Do you live outside Canada and need a Canadian background check?
“How do international submissions work?” You may be asking. “How am I supposed to get a Canadian background check when I’m not in Canada?!”
Fear not! We have the answer to that question for you right here. Read on to find out how you can submit the necessary information to get a Canadian criminal record check.
Worldwide Service for Canadian Criminal Background Checks – Including Fingerprinting
The good news is that, even if you live, work or study outside of Canada, you can still get a Canadian background check!
It’s not a terribly burdensome process, but it does have a set of rules and guidelines to which your submission must adhere in order avoid delays or denials.
While you could go it alone in terms of trying to follow the process to obtain your Canadian criminal record check, why not hire an agent in Canada who is well-versed in what it takes to successfully deliver a records check to you in a secure and time-sensitive manner?
Before we get into that, however, let’s take a look at some of the various needs people outside Canada would have for a Canadian background check.
What Uses Would Someone Outside Canada Have for a Canadian Background Check?
Perhaps you are a Canadian expat living in the United States, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Australia or Latin America. If you’re applying for a visa, seeking new employment, looking to adopt a child or undertake a whole host of other endeavours, it is quite likely you will require a background check which shows your good standing in Canada vis-a-vis criminal records.
Or maybe you’ve spent time in Canada at some point in your life – more than six months – and need to fill in the timeline for a background check in your home country (e.g. job application) or for a visa to Canada or another country. A Canadian criminal records check is a necessary step in your journey.
For more information on the various uses for Canadian criminal records checks outside Canada, check out our resource page on International Fingerprinting Uses.
The Different Types of Canadian Background Checks
When it comes to Canadian background checks, there are two distinct products for which you can apply.
- RCMP Certified Criminal Record Check
- Canadian Police Information Centre Check
RCMP Certified Criminal Record Check
The RCMP’s CCRTIS maintains the national repository of fingerprint and criminal record information. It is mandated to provide direct operational support to the Canadian law enforcement, criminal justice, and public security communities, as well as international partners such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Interpol for criminal, civil, and immigration fingerprint purposes.
CCRTIS is the sole provider of criminal record verification for civil and criminal court purposes, as well as the security screening environment for all levels of government and the general public. That’s where the RCMP Certified Criminal Record Check comes in.
Fingerprints are mandatory to obtain an RCMP Certified Criminal Record Check.
While this means that the process can take a bit longer and requires a couple of extra steps on your end, this background check is widely considered more comprehensive and will go further in helping you reach your goals. In particular, this is usually the requirement for visas, adoptions and many employment screening & other background checks.
Canadian Police Information Centre Check
The Canadian Police Information Centre (Criminal Record Check) enables background checks online without the need to use fingerprints as the most reliable search mechanism. An online Criminal Record Check check includes the search for any individuals that might have been convicted and are related or matching the applicant’s personal data such as name and birth date. It’s a straightforward process that we are pleased to provide.
There are two types of online Criminal Record Check check services: Premium and Standard.
The Standard check only includes the search for convictions; while the Premium check searches for any additional non-conviction data and withdrawn or pending charges aside from the search for convictions. This makes the entire process of Criminal Record Check checks less expensive and much faster & easier for our clients.
It is important to note that, while the Criminal Record Check check is generally quicker to process, it is not sufficient in certain instances.
When you get started on the steps to hire Reliability Screening to handle your background checks, we ask which check you are looking for. One of the options is “I Don’t Know.” If you select this step (or simply contact us) we are happy to discuss your circumstances to determine which Canadian background check is right for you.
For more on the types of background checks in Canada, we invite you to visit this page.
The Record Check Submission Process
When you hire Reliability Screening to help with your Canadian background check, you will receive a detailed set of instructions that is tailored to your specific order.
If an order is placed for a Fingerprint-based RCMP Certified criminal record check, your next step is to provide a set of original fingerprints taken by your local law enforcement or foreign equivalent (detailed requirements are provided via email). Many police and private fingerprinting agencies have the ability to capture fingerprints digitally and create hard copies via a certified printer. This service is considered as good, or better, than ink. Reliability Screening can accept fingerprint forms from virtually any country in the world.
Further requirements include a scanned copy of two pieces of government issued identification (list of acceptable ID is provided via email.)
If you would like your photo to appear on the resulting certificate, a passport-sized photo must be provided.
Each applicant’s instructional email will include shipping information for the facility that will be completing the submission. Required documents must be mailed to the appropriate address for processing.
While many orders are similar, specific circumstances do arise often. The process described above can serve as a general guideline, but each applicant is urged to refer to specific instructions to ensure your order is completed as quickly as possible.
How Reliability Screening Helps Deliver a Smooth Submission Process
At Reliability Screening, we know that time is of the essence for you. The sooner you get your Canadian background check completed, the sooner you can take the next steps in your life – whether that is applying for a visa, receiving clearance for work, adopting a child or any another milestone.
Reliability Screening Solutions Inc. (RSSI) helps provide Canadian Criminal Background checks to individuals all over the world. The process can be complicated and time-consuming if you are not familiar, and each country can have its own set of rules and guidelines. When you enlist our services, you can be sure that what we provide will satisfy your needs, all within an industry-leading turnaround time.
If you have any questions or would like additional details, please contact us today!
