Canadian PCC

[gryphon 20]

Quick question for anyone that's done a Canada Police Check - how did you get it done and how long did it take? My wife just went to get hers done and they said it would take 2-8 weeks! The RCMP site says 22 weeks (!!!!) for paper (inked) fingerprints. Should we go with a third party service to speed it up?

[PickleChips 56]

I went to my local RCMP station and they did it while I waited. It was free and took about 20 minutes. Also, fingerprints are only necessary if you have a criminal record.

[at long last 58]

I went to my local RCMP station and they did it while I waited. It was free and took about 20 minutes. Also, fingerprints are only necessary if you have a criminal record.

yes same with me. the local RCMP detachment did it.

[gryphon 20]

Hmm... so you both just did the "Name and Birth Date check"? We were going to do the fingerprint one just to make super sure that the consulate was happy, but that turnaround time is just scary. My wife just went to the local police station to do the fingerprinting, I guess the closest RCMP to her is about an hour and a half away, and she was told she just had to go to her local police station to do it. I guess we can try to do the Name and Birth Date one too, submit that with the packet and have the fingerprint one on hand as well for the interview... she doesn't have a criminal record so there shouldn't be an issue there.

Thanks for the info =)

[NikLR 13,231]

If she's never even been arrested get the name check. Majority of us never will need more than that. You're only required to get the fingerpeints if you've been convicted of a crime. Otherwise find a place that does the electronic fingerprints. They're faster.

[Ryan H 3,821]

Moved from IR-1/CR-1 Progress Reports to Canada regional forum.

[Florida Bear 7]

My husband got the electronic fingerprints done and it took less than a week to get them back. He went to the local RCMP.

[gryphon 20]

Thanks for all the help - my wife is going to go to the local police station and do the Name/DOB check and we'll scan that one in for the IV packet. We'll bring the fingerprint one to the interview as well once it comes in, hopefully for brownie points =)

[teama&a 3]

I went to my local police station on Friday, they did the "Police Information Check" which checks the name and date of birth with the RCMP National Repository of Criminal Records. I paid $45 for it and they said it would take up to 2 weeks. It was mailed to my house on Tuesday (2 business days). Good luck!

[NikLR 13,231]

Thanks for all the help - my wife is going to go to the local police station and do the Name/DOB check and we'll scan that one in for the IV packet. We'll bring the fingerprint one to the interview as well once it comes in, hopefully for brownie points =)

Why on earth would she need brownie points? ROFL! For a genuine couple, especially a multi-generational Canadian, the interview is pretty much a formality. It's like 3-10 questions as if you're having a conversation. If she doesn't need to spend the extra money on a fingerprint check I personally don't see the point in doing it unless you just feel that you need to, should, or whatever. It isn't necessary at all, but it's your dime.

[gryphon 20]

Why on earth would she need brownie points? ROFL! For a genuine couple, especially a multi-generational Canadian, the interview is pretty much a formality. It's like 3-10 questions as if you're having a conversation. If she doesn't need to spend the extra money on a fingerprint check I personally don't see the point in doing it unless you just feel that you need to, should, or whatever. It isn't necessary at all, but it's your dime.

Hehe, well, I guess we don't want there to be any doubt whatsoever. I guess MTL requires proof of my US domicile as well (according to their requirements list), and having lived here pretty much all my life (and having a habit of keeping records), I'm nearly tempted to include an encyclopedia's worth of proof. Overkill, I'm sure... but I've never done this before (and I don't want to do it again!) XD

[Ms Hogan 295]

I did mine locally for the region I lived in but I did not require finger prints. It took about 15 minutes if I recall correctly.

[NikLR 13,231]

Hehe, well, I guess we don't want there to be any doubt whatsoever. I guess MTL requires proof of my US domicile as well (according to their requirements list), and having lived here pretty much all my life (and having a habit of keeping records), I'm nearly tempted to include an encyclopedia's worth of proof. Overkill, I'm sure... but I've never done this before (and I don't want to do it again!) XD

Is your US address on the I-864? yes? You're sending pay stubs from a US employer? You're including your Tax return transcripts which also state a US address? Then domicile is done.

Sending your wife to the interview with a mound of paperwork that isn't going to be looked at is just mean. To your wife. Just sayin'. LOL!!!

[Udella&Wiz 325]

Yep, no need to be anything other then straight to the point, provide what is asked for, don't go overboard. Sure - its easy for those of us who've already done it to say that, I know. No such thing as brownie points.

[HollywoodNorth 22]

Quick question for anyone that's done a Canada Police Check - how did you get it done and how long did it take? My wife just went to get hers done and they said it would take 2-8 weeks! The RCMP site says 22 weeks (!!!!) for paper (inked) fingerprints. Should we go with a third party service to speed it up?

Get the RCMP certified background check, its like 50-70$, the fingerprints and photo are electrically captured/scanned and emailed to ottawa. If its at the police station tell them its for a US immigration visa. You will get something like this back within a week or two:

https://www.google.ca/search?q=rcmp+certified+back+ground+check&espv=2&biw=1510&bih=870&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjl4euc_KfMAhUJxmMKHegKDjcQ_AUIBygC#imgrc=zlgVp2RKZt7YaM%3A

In addition it'll have an imprint in the corner.

You technically don't need the certified version, but you can go the name/birth check for the minimum requirements. If your name/birth happens to hit a name on a list somewhere [no fly list, etc] then there is a remote chance they will kick back the police check via RFE or at the interview causing a delay.

It is my opinion you get the certified check to eliminate that remote possibility.

I had 3 done while I was waiting for my consular processing to switch from AOS [i was in Canada waiting for almost 2 years] in each case I received the check back pretty quickly, usually within a week.

Do not get the ink checks, those have a massive backlog and they are not required.

Edited April 24, 2016 by HollywoodNorth