Canadian Criminal Record Suspensions

Who’s eligible for a record suspension application?

Record suspension eligibility is determined by the Parole Board of Canada (PBC). You must have completed a waiting period to be considered for a record suspension. The waiting periods are as follows:

Having completed a waiting period does not automatically make you eligible for a record suspension. Other factors which must be considered include:

• Whether or not you’ve paid all relevant fines, surcharges, etc.
• Whether you’ve completed all prison sentences, parole periods, etc.
• Whether or not you’ve complied with probation orders
• Factors at the discretion of the PBC

Certain Schedule I crimes and repeated offences may also make a person ineligible for a record suspension. 

People convicted of a sexual offence should know that their record suspension will be flagged so that it can still be found in vulnerable sector checks, which may affect the person’s ability to work or volunteer with vulnerable sector groups, like children and the elderly.

Why are fingerprints needed for a record suspension application?

To evaluate your eligibility for a record suspension and to perform the suspension if you’re deemed eligible, the PBC needs access to your criminal records. Fingerprints are used to identify a person and their criminal records. Unlike other identifiers like your name and address, fingerprints cannot be forged.

To complete a record suspension, the PBC will need access to your criminal record in Canada; you may also need to obtain criminal records from other countries that you were convicted of crimes in.

Once you’ve completed your certified criminal record check, you’ll be able to submit your criminal records along with your record suspension application. Note that when you’re requesting a criminal record check, you must tell the RCMP that the purpose of the check is for a record suspension.

When you visit FASTCHECK for fingerprinting to apply for a record suspension, we can help you through the criminal record check request process. Our fingerprinting appointments for record suspensions usually take 10 minutes or less. 

Do I have to come in to get my fingerprints taken?

You do. There are several reasons that you need to visit our office in order to get your fingerprints taken:

• We need to verify your ID. You’ll need to bring in two pieces of ID, one of which must be a government-issued photo ID, like a passport.
• We have the equipment needed to take high-quality digital impressions of your fingerprints. Without high-quality images, your fingerprints will be rejected.
• Our staff can verify the quality of your fingerprints onsite, minimizing delays.

We’re conveniently located in Central St. Boniface, near Winnipeg’s Downtown core. Get in touch with us today to book an appointment!

How long do the results take?

We cannot tell you how long it takes to get a record suspension—any exact answer would be dishonest; the process can take months or even years. There are a wide variety of factors that can affect how long it takes to get your results, including:

• The complexity of your case
• Errors made during the application process
• How busy the PBC is
• And more

Be wary of any company that offers to expedite the record suspension process or that guarantees you results in a certain timeframe. The wait times for record suspensions are out of anyone’s control—companies that tell you otherwise are not being honest. The only thing a company that offers to help with pardons or record suspensions can do is to look over your paperwork.

The one thing we can tell you is how long it will take to get your fingerprints taken. With FASTCHECK, the process is often completed within 10 minutes or less. 

Get your fingerprints taken today!

A pardon can be life-changing – and the first step in the process is getting your fingerprints taken. Call us today to book an appointment – we’ll take digital fingerprints and send them to the RCMP. Once you get your criminal record info, you’re well on your way to getting through the pardon application process.

At FASTCHECK, we’ll tell you everything you need before the appointment – though in almost all cases, you don’t need anything more than your ID. If you have any questions about the process, we’ll be more than happy to answer them. We’re here for you.