Police Certificate in Canada?

[CANtoUSlove 3]

Hi All,

My husband and I are awaiting our NOA2, and as the end of our processing time is approaching, we're getting together all of the things that we can in order to make the NVC as quick and smooth as possible.

He went to the police station today to get his police certificate and they didn't seem to know exactly what he was talking about. They offered to do a full background check. Is that the same thing?

Does anyone from Canada have some more insight into what he needs to be asking for?

Thanks so much!

[bbz 2]

We're getting a police certificate today as well. In Ontario at least, it's called a Criminal Record Search. I've also seen it called "police check" and "clearance letter".

[Stephen + Elisha 92]

Per the State Department website:

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. (Note: Because records checks based on name and date of birth only are sometimes less thorough than those based on fingerprints, U.S. diplomatic offices reserve the right to request that certain applicants obtain fingerprint-based searches from the RCMP.)

Link: http://travel.state.gov/visa/fees/fees_5455.html?cid=9013#docs

[awkwardsoul 20]

I did mine yesterday, haha. The thing is that each city does it differently and for different prices.

I've done criminal record checks before but for work and this process/print out they gave me was much different.

What I did was bring a copy of Packet 3 (I'm going through Vancouver and and able to download it early) and showed them what I wanted. I first said I need a criminal record search through the national database and they were confused a bit and asked what it was for - then I showed them the checklist off my Packet 3 - after that, they understood. They take a copy of that and 2 pieces of ID. About 10 minutes of them typing in a computer and they give you a small certificate.

Mine is yellow and it says :

Canadian Police Certificate For visa applicants/foreign travel/foreign work permits.

Has my name/address/DOB/my signature.

Then:

"this certifies that a search basked on the above name and DOB failed to disclose any such person with a record of criminal convictions in the national repository from the criminal records of Canada.

They stamp it and do a fancy embossed/print thing.

[MissDinaDee 8]

I went to Commissionaires to do my Criminal Background Check. It took 24 hours and cost less than doing one with the RCMP, at least that was the case in Vancouver.

You may find a guide to follow NVC for Montreal Beneficiares Electronic Processing helpful. I followed the guide and had my case completed quickly!

MrsJ

Edited February 9, 2012 by MissDinaDee

[CANbirdUSman 11]

I did mine yesterday, haha. The thing is that each city does it differently and for different prices.

I've done criminal record checks before but for work and this process/print out they gave me was much different.

What I did was bring a copy of Packet 3 (I'm going through Vancouver and and able to download it early) and showed them what I wanted. I first said I need a criminal record search through the national database and they were confused a bit and asked what it was for - then I showed them the checklist off my Packet 3 - after that, they understood. They take a copy of that and 2 pieces of ID. About 10 minutes of them typing in a computer and they give you a small certificate.

Mine is yellow and it says :

Canadian Police Certificate For visa applicants/foreign travel/foreign work permits.

Has my name/address/DOB/my signature.

Then:

"this certifies that a search basked on the above name and DOB failed to disclose any such person with a record of criminal convictions in the national repository from the criminal records of Canada.

They stamp it and do a fancy embossed/print thing.

I'm also in Vancouver. Also waiting for my NOA2. SO smart to do whatever you can before the next package arrives...

Which police station did you go to in Vancouver? And how much did it cost?

(I've also had to do these criminal checks before, for work and school).

[keysjangle 145]

I'll be going to the Commissionaires. Toronto Police take forever, and I don't want to have to go out of the city to get it done - my local police station told me that would be faster than going through their main HQ. He told me they didn't even do checks at stations.

[dukeandduchess 141]

I did the commissionaires in downtown vancouver. It was about 45$ and took 2 days. I tried getting it done at the RCMP but they were complete jerks and the security guard couldn't do it because someone was on their lunch for an hour so he couldn't leave.. but when they got back it was his time for lunch... hahaha freaking amazing. I was so mad I almost got a criminal record

[Kim.D 3]

I flew in from England to go to the Commissioners in Ontario as it would cut my waiting time down by 117days (I didn't have 117days to wait!). It cost about $60 or$65 and I had it back within 4 days. They were very professional and said that the RCMP had received the request as soon as it was sent electronically.

Good luck.

[pocheros 101]

A full background check is unnecessary unless he has a criminal history. You just indicate that you need something showing that the "Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC) or the national criminal records repository was searched using the applicant's name and date of birth."

When I had mine done they also asked for all the addresses I lived at in the last 5 years.

[keysjangle 145]

I'll be going next week to get mine done, bright and early at 8 am (as I work a 9-5.)

I emailed their office last night and they got back to me promptly at 8:30 this morning. I asked what the fee is for the check I needed and I was told $42 and change, including tax.

Commissionaires seems a lot better than going to the cop shop.

[Janshark 0]

I just went and got a Police Certificate from the RCMP in the town where I'm spending the winter. The only trouble I had was convincing the woman that she could do it even though I'm not in the town I live in. (At least I didn't have to go into the whole song and dance to explain that I live full time in an r.v. so I don't have a fixed address and just use my ex-husband's address because it's easier, it used to be MY address and he doesn't mind.) It's a national search so it shouldn't matter where you get it. I get so sick of arguing with petty bureaucrats. And I paid $40.00.

[keysjangle 145]

I had my check done last Thursday, and just received it at home in the mail today - super fast!

[Trav&Shell 83]

I got mine done through Commissionaires, super fast and great service. I probably went overboard, got fingerprints and everything to be safe. Now, however, I have a question. I have a maiden name and two other surnames, plus my current surname. I was instructed that I needed all my former surnames checked as well as my current one, so I requested to check them all - being very clear that I wanted them all to show up on my report. I watched the officer at Commissionaires enter all my surnames into the "Aliases" field, I watched him hit "save" on the CPIC search engine, and to be doubly sure we did my fingerprints/picture/birthday check as well (that's why we went so overboard...wanted to make sure we got all names and eventualities covered, but I've never even been fingerprinted before so the guy was laughing at me ).

We both thought all of my names would have shown up on the report, but they did not. Only my current surname did - even though all of my surnames were searched. However, my record is clean after searching my names/fingerprints/birthdate. Will this check be OK, or do I need further checks done that ACTUALLY show my other names? (I'm fully prepared to go get them all done if I need to, just didn't want to spend the money if it was going to be extra paper...but with their turnaround time I don't mind going back in!)

[keysjangle 145]

I had them check my maiden name. I know that the main name they check should be the one going onto your immigration documents, which should also match your passport. She entered my name in like this: Jane Middlename Doe nee (Johnson)

I imagine you're in the clear though. I had to get a name check done for my current job and I pretty much had to talk the guy into checking my maiden name - maybe it isn't very common? We might just be products of the "better safe than sorry" VJ code of ethics