Fingerprints

[Earmuffs 1]

Do I need fingerprints for my interview? I emailed the consulate and they told me i just need a police record check. The RCMP did that at their station. I can never seem to get a straight answer from anyone at the police station or the consulate. If I do need the certified criminal record check from Ottawa that takes 4 months or longer and every thing I have including my medical will expire!!!!!!!!! and I'll have to basically start all over again. Im located in a a small northern Alberta city and have to travel 5 hours to do any of this #######.

[~Nini~ 2]

Only people who have a criminal record need to get fingerprinted at the RCMP for their police check... otherwise you should be fine. The consulate shouldn't require fingerprints - I know the Vancouver consulate didn't ask for them.

[lynamon 0]

I agree ...

[Misty1979 0]

If you do have a criminal record, and only need to get a hold of fingerprints now, I got mine done same-day at the local police station in Victoria.

(I don't have a criminal record, but thought I needed the fingerprinting done just to get the record check.)

There is a few other places probably closer to you that can do fingerprinting as well.

[Earmuffs 1]

i can get them same day but getting the record check takes months and since i have a record im worried i need it. I have everything else and that will totally screw me over if i have to start all over again because they couldn't clarify what i needed.

[Misty1979 0]

i can get them same day but getting the record check takes months and since i have a record im worried i need it. I have everything else and that will totally screw me over if i have to start all over again because they couldn't clarify what i needed.

Oh ok, gotcha. I always feel it's better to be safe than sorry, so sending away for it now couldn't hurt. It seems that different CO's have different ideas of who needs what when it comes interview time, so I really don't think anyone could give you a definite answer on whether they will ask for one. If worse comes to worst and you do need one, at least you'll have the process started instead of having to start at square one. If it makes you feel any better, Stacey33 sent away for hers and had it in her hands in about 6 weeks.

[Earmuffs 1]

i can get them same day but getting the record check takes months and since i have a record im worried i need it. I have everything else and that will totally screw me over if i have to start all over again because they couldn't clarify what i needed.

Oh ok, gotcha. I always feel it's better to be safe than sorry, so sending away for it now couldn't hurt. It seems that different CO's have different ideas of who needs what when it comes interview time, so I really don't think anyone could give you a definite answer on whether they will ask for one. If worse comes to worst and you do need one, at least you'll have the process started instead of having to start at square one. If it makes you feel any better, Stacey33 sent away for hers and had it in her hands in about 6 weeks.

yeah i think i will go in Tuesday and get that started..

my biggest problem is i work on a oil and gas rig on a 3 weeks on and 1 week off rotation, so I only have one week to go and do whatever it is i need. Can be a pain especially since everything i need involves traveling to Edmonton.

[Autumnchik 6]

My husband had a DUI in the late 80's. For his K-1 interview in Vancouver, he had to get a certified copy of the court record. The consulate gave us conflicting answers on whether we needed fingerprints. He had already got the RCMP check which basically said that he did have a charge but it was not specific to the charge. The RCMP told us that the only way to get records of the charges (besides court records) was to get fingerprints. So, my husband did his at the RCMP station, and they were sent off. Then we found out that there was a backlog and fingerprints were taking in excess of 5 months. Trust me, I know the panic you are feeling now I posted on VJ and people suggested that he go to the Commissionaires. They do digital fingerprints that are supposed to significantly cut down on the wait time (as compared to old fashioned ink prints). Back in January, the gentleman at the Commissionaires told us that their wait time was 4-6 weeks. Still not fantastic, but much better than > 5months.

By the way, he was not asked for fingerprints at his interview (which was good since we didn't have them by then). However, I am the type to err on the side of caution and would suggest you get your prints done ASAP.

Here is a link to the Commissionaires. Looks like they have several locations in Alberta. Maybe one will be closer than Edmonton. Good luck!

http://www.commissionaires.ca/index.html

[Flames9_RN 358]

NO criminal record = NO fingerprinting

Criminal record = Fingerprinting

Seen a few people waste their time gfetting fingerprints when they do not require them!! The bachground check (canada wide) is normally the easiest document to get. And it doesnt have to be done by the RCMP, one can goto the local police (if they offer the service) and as long as it is canada wide (cpik system) ur good to go. Others have got it done in Edmonton with no problems, didnt take them months!

[misa 2]

Yup, everyone is correct here. No criminal background, no fingerprints required, just a Canada wide background check (i.e., name check against the National crime bank or whatever it is called). In a moment of panic, I even emailed Vancouver about it before my interview. Here was their official response to me:

"Since you do not have any criminal record, you are not required to do fingerprints. The clearance you received suffice the requirement of RCMP clearance. Thank you."

Edited May 21, 2007 by misa

[Ron/Sharon 0]

Hi Earmuffs, I had to go through the fingerprint process with the RCMP and they do take a long time, I think it took me close to 79 days regardless of their saying 4 to 6 months. The reason I am writing is that even thought I said on the forms that I had a record the RCMP said I didn’t have one and the reason for that was I got a pardon 10 years ago.

You say you have a record; did you get a pardon for your charge? If you did you may want to call the Consulate and see if you can get by with a copy of the pardon and name check only.

The following is the name of a person that may be able to help you get a copy of your pardon if you have one as I was told by the consulate that since I was convicted of an offence and it was pardoned I would need a copy of the pardon also.

Jan Cleary

Clemency and Pardons Division

National Parole Board

410 Laurier Avenue West

Ottawa, ON K1A 0R1

1-800-874-2652

The above will supply you with your file number if you don’t know it.

I would say forget about having to start over, get in touch with the Consulate and tell them that getting the background certificate is taking a long time and they should give you the extension required as they do receive updates from the RCMP regarding the time required to process requests.

[Earmuffs 1]

no I don't have a pardon. I have all my court papers so if i dont have the fingerprints by my interview, I'm hoping ill luck out and be ok.

[Earmuffs 1]

http://www.commissionaires.ca/index.html

wow they actually have one in Grande Prairie, first time i haven had to go to edmonton for something.

[Earmuffs 1]

http://www.commissionaires.ca/index.html

wow they actually have one in Grande Prairie, first time i haven had to go to edmonton for something.

nope i was wrong gonna have to go to Edmonton but who knows when that will be.