How to Get an RCMP Criminal Record Check from Portugal (2026 Guide)

Applying for an RCMP Criminal Record Check from Portugal can be a little complicated, especially due to the lack of complete information and professional guidance. Unlike many other background check processes, even a minor mistake, such as an incorrect spelling, a name mismatch, or unclear fingerprints, can delay your application by weeks and require you to repeat the process from the beginning.

The RCMP follows strict fingerprinting and documentation standards. If your application does not meet these requirements, it may be delayed, returned, or rejected. Understanding the process beforehand can save you considerable time, effort, and unnecessary expenses. This guide explains the complete RCMP Criminal Record Check from Portugal, including:

• What is an RCMP Criminal Record Check?
• Where to get fingerprinted for an RCMP Criminal Record Check in Portugal?
• Why do I need to submit an RCMP application?
• How to avoid delays in my RCMP Criminal Record Check application?

RCMP Criminal Record Check, an official criminal background check that is issued by Canada’s national police service - Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). However, this is not just another Criminal Record Check. It is a fingerprint-based background check where your fingerprints are searched against the National Repository of Criminal Records, which is managed by the RCMP through the Canadian Criminal Real Time Identification Services (CCRTIS), which is managed by the RCMP, to verify whether a criminal record is associated with your identity in Canada.

The process for individuals living in Portugal is a little different from people applying within Canada.

Since RCMP does not collect fingerprints internationally, you need to have your fingerprints correctly captured in Portugal on the official RCMP fingerprint card and then securely send the completed fingerprint card to an RCMP-accredited company in Canada. The company will convert your fingerprints into the required digital format and then electronically submit it to the RCMP for processing.

This is why obtaining an RCMP Criminal Record Check from Portugal involves additional steps than from within Canada. In order to avoid any delays or re-submission requests, you must meet the RCMP’s fingerprinting and documentation submission requirements. Also, choosing the right RCMP-accredited coordinator from the very beginning can make the entire process easier. 

RCMP-accredited companies are private organizations in Canada that have been authorized by the RCMP. These companies are authorized by the RCMP to electronically submit fingerprints through the Canadian Criminal Real Time Identification Services. RCMP-accredited companies play a crucial role in successful electronic submission of the fingerprints for applicants living outside Canada, including those applying from Portugal.

How Do You Find an RCMP-Accredited Company in Portugal?

Applicants in Portugal do not need to find an RCMP-accredited company locally as these companies operate exclusively in Canada. Instead, they need a trusted fingerprinting provider and submission coordinator who collects fingerprints in Portugal and coordinates their secure submission through an RCMP-accredited company in Canada, like Globeia Incorporated.

Globeia Incorporated is an RCMP-accredited company in Canada that coordinates the digitisation and electronic submission of fingerprint-based criminal record check applications to the RCMP.

Does everyone living in Portugal need an RCMP Criminal Record Check? No. Usually, this certificate is required only from those applicants who have previously lived in Canada and are now submitting an application for immigration, employment, etc in another country.

A few of the most common situations where you may be asked for an RCMP Criminal Record Check from Portugal:

No matter where you are in Portugal, whether it is Lisbon, Porto, or the Algarve, your RCMP Criminal Record Check still has to pass through Canada before the RCMP can issue it. Here is the complete step-by-step process of application submission and where Portugal-based applicants tend to lose time if they don’t manage everything on time:

Step 1: Ink Fingerprinting in Portugal

The process begins with professional ink fingerprint collection.

For an RCMP Criminal Record Check, your fingerprints must be captured using the ink-and-roll method on the official RCMP fingerprint card, either C-216C or another RCMP-accepted equivalent.

This is where many Portuguese applicants get confused and follow the wrong steps.

Can you just take your fingerprints in Portugal and send them directly to the RCMP yourself? No. Unlike other background check applications, your completed fingerprint card first needs to reach an RCMP-accredited company in Canada, where it is converted into the required electronic format before being submitted to the RCMP.

What should a properly completed RCMP fingerprint card include?

• Rolled and flat impressions of all ten fingers.
• Your personal details.
• The fingerprinting agency's details.
• The fingerprint associate’s signature and official stamp.

Where Can You Get Fingerprinted in Portugal? 

Portuguese RCMP applicants usually follow these options for RCMP fingerprinting:

Local police stations

Some Polícia de Segurança Pública (PSP) or Guarda Nacional Republicana (GNR) stations may provide the ink fingerprinting services. However, availability varies, and not every station may complete the fingerprint card exactly as required for an RCMP application. Therefore, it is always recommended to confirm the availability of the required expertise and fingerprint card at the station before booking an appointment as minor errors can get your application rejected.

Private fingerprinting providers

Many applicants prefer private fingerprinting providers because the process is usually easier to manage. Appointments are often more flexible. Some providers, such as Globeia, also offer mobile fingerprinting services across Lisbon, Cascais, the Algarve, Porto, and other parts of Portugal. Fingerprints collected in Portugal are then coordinated through Globeia Incorporated, Globeia's RCMP-accredited entity in Canada, for electronic submission to the RCMP.

Globeia’s Mobile Fingerprinting Process in Portugal: An Overview

Globeia coordinates mobile RCMP fingerprinting across Portugal through RCMP-accredited Globeia Incorporated in Canada. You can book Globeia’s mobile fingerprinting services in Portugal by following these steps:

• Complete Globeia's SmartForm with your personal details and RCMP application requirements.
• Choose your preferred appointment time and location anywhere across Portugal.
• A trained Globeia associate visits your home, office, or another convenient location with the official RCMP C-216C fingerprint card.
• Your identity is verified, and your fingerprints are collected using internationally accepted ink fingerprinting techniques. Every fingerprint is reviewed during the appointment to help minimise quality-related issues.
• The completed fingerprint card is securely coordinated through Globeia Incorporated in Canada, where it is digitised and electronically submitted to the RCMP.

Step 2: Your Fingerprint Card Is Coordinated to Canada

This is the stage where many applicants from Portugal end up spending the most time. After fingerprinting, you still need to prepare your paperwork, arrange international courier delivery, and ensure your documents reach the correct RCMP-accredited company in Canada. If something is missing or sent incorrectly, your application may not move forward until the issue is resolved.

So, once the RCMP-accredited company receives your fingerprint card, it converts your ink fingerprints into the electronic format which is accepted by the RCMP and submits them through the Canadian Criminal Real Time Identification Services (CCRTIS).

Step 3: The RCMP Reviews Your Application

Your fingerprints and documents reach the RCMP in Canada and this is where your background check begins. The RCMP searches Canada’s National Repository of Criminal Records to determine whether a criminal record is associated with your fingerprints.

If no criminal record is found, the application moves through the standard processing route. However, the processing time may increase if the RCMP needs additional verification or requires manual review. Moreover, international courier time between Portugal and Canada is separate from the RCMP's processing timeline.

Step 4: Receive Your RCMP Criminal Record Check

After the RCMP completes its review, your RCMP Criminal Record Check is issued. If your destination country also requires services such as an apostille, certified translation, or international courier delivery, these are completed after the RCMP has issued the Criminal Record Check.

The total cost depends on how you are choosing to apply. If you are managing everything on your own you will need to pay separately for each step, like fingerprinting, courier delivery, Canadian submission, and the RCMP processing fee. On the other hand, a coordinated service may combine some of these costs together:

Note: These are only the estimated costs. Your final cost depends on various factors, like the fingerprinting provider you choose in Portugal, international courier charges, the RCMP-accredited company’s service fees, and whether you require additional services such as apostille facilitation, certified translation, or international courier delivery.

Important: The CAD 25 federal processing fee for criminal record checks is subject to change and is payable to the Receiver General of Canada. Portugal applicants should confirm the updated information through the RCMP or their accredited service provider before paying.

Before you book an appointment, make sure you know exactly what is included in the appointment. Asking a few questions beforehand can save you from unexpected delays later:

Portuguese RCMP applicants often make these common mistakes that end up in delays and resubmission of the application:

Fortunately, most of these issues are avoidable with the right guidance and professional support.

Rather than coordinating fingerprint collection, international courier arrangements, Canadian submission, application tracking, and additional documentation separately, many applicants in Portugal choose a professional coordinator, like Globeia, that manages the entire process through one organised workflow.

Here's how managing the process yourself compares with choosing Globeia's coordinated service:

With Globeia, you do not have to manage everything on your own. From fingerprints to international courier, RCMP submission, apostille and translation, everything is coordinated by Globeia:

Step 1: Complete Globeia’s SmartForm

Complete the SmartForm - fill your personal details, application purpose, and preferred fingerprinting location anywhere in Portugal.

You also need to complete a secure Face ID verification to help Globeia verify your identity.

Step 2: Mobile Fingerprinting Anywhere in Portugal

Once you book the appointment, a trained associate from Globeia visits your home, office or your chosen location in Portugal at the chosen time. The associate comes with the required RCMP fingerprinting card so you don’t need to worry about managing it yourself. All you need to do is be available at the right time and location and leave the rest of the work to the professional.

The associate will verify your identity, collect your fingerprints using the right technique, and every impression is reviewed during the appointment. If any impression is not clear enough, it is retaken immediately on-the-spot.

Step 3: Submission Through Globeia Incorporated in Canada

After fingerprint collection, your completed fingerprint card is coordinated through Globeia Incorporated in Canada. This is where your fingerprint card is digitised and electronically submitted to the RCMP through the Canadian Criminal Real Time Identification Services (CCRTIS).

Step 4: Track Your Application Through SmartPortal

Once your application has been submitted, you can monitor its progress through SmartPortal instead of coordinating updates with different organisations.

Step 5: Receive Your RCMP Criminal Record Check

Once RCMP completes its background check, your Criminal Record Check is issued according to the delivery option selected for your application.

Step 6: Apostille and Certified Translation (If Required)

Whether you require an apostille or certified translation depends entirely on the authority requesting your RCMP Criminal Record Check.

Globeia can coordinate apostille and certified translation services as well, after your RCMP Criminal Record Check has been issued.

Portuguese applicants who already have their fingerprints collected on an RCMP-compliant fingerprint card, can directly continue the process with Globeia Incorporated in Canada. Mail your prints to Globeia Incorporated in Canada along with the required details and documents. The team will first review your fingerprint card and confirm whether it meets the RCMP's submission requirements before proceeding.

An RCMP Criminal Record Check is a bit confusing, especially without professional guidance. This is one of those applications where the outcome often depends on what happens before the RCMP ever receives your fingerprints. Choosing the correct fingerprint card, following the right submission route, and coordinating every stage properly can make a significant difference to your overall experience.

A professional RCMP application coordinator, like Globeia can make the process much easier by bringing all these stages together through one well-coordinated process. From mobile fingerprinting to application submission through an RCMP-accredited company in Canada - Globeia Incorporated. You also get to check real-time updates of your application.

Book your appointment today for easier and faster RCMP Criminal Record Check coordination services in Portugal.