RCMP Criminal Record Check From Portugal: Canadian Criminal Record and Police Record Checks Outside Canada
Get your RCMP criminal record check from Portugal without travelling to Canada. We digitize your ink fingerprints and submit them to the RCMP so you can obtain a certified Canadian criminal record check for visa, residency, employment or citizenship purposes.
RCMP Certified Criminal Record Check Service in Canada and Outside Canada
The Legalization Service Centre is an RCMP-accredited private fingerprinting company in Canada. We convert international ink fingerprints into a digital format and transmit them to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police through the Canadian Criminal Real Time Identification Services (CCRTIS), the federal unit that maintains the RCMP National Repository of Criminal Records in Ottawa.
As one of the first businesses licensed by the RCMP to submit fingerprints electronically, we have built a solid reputation among Portuguese residents, Canadian expats in Lisbon and Porto, and law firms handling immigration and residency files. Consulates, employers and government offices across Europe regularly refer applicants to us for fingerprint-based record checks.
Our service was created for people living outside of Canada who need a certified criminal record check rather than a standard police check based on name and date of birth. Whether you are a Canadian citizen settled in the Algarve or a Portuguese national who once lived in Canada, we provide a fast, secure and fully compliant check process from start to finish.
Choose Us for RCMP Criminal Record Checks From Portugal
- Select Your Processing Method: For a criminal record and judicial matters check, you can submit your application form and supporting documents in person at our Ottawa office or apply online from anywhere in Portugal. Both routes lead to the same RCMP certificate.
- Follow Clear Step-by-Step Guidelines: Once you choose an online application or an in-person visit, you receive detailed instructions on how fingerprints must be taken, which forms to complete and how to submit your application to us for verification.
- Receive Your Criminal Record Check Anywhere: When the RCMP releases the record check results, we courier the certificate to any address in Portugal, Canada or elsewhere. On request, we also arrange an apostille so the document is accepted by Portuguese authorities under the Hague Convention.
With over 15 years of success and practical experience in document services in Canada, we’re glad to help make your next international adventure one to remember for the right reasons.
Contact us today for more information!
Apply for a Canadian Criminal Record Check From Portugal Through an Accredited Fingerprinting Agency
- Expertise You Can Rely On: For more than 15 years we have specialized in Canadian criminal record checks for applicants abroad, including RCMP criminal record checks from Portugal, with apostille and legalization services available for use with AIMA, Portuguese employers or courts.
- Guidance on Every Type of Check: Our team explains the differences between a police information check, a police record check, a vulnerable sector check and an RCMP certified criminal record check, so you request the right document the first time.
- Speed and Reliability: We know that residency renewals, work permits and Golden Visa applications run on deadlines. We review your scans before you ship anything, digitize your fingerprints on the day they arrive and, if needed, apostille the RCMP certificate promptly — without compromising accuracy.
Get Your RCMP Certified Criminal Record Check From Portugal (Online or In Ottawa)
If you live in Portugal and need an RCMP certified criminal record check, you can have your fingerprints taken on the C-216C form by a Portuguese police service, a notary public, an embassy or consulate, or a private fingerprinting company that has an agreement with a local police agency. Mail the originals to us and we complete the submission to the RCMP electronically. If you happen to be in Canada, in-person digital fingerprinting is available at our Ottawa, Ontario office. Either way, you receive a certificate issued by the RCMP that confirms whether a criminal record exists in the national repository.
Address: 440 Laurier Ave W, Suite 218, Ottawa, ON K1R 7X6
Don’t forget to bring two IDs (like your passport and driver’s licence) when you come for your appointment. Have questions? Just give us a call!
Get Your RCMP Criminal Record Check
You'll get a fingerprint-based certificate issued by the RCMP. We digitize your ink-and-roll fingerprints and submit them electronically — you can be anywhere in the world.
In order to process the RCMP CRC certificate we need to receive from the clients their fingerprints taken on C-216C form or similar and other completed forms provided in the Application Package below.
To get started, select the “General” tab for most countries and the “Personal Use” tab if you need the CRC Certificate for immigration to USA.
1. Application Package
Start here. The package contains the full document checklist, Form #2, Form #3 and the RCMP identification requirements.
Everything must be completed without errors — mistakes and missing information delay processing.
▼ Application Package (General)
2. Form #1 (C-216C)
Have your fingerprints taken on the official RCMP C-216C form using the ink-and-roll method only — digital or live-scan printouts are not accepted.
We need two (2) complete sets, with all fields filled in and the name, signature and stamp of the official who took them.
Fingerprints must be clear and high-quality — not smudged, faded, or blurred. All ridge details must be clearly visible on the form. Failure to provide clear, high-quality fingerprints may result in the RCMP rejecting the submission.
Fingerprints outside Canada can be taken by the following entities:
- Police Service
- Embassy / Consulate
- Government Department
- Notary Public
- Foreign private fingerprinting company with an MOU with a local police force or government department
Under "Reason for application", tick the option that matches your case — Visa/Waiver, Canadian Citizenship, Employment, Adoption, and so on.
▼ Example of Correct Impressions
3. Form #2 (Third Party Consent)
Found inside the Application Package.
This form authorizes the RCMP to release your results to us.
Complete it, sign and date it, and place one fingerprint in the box — the form is not valid without it.
4. Form #3 (Applicant Information)
Found inside the Application Package.
Print clearly in CAPITAL LETTERS and double-check your name, date of birth and address — any typo here can delay or invalidate the search.
5. Consent Form
This is the official RCMP consent form that authorizes CCRTIS to search the National Repository of Criminal Records and release the results.
Read each section, tick every checkbox, then sign and date it.
Select the application type that matches your case — for most travel and work purposes this is Visa / Border Crossing / Foreign Travel / Work.
Without this consent the RCMP cannot process your application.
▼ Consent for Certified Criminal Record Checks – Immigration and Travel (RCMP 6674e)
6. LSC Order Form
This is our service order. Fill in your contact details, tick "Canadian Criminal Record Check/Background Check Certificate" under Services Required, and sign the form to confirm you agree to the terms.
Please print clearly and include a working email address and phone number — we use them to send your invoice and any updates.
7. Send
First, email us scans of all completed forms plus PDF scans of your two government-issued IDs (at least one with a photo) and photographs of those IDs taken from different angles. The full list of acceptable ID is on the last page of the Application Package.
We'll review everything and confirm it meets RCMP requirements. Ship the originals only after we approve your scans.
Include two recent passport-size colour photos with your name and the date written on the back.
Courier to:
Legalization Service Centre Canada, 440 Laurier Ave W, Suite 200, Office 218, Ottawa, ON K1R 7X6
When your originals arrive, we'll digitize your fingerprints and submit them to the RCMP electronically.
8. Pay and Receive
Upon receiving your documents, we will email you the invoice for payment.
The fee is $125CAD per certificate + $25CAD RCMP fee (if applicable). Return shipping (as selected in the Order Form) and applicable taxes are extra.
We accept payments by credit card / PayPal (+3.5%), Interac e-Transfer, money order or certified cheque.
After we receive the CRC certificate from RCMP we will courier it to the address you provided in the LSC Order Form.
Processing time to obtain the CRC certificate from the RCMP is approximately 5–20 business days. This is an estimate and may change at any time without prior notice. If there is a criminal record found, the processing time can be longer.
We can also arrange an apostille for your RCMP CRC certificate in Canada for an additional fee.
1. Application Package
Start here. The package contains the full document checklist, Form #2 and the RCMP identification requirements.
Everything must be completed without errors — mistakes and missing information delay processing.
▼ Application Package (Personal Use)
2. Form #1 (C-216C)
Have your fingerprints taken on the official RCMP C-216C form using the ink-and-roll method only — digital or live-scan printouts are not accepted.
We need two (2) complete sets, with all fields filled in and the name, signature and stamp of the official who took them.
Fingerprints must be clear and high-quality — not smudged, faded, or blurred. All ridge details must be clearly visible on the form. Failure to provide clear, high-quality fingerprints may result in the RCMP rejecting the submission.
Fingerprints outside Canada can be taken by the following entities:
- Police Service
- Embassy / Consulate
- Government Department
- Notary Public
- Foreign private fingerprinting company with an MOU with a local police force or government department
Under "Reason for application", tick Privacy Act.
▼ Example of Correct Impressions
3. Form #2 (Applicant Information)
Found inside the Application Package.
Print clearly in CAPITAL LETTERS and double-check your name, date of birth and address — any typo here can delay or invalidate the search.
This is the address the RCMP will mail your certificate to — make sure it's correct and that you can reliably receive regular mail there.
4. Consent Form
This is the official RCMP consent form that authorizes CCRTIS to search the National Repository of Criminal Records and release the results.
Read each section, tick every checkbox, then sign and date it.
Select Criminal Record Check for Personal Use – Other.
Without this consent the RCMP cannot process your application.
▼ Consent for Certified Criminal Record Checks – Other Purposes (RCMP 6676e)
5. LSC Order Form
This is our service order. Fill in your contact details, tick "Canadian Criminal Record Check/Background Check Certificate" under Services Required, and sign the form to confirm you agree to the terms.
Please print clearly and include a working email address and phone number — we use them to send your invoice and any updates.
You can leave Sections 5 and 6 (return shipping) blank — the RCMP mails your certificate directly to you.
6. Send
First, email us scans of all completed forms plus PDF scans of your two government-issued IDs (at least one with a photo) and photographs of those IDs taken from different angles. The full list of acceptable ID is on the last page of the Application Package.
We'll review everything and confirm it meets RCMP requirements. Ship the originals only after we approve your scans.
Include two recent passport-size colour photos with your name and the date written on the back.
Courier to:
Legalization Service Centre Canada, 440 Laurier Ave W, Suite 200, Office 218, Ottawa, ON K1R 7X6
When your originals arrive, we'll digitize your fingerprints and submit them to the RCMP electronically.
7. Pay and Receive
Upon receiving your documents, we will email you the invoice for payment.
The fee is $125CAD per certificate + applicable taxes.
We accept payments by credit card / PayPal (+3.5%), Interac e-Transfer, money order or certified cheque.
The certificate for Personal Use will be sent by RCMP directly to your address provided in the Form #2 by regular mail only.
Processing time to obtain the CRC certificate from the RCMP is approximately 5–20 business days. This is an estimate and may change at any time without prior notice. If there is a criminal record found, the processing time can be longer.
RCMP Certified Canadian Criminal Record Checks Available From Any Location Worldwide
We assist Canadian citizens and foreign nationals living outside Canada — in Portugal, elsewhere in Europe or anywhere in the world. No matter where you are, you can apply online for a Canadian criminal record check with our guidance, and our team is always ready to help.
The Legalization Service Centre is officially authorized by the Government of Canada’s national police force to capture digital fingerprints locally or convert international ink fingerprints, and to transmit them securely to the RCMP via the Canadian Criminal Real Time Identification Services.
This fingerprint-based search covers the entire National Repository of Criminal Records, not just the local records held by a single police service. When the search is complete, we deliver the RCMP certificate to any destination worldwide as a designated third party, by Canada Post or courier.
Cabo Verde
Canada
Chile
China
Colombia
Cook Islands
Costa Rica
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Dominica
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
El Salvador
Estonia
Eswatini
Fiji
Finland
France
Georgia
Liberia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Macau
Malawi
Malta
Marshall Islands
Mauritius
Mexico
Moldova
Monaco
Mongolia
Montenegro
Morocco
Namibia
Netherlands
New Zealand
Nicaragua
Niue
North Macedonia
Norway
Oman
Pakistan
Palau
Panama
Paraguay
Peru
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Russian Federation
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Lucia
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Samoa
San Marino
São Tomé and Principe
Saudi Arabia
Serbia
Seychelles
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
South Africa
South Korea (Republic of Korea)
Spain
Suriname
Sweden
Switzerland
Tajikistan
Tonga
Trinidad and Tobago
Tunisia
Turkey
Ukraine
United Kingdom
United States of America
Uruguay
Uzbekistan
Vanuatu
Venezuela
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Frequently Asked Questions
What Is a Fingerprint-Based RCMP Criminal Record Check, and Why Do Portuguese Authorities Ask for It?
A fingerprint-based check is the only Canadian criminal record check certified by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Your fingerprints are compared against the national repository in Ottawa, which means the existence of a criminal record is confirmed by biometric match rather than by a name and date of birth search in police databases. Portuguese immigration authorities, employers and courts typically require this certified version because a name-based online police record check can miss criminal convictions recorded under a different spelling or name.
The check includes all criminal convictions held in the national repository, subject to the Criminal Records Act and RCMP policy. Conditional discharges are removed after a set period, and Youth Criminal Justice Act records are disclosed only when the law permits. Unlike a vulnerable sector check, which searches for pardoned sexual offence records for people working with a vulnerable person, the standard certified check reports on your criminal history only.
How Does the Check Process Work When I Am Requesting the Check From Portugal?
Requesting the check from Portugal is straightforward. First, download the Application Package and complete the request form, the applicant information form and the RCMP consent form. Then have your fingerprints taken on the C-216C card by a local police agency, a notary or an accredited company — two complete ink-and-roll sets are required. Email us the scans together with two government-issued IDs; we verify everything against RCMP requirements before you courier the originals to Ottawa.
Once the originals arrive, we digitize the prints and make the electronic submission to the RCMP. Each file receives a Document Control Number so you can track the submission. When the RCMP completes the record search, the certificate is issued and we forward it to you. Our team makes sure the purpose of the check — immigration, visa, employment, adoption — is stated correctly, because a wrong category delays record check results.
What Is the Difference Between an RCMP Certificate and a Local Police Background Check?
A standard police background check from a Canadian municipal police service is based on your name and date of birth and is run through the Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC). A CPIC check is quick, but it is not certified by the RCMP, it may include local records from only one jurisdiction, and it is generally not accepted outside Canada. Many police services also refuse check applications from people who no longer live in their area.
The RCMP certified criminal record check is different: it is a national record search across Canada, confirmed by fingerprints and issued by the RCMP. Ink prints taken in Portugal are fully acceptable — we convert them into the digital format the RCMP requires. Both documents confirm whether you have been charged or convicted, but only the RCMP certificate is recognized by Portuguese authorities, and only it can be apostilled for use abroad.
When Do I Need an RCMP Criminal Record Check in Portugal?
Applicants living in Portugal most often need RCMP criminal record checks for:
- Residence permits, D7 and Golden Visa applications, and citizenship files where proof of no criminal background from every country of prior residence is required
- Employment with Portuguese companies, banks or international organizations
- Professional licensing, teaching, health care or volunteer roles involving vulnerable people
- Canadian citizenship or immigration applications submitted from abroad
- Name change, adoption, or a record suspension (pardon) application in Canada
The RCMP website lists the accepted reasons for requesting a certified check, and the consent form must match your purpose. We help applicants select the right category so the certificate is valid for its intended use. If you have been convicted of a crime in the past, the certificate will list it; if you are a registered sex offender or subject to a prohibition order, that information may also appear.
How Long Does It Take to Receive Your Criminal Record Check in Portugal?
Processing time depends on fingerprint quality, the accuracy of your personal details and whether your prints match an entry in the national repository. When no record is found, the RCMP usually returns the result within a few business days of electronic submission; end to end, including courier transit from Portugal, plan for approximately five to twenty business days. If a criminal record exists, verification takes longer because the RCMP must confirm the details manually.
Delays most often come from smudged fingerprints, an incorrect date of birth or a consent form signed for the wrong purpose. That is why we check your scans before you ship. If you also need an apostille for Portuguese authorities, add a few business days for authentication in Canada. From the first email to the finished RCMP certificate — with or without apostille — the Legalization Service Centre keeps the check process compliant, secure and on schedule.