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Criminal Record Check (CPIC)
Criminal record checks (CPIC Name Based Checks) are provided using your name and date of birth. If a certified criminal record check is required or if the name and date of birth inquiry matches an individual in the CPIC system, submission of fingerprints to the National database becomes mandatory.
Fast, Secure, and Reliable Criminal Record Checks in Alberta
Whether you’re applying for a police clearance certificate or a Criminal History Check, you will need to submit fingerprints as part of the process.
A criminal record check will determine if you have been charged or convicted of a crime. If a name-based criminal record check does not provide a definite way of confirming your identity, you may be asked to provide fingerprints.
While this can be a complex and daunting task, we’re here to ensure everything runs smoothly.
What Is a Criminal Record Check (CPIC)
A criminal record check will determine if a person has been charged or convicted of a crime. There are two ways to check if you have a criminal history:
- Name-based criminal record checks
- Fingerprint-based criminal record checks
Name-based Criminal Record Checks involve checking your name and date of birth against the RCMP’s CPIC (Canadian Police Information Centre) criminal record database.
Unfortunately, name-based checks have weaknesses in verifying a person’s identity due to some last names being the same, differences in spelling, use of nicknames, legal name changes, and the intentional changing of names to avoid a record of criminal history.
One of three standard responses can happen during a CPIC Criminal Record Check:
Negative: No criminal record
Incomplete: Possible match to a criminal record or does not match the criminal record information declared by the Applicant
Confirmation: matches the criminal record information declared by the Applicant
A criminal record may have to be verified with the submission of fingerprints. That’s why we also offer digital fingerprinting services for Criminal record checks in Alberta.
Criminal record checks are valid as of the date they were conducted. Results are provided with the date of completion rather than an expiration date. It is up to the requesting organization to determine their own thresholds for how long a check will be considered valid. If it has been too long since the completion of your check, the organization may request a renewal.
RCMP policy states that a Vulnerable Sector Check must be conducted by the local police agency of the jurisdiction where the applicant resides.
If you have initiated the Vulnerable Sector Check through your local police agency and are asked to provide fingerprints to complete the Vulnerable Sector Check, we can assist you with the fingerprinting process and request the results be sent to the requesting police agency from the RCMP. In this case, a request letter from the local police agency is required.
Please ensure that this is the right check for you. Note that a refund will not be provided once the check has been processed.
Applying for a Criminal Record Check in Alberta, Canada
Criminal Record Checks in Canada are administered through the provision of your name and date of birth or your fingerprints.
For your ultimate convenience, we offer an online CPIC service, which is a name-based criminal record check. The online application process takes less than 10 minutes. Your application will be submitted automatically through a direct and secure connection to our police partners. This service is not only available for applicants in Alberta, it can also be used by applicants in other provinces in Canada. If the applicant is outside of Canada, please contact our office to learn the process.
Please note that NO refunds will be issued once you have submitted your application.
Criminal Record Checks are typically processed within 1 business day, Monday to Friday, excluding holidays.
For those that prefer to visit our offices in person, you can book an in-person appointment on our booking page.
However, there are two scenarios in which the submission of fingerprints becomes mandatory:
- A certified criminal record check is needed
- The name and date of birth of the applicant are flagged by the CPIC database
Certified criminal record checks in Canada are sometimes referred to as fingerprint-based criminal record checks, electronic fingerprinting, or digital fingerprinting. They rely on a stringent process that requires specialized equipment and a deep understanding of the regulations that govern them. That’s where we come in.
By utilizing our digital fingerprinting services in Alberta, you can make sure there are no mistakes — and that your RCMP application isn’t delayed or returned.
If a name-based Criminal History Check comes back Incomplete, you may be required to submit digital fingerprints for a criminal record check. Those fingerprints will need to be checked against the National Repository of Criminal Records for a match. The RCMP’s CCRTIS only accepts digital fingerprints from approved service providers such as Edmonton Fingerprinting Services, so book a digital fingerprinting appointment with us when needed.
Other reasons you may need to submit a fingerprint-based Criminal History Record application:
- Federal Government Security Clearance and Contract Security Program
- Employment purpose requiring an RCMP-accredited Certified Criminal Record Check
- Canadian citizenship application and permanent resident application
- Criminal Record Suspension (pardons) and US Entry Waivers
- US Citizenship/Immigration/Visa
- Visas for border crossings, work, and travel
Don’t Take Chances with Your Criminal Record Check in Canada
Even the slightest mistake or missed detail can delay your RCMP criminal record application. To ensure you comply with all the relevant rules and regulations, book a digital fingerprinting service appointment with us today. Alternatively, contact us to find out more about criminal record checks in Alberta and throughout Canada.
CPIC Criminal Record Check
No, we do NOT provide Vulnerable Sector Police Information Check, and it can only be done at a local police station. Because a Vulnerable Sector Police Information Check will also include a check of local police records to determine the existence of a pattern of behavior that may result in harm to vulnerable persons. A Vulnerable Sector Police Information Check is required when the applicant will be in a position of trust or authority of children under 18 years of age, the elderly or the disabled. A position of trust or authority must be more than the opportunity for casual contact.
Who is a vulnerable person?
A vulnerable person is defined as a person who, because of their age, disability, or other circumstances, whether temporary or permanent, are (a) in a position of dependence on others or (b) are otherwise at a greater risk than the general population of being harmed by a person in a position or authority or trust relative to them.
You must provide two pieces of valid government issued identification, at least one of which must be photo ID.
The following types of identification are acceptable:
- Passport
- Driver’s License
- Birth Certificate
- Canadian Citizenship Card or Certificate
- Permanent Resident Card
- Certificate of Indian Status
- Immigration Documents (Study Permit, Work Permit, Visitor Record, Landing Paper)
- Military Family ID
- Nexus Card
- Federal Government Employee ID
- Firearms Possession and Acquisition Licence (PAL)
- Health Care Card (Not all provinces accept health cards as valid government issued ID. Please refer to provincial regulations.)
Please Note:
- Social Insurance Number (SIN) can not be used as an ID.
- Expired or temporary identification can not be accepted.
Criminal record checks, also referred to as police clearance, criminal background checks, criminal checks, police checks, police certificates or CPIC checks, are processed through the Canadian Police Information Center (CPIC) database.
Criminal record checks are provided through use of your name and date of birth or by submission your fingerprints. If a certified criminal record check is required or if the name and date of birth inquiry matches an individual in the CPIC system submission of fingerprints to the National database becomes mandatory.
If you have a criminal record, the name and date of birth based check through criminal name index of CPIC will come back as “Incomplete”. Submission of fingerprints to the RCMP will be required to complete the process. If you already know you have a criminal record, you should request a fingerprint based criminal record check (digital fingerprinting) instead.
Criminal record checks are valid as of the date they were conducted. Results are provided with the date of completion rather than an expiration date. It is up to the requesting organization to determine their own thresholds for how long a check will be considered valid. If it has been too long since the completion of your check, the organization may request a renewal.
The check ordered through this service consists of a name-based criminal record verification and does not include a Vulnerable Sector Search. RCMP policy states that a Vulnerable Sector Check must be conducted by the local police agency of the jurisdiction where the applicant resides.
Please ensure that this is the right check for you. Note that a refund will not be provided once the check has been processed.
If you have initiated the Vulnerable Sector Check through your local police agency and are asked to provide fingerprints to complete the Vulnerable Sector Check, we can assist you with the fingerprinting process and request the results be sent to the requesting police agency from the RCMP. In this case, a request letter from the local police agency is required.
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