RCMP Background Criminal Record Check Service: Private Fingerprinting Company in Canada

When you schedule a fingerprinting appointment at our Ottawa location, our licensed technicians adhere to strict RCMP processes to ensure compliance with national standards.

During your session, the applicant must present two official government-issued IDs (one with a photo). We then scan your fingerprints with approved biometric scanners. If you live outside of Canada, we can digitize ink fingerprints from your local police agency or an authorized fingerprinting company and securely send them to the RCMP for clients requiring fingerprints for immigration, employment, licensing, or security screening.

Each submission generates a 20-digit Document Control Number (DCN) that associates your transaction with your background or security screening request. All data is encrypted and submitted online through the RCMP’s Criminal Real Time Identification Services.

The results are provided as a certified criminal record check, police information check, or criminal background report. When no criminal convictions exist, processing times usually take three working days.

To ensure correct processing and distribution of record check results, our staff includes file references such as employer, immigration, or police service request details.

Ink fingerprints, which use black ink rolled on paper, are still accepted by some foreign police agencies, although they are slower and less effective for Canadian criminal record checks. In certain situations, ink submissions may be required by international authorities who follow older procedures.

The RCMP-accredited Legalization Service Centre can digitize ink fingerprints acquired abroad and send them online for faster processing.
Digital fingerprinting, on the other hand, collects prints directly through certified scanners and quickly sends them to the Canadian Criminal Real Time Identification Services (CCRTIS). It improves accuracy, security, and speed while reducing the chance of mismatched identities.

Both procedures establish identification and criminal history, but digital fingerprinting remains the faster and more reliable way to receive your criminal record check from Canadian authorities.

Fingerprints are often required to complete security screening, vulnerable sector checks, or police record checks for civil purposes such as:

• Immigration or citizenship applications (CIC file number required)
• Employment or contracting with federal or provincial government agencies
• Volunteer positions or licensing (e.g., health care, teaching, child care)
• Visa, adoption, or permanent residence applications requiring background verification
• Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) screening under the Contract Security Program

The Legalization Service Centre helps applicants meet these requirements quickly and accurately. As an RCMP-authorized fingerprinting provider, we ensure every digital submission complies with national and local police standards.

We also assist clients residing outside of Canada by converting and submitting ink fingerprints, enabling them to apply for a criminal record check without travelling to Canada.

Processing times depend on the quality of your fingerprints, the accuracy of the data, and whether your prints match a record already in the National Repository of Criminal Records. People who have been convicted of a crime in the past or who have open charges and warrants may have to wait longer because they need to be checked more thoroughly.

When no records are found, digital fingerprint submissions are usually completed within three business days. References included from employers, immigration officers, or licensing bodies may require added review.

If you accidentally enter the wrong DCN, ORI number, or date of birth, or if there are differences between your personal information and government databases like the Canadian Police Information Centre, you may have to wait longer. Our support team works directly with the RCMP and other law enforcement agencies to resolve issues promptly.

If your Document Control Number has expired (after 12 months) or you must resubmit fingerprints, our team will help you schedule a new session promptly.

From start to finish, the Legalization Service Centre provides secure and compliant fingerprinting services, supporting applicants who need a criminal record check for employment, immigration, a record suspension, or security clearance. We also help individuals using freedom of information requests or those applying for a vulnerable sector role, ensuring that every submission is processed precisely as intended for applicants seeking official Canadian documentation.