Vancouver Police Clearance Certificate Online (CPIC) — No Fingerprints Required
Police Background Check for Vancouver & Metro Vancouver (Name-Based CPIC · Canada-Wide Results by Secure Email PDF)
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Name-based CPIC police clearance certificate (no fingerprints) for Vancouver applicants and clients across Canada.
- Canada-wide (including Vancouver & all of British Columbia)
- No office visit when fingerprints are not required
- Secure PDF by email after processing
- Often same day / next business day (in many cases)
To start, complete the reCAPTCHA and submit your application below. Many Vancouver requests only need a name-based CPIC check (no fingerprints).
Fingerprints Required?
If your request says “fingerprint-based”, “RCMP certified”, or is for immigration / citizenship, do not submit the name-based form.
- Option 1: Complete digital fingerprints with an RCMP-accredited provider in the Vancouver area
- Option 2: Visit our Montreal office for in-person fingerprinting
Vulnerable Sector: completed only by your local police service (not offered through this application).
For clarity, review official guidance: RCMP · IRCC – Police Certificates
Important clarification: This page does not offer fingerprint services in Vancouver. If fingerprints are required, they must be completed in person through an RCMP-accredited fingerprinting provider in your area or at our Montreal office if you are in the area, before applying.
If your request letter is unclear, ask the requesting organization whether a name-based CPIC is acceptable or if fingerprints are mandatory. That one confirmation prevents most restarts.
Good to know:
This Vancouver page is for online name-based CPIC police clearance certificates (no fingerprints) used for many standard employment, school, licensing, volunteering, and general background check requests.
If your request requires fingerprints (for example “fingerprint-based,” “RCMP certified,” immigration/citizenship, or similar wording), do not submit the name-based form. Fingerprints must be captured in person (either with an RCMP-accredited provider or at our Montreal office).
Applicants in Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, Surrey, Coquitlam, North Vancouver, West Vancouver, New Westminster, Delta, and the Lower Mainland can still use the same Canada-wide CPIC process online when fingerprints are not required.
⚠️ Important:
This Vancouver page is for name-based CPIC only (no fingerprints).
If your request requires fingerprints, do not use the online form—complete fingerprints first (Vancouver-area RCMP-accredited provider or
Montreal office).
This Vancouver police clearance certificate page covers a name-based CPIC police background check (no fingerprints) completed online for standard requests where fingerprints are not required. Results are delivered by secure email (PDF), and the CPIC search is Canada-wide through RCMP-maintained systems. For the core service details, see: Police Clearance Certificate (Canada).
First, Vancouver residents—and clients anywhere in Canada—can obtain a name-based police clearance certificate entirely online with Identification Canada. This option is commonly used in British Columbia for standard employment checks, school placements, licensing, volunteering, and personal record confirmation.
However, if your request does require fingerprints (for immigration, citizenship, adoption, or fingerprint-based processing), complete fingerprints in person before applying. Otherwise, the online CPIC option is the right path—no fingerprints required.
Additionally, applicants across Metro Vancouver (Burnaby, Richmond, Surrey, Coquitlam, North/West Vancouver, New Westminster, Delta, and Langley) use this page for local guidance—while the underlying CPIC search remains Canada-wide.
Practical tip: use the exact spelling of your name and date of birth as shown on your ID. That simple match reduces verification issues and keeps delivery fast.
When NOT to use a name-based check
- Immigration: Canada, the U.S., or any process that specifies fingerprints
- Citizenship: Canadian or foreign citizenship applications that require fingerprint-based processing
- Vulnerable Sector: completed only by your local police service
- Legal/adoption: any request that explicitly mandates fingerprints
If fingerprints are required, complete them first (Vancouver-area RCMP-accredited provider or our Montreal fingerprinting services).
Why choose us
Fast online application—most people finish in about 5 minutes.
Common turnaround: same day or 1–2 business days (many cases).
Canada-wide acceptance for standard requests where fingerprints aren’t required.
Secure processing and confidential delivery by email PDF.
How to apply online
- Complete the secure form (about 5 minutes).
- Upload valid government-issued photo ID.
- Processing begins after submission (often same day).
- Receive your certificate by secure email PDF.
Helpful habit: use an email address you can access reliably and check spam/junk folders for protected delivery messages.
Turnaround & delivery
- Standard: Typically, 1–2 business days
- Express: Same-day service is available
- Delivery: Secure PDF emailed directly to you
Apply for your certificate today
Apply online from Vancouver or anywhere in Canada in just minutes when fingerprints are not required. If fingerprints are required, complete them first to avoid delays or resubmission.
Need more details? For general definitions and service-wide requirements, see our FAQs.
U.S. travel note: If you were refused entry to the United States or have a Canadian criminal record, you may also require a U.S. Entry Waiver (Form I-192) in addition to your police clearance certificate.
Vancouver Police Clearance – FAQs
Important rule (Vancouver service area): If fingerprints are not required, apply online for a name-based CPIC and receive your certificate by email as a secure PDF. If fingerprints are required, complete fingerprints in person before applying (Vancouver-area RCMP-accredited provider or Montreal).
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What does “Vancouver service area” mean if the CPIC result is Canada-wide?
“Vancouver” on this page is the service-area label for local guidance and search intent. When fingerprints are not required, the CPIC search and result are Canada-wide through RCMP-maintained systems, and the city label does not change the database searched. -
My employer in BC asked for a “police check.” How do I know if fingerprints are needed?
Look for wording such as fingerprint-based, RCMP certified, biometrics, vulnerable sector, or an immigration/citizenship requirement. If none of that appears, a name-based CPIC is often acceptable for standard screening—confirm with the requesting organization if you’re unsure. -
Is this the same as a local Vancouver Police Department (VPD) record check?
Not always. Some organizations ask for a specific local police service check type (or Vulnerable Sector). This page is for a name-based CPIC police clearance certificate completed online when fingerprints are not required. If your instructions explicitly require local police service processing, follow those instructions instead. -
I’m in Metro Vancouver — what’s the #1 way to avoid delays?
Make sure your name and date of birth match your ID exactly, and confirm fingerprint requirements before submitting. Most restarts happen when a request actually needs fingerprints but a name-based form is submitted first. -
How is the Vancouver CPIC certificate delivered and what should I watch for?
When fingerprints are not required, delivery is by secure email PDF. Double-check your email address and monitor spam/junk folders for protected-message notifications. -
Can I apply from outside Vancouver and still use this page?
Yes. You can apply from anywhere in Canada. Vancouver is a service-area label only—choose the correct option based on whether fingerprints are required.
Note: These are Vancouver-specific operational questions. For general definitions and service-wide requirements, visit our main FAQs.