Criminal Record Checks: How to Get a Canadian Police Check

Ever tried applying for a visa, job, or residency abroad, only to discover you need a Canadian police check—and you’re not even in Canada anymore? If you’re living outside Canada, especially in places like the United Kingdom, the process can feel confusing and overwhelming.

It is certainly possible to obtain a Canadian police check from abroad, but it operates differently from a local background check in Canada. The good news? It doesn’t have to be stressful if you have the correct knowledge and assistance.

A Canadian police check, also known as a Certified Criminal Record Check, is issued by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) through their Canadian Criminal Real Time Identification Services (CCRTIS). Unlike name-based checks used by local police services, the RCMP requires fingerprint-based verification for any official, internationally accepted certificate. This ensures your criminal history (if any) is matched accurately to the national repository of criminal records.

In this article, we’ll walk you through how to get a Canadian police check from overseas, what documents you need, how fingerprinting works outside Canada, how long the process takes, and how Legalization Service Centre (LSC)—an RCMP-accredited fingerprinting company—can help you get your certificate from anywhere in the world. We’ll also cover mailing, biometrics, processing time, online applications, and what to expect, whether you’re in the UK or another country.

Need help with document apostille/legalization/authentication/attestation — and/or criminal record check in Canada? Contact us via our form, call us at +1-613-501-0555 (WhatsApp available) or +1-800-857-1215 (toll-free), fax us via 1-844-786-2001, or text us at [email protected].

What Is a Canadian Police Check and Why Is It Required Overseas

A Canadian police check is a detailed criminal background check issued by the RCMP. It identifies whether a person has any criminal convictions, Canadian criminal records, or judicial matters registered in the national database. Because the RCMP check is fingerprint-based, it is considered the most reliable type of background verification available in Canada.

Many organizations overseas—especially in the UK, the EU, Asia, and the Middle East—require an official RCMP Certified Criminal Record Check Certificate for visa applications, employment purposes, citizenship, permanent residency, school admissions, immigration, and good conduct verification.

Unlike checks inside Canada, which may be name-and-date-of-birth checks issued by local police stations, foreign governments often request a fingerprint-based RCMP check to certify authenticity and accuracy.

Why You Need a Canadian Criminal Record Check When Living Abroad

If you currently live outside Canada—London, Manchester, Glasgow, Belfast, or anywhere across the UK—foreign institutions may require your Canadian police check for several reasons:

Immigration or visa requirements
Employment screening and background verification
Permanent residency or citizenship applications
Good conduct certificates or PCC (Canadian Police Clearance Certificate)
Volunteer work, especially involving vulnerable sector screenings
Professional licensing (teachers, healthcare, finance, etc.)
Marriage overseas requires proof of no criminal record

Any time you must verify your criminal history based on your time in Canada, a Certified Criminal Record Check issued by the RCMP is the correct document.

How to Get a Canadian Police Check From Overseas: Step-by-Step Guide

Whether you’re in the United Kingdom, Europe, Asia, or another country, the process is very similar. The only difference is how you get your fingerprints taken. Below is a simplified breakdown of the complete process.

Step 1: Get Your Fingerprints Taken in the Country You Live In

A fingerprint-based background check is required for all official RCMP criminal record checks used outside Canada. This includes:

Visa applications
Employment screening
IRCC immigration
Citizenship applications
Judicial matters check
Good conduct requirements

Where to Get Fingerprints Overseas

In the United Kingdom, fingerprints can be taken at:

Local police stations offering fingerprinting services
Accredited private fingerprinting agencies
Visa application centres
Some notary public offices

You must request ink fingerprints on a standard fingerprint card (FD-258 or C216C).

Important: The RCMP does not accept photographs or scanned copies. You must mail the original fingerprint card.

Step 2: Complete the Required Application Form

You must fill out the relevant application form in order to get an RCMP Certified Criminal Record Check, which includes:

Full name
Date of birth
Mailing address
Reason for the background check
Citizenship information
Government-issued ID numbers
Type of check required

Types of RCMP checks include:

Basic criminal record check
Record and judicial matters check
Vulnerable sector check (not available from overseas)
Criminal background check for immigration or visa purposes

If you’re with Legalization Service Centre, you will receive clear, guided instructions after submitting your order online.

Step 3: Submit Your Fingerprints to an RCMP-Accredited Fingerprinting Company

You must send your original ink fingerprint card to an RCMP-accredited fingerprinting agency in Canada. This is crucial because:

Foreign police services cannot submit fingerprints directly to the RCMP
The RCMP accepts fingerprints electronically through authorized companies only
International fingerprints must be digitized before submission
Only RCMP-accredited companies can process your file

Legalization Service Centre (LSC) is one of the first private companies accredited by the RCMP to digitize international ink fingerprints and submit them electronically through CCRTIS.

What You Need to Mail

Your original ink fingerprint card
Completed application form
Photocopy of two government-issued IDs
Payment and any additional instructions

If your document must be sent to a third-party organization (employer, visa office, university), LSC can courier your certificate worldwide.

Step 4: Your Fingerprints Are Converted to Digital Format

When your fingerprint card arrives in Canada, an accredited company converts your ink fingerprints into digital biometrics using RCMP-approved systems.

This digital version is then submitted electronically to the RCMP through CCRTIS. Electronic submission dramatically reduces processing time and avoids errors in manual entry.

Step 5: RCMP Conducts the Criminal Background Check

The RCMP verifies:

Criminal convictions
Arrest records
Judicial matters
Information from the national repository of criminal records
Any match tied to your fingerprints

This is the most accurate search available and is used for:

International visa applications
Employer background verification
Permanent residency or work permit applications
Certificate of good conduct requirements

Your information must match the Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC) database, so fingerprints ensure precise identification.

Step 6: Receive Your Canadian Police Certificate Abroad

Once completed, your RCMP Certified Criminal Record Check Certificate can be:

Mailed directly to your address overseas
Sent to the requesting institution
Forwarded for apostille or authentication (if needed)
Delivered electronically when applicable

If you’re in the UK, delivery typically uses tracked courier services for fast turnaround.

RCMP Police Check Requirements When Applying From Overseas

Whether you’re in the UK or another country, the requirements are almost identical. You will need:

Government-issued IDs
Ink fingerprint card
Completed application form
Reason for the background check
Mailing address
A trusted RCMP-accredited fingerprinting agency

Your fingerprints must be taken in person—RCMP rules do not allow remote digital submission from foreign police stations without conversion by an accredited Canadian company.

Acceptable IDs

Passport
Driver’s licence
PR card
National identity card

Make sure the ID you use matches your name and date of birth exactly.

Processing Time for Canadian Police Checks From Overseas

Processing time for police checks from overseas is influenced by multiple factors.

RCMP Processing Time (Standard)

3–10 business days if no criminal record exists
Longer if a match is found or manual review is required

Courier Delivery (Varies by Country)

UK: 3–7 business days
Europe: 5–10 business days
Asia/Middle East: 7–14 business days

Additional Time If Apostille/Legalization Is Required

If the country where you’re submitting the certificate requires apostille or embassy attestation, LSC can complete the additional step.

Do You Need Apostille, Authentication, or Notarization?

Since Canada joined the Hague Apostille Convention on January 11, 2024, many countries accept apostilled Canadian police certificates—including the United Kingdom.

You may need:

Apostille (for Hague Convention countries such as the UK, France, the Philippines, and Australia)
Authentication + embassy legalization (for non-Hague countries like the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait)
Notarization (depending on the receiving institution)

Legalization Service Centre can handle all these steps after obtaining your RCMP certificate.

Why Use an RCMP-Accredited Fingerprinting Company Like Legalization Service Centre

When you’re outside of Canada, the RCMP requires your fingerprints to be submitted through an accredited agency—you cannot send them directly. Here’s why thousands of clients worldwide choose LSC.

1. Fully RCMP-Accredited and Recognized Worldwide

LSC is officially authorized to:

Digitize international ink fingerprints
Submit fingerprints electronically to the RCMP
Provide certified criminal record checks for Canadians and foreign nationals

We are trusted by embassies, immigration lawyers, employers, and government agencies handling Canadian immigration, IRCC applications, and overseas visa processes.

2. Supports Both Online and In-Person Applications

Whether you’re in Canada or abroad, LSC supports the following:

Online submissions
Mailed fingerprint cards
In-person fingerprinting at our Ottawa location

This makes it accessible no matter where you live.

3. Fast Turnaround Time

Clients choose LSC because of:

Same-day processing when fingerprint cards arrive
Rapid digitization
Express courier options
Optional apostille and legalization

In urgent cases, LSC helps applicants meet strict deadlines for visa applications or employment requirements.

4. Clear Step-by-Step Guidance

You don’t need to figure out forms, requirements, mailing instructions, or documentation on your own. LSC provides:

Instructions for the fingerprinting process
Help with completing your application
Support for biometrics and documentation
Guidance on apostille or attestation
Tracking options for mailing

5. Worldwide Delivery

Your RCMP certificate can be delivered:

Anywhere in the UK
Anywhere outside of Canada
Directly to an employer, school, government, or third-party organization

Secure, tracked courier ensures your documents arrive safely.

Why Choose Legalization Service Centre for Your Overseas Canadian Police Check

If you’re trying to figure out how to get a Canadian police check from overseas—especially from the United Kingdom—the Legalization Service Centre makes the entire experience simple. Here’s what sets our team apart:

Over 15 years of experience providing RCMP Certified Criminal Record Checks
Accredited by the RCMP for fingerprint-based criminal background checks
Trusted partner for thousands of visa, employment, and citizenship applications
Fast, reliable, and secure document processing
Expertise in apostille, authentication, and legalization
Excellent support for Canadians and foreign nationals living abroad

Whether you’re applying from London, Dubai, Singapore, or anywhere else, we ensure your Canadian police certificate is processed correctly, efficiently, and securely.

Ready to Get Your Canadian Police Check From Overseas? We Can Help!

No matter where in the world you live, getting a certified RCMP criminal record check doesn’t have to be complicated. With the right guidance—and the right RCMP-accredited fingerprinting company—you can complete the process smoothly and confidently.

If you need a Canadian police check, Certified Criminal Record Check, or assistance with apostille, authentication, or embassy legalization, Legalization Service Centre is here to help.