Procedure for Apostille of Canada Police Certificate

When applying for a work visa or seeking permanent residency, a Canadian Criminal Record Check may be required. The Canadian Criminal Record Check is issued by local police agencies or the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). The specific type of Criminal Record Check required depends on the regulations set forth by the relevant government department.

For use within other countries, government authorities often stipulate the necessity of authenticating the Canadian Criminal Record Check through the Hague Convention.
Applicants residing outside Canada need not personally return to the country for the Criminal Record Check. Instead, they can provide with scanned copies of the application form and identification documents, and we can assist in obtaining the Criminal Record Check. If applying for a Criminal Record Check issued by the RCMP, the submission of the original fingerprint card is additionally required.

Both the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and local police departments in Canada are authorized to issue a Canadian Criminal Record Check.

The Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC) serves as a nationwide police database, and both departments access criminal records through CPIC. Regardless of whether the Criminal Record Check is issued by the RCMP or a local police department, its coverage extends across the entire country of Canada.

Note: The Canadian Embassy or Consulate in other countries cannot issue a Canadian Criminal Record Check. Applicants must apply for a Canadian Criminal Record Check through the Royal Canadian Mounted Police or a local police department.

1. Name-Based Criminal Record Check: This type is issued by local Canadian police departments. The report is generated based on the applicant’s name and date of birth, querying the Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC) database for any existing criminal records.
2. Fingerprint-Based Criminal Record Check: This type is issued by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). The report is generated based on the applicant’s name, date of birth, and fingerprint information, querying the CPIC database for any existing criminal records.

There are two approaches to authenticate a Canada non-criminal record certificate for apostille. One option involves authenticating a copy of the non-criminal record certificate, while the other requires authenticating the original document. Applicants have the flexibility to choose the method that best suits their individual circumstances.

STEP 1. Notarization
Get Canada non-criminal record certificate notarized by a solicitor or a Notary Public.

STEP 2. Apostille Issuance
The final step is obtaining the notarization from competent provincial authorities. This endorsement ensures the Canada non-criminal record certificate’s acceptance in Hague Convention member countries.

A scanned copy of the non-criminal record certificate

Obtaining apostille on a copy of the Canada non-criminal record certificate typically takes around 5 business days, excluding shipping time.

Only RCMP issued police certificate can be authenticated by Global Affairs Canada.

Steps: Original Canada non-criminal record certificate is sent to Global Affairs Canada for Apostille.

Obtaining apostille on the original Canada non-criminal record certificate by Global Affairs Canada typically takes 2-3 months for authentication.

Original non-criminal record certificate issued by RCMP.