20+ FAQs About Criminal Record Checks in Toronto

1. What ID do I need to bring to my fingerprinting appointment in Toronto?

You need two valid government-issued identification documents. At least one must have your name, date of birth, signature, and photo on it. A valid passport, driver's licence, or permanent resident card is acceptable. Photocopies of both IDs are required for submission purposes.

2. My name-based check came back "incomplete." What does that mean?

It means a possible match to a criminal record was found under your name and date of birth. It does not confirm you have a criminal record. You will need to submit fingerprints for an RCMP Criminal Record Check through CCRTIS to conclusively confirm or clear the match.

3. How long will my RCMP Criminal Record Check take to come back?

RCMP processing times range from 3 to 120 days and are determined entirely by the RCMP based on application volume and individual circumstances. Mailing time is additional. No private company can speed this up.

4. My employer needs a criminal record check urgently. Is there a rush option?

No. The RCMP does not offer an expedited or rush service for civil criminal record check submissions. Processing is controlled entirely by the RCMP, and timelines cannot be shortened by any fingerprinting company.

5. I got a discharge years ago. Will it still show up on my criminal record check?

An absolute discharge is typically removed from your record after one year, and a conditional discharge after three years. After those periods expire, they generally will not appear on a standard criminal record check. However, the specific disclosure rules depend on the type of check being conducted.

6. I have a record suspension (pardon). Will it show on my criminal record check?

A record suspension granted by the Parole Board of Canada seals your criminal record in the CPIC database, meaning a standard criminal record check will not show it. However, if you are subject to a Vulnerable Sector Check, a record suspension for a sexual offence may still be disclosed under specific circumstances defined by the Criminal Records Act.

7. Will a withdrawn or stayed charge appear on my criminal record check in Toronto?

Under Ontario's Police Record Checks Reform Act, non-conviction information such as withdrawn or stayed charges is generally restricted from disclosure in standard criminal record checks, except in very limited circumstances. The type of check being conducted also affects what can be disclosed.

8. I am applying for PR (permanent residency). Do I need an RCMP Criminal Record Check?

IRCC may request an RCMP Criminal Record Check as part of a permanent residency or citizenship application, particularly if you have lived in Canada for more than six months since the age of 18. Always follow the specific instructions provided by IRCC in your application correspondence. Do not request a check unless IRCC has specifically asked for one.

9. I live in Toronto, but my postal code does not start with "M." Can I still apply for a Vulnerable Sector Check?

No. Only current Toronto residents with a postal code beginning with "M" can apply for a Vulnerable Sector Check through the Toronto Police Service. If you live outside Toronto, you need to contact the police service for your own jurisdiction.

10. Can my landlord ask me for a criminal record check in Toronto?

Yes. Landlords in Ontario can request a criminal record check as part of a tenant screening process, but only with your consent. Under the Ontario Human Rights Code, a landlord cannot automatically refuse a tenant solely based on a criminal record unless the conviction is directly relevant and there is a genuine safety concern.

11. I am a Canadian living abroad. Can I still get an RCMP Criminal Record Check?

Yes. Canadians living outside Canada can apply for an RCMP Criminal Record Check from abroad. You need to have your ink fingerprints taken by an authorized agency in the country where you are located. Those fingerprint forms are then submitted to an RCMP-accredited company such as Globeia Incorporated in Toronto for electronic submission to CCRTIS.

12. I need my criminal record check apostilled for use in another country. How does that work?

Canada joined the Hague Apostille Convention on January 11, 2024, meaning Criminal Record Check certificates can now be apostilled for use in all Hague Convention member countries. Please note that Globeia does not directly apostille official government documents and does not perform apostille services on behalf of any government authority. All apostille and authentication requests are submitted by our company to the designated competent government authority on your behalf.

13. Will my youth criminal record show up on a standard check?

Findings of guilt under the Youth Criminal Justice Act may appear within the applicable disclosure periods defined by the YCJA. Once those periods expire, youth records are generally sealed and will not appear on standard checks. Disclosure rules vary depending on the nature of the offence and the type of check being conducted.

14. I share a birthday and name with someone who has a criminal record. Will this cause problems?

Yes, this is a known issue. If a Name-Based Check returns a possible match due to a shared name and date of birth, you will be required to submit fingerprints for an RCMP Criminal Record Check. The fingerprint-based check conclusively distinguishes your identity from anyone else in the National Repository of Criminal Records.

15. How much does an RCMP Criminal Record Check cost in Toronto?

There are two separate components. The first is Globeia Incorporated's service fee for fingerprint collection, identity verification, and submission coordination. The second is the federal processing fee payable to the Receiver General of Canada, which is the government fee for RCMP processing. These are completely separate charges.

16. How long is my criminal record check valid for?

There is no universal expiry period set by law. Validity depends entirely on the organization requesting it. Most employers and licensing bodies accept results dated within the last 6 to 12 months. Always confirm the accepted timeframe with the requesting organization before applying.

17. Can my employer run a criminal record check on me without my knowledge?

No. Under Canadian privacy law and the Ontario Police Record Checks Reform Act, a criminal record check can only be conducted with your written consent. Results can only be released to a third party after you have given explicit authorization.

18. Do I need a separate criminal record check for each job I apply to?

Not necessarily. Many employers accept a recent check dated within 6 to 12 months. However, each organization sets its own requirements. Some may request a fresh check regardless of how recently you obtained one. Confirm directly with each employer what they will accept.

19. What is the difference between a criminal record check from the Toronto Police Service and an RCMP Criminal Record Check?

A Toronto Police Service check searches local police databases and is typically used for employment or volunteering within Ontario. An RCMP Criminal Record Check is a federally certified check conducted against the National Repository of Criminal Records using fingerprints, and is commonly required for immigration, government employment, or international purposes. Globeia Incorporated in Toronto, Canada, is accredited by the RCMP to take and submit civil fingerprint verification requests to the RCMP for civil purposes.

20. What causes delays in my criminal record check results?

The most common causes are fingerprint quality issues requiring manual review by the RCMP, a possible match to a criminal record requiring additional verification, high application volumes at CCRTIS, and incomplete personal information on the submission form. Mailing time after the RCMP issues the result is also additional and outside anyone's control.

21. What details are included in a Criminal Record Check in Toronto?

Depending on the type of check, a Toronto criminal record check may include criminal convictions under the Criminal Code of Canada, outstanding charges, warrants, court orders, peace bonds, probation orders, absolute and conditional discharges within applicable disclosure periods, and findings of guilt under the Youth Criminal Justice Act. A Vulnerable Sector Check additionally includes a search for record suspensions related to sexual offences.

22. Can I apply for a criminal record check without going to a police station?

Yes. For an RCMP Criminal Record Check, you can apply through an RCMP-accredited fingerprinting company such as Globeia Incorporated in Toronto without visiting a police station. However, a Vulnerable Sector Check can only be processed through the Toronto Police Service directly, and is available only to Toronto residents with a postal code beginning with "M."

23. How will I receive the results of my Criminal Record Check in Toronto?

For checks processed through the Toronto Police Service, results are sent digitally via a secure link. For an RCMP Criminal Record Check submitted through Globeia Incorporated, the RCMP mails the result to the mailing address provided at the time of submission. If results are to be sent to any address other than your own, a signed third-party waiver consent form must be collected from you before submission is made.

24. Can international students or temporary residents in Toronto apply for a criminal record check?

Yes. If you are a current Toronto resident with a postal code beginning with "M" and hold a valid government-issued ID, you can apply. International students may need a criminal record check for co-op placements, part-time employment, or study programs involving contact with vulnerable individuals. The type of check required will depend on what the requesting organization specifies.

25. How do I understand the terms used in my criminal record check results?

The language in criminal record check results can be technical. Key terms to know are: a "no record found" result means no criminal record is associated with your submission; "incomplete" on a Name Based Check means a possible match was found and fingerprints are required to proceed; "discharge" refers to a finding of guilt where no conviction was registered, subject to disclosure periods; and "record suspension" means a pardon has been granted and the record is sealed in CPIC. If you are unsure what your result means in the context of your specific application, consult the organization that requested the check.