In this blog post, we’re answering criminal record checks Canada FAQs so you can understand how to protect your company and comply with industry and navigate legal requirements. With our network of police partners and integrations with popular hiring platforms, Certn has been offering faster criminal record checks since 2017 to help you make more informed hiring decisions. The best part? No paperwork. At Certn, we’re guided by the belief that background checks shouldn’t include paperwork.
Okay, let’s dive in!
Check Criminal Record Canada
The Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC) is Canada’s centralized information sharing system maintained by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). The CPIC stores and provides access to the criminal history information used for all criminal record checks in Canada, whether you visit your local police precinct or you order a check online.
There are three kinds of CPIC checks depending on the level of detail needed and the nature of the role you’re filling: basic criminal record check, enhanced criminal record check/enhanced police check, and vulnerable sector check.
Our checks help confirm whether a candidate has a criminal history using a person’s name, date of birth, and address history to search Canadian data sources. We can’t help run checks that require fingerprinting.
Criminal Record Checks in Canada
Now that we’ve covered the names, here’s more information about each of the three types of criminal record checks in Canada:
- Basic Criminal Record Check: This check provides information about an individual’s convictions and pending charges in the national criminal database (the CPIC). It typically includes summary and indictable offences, but we’ll get into more about offence types later. The basic check uses your name and date of birth to check the system, so it’s also called a name-based criminal record check. Note: If a name-based check can’t confirm the identity, a fingerprint search of the National Repository of Criminal Records can be conducted. This process is conducted by the RCMP’s Canadian Criminal Real Time Identification Services (CCRTIS).
- Enhanced Police Information Check (E-PIC): This is a more comprehensive check that includes everything from the basic/name-based criminal record check plus additional local police information, such as police contacts, restraining orders, peace bonds, and other relevant local information that may not be captured in the national database.
- Vulnerable Sector Check: This check is designed to identify any criminal records that are relevant to a position involving authority over vulnerable populations (paid or volunteer positions). It includes the information from a basic check as well as additional records related to outstanding criminal charges and warrants and other judicial orders (e.g., custody arrangements, restraining orders, etc.). Certn doesn’t conduct these checks.
The requirements and procedures for obtaining CPIC checks vary across different provinces and territories in Canada, so it’s best to consult with the local police agency or the organization requesting the check for detailed instructions. For example, background check vendors, like us here at Certn, are authorized to provide the first two types, the basic and enhanced. The third type, vulnerable sector check, is only available in person at a local police station. However, there are some limitations to vulnerable sector checks, which we cover in The Problem with Canada’s Vulnerable Sector Checks.
Criminal Record Checks Canada FAQ
Below, Certn’s screening experts have weighed in on criminal record checks Canada FAQs to help you learn more about these important background checks. Let us know if you have any more questions!
Criminal Record Check Basics
What’s a CPIC criminal record check?
Again, the Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC) is a centralized information sharing system maintained by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). Criminal record checks Canada, often referred to as CPIC checks as a nod to the database searched, are background checks conducted by authorized agencies or organizations in Canada to obtain information about an individual’s criminal history. These checks are typically requested for purposes such as employment screening, volunteer work, adoption processes, immigration applications, and licencing requirements.
What jobs require a criminal record check?
CPIC checks return information about an individual’s criminal history. They can include details such as arrests, charges, convictions, warrants, and any other relevant criminal information.
In this blog post we cover what jobs require a criminal record check.
How to Access Criminal Record Checks Canada Information
How can I look up someone’s Canadian criminal record for free?
As we mentioned above, the Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC) is a centralized information system maintained by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). The CPIC is responsible for storing and providing access to criminal records in Canada. Canadian criminal records can be requested in person or online, but can only be ordered by individuals or organizations with a legitimate reason to request such information (e.g., pre-employment screening, applying for a security clearance, etc.). Retrieving the confidential records and processing the results properly takes, time, energy, and resources. As such, you can’t access this information for free.
Who pays for Canada criminal record checks?
In Canada, the person requesting the check is usually the one who pays for it. This usually means that if it’s an employer that needs the check, they pay the associated fees to screen a candidate. However, it’s not always the case, so make sure you confirm! If you’re running a personal background check on yourself, you usually pay. The fees vary depending on the jurisdiction and the type of check being requested. If you need a check for a reason aside from employment, such as for a volunteer position or an adoption process, we recommend contacting the relevant agency or police service in your area to inquire about the specific process and fees involved. In some cases the fees can be discounted or reimbursed — it doesn’t hurt to ask!
How to Run a Criminal Record Check Canada
What kind of information do you have to provide to run a criminal record check?
To run a criminal record check, you have to provide your full name, date of birth, address information, and sometimes fingerprints, to the appropriate authorities. The RCMP has information on certified criminal record checks and fingerprinting.
How do I look up criminal records in Canada?
Canadian criminal records maintained by CPIC can be requested in person or online, but checks on a person can only be ordered by individuals or organizations with a legitimate reason to request such information. Checking criminal records is often required by employers, volunteer organizations, and government agencies as part of the hiring process.
However, published civil, criminal, and penal judicial records and other courthouse details can be accessed for free by anyone searching public repositories such as Québec’s provincial SOQUIJ database where available. This blog post covers the SOQUIJ database and criminal record check Québec
How long does it take to get Canada criminal record checks?
The time it takes to complete any type of background check, criminal or otherwise, varies depending on factors such as the type of information being verified, the responsiveness of the sources and databases, and the efficiency of the screening process. A Canadian criminal record check can typically be completed within a few days to a week, assuming the information is readily available and the sources respond promptly. Though, online checks and automation can speed up the process.
Here’s how long the Certn background check process can take.
Can individuals or organizations access Canadian criminal records for purposes other than employment screening, volunteer work, adoption processes, immigration applications, and licencing requirements?
Yes. As an individual, you can get access to your records at any time for any purpose, provided you pay the associated fees. If you just want to have your personal records on hand, you can pay to retrieve them. While it’s possible there could be other reasons you need to show your criminal history, the reasons listed above are pretty comprehensive. That is, there are few other reasons aside from what’s listed above where an organization would need to see your background. If you’re being asked to provide a copy of a criminal record check for tenancy, you should consult the laws in your area as there are only specific circumstances where this is allowed.
Are there any differences in the process or requirements for running criminal record checks across different provinces and territories in Canada, and how can employers ensure compliance with relevant regulations when conducting these checks?
Yes. The process and requirements for running criminal record checks can indeed vary across different provinces and territories in Canada. Each jurisdiction has its own set of regulations governing background checks, including the types of checks available, the information required from individuals undergoing checks, and the procedures for obtaining and processing checks (including fees). Employers seeking to conduct criminal record checks should consult with the local police agency or the vendor they’re using for detailed instructions specific to their location. By staying informed about regional variations in requirements and ensuring compliance with relevant regulations, employers can conduct thorough and legally sound background checks.
What are the specific limitations or challenges associated with obtaining a vulnerable sector check in Canada and how do these checks differ from basic and enhanced criminal record checks?
Vulnerable sector checks in Canada are designed specifically to identify criminal records relevant to positions involving authority over vulnerable populations, whether paid or volunteer roles. While basic and enhanced criminal record checks focus on general criminal history, vulnerable sector checks delve deeper into additional records related to outstanding criminal charges, warrants, and other judicial orders like custody arrangements or restraining orders. However, obtaining vulnerable sector checks can present challenges, as they must be conducted in person at a local police station. These checks aim to ensure the safety of vulnerable individuals by providing comprehensive background information on individuals in positions of trust or authority.
What Do Canadian Criminal Record Checks Reveal
What shows up on a criminal record check in Canada?
The availability and disclosure of criminal records varies by jurisdiction. Some jurisdictions have restrictions on the types of convictions that can be reported after a certain period or based on the severity of the offence. Additionally, certain offences may be eligible for expungement or pardons, which can affect their inclusion in a Canadian criminal record check.
How far back does a Canadian criminal record check go?
There’s no limit to how far back a Canadian criminal record check goes, but the type of offence determines how long it stays on your record.
See the answer below for more details.
How long does a criminal record stay on your record in Canada?
In Canada, the length of time that a criminal record stays on your record depends on the type of offence and the outcome of the case. The general guidelines for the retention of criminal records are as follows:
Absolute Discharge: If you receive an absolute discharge, the record is removed from the federal database one year from the date of the discharge.
Conditional Discharge: If you receive a conditional discharge, the record is removed from the federal database three years from the completion of the sentence.
Summary Conviction: A summary conviction for an indictable offence stays on your record for five years from the date of the conviction or the completion of the sentence, whichever is later.
Indictable Conviction: An indictable conviction stays on your record indefinitely unless you apply for a record suspension (formerly known as a pardon). A record suspension, if granted, removes the record from the federal database and sets it aside.
Consult with a lawyer for more precise information about the retention period for a specific offence based on the Criminal Records Act and relevant provincial legislation.
There you have it! We hope what Certn’s experts had to say about criminal record checks Canada FAQs is helpful! Do you still have more criminal record checks Canada FAQs? Don’t hesitate to contact us.
Check Criminal Record Canada
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There’s also MyCRC if you need to order a Canadian criminal record check on yourself.
