Digital Fingerprinting Additional Details
Adoption (Canadian/International)
What are the differences?
For adoption applications, you may need both an RCMP Criminal Record Check and a Vulnerable Sector Check. We provide fingerprinting services for the RCMP Criminal Record Check only. The Vulnerable Sector Check must be conducted by your local police, and it does not require fingerprinting.
Foreign Countries (Visa or Immigration)
What are the differences?
If you're applying for a visa, permanent residence, or citizenship in a foreign country, an RCMP Criminal Record Check is usually required.
Extra documents required for an appointment:
Please bring any letter, email, or instructions that require an RCMP fingerprint-based criminal record check, if applicable.
Immigration in Canada (Citizenship/Permanent Resident)
What are the differences?
- Citizenship Application: The RCMP fingerprint-based Criminal Record Check will be sent directly to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) as per the instructions in their request letter.
- Permanent Residence Application: The RCMP Criminal Record Check will be mailed directly to your home address or a third-party address.
- Citizenship Applicants (Aged 12-18): The RCMP Criminal Record Check will be sent to your current address. Once received, parents must forward it to the designated IRCC address.
Extra documents required for an appointment:
A letter from the IRCC requesting your RCMP fingerprint-based criminal record check.
Name Change
What are the differences?
The name change process varies depending on your province. Please obtain instructions from your provincial name change service department.
Extra documents required for an appointment:
Bring the instructions from your provincial name change service department.
Record Suspension/Pardon
What are the differences?
The process for obtaining a record suspension or pardon varies depending on the province. Please obtain instructions from your provincial service department.
Extra documents required for an appointment:
Bring the instructions from your provincial service department.
U.S. Visas – Privacy Act Requests (Including U.S. Green Card)
What are the differences?
If you are applying for a U.S. visa, an RCMP fingerprint-based criminal background check under a Privacy Act Request is required. This check includes the “RCMP National Repository entire holdings” and will be mailed to your current address by Canada Post (regular mail). This type of check can also be used for personal purposes or to obtain pardoned criminal records.
Extra documents required for an appointment:
Bring any letter, email, or instructions that require an RCMP fingerprint-based criminal record check, if applicable.
U.S. Waiver
What are the differences?
For a U.S. Waiver application, an RCMP Criminal Record Check is required. If you need a C216C fingerprinting card (without a record check), please clearly inform the fingerprinting technician.
Extra documents required for an appointment:
If you are using an agency for your U.S. Waiver application, bring a third-party consent form from the agency.
Vulnerable Sector Check
What are the differences?
The Vulnerable Sector Check process must be initiated by your local police department. If your name, date of birth, and gender match those of a pardoned sex offender, the police may request your fingerprints to rule out a potential match. In this case, you may be directed to an accredited fingerprinting agency, such as Frontier One Inc., to have your fingerprints taken and submitted to the RCMP. The RCMP will then send the results directly to your local police department, who will complete the Vulnerable Sector Check.
Extra documents required for an appointment:
If fingerprinting is required for a Vulnerable Sector Check, you must bring the request letter from your local police to your appointment.