How to Get a Criminal Record Check in Quebec?

Quebec is home to one of Canada's most diverse and internationally connected populations. Whether you are a newcomer navigating the Quebec immigration system, a professional seeking recognition of international credentials, a volunteer working with vulnerable populations, or a Canadian preparing to move abroad, a criminal record check is likely to be one of the first documents requested.

What many Quebec residents discover is that not all criminal record checks are the same. The province's urban centres, Montréal, Québec City, Laval, Gatineau, and Sherbrooke, are home to large numbers of applicants who need different check types for different purposes. A name-based check suitable for a local employer is not the same document that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada requires. A vulnerable sector check processed through the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal is not the same as the RCMP Criminal Record Check needed for an international adoption.

Understanding which check type applies to your situation, how to apply correctly in Quebec, and what to expect throughout the process is the foundation of a successful application.

An RCMP Criminal Record Check is a fingerprint-based background check conducted by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police through its Canadian Criminal Real-Time Identification Service (CCRTIS). In Quebec, it is commonly referred to as the Level 3 Check, the most comprehensive fingerprint-based criminal record check available in Canada, conducted by the RCMP against Canada's National Repository of Criminal Records.

How It Differs From Quebec's Other Check Types

Quebec applicants have access to three levels of criminal record checks:

• The Level 1 Check (CPIC) is a name-based search of the Canadian Police Information Centre database using the applicant's name and date of birth. It is used for most general employment and volunteer purposes where a government or immigration authority is not the requesting party.
• The Level 2 Check (CRJMC) is an enhanced name-based check that includes convictions, outstanding charges, warrants, judicial orders, and certain discharges. It is used for roles involving greater responsibility or access to sensitive information, such as positions in financial services, security, legal environments, and certain government roles. Like the Level 1 check, it is name-based and does not involve fingerprinting. It is issued by the local police service or processed through an authorized submission channel. It is not accepted as a substitute for the RCMP Level 3 Criminal Record Check for immigration, adoption, or international purposes.
• The Level 3 Check (RCMP Criminal Record Check) is a fingerprint-based search of Canada's National Repository of Criminal Records conducted by the RCMP through CCRTIS. It is required for immigration, adoption, record suspension, federal employment, and international applications.

Job Applicants in Regulated Industries

Employers in healthcare, education, finance, security, legal services, and government routinely require criminal record checks as a condition of employment. The level of check required depends on the role; general employment typically requires a Level 1 or Level 2 check, while government and federally regulated positions often require the RCMP Level 3 check.

Volunteers Working With Vulnerable Populations

Community organisations, schools, hospitals, care homes, sports clubs, and faith groups in Quebec routinely require criminal record checks for volunteers, particularly those with unsupervised access to children, elderly individuals, or people with disabilities. A Vulnerable Sector Check is required for positions involving unsupervised contact with vulnerable individuals including children, seniors, and people with disabilities. In Quebec, Vulnerable Sector Checks are issued exclusively by local police services.

Immigration and Permanent Residency Applicants

Quebec's immigration system, including the Quebec Skilled Worker Program, the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ), and the federal Express Entry system, requires applicants to provide criminal record documentation as part of their application. The RCMP Criminal Record Check is the required document for most federal immigration processes.

Professionals Applying for Licensing Recognition

Quebec's professional licensing bodies, including the Ordre des médecins du Québec, the Barreau du Québec, and licensing bodies for engineers, nurses, and teachers, may require an RCMP Criminal Record Check as part of their registration or licensing renewal process, particularly for professionals trained outside Canada.

Individuals Applying for Immigration to Another Country

Quebec residents who have lived in Canada and are applying for immigration to Australia, New Zealand, the UAE, the United Kingdom, or other countries that require a background check from all previous countries of residence will need an RCMP Criminal Record Check. The local Level 1 or Level 2 check is not accepted for international immigration purposes.

Adoptive and Foster Parents

Both domestic and international adoption proceedings in Quebec require comprehensive background documentation. The Direction de la protection de la jeunesse (DPJ) and international adoption authorities require an RCMP Criminal Record Check as part of the eligibility assessment for prospective adoptive and foster parents.

Whether you need a name-based Criminal Record Check or a fingerprint-based RCMP Criminal Record Check, understanding the requirements before you apply can help avoid delays and unnecessary costs. Globeia can assist with both types of checks and guide applicants through the process from application to final results.

Choose the Correct Criminal Record Check

Before starting your application, confirm exactly what the requesting organization requires. In Quebec, criminal record checks are commonly referred to as Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 checks.

• Level 1 (CPIC Check)- A name-based criminal record check.
• Level 2 (CRJMC Check)- A name-based judicial matters check.
• Level 3 (RCMP Criminal Record Check)- A fingerprint-based check conducted through the RCMP.

If you require a Vulnerable Sector Check, you may need to apply directly through your local police service.

Prepare Your Identification Documents

Most applications require valid government-issued identification. Ensure your identification is current and that all personal details are clearly visible. Incomplete or expired identification can delay processing.

Complete Your Application

Globeia can help coordinate both name-based and fingerprint-based RCMP criminal record checks. For name-based checks, the application is submitted using your personal information and identification documents.

For RCMP criminal record checks, fingerprints must be collected on the official C-216C fingerprint card and submitted through an RCMP-accredited company. Fingerprint quality is important, so applicants should ensure prints are captured clearly to reduce the risk of rejection.

Payment and Submission

Once the application and supporting documents are complete, payment is processed, and the file is submitted to the appropriate authority. Processing times vary depending on the type of check requested and the reviewing agency.

Receive Your Results

Name-based Criminal Record Checks are processed faster and delivered electronically when available. RCMP Criminal Record Checks are issued directly by the RCMP and can take anywhere from 3 to 120 days, depending on the nature of the application and RCMP processing requirements. Results are delivered according to the option selected during your application.

Additional Tips Before You Apply

• Confirm the required check level before submitting your application.
• Apply well in advance of employment, licensing, immigration, or visa deadlines.
• Keep copies of your application documents and submission records.
• If the document will be used outside Canada, verify whether apostille services or certified translations are required.
• For an RCMP criminal record check, ensure fingerprints are captured clearly to avoid resubmission requests.

By confirming the correct check type and preparing your documents carefully, you can make the criminal record check process in Quebec more efficient and avoid unnecessary delays.

Criminal record checks in Quebec are more than a routine formality; they are a gateway document connecting applicants to employment in regulated industries. Whether you need a quick online Level 1 check for a local employer, a Vulnerable Sector Check for a volunteer role, or the comprehensive RCMP Level 3 fingerprint-based check for immigration or international use, understanding which check applies to your situation is the critical first step.

Quebec's diversity, its large newcomer population, internationally educated professionals, and globally mobile workforce mean criminal record check requirements are more varied and more consequential here than in many other provinces.

Getting the right check, prepared correctly, submitted through an accredited channel, and delivered within the required validity period makes the difference between an application that moves forward and one that stalls.

Globeia coordinates every step of the process, from online Level 1 and Level 2 applications to Level 3 RCMP fingerprint collection anywhere in Quebec, apostille coordination, and certified translation, through one organised process.