Frequently Asked Questions
Answers about our services: Canadian Pardons (Record Suspension), Digital Fingerprinting (Montreal), U.S. Entry Waivers, and Police Clearance Certificates (Canada-wide name-based CPIC).
Police Clearance Certificates — FAQ
Canada-wide (name-based online) · Fingerprinting in Montreal only (if required)
What is a police clearance certificate?
An official document (often called a criminal record check or CPIC check) confirming whether you have a record in Canada.
Commonly required for employment, licensing, study, immigration/visa, and volunteering.
Do I need fingerprints, or is a name-based check enough?
Many purposes accept a name-based CPIC check (no fingerprints). If your request is for immigration/citizenship,
adoption, vulnerable sector, or the authority specifically requires fingerprints, you’ll need a fingerprint-based (certified) check.
Can I apply online from outside Montreal?
Yes. Name-based certificates are processed Canada-wide online.
If fingerprints are required, those are completed in person at our Montreal office.
How much does it cost?
Our online name-based police clearance certificate is $55 + tax.
Fingerprint-based checks (done in our Montreal office) have separate fees.
How long does it take?
Name-based checks are often same day or 1–2 business days.
Fingerprint-based checks depend on RCMP processing times and can take longer.
What ID do I need?
A clear, valid government-issued photo ID (we’ll confirm acceptable IDs during your application/booking).
Where are fingerprints taken?
At our Montreal office (RCMP-accredited digital capture).
Canadian Pardon (Record Suspension) — FAQ
What is a Record Suspension?
A Record Suspension (formerly a Canadian Pardon) sets eligible convictions aside in the national CPIC database
so they do not appear on standard criminal background checks.
Does it erase my criminal record?
No. It restricts access to your record; it does not delete history. Court orders (e.g., firearm or driving bans) still apply.
What happens after it’s granted?
Conviction records are segregated in CPIC and generally won’t appear on routine checks. Federal agencies are notified;
many provincial/municipal systems also limit access once informed.
Will it help with employment or licensing?
Often yes. Federal employers cannot discriminate based on a suspended record (Canadian Human Rights Act).
Many private employers and licensing bodies accept a suspension as proof of rehabilitation.
Can I travel internationally after a Record Suspension?
A suspension may help, but it does not guarantee entry. Each country sets its own rules and may still ask about past convictions.
Digital Fingerprinting (Montreal) — FAQ
In-person in Montreal · RCMP-accredited submission
Where do you take fingerprints?
Digital fingerprinting is performed in our Montreal office.
Do you submit fingerprints to the RCMP?
Yes — we capture and submit electronic fingerprints directly to the RCMP for certified checks.
What ID is required?
Two valid IDs (at least one government photo ID). We’ll confirm acceptable documents when you book.
How long does processing take?
RCMP processing times vary by purpose and whether a match exists; most clean checks return within days, but some cases take longer.
Contact us about Fingerprinting
Or simply visit our Montreal office during business hours — no appointment required.
U.S. Entry Waivers — FAQ
What is a U.S. Entry Waiver?
An I-192 waiver that allows otherwise inadmissible Canadian residents to legally enter the United States.
Who needs one?
Individuals deemed inadmissible (e.g., certain criminality or prior immigration violations). U.S. CBP makes the determination.
How long does approval take and how long is it valid?
Processing is often several months; validity typically ranges 1–5 years, at CBP’s discretion.
Does a Canadian Record Suspension remove the need for a waiver?
Not necessarily. The U.S. makes its own admissibility decisions, independent of Canadian pardons/suspensions.
Note: Always follow the specific instructions of the requesting authority for document type and format.