Canadian Living in Paris: How to Get an RCMP Criminal Record Check

By the time you've settled into life in Paris, you've probably become familiar with paperwork. Whether it's opening a bank account, renewing a residence permit, signing a lease, or starting a new job, there always seems to be another document someone wants to see.

What catches many Canadians off guard is when that document turns out to be an RCMP Criminal Record Check.

At first, it sounds simple. You're in France, the RCMP is in Canada, and you're left wondering how you're supposed to complete a Canadian background check from the other side. It can feel complicated, but it doesn't have to be. You can easily get your RCMP Criminal Record Check from Paris without returning to Canada.

In this blog, you'll find exactly what you need to know as a Canadian living in Paris to obtain your RCMP Criminal Record Check.

If you're a Canadian living in Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Bordeaux, or anywhere else in France and you've just been told you need a Canadian Criminal Record Check, you're not alone. This situation is more common than most people realize. Tens of thousands of Canadians live in France, and many of them eventually need an RCMP Criminal Record Check for official purposes.

You might need one for a long-stay visa application, residency renewal, a job in a regulated profession, a role working with children, or an international adoption process. The good news is that you can complete the entire process from France. You don't need to book a flight, visit Canada, or put your plans on hold.

But first, let's make sure you know exactly what you're being asked for.

A Canadian Criminal Record Check, also referred as RCMP Criminal Record Check, is an official document issued by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) that confirms whether or not you have a criminal record in Canada. It is based on a search of the Canadian Criminal Real-Time Identification Service (CCRTIS), Canada's national fingerprint-based criminal records database.

This is a federal-level document and is the Canadian background check most commonly accepted for immigration, employment, licensing, and legal purposes abroad. A French police certificate (casier judiciaire) cannot replace it because it covers only your history in France, not in Canada.

Many people assume a Canadian Criminal Record Check is only needed for immigration. In reality, there are several situations where Canadians living in Paris or abroad may be asked to provide one.

Some of the most common reasons include:

• Applying for a visa, residency permit, citizenship, or immigration program in another country.
• Starting a job in regulated industries such as healthcare, education, finance, law, government, or security.
• Working or volunteering with children, seniors, or other vulnerable individuals.
• Completing an international adoption application, where a Vulnerable Sector Check may also be required.
• Meeting requirements for professional licensing, accreditation, or membership in regulated professions.
• Providing identity and background verification for certain banking, pension, insurance, or legal matters.

For many Canadian expats in France and elsewhere around the world, the request often arrives unexpectedly. You may have already secured a job offer, started an immigration application, or begun volunteering when an organization asks for a Canadian Criminal Record Check as part of its due diligence process.

When proof of your Canadian background is required, an RCMP Criminal Record Check is the document they will ask for.

No, the RCMP does not operate outside Canada. There are no RCMP offices, service counters, or representatives in France where you can walk in and apply for a criminal record check in person.The good news is that you don't need to be in Canada to get one. The entire process can be completed from France, and there are two main ways to do it.

Option 1: Apply Directly Through the RCMP by Mail

The traditional route involves having your fingerprints taken in France at a local police station or authorized fingerprinting provider. Once your fingerprints are recorded on the official C-216C fingerprint card, you then need to mail them to an RCMP- accredited company in Canada along with the required application details. The RCMP doesn't accept fingerprint submissions from individuals, so you need to coordinate it through an accredited agency.

This method works, but it can be slow, as mailing internationally can add several weeks to the process. If the fingerprint card is smudged, incomplete, or does not meet RCMP quality standards, it may be rejected, which means starting over and losing more time.

Option 2: Use an RCMP-Accredited Provider

Many Canadians living in Paris or abroad choose to work with an RCMP-accredited company such as Globeia Incorporated in Toronto, Canada. Instead of relying on international mail, your fingerprints are captured by trained associates in Paris and submitted to the RCMP-accredited company in Canada, which then digitizes and submits them further to RCMP CCRTIS.

This approach is generally faster, reduces the risk of fingerprint rejection, and is specifically designed for Canadians living outside Canada. Globeia assists clients throughout France, including Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Bordeaux, and other regions, making it one of the most convenient options for obtaining an RCMP Criminal Record Check from abroad.

Getting an RCMP Criminal Record Check from France through Globeia is quite simpler than you think. The key is to follow each step in the correct order and make sure your information is accurate from the start.

1. Complete the Globeia SmartForm

Start by completing Globeia's online SmartForm. This is where you'll provide your personal details, identification information, delivery preferences, and the reason you need the RCMP Criminal Record Check. Before submitting, confirm whether you will also need additional services such as an apostille, certified translation, notarization support, or authentication.

2. Review Your Documents and Prepare for Fingerprinting

Once your application has been reviewed, Globeia will guide you through the required documents and fingerprinting requirements. Make sure all information is accurate and complete. Errors in names, dates of birth, or identification details can cause delays later in the process.

3. Book Fingerprinting Appointment

Book your fingerprinting appointment in Paris with the required identification documents, including your passport. A trained fingerprinting associate will collect your fingerprints on the official RCMP C-216C fingerprint form and check them for clarity and quality before submission coordination begins.

4. Globeia Coordinates Electronic Submission to the RCMP

After your fingerprints have been collected, Globeia coordinates submission through Globeia Incorporated in Toronto, Canada, which holds RCMP accreditation for electronic fingerprint submissions. The fingerprints are digitized and submitted electronically to the RCMP's Canadian Criminal Real Time Identification Services (CCRTIS), eliminating the need for you to mail documents internationally or manage the submission process yourself.

5. Receive Your RCMP Criminal Record Check

Once the RCMP completes its processing, the official result is issued and delivered according to your selected delivery method. Depending on your requirements, you may receive a scanned PDF, a physical document, or both.

If additional document services are needed, Globeia can also coordinate apostille, authentication, legalization, certified translation, and notarization support through the appropriate government authorities.

The entire process can be completed from France without travelling back to Canada. While it may seem complicated when you're first researching it, thousands of Canadians living in Paris and nearby areas successfully obtain their RCMP Criminal Record Check every year by following these same steps.

Many applicants choose an RCMP-accredited provider like Globeia for practical reasons:

• Fingerprints are digitized and submitted electronically to the RCMP's Canadian Criminal Real Time Identification Services (CCRTIS).
• Lower risk of delays caused by fingerprint quality issues or incomplete submissions.
• You can easily track the status of your application from the SmartPortal.
• Support is designed specifically for Canadians living outside Canada rather than applicants already in Canada.
• Available in Paris, Lyon, Marseille, and other locations across France.

If you'd rather avoid postal delays and have guidance through the process, an RCMP-accredited service like Globeia is often the simpler option.

Important: Globeia operates under a memorandum of understanding with Globeia Incorporated (Toronto, Canada) for the collection of ink fingerprints outside Canada. RCMP accreditation is held exclusively by Globeia Incorporated. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police does not accredit private fingerprinting companies outside of Canada and has no direct relationship with Globeia's international associates. All Criminal Record Check results are issued directly by the RCMP. 

At this point, the process probably feels a lot less mysterious than it did when you first started searching for answers. What often looks like a complicated international paperwork problem is really a series of manageable steps once you know where to begin.

The most important thing to remember is that you do not need to fly back to Canada to get your RCMP Criminal Record Check. Whether you're a Canadian living in Paris, settling into another part of France, or planning your next move, the process can be completed from where you are.

If you have an immigration deadline, job offer, licensing application, or legal requirement coming up, don't wait until the last minute. RCMP processing can take several weeks, and longer if fingerprints require additional review or there's a potential record match.

You've already done the hardest part, which is figuring out what you need and how to get it. Now it's simply a matter of taking the first step and working through the process.