How to get a police certificate – Canada
If you need to give your fingerprints for a police certificate, this isn’t the same as giving your biometrics (fingerprints and photo) for an application.
Name of the document you need
Criminal record check
Applying for permanent residence
You don’t need to provide a police certificate when you apply for permanent residence in Canada.
How to apply
Answer the question below to find out how to get a police certificate from Canada.
Do you live in Canada now?
Do you live in Canada now?
- Yes
- No
Yes, I live in Canada now.
We’ll tell you if you need a Canadian criminal record check while your application is being processed. If we ask you to complete a criminal record check, visit the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) website for instructions.
You must provide:
- a full electronic set of fingerprints taken by an accredited company or police services
- valid identification and/or travel documentation (including a photo)
- a complete application form
- available on your local police website
- the reason for your request (immigration)
You must also pay any applicable fees.
Fingerprints must be submitted electronically to Canadian Criminal Real Time Identification Services (CCRTIS).
Paper submissions will not be processed and will be sent back to you.
Contact information
Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) website (available in English and French)
No, I don’t live in Canada now.
We’ll tell you if you need a Canadian criminal record check while your application is being processed. If we ask you to complete a criminal record check, visit the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) website for instructions.
You must provide:
- a full set of fingerprints that have:
- rolled and flat impressions of all ten fingers taken with black ink
- full name, date of birth and sex of the applicant
- the name and address of the police agency
- the signature of the official taking the fingerprints
- a complete application form
- available on your local police website
- the reason for your request (immigration)
You must also pay any applicable fees.
Fingerprints must be submitted electronically to Canadian Criminal Real Time Identification Services (CCRTIS).
Electronic fingerprint submissions to the RCMP is not currently available from outside of Canada. You must contact accredited companies within Canada who will digitize ink fingerprints and submit them electronically to the RCMP.
Paper submissions will not be processed and will be sent back to you.
Contact information
Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) website (available in English and French)
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