Criminal Record Check by the British Columbia (BC) Police Department and Apostille Services
LSC provides fast and secure assistance with your criminal record checks across British Columbia, ensuring that you have met all international requirements.
How Apostille Simplifies Criminal Record Check Certificate Authentication in BC
When applying for a visa, job, or residency, many countries request a criminal record check or background check. In British Columbia, there are three ways to obtain a criminal record check:
- Federal Government (RCMP): The Royal Canadian Mounted Police processes certified criminal record checks in Ottawa, usually requiring fingerprint verification.
- Provincial Government (Local Police): Municipal police agencies across B.C. issue name and date of birth-based certificates. These often require notarisation before an apostille.
- Electronic Issuance: Available through approved RCMP and online platform systems.
To be accepted outside of Canada, the certificate must undergo authentication.
Since January 2024, Canada’s participation in the Hague Apostille Convention allows records for member countries no longer to need embassy or consulate legalization and to be validated with a single apostille.
At the same time, the traditional legalization procedure is still required for the authentication of documents intended for countries that have not ratified the Apostille Convention.
3-Step Criminal Record Check Process and Apostille Process with LSC
- Contact Us via the Form: Start your request by requesting a criminal record check online. Provide personal information and details on your destination country.
- Prepare and Submit Documents: Our team ensures compliance with the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General and the Criminal Records Review Act. You may need to provide fingerprints at an RCMP detachment or police station.
- Receive Results: The completed criminal record check or CRC is authenticated, apostilled (if needed), and returned by courier, email, or pick-up, ready for official use.
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!
Request Attestation and Authentication of Criminal Record Check Certificate
Why Choose LSC for BC Criminal Record Checks and Apostille
- Expertise: Over 15 years of preparing criminal records, CRC as part of visa or immigration files, and managing record suspension cases.
- Customer Focus: We guide you step by step, so the information provided complies with the public safety and solicitor general regulations.
- Speed: Urgent criminal record check process available. Our team works hard to guarantee that your criminal record check certificate and apostille are processed on schedule.
Working with Global Affairs Canada and Provincial Authorities to Authenticate Your Police Information Check
We coordinate with Global Affairs Canada, RCMP, and the Ministry of Public Safety to make sure every criminal record check is valid. The Criminal Records Review Program determines when a check is required under the Criminal Records Review Act, especially for professions governed by the Health Professions Act.
Applicants who are required to undergo a criminal record check, including those working with children or vulnerable adults, must provide consent to a CRC as part of their application. If the deputy registrar determines or the registrar determines that a risk exists, employers are informed when an applicant is charged with or convicted of offences.
This ensures protection of children and vulnerable adults, compliance with the risk to children and vulnerable adults guidelines, and legal recognition across Canada.
If the documents need to be used outside of Canada, we will also determine the necessity and required method for their authentication depending on the destination country and the client’s needs.
Apostille Ontario:
- Toronto
- Ottawa
- Mississauga
- Brampton
- Hamilton
- London
- Markham
- Vaughan
- Kitchener
- Windsor
Apostille Alberta:
- Calgary
- Edmonton
- Red Deer
- Lethbridge
- St. Albert
- Medicine Hat
- Grande Prairie
- Airdrie
- Spruce Grove
- Leduc
Apostille Manitoba:
- Winnipeg
- Brandon
- Steinbach
- Thompson
- Portage la Prairie
- Selkirk
- Winkler
- Morden
- Dauphin
- Flin Flon
Apostille New Brunswick:
- Moncton
- Saint John
- Fredericton
- Dieppe
- Oromocto
- Bathurst
- Miramichi
- Edmundston
- Riverview
- Rothesay
Apostille Newfoundland and Labrador:
- St. John’s
- Mount Pearl
- Corner Brook
- Paradise
- Labrador City
- Marystown
- Deer Lake
- Gander
- Grand Falls-Windsor
- Happy Valley-Goose Bay
Apostille Nova Scotia:
- Halifax
- Sydney
- Dartmouth
- Truro
- New Glasgow
- Glace Bay
- Kentville
- Amherst
- Bridgewater
- Yarmouth
Apostille Prince Edward Island:
- Charlottetown
- Summerside
- Stratford
- Cornwall
- Montague
- Souris
- Alberton
- Tignish
- Kensington
- Georgetown
Apostille Quebec:
- Montreal
- Quebec City
- Laval
- Gatineau
- Longueuil
- Sherbrooke
- Trois-Rivières
- Saguenay
- Lévis
- Terrebonne
Apostille, Attestation and Authentication Services for Your Criminal Record Check Certificate
From start to finish, we take care of the entire process for you. This includes preparing and submitting your criminal record check application, working with Global Affairs Canada, and ensuring every detail is handled correctly.
Once the process is complete, your certificate is validated and issued with an apostille, ready for use overseas.
Our service ensures your criminal record check meets international requirements so you can move forward with confidence.
It is important to understand that authentication is not required for use within Canada.
Affidavit
Birth Certificate
Marriage Certificate
Divorce Certificate
Death Certificate
Marriage Search Certificate
University Degree
College Diploma
High School Diploma
Transcripts
Criminal Record Check Certificate from Ottawa RCMP
Criminal Record Check Certificate from Local Police
Fingerprints
Statement in Lieu of Certificate of Non-Impediment to Marriage Abroad
Power of Attorney
Corporate Documents
Court Documents
Adoption Certificate
Other
Examples of Attestations for Criminal Record Check Certificates
We provide samples of criminal record checks and explain how the criminal records review program determines validity. For applicants seeking work in sensitive fields involving vulnerable persons, the check must follow the every five years renewal rule.
Member Nations of the Hague Apostille Convention
Canadian criminal record documents authenticated with an apostille are valid in all member countries, eliminating duplicate checks. This ensures your check results are accepted without delay.
It is important to understand that some countries have not yet ratified the apostille as a means of authenticating documents. For these countries, the traditional legalization or certification procedure is usually used, which includes applying to the embassy of the relevant country.
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
Germany
Greece
Grenada
Guatemala
Guyana
Honduras
Hong Kong
Hungary
Iceland
India
Indonesia
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Jamaica
Japan
Kazakhstan
Kosovo
Kyrgyzstan
Latvia
Lesotho
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
Why Could Your Criminal Record Check Certificate Be Declined for Attestation?
Although we have extensive experience in processing criminal record check certificate attestation and apostille requests, not all documents are automatically eligible for authentication. Government authorities may reject an attestation or an apostille for several different reasons.
If your certificate or related paperwork does not include the proper signature or official seal from the issuing department, it cannot be authenticated. Verified markings must be visible on every document before it is accepted.
Authentication is also not possible if the issuing authority cannot verify the signature or seal. This issue frequently occurs with outdated, altered, or unofficial markings.
Because authorities cannot apply stamps to laminated or specially coated documents, any such material may be excluded from certification or apostille. Your papers must remain in their original format.
Finally, if officials have doubts about the authenticity, purpose, or potential misuse of the document, they may also deny attestation in cases involving fraud or violations of applicable laws.
Is Notarization Required Before Criminal Record Check Certificate Attestation?
Some types of documents, including criminal record check certificates, may need to be notarized prior to being accepted for authentication by an attesting or apostille authority. The decision to require notarization depends on the document category as well as the legislation in the region where the certificate was issued.
Is Translation Necessary Before Attestation of a Criminal Record Check Certificate?
When a criminal record check certificate and supporting paperwork are written in a language other than English or French, professional translation is mandatory. The translation must be accurate and completed by an authorized expert so that officials can properly confirm the document’s contents.
Another option is to work with a Canadian notary who is proficient in English, French, and the language used in the document. The notary provides an endorsement that verifies their understanding of the text and its meaning.
The exact method of verification depends on the type of certificate, the purpose of use, and the regulations of the destination country. Applicants should follow these requirements carefully to avoid delays, rejections, or claims of inconvenience, especially if forms are incomplete or sent by mail.
What Is the Processing Time for a Criminal Record Check Certificate Attestation?
Global Affairs Canada generally processes certified criminal record check certificates submitted for apostille within an average of 10 business days. Applicants must also allow an additional five business days for return delivery.
Since January 11, 2024, provincial competent authorities have also been permitted to authenticate all kinds of documents, including criminal record check certificates. Processing times vary according to the office and department involved.
At the Legalization Service Centre (LSC), we provide fast and reliable service to obtain attested certificates. Our skilled team members work with a wide professional network to ensure smooth and efficient processing.
What Important Points Should You Consider for Criminal Record Check Certificate Attestation?
The total cost of attesting a criminal record check certificate depends on both the issuing authority and the destination country’s legal requirements. For accurate information about current fees, please contact our specialists directly.
An attestation or apostille is a requirement for all Hague Apostille Convention countries. States outside the Convention may require traditional authentication and legalization procedures for certificates and other official records.
While an apostille or attestation itself does not expire, the actual criminal record check certificate may be considered valid only for a limited period, depending on the country where it is presented. Confirming these details in advance is strongly recommended before finalizing any travel or immigration arrangements.