What is a certified criminal record check?
The RCMP describes a certified criminal record check as a fingerprint-based check. Fingerprints are used to confirm identity against Canada's national repository of criminal records.
The type of result depends on the application category. The RCMP publishes separate information for employment, immigration, travel, personal use and other purposes.
The official process from outside Canada
The RCMP sets out a two-stage process for applicants outside Canada. First, paper fingerprints are taken by an authorized agency in the country where the applicant is located. Second, an RCMP-accredited fingerprint company in Canada converts the paper form into digital format and submits the application electronically to Canadian Criminal Real Time Identification Services.
Do not send paper fingerprints directly to the RCMP
The RCMP expressly states that paper fingerprints and the application should not be mailed directly to CCRTIS because they will not be accepted.
Accreditation outside Canada
The RCMP states that there are no private fingerprinting companies accredited by the RCMP outside Canada. A service taking paper fingerprints abroad is therefore not the same as the Canadian accredited company that digitizes and submits the application.
What must be confirmed before using a foreign service?
The RCMP publishes its own definition of an authorized agency for paper fingerprints taken abroad. Applicants should check the current RCMP page and confirm the arrangements required by the accredited Canadian company that will process their application.
Groupe AS Detectives offers ink fingerprinting at 111 rue de la Croix Nivert, Paris 15e. It does not issue the Canadian criminal record check and is not the RCMP-accredited Canadian company responsible for electronic submission.