PayPal allows payment using your PayPal account or a debit or credit card. Although Globeia's services are priced in Canadian dollars (CAD), payments can be made in British pounds (GBP). The currency conversion is handled automatically by your payment provider.
Will an RCMP criminal record check show offences from countries other than Canada?
The RCMP check is limited to information held in the national repository managed by the RCMP, which contains Canadian criminal records, convictions, and, in some cases, certain discharges that have not been removed. It does not include criminal records from the United Kingdom, the United States, or any other country unless those convictions were subsequently entered into a Canadian database through a formal information-sharing agreement.
What happens if my document shows a criminal record?
If your fingerprints match a criminal record, the RCMP may require additional verification, which can increase processing times. The results are issued by the RCMP, and it is up to the requesting authority to decide how they are assessed.