How to Get an RCMP Criminal Record Check in Vancouver

In a city like Vancouver, where global careers, immigration pathways, and cross-border opportunities are part of everyday life, paperwork can quietly become the biggest roadblock. One email from an employer, immigration officer, or licensing body - “RCMP Criminal Record Check required” , is often all it takes to send people scrambling. Suddenly, you’re searching for RCMP fingerprinting in Vancouver, trying to figure out where to go, what type of fingerprints are needed, and whether your application will be accepted the first time.

What makes it harder in Vancouver is the mix of urgency and misinformation. Some providers offer name-based checks when fingerprints are mandatory. Others aren’t RCMP-accredited at all, leading to rejected submissions and costly delays. For newcomers, professionals, and long-term residents alike, knowing how to get an RCMP criminal record check in Vancouver - correctly, securely, and without wasted time, matters more than ever.

This guide breaks down everything you need to know about RCMP criminal record checks in Vancouver, from fingerprinting requirements and processing times to how accredited providers like Globeia make the process smooth, compliant, and stress-free.

An RCMP Criminal Record Check is an official background verification issued by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), Canada’s national law enforcement agency. Unlike informal or local police checks, this record is generated by searching the RCMP’s Canadian Criminal Real Time Identification Services (CCRTIS) database, which holds the country’s most authoritative criminal record information.

The RCMP criminal record check is fingerprint-based, meaning your identity is confirmed using your fingerprints rather than just your name or date of birth. This distinction is critical. Name-based checks can produce false matches or incomplete results, while fingerprint-based checks provide a definitive confirmation of identity, making them the standard requirement for immigration, employment screening, licensing, and international use.

For individuals in Vancouver, an RCMP criminal record check is often requested by Canadian authorities, foreign governments, employers, or regulatory bodies to verify whether a person has a criminal record in Canada. When fingerprints are required, they must be captured correctly and submitted through an RCMP-accredited provider to ensure acceptance and accurate processing.

An RCMP criminal record check in Vancouver is commonly required for the following individuals and situations:

• Immigration and Permanent Residence Applicants: Individuals applying for Canadian PR, citizenship, or immigration programs that require verified background checks.
• Employment and Professional Licensing Applicants: Jobs in healthcare, finance, education, government, and regulated industries often require fingerprint-based RCMP checks.
• Vulnerable Sector Applicants: Individuals working with children, seniors, or vulnerable populations where enhanced screening is mandatory.
• International Visa and Travel Applicants: Foreign governments may request an RCMP criminal record check as part of visa, residency, or work permit applications.
• Legal and Court-Ordered Requests: Background checks required for legal proceedings, adoptions, name changes, or court compliance.
• Students and Academic Applicants: Educational institutions may require RCMP checks for placements, internships, or international study programs.
• Volunteers and Non-Profit Workers: Organizations often require official RCMP checks to ensure trust and safety.

To obtain an RCMP criminal record check in Vancouver, applicants must meet specific requirements set by the RCMP. These requirements ensure accuracy, security, and legal validity:

• Fingerprint Submission: RCMP criminal record checks require fingerprints, especially when name-based searches are insufficient or when requested by an authority.
• Fingerprint Capture by an RCMP-Accredited Provider: Fingerprints must be captured and submitted through an RCMP-accredited agency to ensure direct and compliant processing.
• Valid Government-Issued Photo Identification: Typically includes a passport, Canadian driver’s license, or permanent resident card.
• Correct Application Reason and Consent: Applicants must clearly state the purpose of the check (employment, immigration, visa, etc.) and provide written consent.
• Digital or Ink Fingerprints (Depending on Case): Digital fingerprints are standard in Canada, while ink fingerprints may be required for international or special submissions.
• Accurate Personal Information: Any mismatch in names, dates of birth, or ID details can cause delays or rejection.
• Secure Submission to RCMP CCRTIS: All fingerprint-based checks are processed against the RCMP’s national database for official results.

Meeting these requirements ensures your RCMP criminal record check in Vancouver is processed efficiently and accepted by requesting authorities without unnecessary delays.

Getting RCMP fingerprinting in Vancouver follows a defined process set by the RCMP. While it may seem straightforward at first, many applicants face delays because they choose the wrong submission method or provider. Below is a clear, step-by-step explanation of how the process actually works and which options are valid.

Step 1: Confirm That a Fingerprint-Based RCMP Criminal Record Check Is Required

Before starting, it’s important to confirm whether your request specifically requires a fingerprint-based RCMP criminal record check. In Vancouver, fingerprints are mandatory when requested for immigration, employment screening, professional licensing, vulnerable sector checks, or international applications. In some cases, a name-based check may be insufficient or later flagged for fingerprint verification by the RCMP.

Confirming this requirement early prevents wasted time and repeat applications.

Step 2: Book Fingerprinting with a Qualified Provider in Vancouver

Once fingerprints are required, you must book an appointment with a provider like Globeia , capable of capturing fingerprints according to RCMP standards. During your appointment, a certified technician verifies your government-issued photo ID and captures your fingerprints with quality checks to ensure clarity, ridge detail, and completeness.

For specific international requests, ink fingerprints may also be captured on approved fingerprint cards.

Step 3: Understand Your RCMP Submission Options (What Works and What Doesn’t)

This is where many applicants in Vancouver get confused. There are three common approaches people consider, but only one is fully compliant.

Option 1: Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Submission - Not Possible

You cannot submit fingerprints directly to the RCMP on your own. The RCMP does not accept fingerprint submissions from individuals, whether digital or ink, for criminal record checks. Any attempt to self-submit will be rejected.

Option 2: Local Fingerprinting Without RCMP Accreditation - Limited and Risky

Some local providers in Vancouver can take fingerprints but are not RCMP-accredited. These providers may give you fingerprint copies or cards, but they cannot submit digital fingerprints directly to the RCMP. This often results in delays, rejected submissions, or the need to redo fingerprints through an accredited agency.

Option 3: RCMP Submission Through an Accredited Provider like Globeia - Required

The correct and accepted method is to use an RCMP-accredited fingerprinting provider like Globeia. RCMP-accredited  companies are authorized to submit fingerprints directly and securely to the RCMP’s Canadian Criminal Real Time Identification Services (CCRTIS) database. This ensures compliance, faster processing, and acceptance by requesting authorities.

Step 4: Secure Submission to the RCMP Through an Accredited Channel

Once your fingerprints are captured, the accredited provider submits them electronically to the RCMP using an encrypted system approved by CCRTIS. Your fingerprints are used solely for identity verification and criminal record screening, following strict federal privacy and security protocols.

This step is critical - proper submission significantly reduces processing delays and eliminates common rejection issues caused by incorrect handling.

Step 5: RCMP Processing and Result Issuance

After submission, the RCMP reviews your fingerprints against the national criminal records database. If no record is found, the RCMP issues an official criminal record check result. If additional verification is required, processing times may vary.

Results are typically delivered by mail or secure electronic means, depending on the request and destination.

Step 6: Recommended Full-Service Approach for RCMP Fingerprinting in Vancouver

For applicants who want the smoothest experience, a full-service RCMP fingerprinting solution is recommended. This includes:

• Professional fingerprint capture, Globeia does it all for you.
• Direct RCMP submission through an accredited provider.
• Verification of personal details to prevent errors.
• Optional support for international use, delivery preferences, or additional documentation.

The processing time for an RCMP criminal record check depends on whether a criminal record is found and how the fingerprints are submitted:

• No Record Found: If your fingerprints match no records in the RCMP’s Canadian Criminal Real Time Identification Services (CCRTIS) database, results are typically issued within 7-14 business days from submission.
• Record Found: If a criminal record or additional verification is required, processing may take more than 120 days, depending on the complexity of the record and any required follow-up checks.

Using an RCMP-accredited provider like Globeia ensures that your fingerprints are captured and submitted correctly, minimizing delays and rejections. Applicants are kept updated at every stage, and secure delivery options are provided for the completed report.

• Submitting fingerprints directly to RCMP yourself: RCMP only accepts submissions through accredited providers.
• Using a non-accredited fingerprinting service: May lead to rejected submissions or repeat appointments.
• Providing incomplete or expired identification: Your government-issued photo ID must be valid and properly verified.
• Poor-quality fingerprints: Smudged, incomplete, or unclear prints cause delays or rejections.
• Skipping verification of your personal details: Misspelled names or wrong date of birth can invalidate the check.
• Not choosing secure submission channels: Unsecured or improper handling of fingerprint cards compromises processing and privacy.

Choosing Globeia guarantees a seamless, professional, and fully compliant RCMP fingerprinting experience in Vancouver. Here’s why Globeia stands out:

• RCMP-Accredited Provider: Globeia is officially accredited by the RCMP, ensuring your criminal record check submission is fully compliant with federal protocols.
• Direct Canadian Office Presence: With an operational office in Canada, Globeia provides local support, fast coordination, and professional guidance for Vancouver clients.
• End-to-End Services: From fingerprint capture to secure RCMP submission, Globeia manages every step to prevent errors, delays, or rejected submissions.
• Verified Fingerprint Capture: Every appointment comes with a Letter of Verification, certifying that fingerprints were captured accurately and according to RCMP standards - a service unique to Globeia.
• Proven Track Record: Over 30,000 clients served globally, with a 95% first-time acceptance rate and a 4.9/5 Google rating, highlighting reliability, accuracy, and client satisfaction.
• Secure and Confidential: Globeia uses encrypted submission channels, ensuring your sensitive personal information remains fully protected.
• Fast Processing: Accredited submission reduces processing times, giving Vancouver applicants the quickest possible access to their RCMP results.
• Transparent Pricing and Smart Tools: Globeia offers clear, competitive pricing and a SmartForm and tracking portal to guide clients and provide real-time updates.

Globeia is the trusted choice in Vancouver for anyone needing RCMP criminal record checks, whether for immigration, employment, or international compliance purposes.

The process of obtaining an RCMP criminal record check in Vancouver remains simple for people who need it. Globeia functions as an RCMP-accredited provider which guarantees users complete fingerprinting services that include safe result delivery for their immigration and employment applications and international compliance assessments. People in Vancouver use Globeia because it provides complete fingerprinting and background check services which have been verified through its established procedures and local Canadian operations.