Forms, Guides & Support Center
Everything you need to complete your application. Download required documents, view step-by-step guides, and find answers to common questions.
Fingerprinting Forms
Instructions For RCMP Fingerprinting
RCMP Fingerprinting Forms
RCMP Consent Form
FBI Fingerprinting Form
Have Questions About Our Services?
Frequently Asked Questions
- All
- Alternative Samples
- Ancestry DNA Testing
- Background Checks
- DNA Testing
- FBI Clearance
- Fingerprinting
- International Fingerprinting
- Paternity DNA Testing
We accept Debit, Credit (Visa/Mastercard), Interac e-Transfer and Cash.
We are located in Scarborough at 200 Town Centre Court, inside the same building as the Service Canada Passport Office. Our office is easily accessible by public transit (TTC) and offers ample parking. View on Google Maps
Yes. If you are located internationally and require a Canadian Criminal Record Check, we offer a specialized CardScan Service. This allows us to take your original ink-and-roll fingerprints (taken by a local police agency in your current country) and convert them into a secure digital format for immediate electronic submission to the RCMP.
How to get started: Please visit our International Fingerprinting Services page for a step-by-step guide on document requirements, mailing instructions, and processing times.
Yes. We provide FBI Fingerprinting services using the standard FD-258 card or FD-1164 card.
Yes. Forensics Canada Inc.is accredited by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) to capture and submit fingerprints electronically to the Canadian Criminal Real Time Identification Services (CCRTIS) for civil purposes.
The in-office appointment usually takes about 10 to 15 minutes. Once submitted digitally to the RCMP, results for clear records are typically processed and mailed within 72 hours to the address provided.
Please verify that your package contains all of the following before shipping. Incomplete applications cannot be processed.
1. The Fingerprint Forms
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[ ] Original Ink Prints: Physical hard copies only. Forensics Canada Inc. cannot accept scans or photocopies.
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[ ] Standardized Format: Use the RCMP C-216C or FBI FD-258.
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[ ] Official Verification: The form must be signed and stamped by the local police or authorized official who took the prints.
2. Identification (Mandatory)
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[ ] Two Pieces of ID: High-resolution color photocopies of two valid government-issued IDs.
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One must be a Photo ID (e.g., Passport, Driver’s License).
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[ ] Clear Legibility: Ensure no parts of the ID are cut off or obscured by glare.
3. Application & Authorization
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[ ] Forensics Canada Intake Form: Your completed and signed the CardScan application form.
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[ ] Third-Party Consent: (If applicable) Signed authorization if you want Forensics Canada Inc. to mail your results to a lawyer, employer, or a third party.
4. Payment
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[ ] Proof of Payment: A copy of your receipt or a completed Credit Card Authorization form (if paying via card-on-file).
Yes. If you submitted your application electronically through the FBI’s e-form portal, you can log in to their website using the PIN provided in your confirmation email. For status updates on paper-based submissions, you may contact the FBI’s Customer Service line directly at (304) 625-5590.
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Electronic Submission: Once your fingerprints are mailed, the FBI typically processes the request within 3 to 10 business days.
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Mail-In Paper Application: Standard paper-based applications can take 2 to 4 weeks. The fingerprinting appointment at our office takes only 15 to 20 minutes, and we welcome walk-ins during regular business hours.
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No, you do not need to provide your own card. Forensics Canada provides the official FBI FD-258 cards as part of our service. We use FBI-certified equipment to ensure your fingerprints are perfectly aligned and meet the specific formatting requirements of the CJIS Division.
You must bring two pieces of valid, original government-issued identification. At least one must be a photo ID (such as a Passport, Driver’s License, or PR Card). Please note that Social Insurance Number (SIN) cards and Health Cards are generally not accepted as valid identification for this process.
You can visit Forensics Canada Inc. at 200 Town Centre Court, Suite 5, Scarborough, ON. We are located on the main floor of the Canada Centre Building, in the same complex as the Scarborough Passport Office. Our central location makes it easy for clients in Toronto and the GTA to get forensic-quality fingerprints with no appointment needed.
To obtain an FBI Identity History Summary Check, you must submit a set of fingerprints on an official FD-258 fingerprint card. At Forensics Canada, we use high-resolution Live Scan technology to capture your prints digitally and print them onto the required FBI cards, ensuring they meet strict forensic standards for acceptance.
To check the status of fingerprints submitted to the RCMP, you must contact the Canadian Criminal Real Time Identification Services (CCRTIS) directly. It is recommended to wait at least 3 weeks after submission before following up.
Contact Details (CCRTIS):
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Email: ccrtis-scictr@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
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Phone: 1-833-541-3089 or 613-998-6362
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Hours: Monday–Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (ET)
Information You Must Provide:
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Full legal name
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Date of birth
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Date of fingerprint submission
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Reason for the fingerprint check
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20-digit Document Control Number (DCN) (provided on your receipt by the fingerprinting agency)
How to Inquire:
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By Email: Send an email including all the required details listed above.
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By Phone: Call during business hours and provide the same information to the agent.
Processing Times:
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No criminal record / no match: As fast as 3 business days
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Potential match or manual review: Up to 120 business days
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Additional time may be required if results are mailed.
Important Notes:
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Only the applicant can request a status update from the RCMP.
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If your fingerprints were submitted through an accredited private agency, they generally cannot check the status for you.
Yes, Forensics Canada Inc. is accredited by the RCMP to submit fingerprints to CCRTIS for civil purposes.
While we prioritize scheduled appointments to ensure no wait times, walk-ins are welcome during business hours, subject to technician availability. To guarantee your time slot, we recommend using our Book Appointment button.
You must bring two (2) pieces of valid government-issued ID.
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Primary ID: Must include photo and signature (e.g., Passport, Driver’s License, PR Card).
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Secondary ID: Birth Certificate, Nexus card, or a second piece of primary ID.
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Please see the Acceptable Identification
What if I have a request letter? If you are fingerprinting for Immigration (IRCC) or a specific employer, please bring the request letter or file number provided to you to ensure your results are routed correctly.
No. Scanned, emailed, or photocopied fingerprints are not accepted. Agencies such as the RCMP and FBI require original fingerprints taken either digitally or on original ink fingerprint cards
Digital fingerprinting is completed using an electronic scanner and submitted directly to the RCMP (CCRTIS) on the same day, making it faster, cleaner, and the preferred method for Canadian immigration, citizenship, employment, and record suspension applications.
Ink & Roll fingerprinting is done using ink on paper fingerprint cards (such as FD-258) and is typically required for FBI background checks, foreign police clearances, and certain out-of-country licensing. These cards must be mailed by the applicant or requesting agency, so processing times are longer.
Yes. We provide FBI fingerprinting services in Toronto, including fingerprint capture, completion of FBI forms, and assistance with mailing your application to the FBI from Canada.
We offer professional fingerprinting services in Toronto, including RCMP fingerprinting, FBI fingerprinting, digital (electronic) fingerprinting, ink and roll fingerprints, and criminal record checks for employment, immigration, visas, and legal purposes.
If the RCMP deems the fingerprint quality too low (unclear ridges or smudging), they will reject the submission. You will need to redo the fingerprinting process and resubmit.
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Pro Tip: To minimize this risk, ensure the technician uses high-quality black ink and that your hands are well-hydrated (not overly dry or sweaty) during the session.
The cost of an international RCMP Criminal Record Check is $150.00 plus applicable taxes.
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No Match Found: If you have no criminal record, the RCMP usually processes the request within 3 to 10 business days once they receive the digital file.
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Match Found/Manual Review: If there is a potential match or a criminal record, processing can take 120 days or more.
Note: These times do not include the courier time it takes for your ink prints to reach the Canadian agency or for the final certificate to be mailed back to you.
Yes, if you want the results mailed to someone other than yourself (e.g., an employer, a lawyer, or a visa office). You must sign a consent form authorizing the RCMP to release your results to that specific third party
You will need to mail or courier the following documents:
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Two pieces of valid government-issued identification (e.g., passport and driver’s licence). At least one must include a photo.
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One recent passport-size photograph.
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Completed fingerprint forms (C-216).
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Our CardScan application form.
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Credit card authorization form. (If you prefer to use another payment method, please contact us.)
Yes, as long as the agency is authorized to take fingerprints and provides original ink and roll impressions on an accepted fingerprint card.
The RCMP accepts fingerprints taken by:
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Local police services.
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Foreign government departments.
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Embassies or Consulates (Note: Many Canadian embassies no longer provide this service).
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Notaries Public.
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Accredited private fingerprinting companies
No. The RCMP does not accept scanned, emailed, or photocopied fingerprints. Only original ink fingerprint cards sent by mail or courier can be processed.
Yes. The RCMP accepts FBI FD-258 fingerprint cards for applicants outside Canada, provided the fingerprints are taken correctly using ink and roll impressions and the card is submitted in its original form.
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The official RCMP C-216 form.
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The FBI FD-258 form.
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Standard police fingerprint forms from other countries, provided they include the same basic information and a full set of “rolled” and “flat” impressions.
Yes. Forensics Canada Inc. uses “CardScan” technology that can digitize the FBI FD-258 or other international police forms, as long as the layout is standard.
Yes, the RCMP can mail the results to an international address via regular airmail at no extra cost. However, because regular mail is untracked and can be slow, many applicants choose to have the results sent to their Forensics Canada Inc, which then couriers them internationally (for an extra fee).
Yes. “RCMP clearance letter” is a commonly used term for an RCMP Criminal Record Check issued by the RCMP.
Simply schedule an appointment with us or Order Online and use the online order form to order a home paternity test kit. Once we have received the order, we will ship a DNA sample collection at the address provided.
Paternity DNA testing can be performed on individuals at any age. Samples from a newborn can be collected easily on the day of birth.
It depends on the type of DNA test you have chosen. For a standard paternity DNA test with oral swabs it will take us up to 7-10 working days to provide the DNA test results by email. Processing time for nonstandard samples such as hair clippings, cigarette butts or chewing gum can take from 10 to 14 working days after we receive the samples in our laboratory.
- A legal DNA test follows a strict Chain of Custody process and is admissible in court for cases like child custody or child support.
- A private DNA test is for personal knowledge only and not valid for legal purposes.
Most modern DNA paternity tests are 99.99% accurate in determining biological relationships.
A paternity DNA Test answers the most frequently asked question – who is the father? A child inherits half of his/her genetic make-up from mother and the other half from its father. By comparing the child’s DNA profile with that of the alleged father we can determine whether or not the person is the biological father of the child.
Forensics Canada Inc. is an authorized agent of select Canadian Police Services that experience lower processing volumes, enabling faster turnaround times. This allows them to issue Police Clearance Certificates promptly – often within 2-3 hours.
Place the item in a clean, dry paper envelope (not plastic) to avoid mold or contamination. Label the envelope and follow the lab’s specific instructions for mailing.
Some of the more reliable items include toothbrushes, hair with follicles, razors, used tissues, and fingernail clippings. The success rate depends on how recently the item was used and how it has been stored.
While it is possible to test discreet samples, legal and ethical considerations vary. In legal cases, consent is usually required, and results from unconsented samples may not be admissible in court.
Yes, the DNA results are just as accurate if enough usable DNA is successfully extracted. However, the quality and quantity of DNA in alternative samples can vary depending on the item and how it’s handled.
Alternative DNA samples refer to items other than standard cheek swabs that may contain a person’s DNA. These can include items like toothbrushes, hair with roots, used tissues, or fingernail clippings.
Results are typically available in 7–10 working days after the lab receives the samples.
Usually, cheek (buccal) swabs are collected from:
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The alleged father
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The child
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(Optional) The mother – her sample can help strengthen results but isn’t required
Paternity DNA tests are over 99.9% accurate when confirming a biological relationship. Accredited labs test multiple genetic markers to ensure reliability.
Yes, home (or “peace of mind”) tests are available. They are:
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Easy to use: DNA collection kits are mailed to you
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Confidential and affordable
However, results from home tests are not admissible in court, as the sample collection is not verified.
Yes, but only if it’s a legal (court-admissible) paternity test. This type of test must follow a strict chain-of-custody process, where:
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IDs of all parties are verified
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Samples are collected by a certified third-party (not at home)
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Results are issued by an accredited lab
These results can be used for court, child support, custody, abd other legal purposes
Ancestry DNA can trace your genetic heritage and family tree back hundreds to thousands of years, depending on what you’re looking at:
1. DNA Ethnicity Estimates
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Time Depth: Up to 1,000+ years ago
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What it shows: Where your ancestors likely lived and how your DNA matches current populations.
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Limitations: It’s an estimate based on modern reference populations, so it gives broad regional insights, not exact ancestors.
Maternal and Paternal Lineages (if available)
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Time Depth: Up to tens of thousands of years ago
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What it shows: Your haplogroups, which are ancient DNA signatures passed down from your mother (mtDNA) and father (Y-DNA for males).
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Use: Helps trace ancient migration patterns, like if your paternal line came from the Middle East or Northern Europe.
Family Tree & Records via Ancestry.com
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Time Depth: Typically 150–300 years (5–10 generations)
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What it includes: Census records, birth/death/marriage records, immigration documents, and more.
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Limitations: Depends on how much data you or others have added and where your ancestors lived (some countries have better records than others).
Summary:
| Type of Info | How Far Back It Goes |
|---|---|
| Ethnicity Estimate | ~1,000 years |
| DNA Matches | Up to 5–8 generations |
| Haplogroups (mtDNA/Y) | Thousands of years |
| Family Tree Records | 150–300 years (or more) |
Yes, two siblings can have different AncestryDNA results—and that’s completely normal.
Why it happens:
Siblings each inherit 50% of their DNA from each parent, but not necessarily the same 50%. The specific combination of genes passed down is random.
What this means:
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One sibling might inherit more DNA from, say, a grandparent of Italian descent, while the other gets more from a grandparent of Irish descent.
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As a result, their ethnicity estimates can differ, sometimes significantly, even though they share the same parents.
But some things stay consistent:
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Siblings will share a high amount of DNA, typically around 50%.
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They will appear as close matches (siblings) in the DNA match section of AncestryDNA.
Example:
One sibling might be 30% Scandinavian and 20% West African, while another is 25% Scandinavian and 25% West African.
Ancestry DNA tests are generally quite accurate for what they are designed to do, but their accuracy varies depending on the specific feature:
1. Ethnicity Estimates
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Accuracy: Approximately 70–95%, depending on the region.
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Details: The test compares your DNA to reference samples from various populations. It’s more accurate in well-represented regions (like Europe) and less precise in underrepresented areas (like parts of Africa or Asia).
2. DNA Matches (Genetic Relatives)
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Accuracy: Very high for close relatives.
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Details: First to third cousins are usually detected with over 99% accuracy. The farther the relation, the less precise the estimate becomes.
3. Maternal & Paternal Lineage (mtDNA and Y-DNA)
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Accuracy: High for deep ancestry tracing.
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Details: These tests trace unbroken maternal or paternal lines and are based on specific DNA segments (mtDNA and Y-DNA). They’re excellent for understanding ancient origins and haplogroups, but not useful for detecting recent relatives.
Important Considerations:
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Not a diagnostic tool: It doesn’t test for health conditions unless specified.
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Reference panels vary: Different companies have different databases, which can affect your ethnicity results.
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Updates: Results may change slightly over time as databases grow and algorithms improve.
Yes, AncestryDNA does tell you your ethnicity—but it’s more accurate to say it gives you an ethnicity estimate based on your genetic markers.
Here’s what you get:
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Ethnicity Breakdown: A percentage-based estimate showing what regions of the world your DNA comes from (e.g., 40% Irish, 25% West African, 15% Scandinavian).
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Regional Detail: It includes over 1,000+ global regions, and may identify more specific communities within countries.
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DNA Communities: These show likely migration patterns of your ancestors and can highlight historical population movements (e.g., Southern Italians to New York).
How it works:
AncestryDNA compares your DNA to a large database of genetic samples from known regions to find similarities. The result is a probabilistic estimate, not an exact measurement.
Important: These ethnicity estimates are most accurate for people from well-sampled regions (like Europe and North America) and less precise in areas with limited reference data (like parts of Asia or Indigenous populations).
DNA paternity tests are extremely accurate, typically yielding a probability of parentage of 99.99%. However, as with any scientific test, there remains a very small margin for error that could potentially affect the results.
Sibling DNA analysis is not as conclusive as paternity DNA test. A sibling DNA test will provide a probability that two individuals are biologically related and can not provide a yes or no answer. On average full siblings will share more genetic markers than half-siblings, and half-siblings share more genetic markers than unrelated individuals. Furthermore, Combined Siblingship Indices (CSI) (probabilities) of full siblings, half-siblings and unrelated individuals sometimes overlap, resulting in uncertainty of the relationship.
Most Canadian agencies accept:
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Credit Cards (Visa/Mastercard).
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E-transfers (if you have a Canadian bank account).
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PayPal.
Total turnaround time is usually 2 to 4 weeks, factoring in:
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Time for you to mail your prints to Canada.
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The 3-10 day RCMP processing window.
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The return shipping time to your international address.
If the fingerprints are submitted electronically to the RCMP, the application is processed and the results are sent in 7 to 10 working days through Canada Post (regular mail), provided “there is NO match to a criminal record“. In cases where there is a possible match to an RCMP criminal database holding, the processing time may extend up to or exceed 120 days.
A Police Clearance Certificate or Identity History Summary Check from the USA is often referred to as a criminal background check, criminal history record, police/good conduct certificate. If you are in Canada then you must submit your fingerprints to FBI on a standard fingerprint form (FD-258). Forensics Canada Inc. will capture your fingerprints electronically using Live Scan technology to ensure the highest quality of fingerprints. We will then print your fingerprints on FBI FD-258 or FD-1164 using FBI certified printer. The process takes about 15-20 minutes.
CPIC checks or criminal record checks based on the name and date of birth of the potential employees are the most preferred method of criminal background screening by Canadian employers. You may also need a criminal background check for foreign travel, visa, name change, professional licensing, coaching, volunteering and other civil purposes.
A Canadian criminal record check is also referred to as a police record check, criminal history check, police clearance certificate or simply criminal background check. A criminal background check in Canada is a search of the CPIC (Canadian Police Information Center) database, maintained by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), to find out whether a police record is associated with the applicant’s name and date of birth. CPIC checks are the most preferred method of criminal background screening by Canadian employers along with other reasons
Please CLICK HERE to read about Vulnerable Sector Screening and who needs it?
A vulnerable sector check is only conducted by the local police service.
It takes approximately 10-15 minutes to complete a criminal record check application. Consent form and application must be completed in the presence of Forensics Canada Inc. processing staff at our office: 200 Town Centre Court #5, Scarborough, ON M1P 4X8
No, you are welcome to walk-in to our Toronto office (200 Town Centre Court #5, Scarborough, ON M1P 4X8) with two (2) items of government issued identification for a police check.
A name and date of birth based police record check does not list any offences. It will indicate only whether a criminal record is associated with the applicant’s name and date of birth. A certified criminal record check through RCMP however may show a summary of offence (s) for which a record suspension (pardon) has not been granted.
No, if you have a criminal record your criminal record check will come back as “incomplete” and you will lose the fee paid for CPIC name check. You will have to submit your fingerprints to RCMP to obtain a criminal record check with additional applicable fee.
Bring two (2) pieces of govt issued identification. This is mandatory to comply with RCMP policy for issuing a Police Background Check in Canada.
Please CLICK HERE to read an article on how CPIC works in Toronto Star.
Forensics Canada Inc is able to provide you with a Police Clearance Certificate in Toronto – THE SAME DAY. We may receive results back from police service in as little as 2-3 hours. Please note that the turn-around time may fluctuate depending on the number of applications on the police server and time of the day.
Walk-in to our office located at: 200 Town Centre Court #5, Scarborough, ON M1P 4X8 with two (2) items of government issued identification to obtain a criminal background check the SAME DAY
Is the police clearance certificate issued by you the same as provided by the local police services?
Yes, we are authorized agents of Canadian Police Services and we issue the Police Clearance Certificate on a police-letterhead signed with an embossed seal on it.
Hours of Operation
Monday–Friday: 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Saturday: 10:0 AM to 4:00 PM
Sunday: Closed
Our location
200 Town Centre Court,
Unit 5 (Main Floor)
Scarborough, ON M1P 4X8
Phone
Get in Touch!
Need fingerprinting, a police record check, or DNA testing? Get in touch with our specialists for fast, reliable, and confidential service.
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