Open ProvincesCriminal record checks: employment, volunteering, vulnerable sector and record suspension
Understand which criminal record check is being requested, when fingerprints may be needed, how vulnerable-sector checks differ and what a record suspension does.
Adapted from a guide first written for Quebec readers: passages specific to Quebec were removed. Rules in your province may differ.
Criminal record check
A check may begin with name and date of birth. Some situations require a certified check using fingerprints. The RCMP explains the available types and when fingerprints are required.
Vulnerable sector check
This is a specific process for positions of trust or authority over vulnerable people. It is generally initiated for an organization and completed through the police service responsible for the applicant’s place of residence.
If your name matches someone else
A name-based match can lead to a fingerprint request to confirm identity. It does not automatically mean the applicant has that criminal record.
Record suspension
A record suspension, formerly called a pardon, is a separate federal process administered by the Parole Board of Canada. It does not erase history but can set the record apart in federal systems under the applicable rules.
Official sources
“Background check,” criminal record check, police information check and vulnerable sector check are not interchangeable labels. Ask the employer or organization which check is legally relevant to the role and who must request it.
Where to begin
- Contact the police service responsible for your place of residence and follow its application instructions.
- Some checks can use name and date-of-birth information; identity matches or other circumstances may require fingerprints through an authorized process.
- For a vulnerable sector check, the role must meet the legal criteria. It is not a general-purpose screening option; the requesting organization should explain why the duties qualify.
- Use only the channel accepted by the police service. A private fingerprinting provider may collect prints but does not necessarily issue the requested police check.
Do not confuse a check with a record suspension
A record suspension (formerly called a pardon) is a separate federal application. It does not erase the historical conviction. Eligibility and the process depend on federal rules, so use the Parole Board of Canada’s current information rather than an intermediary’s promise.
Protect your information
Confirm how the result will be delivered, who may see it, how long it will be retained and what to do if the result contains an identity match that is not yours. Do not send sensitive identification documents to an unverified recruiter or screening website.
Sources and limits
Sources: RCMP and Parole Board of Canada. The requesting organization should specify the exact check required. The appropriate check depends on the role and current legal requirements.
General information based on federal and national rules; provincial rules may differ. Confirm with the official body before acting. Last reviewed : 2026-08-17.