Canadian Police Checks

[AddyG 0]

I have a Canadian police check from the police services where I live and it says right on it that a search of the C.P.I.C. National Criminal Records Repositiry maintained by the RCMP was done and my name and birthdayte etc. This is Canada wide - so why does the Dept of States website say we need one from police authorities of each localitly we have lived in? I lived more than 6 months in one place when I went to university, more than 6 at current address and more than 6 at another address. Do I really require 3 when the one I have covers all of Canada???? Wierd!

Here's the site if anyone wants to check it: US Dept of State Site It states:

"is living in their country of nationality at their current residence for more than 6 months is 16 years old or older the police authorities of that locality.

lived in a different part of their country of nationality for more than 6 months was 16 years or older at that time the police authorities of that locality.

Edited January 27, 2009 by A & M

[MrsCat 6]

It is my understanding that one police certificate from Canada is sufficient, despite the fact that you may have lived several places within Canada, so long as the search indicates that it was done through CPIC, and covered any of your former names if applicable.

http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/reciproc...ocity_3531.html

Inside Canada: Applicants who are physically present in Canada should contact their local police service or Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) office regarding criminal record check procedures. Applicants may obtain a certificate of no conviction issued by any Canadian police service so long as it notes that Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC) or the national criminal records repository was searched using the applicant’s name and date of birth. Applicants should ensure that the search includes all names that they have previously used, including maiden names, prior married names, or names used before Canadian naturalization.

[Wis-Can 0]

Yes, if you are going through individual police stations (local police) you will need one from each place you lived. However, with the RCMP there Police Clearance Check covers the entire country. For people in Canada its best to go through the RCMP. FYI for others, a Criminals Records Check and the Police Clearance Check are two different things I found out today when I went into the office to get mine.

[Flames9_RN 358]

My favorite topic,lol!! Even the LOCAL POLICE can do a CANADA WIDE search, and if it is CANADA WIDE, it means exactly that, thus one only requires ONE check. At 1 time (yrs back) one had to get it done by the RCMP, but thats no longer the case and many local police forces do the check Canada wide as they have access to Canadian Police Services Information Centre (CPSIC), just like the RCMP does. So just ensure your background check states it was done CANADA Wide (could be as simple as a box checked off) And some units charge a fee, some do not. Some you get back in 5 minutes, others takes a few days or a week. And they all look different. Mine in Greenwood NS looked like a 5 yr old drew it up!!

And keep in mind not all police forces or RCMP detachments offer this service, so your best to phone ahead. Most do, but not all.

If you have ever had a criminal record,then u need fingerprints as well. if NO criminal record, just the background search (no fingerprinting)

im sure there is info on the Cdn WIKI page http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php/Canada

Edited January 27, 2009 by flames9

[♥Stiggy♥ 0]

Flames, you said that the Kingston one processes them, right?

[Krikit 1,164]

@ Flames.

Yes, A&M, Flames' information is correct. Wis-Can..... not so much. lol

Edited January 27, 2009 by Krikit

[Flames9_RN 358]

Flames, you said that the Kingston one processes them, right?

Yes, Kingston detachment does them. When I said Greenwood, I meant Kingston. why they are two different towns, I have no clue,lol

[Jenni and Bo 0]

Yes, if you are going through individual police stations (local police) you will need one from each place you lived. However, with the RCMP there Police Clearance Check covers the entire country. For people in Canada its best to go through the RCMP. FYI for others, a Criminals Records Check and the Police Clearance Check are two different things I found out today when I went into the office to get mine.

I had my police check done by the town police (town of less than 20 000) and asked them to do a CPIC search, and it was all good (got my Visa last week). Flames is right though, make sure you check with the station first, although MOST should be able to - they would never be able to cross reference names for cases for other crimes if they did not have access to CPIC. I had to get one done every year for my jobs, so I knew they could do it (and Chief of police was one of my regulars when I worked at Tim Hortons LOL)

Hope that helps A&M!

[Wis-Can 0]

@ Flames.

Yes, A&M, Flames' information is correct. Wis-Can..... not so much. lol

Exactly what is that suppose to mean....the information I gave was correct.

[Jenni and Bo 0]

@ Flames.

Yes, A&M, Flames' information is correct. Wis-Can..... not so much. lol

Exactly what is that suppose to mean....the information I gave was correct.

Actually hun it is not correct. You only need one check done, as long as they are able to do A CPIC (Canada-Wide check). Local police as well as RCMP are able to do this.

I've lived in Miramichi, Halifax, and Lower Sackville...I only got my police check done from the local Miramichi police, and they did a CPIC check, thereby running my name through a Canada-wide check.

If you have lived in other countries, you would need checks from them, but not from different towns/cities in Canada.

[Wis-Can 0]

Flames, you said that the Kingston one processes them, right?

First I went to my home town local police department to inquiry, and they told me they could do one, but it would only cover that area to get one through the RCMP and it would cover the country. So I went in to Kingston Detachment of the RCMP yesterday. I called first to make sure I could get one there. The lady told me that you have to come in by Tuesday, in order to pick it up on Thursday. This is the "day" of the week that they are available. You have to have your birth certificate, drivers license and your letter from the embassy that the information is required. They don't just do them anymore, you have to have your letter. She photocopies the letter and the checklist to put with your request. When I first went in I told her that I was applying for a visa and that I would need...and I didn't get it out of my mouth and she said a criminal records check...I said ok, she started to fill out this two page form, and highlighted the areas I needed to fill out and initial, and asked me to do so, then she read my checklist and said, oh its not a criminal records check you need but a police clearanace certificate, two entirely different things! I just looked at her and said, I acutally didn't say what it was, you said criminal records check and I assumed you knew what you were talking about when I told you it was for a US visa. So after all that, I pick up what I need on Thursday. Hey Stiggy, you'll be so prepared when you get to this point!! Good luck.

[Wis-Can 0]

@ Flames.

Yes, A&M, Flames' information is correct. Wis-Can..... not so much. lol

Exactly what is that suppose to mean....the information I gave was correct.

Actually hun it is not correct. You only need one check done, as long as they are able to do A CPIC (Canada-Wide check). Local police as well as RCMP are able to do this.

I've lived in Miramichi, Halifax, and Lower Sackville...I only got my police check done from the local Miramichi police, and they did a CPIC check, thereby running my name through a Canada-wide check.

If you have lived in other countries, you would need checks from them, but not from different towns/cities in Canada.

Well some smaller police stations must not be able to do that without "extra" work on their part then. I was informed by them, that I needed to go through the RCMP if I wanted a Canada Wide one done. This was just a week ago. So it must depend on the police department themselves. I agree you only need one done IF it covers the entire country.

[trailmix 77]

Yes, if you are going through individual police stations (local police) you will need one from each place you lived. However, with the RCMP there Police Clearance Check covers the entire country. For people in Canada its best to go through the RCMP. FYI for others, a Criminals Records Check and the Police Clearance Check are two different things I found out today when I went into the office to get mine.

Yes, maybe some smaller police stations do not offer this service, however the information you provided (above) is incorrect.

You mentioned that if you went to your local police station you will need one from each place you have lived in Canada - that is not necessarily true. You also mention that for people in Canada it is best to go to the RCMP, that's also not necessarily true.

For instance, if I had asked the question and followed your answer I would not have thought that my Husband could get his police clearance from the Calgary City Police, when of course he can (and did).

No one is dissing you Wis-Can, truly - but the info is not correct and might have someone making some long haul drive to the RCMP office when in fact they could get one at their local downtown police station.

Edited January 27, 2009 by trailmix

[OBX 51]

FYI for anyone in Niagara region.

I was able to obtain my police certificate from the RCMP office in Stoney Creek (just off the QEW before Hamilton). I was only required to show my passport and driver's licence. They did not ask for anything from immigration but were well informed about the entire process. The Canada-wide CPIC check was done, printed on a form stating that the check was Canada-wide under all of my previous names. It noted my DOB, address and had a digital photo of me (which the officer took on the spot) and a gold RCMP seal. Time taken = 20 minutes. Cost = nothing.

So for anyone in this area of Ontario hope this helps.

[AddyG 0]

Thanks to everyone for your answers. I figured it only made sense that 1 was required but thought I would check what others have done anyway. Sometimes you just need to confirm you aren't going crazy!

Just to let anyone else know who needs to get one - I had one done last year in Toronto for $25 and it covered the RCMP check for all of Canada. It came to me about a week later in the mail. Simple.

I have to get one now for immigration, and where I live now (a small police detachment 2 hrs north of Toronto) said they too do it for $25 and it can be done while I wait. If they were busy they might have to mail it to me.

Just depends on the police station I guess...