How do I get a criminal record check (judicial record verification)?

General information, not legal advice. For a fingerprint-based check, you are asked to go to a local police service or an accredited private agency. There are several types of checks (for civil purposes, or to work with vulnerable people), and the right type depends on your situation and on who asks you for it. The exact rules (who can apply, identity documents, fees) depend on the police service. As a verified example, the Ville de Québec reserves its civil-purposes check for its residents, asks for two pieces of identification and a consent form, and sets a fee of $118. The pages read do not give a processing time.

Key facts

Where to apply

A local police service or an accredited private agency to have fingerprints taken. To work with vulnerable people, the local police service.

Verified example: Ville de Québec

Civil-purposes check reserved for residents of Québec, L'Ancienne-Lorette and Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures (except two exceptions for certain permits). Two valid pieces of identification, a signed consent form, and a $118 fee paid when submitting the request.

What a civil-purposes check covers (Québec example)

Convictions, pending charges and valid orders.

Vulnerable people

The check for working with vulnerable people is broader (risk behaviours, record suspensions for sexual offences). According to the Ville de Québec, only educational childcare services and unrecognized childcare services are legally required to use it.

Processing time

The official pages read do not specify a processing time.

Steps

1. Ask the person or organization that requires the document which type of check you need (for example for civil purposes or to work with vulnerable people).
2. If you are making an immigration or citizenship application, check the IRCC page: IRCC writes that it will tell you, when processing your application, if you must get a Canadian criminal record check.
3. For a fingerprint-based check, go to a local police service or an accredited private agency to have your fingerprints taken.
4. To work with vulnerable people, go through your local police service: the Ville de Québec offers this service to its residents or at the request of an organization.
5. If you live in the Ville de Québec, L'Ancienne-Lorette or Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures and you ask for a check for civil purposes, go to the Service de police de la Ville de Québec service counter with two valid pieces of identification.
6. Fill out and sign the consent form for the judicial record verification, then pay the fees when you submit the request ($118 at the Ville de Québec).
7. If you live elsewhere in Québec, contact your local police service: the pages read do not give its fees, required documents or processing times.

General information drawn from official sources. It does not replace legal, medical or financial advice. For your situation, contact the organization concerned or a professional.