The process for a Canadian pardon and a US entry waiver both begin with the same procedure – fingerprinting. The purpose of fingerprinting is to retrieve your criminal record from the RCMP. Since it is possible to falsely identify someone based on name and date of birth alone, the RCMP requires you to submit fingerprints, which cannot be duplicated without the intent to deceive.
Your fingerprints must be submitted electronically since the RCMP will no longer accept ink based fingerprinting submissions. If you do not have access to a digital fingerprinting provider you must contact a company that has card scan capabilities. To learn more click here.
Regardless of where you go to get your fingerprints taken the result submitting your fingerprints to the RCMP in Canada is simple. The RCMP will either return your criminal record to you, or it will send you a letter indicating that no criminal record could be associated with your name. Keep in mind that if you do not complete this step your pardon and waiver applications will not be accepted by the either the Canadian or American governments.
A further complication in the fingerprinting process is that the fingerprints MUST be specifically certified for a pardon or waiver. In other words the results of a fingerprint certification for a pardon cannot be used for a US entry waiver application and vice versa.
How to get have fingerprints taken
In Canada there are only 6 companies accredited to directly submit electronic fingerprints to the RCMP Civil Fingerprinting Division, of which the National Pardon Centre was one of the first awarded this distinction.
http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/en/who-can-conduct-criminal-record-check#nc
Most companies that provide pardon and waiver services in Canada will outsource this step to a third party at an additional cost to you.
Although pardons Canada applications and US entry waiver applications are the most common reasons for certifying fingerprints with our company there are many specific certifications ranging from a legal name change to an immigration requirement.
If you have any questions about fingerprinting for a pardon or a waiver simply consult our website, specifically the following page – Fingerprinting . If you still have questions feel free to contact one of our counsellors and we will be happy to answer all of your questions.