International Fingerprinting Services – RCMP Certifications From Abroad

Canadians and foreign nationals requiring RCMP fingerprint certifications while living abroad must submit a set of ink fingerprints to the National Pardon Centre for scanning and electronic certification.

To get started please print the following documents as you will need to include them with a set of fingerprints that will be sent to us at a later date. Please note you do not need to use the RCMP C216 C fingerprinting form included as long as your local police station or fingerprinting provider uses standardized fingerprinting forms with the same layout. They must be formatted exactly as they appear in the image below.

International Fingerprinting Order Forms – Download

The fingerprints MUST have ten rolled impressions on top followed by flat impressions below.

If possible you should complete the Biometric authorization.

Once your Fingerprints and Biometric Authorization form are complete please forward them to the following address:

National Pardon Centre
Fingerprinting Division
2 Carlton St. suite 1503
Toronto ON M5B 1J3

If you have any questions please contact a fingerprinting specialist at the National Pardon Centre.

You have three options for receiving your RCMP certification:

1. Receive your results by regular mail directly from the RCMP.
2. Receive your results by registered mail via the National Pardon Centre.
3. Receive your results by Federal Express via the National Pardon Centre.
4. Receive a scanned copy by email via the National Pardon Centre.

We can certify your fingerprints for many different purposes, including:

• Immigration to Canada
• Permanent Resident Status
• Canadian Citizenship
• Employment
• Adoption
• Canadian Pardon and US Waiver Applications
• Foreign Travel (Visas)
• Etc.

• Digitization and Certification of Ink Fingerprints: $195
• Results Forwarded via Registered Mail (any location): $75
• Results Forwarded by Federal Express via the National Pardon Centre: Cost TBD

We accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express, cheques, and money orders. If you prefer to pay via Interact transfer, please contact our office for further information.

• One set of ink fingerprints
• Photocopy of two pieces of government-issued ID (one with a photo)
• Personal Information Biometric Release Form
• Method of Payment

Please be advised that you do not need to use the fingerprint form that we provide, but submissions must have ten rolled impressions on top followed by flat impressions below. An example can be found on our website.

If you do not have a criminal record or criminal history associated with you name, date of birth or fingerprints, then the results will take 72 hours (3 business days) to be processed by the RCMP.

If you do have a criminal record or criminal history associated with your name, date of birth or fingerprints, results are currently taking up to 120 days (approximately 3 to 4 months) to be processed by the RCMP.

Please account for mailing times associated with having the results forwarded to your chosen location.

The RCMP will respond to requests for status updates only after the stated waiting periods have passed.

• By Phone: 1-613-998-6362
• By Email: CCRTIS-SCICTR@rcmp-grc.gc.ca

Please include the following information with your request:

• Full name
• Date of birth
• Certification reason
• Date request submitted
• Phone number where you can be reached

“After 90 days, the Canadian Criminal Real Time Identification Services destroys fingerprint submissions relative to civil screening…when the search process is completed. The fingerprints are not added to the RCMP National Repository of Criminal Records and are not searched for future purposes.”  – Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Any unanswered questions about the process? Please do not hesitate to contact us directly by phone: 416-477-1110 x 250 or email: fingerprinting@nationalpardon.org. We’re here to help.

If your RCMP certified criminal record check will be used outside of Canada, additional certification may be required before the document can be accepted internationally.

Depending on the country where the document will be used, this may involve either an Apostille or an Authentication and Legalization process.

National Pardon Centre works with Global Document Solutions to assist clients requiring international certification of their Canadian police certificate for use abroad.

Global Document Solutions is a Canadian document certification company with over 30 years of experience assisting individuals and organizations with international document requirements.

Countries That Require Apostille Services

Canada joined the Hague Apostille Convention in 2024. Many countries now accept Canadian public documents with an Apostille certificate.

If your destination country is part of the Hague Apostille Convention, your RCMP certified criminal record check may only require an Apostille certificate to be recognized internationally.

Countries That Require Authentication and Legalization

Some countries are not members of the Hague Apostille Convention and continue to require the traditional Authentication and Legalization process.

For these countries, the RCMP certified criminal record check must first be authenticated by the appropriate Canadian authority and then legalized by the destination country’s embassy or consulate.

How the Process Works

1. National Pardon Centre assists with fingerprint submission and obtaining the RCMP certified criminal record check. 
2. Once the RCMP certificate has been issued, Global Document Solutions handles the Apostille or Authentication and Legalization process required for international use. 
3. The completed document is returned ready for submission overseas. 

Common Reasons Clients Require International Certification

Clients commonly require Apostille or Authentication and Legalization services for:

• Employment abroad 
• Work permits and visas 
• Immigration applications 
• Residency applications 
• International adoptions 
• Foreign teaching positions 
• Dual citizenship applications 
• International business requirements 

Processing Times

Processing times vary depending on:

• The country where the document will be used 
• Whether Apostille or Authentication and Legalization is required 
• Government and embassy processing times 

Clients are encouraged to confirm destination country requirements before beginning the process.

Need Assistance?

If your RCMP certified criminal record check will be used internationally, National Pardon Centre and Global Document Solutions can assist you through the complete process from fingerprint submission to final international document certification.

FAQ SECTION ADDITIONS

Frequently Asked Questions

Does my RCMP criminal record check need an Apostille?

If the document will be used in a country that is part of the Hague Apostille Convention, an Apostille may be required before the document can be accepted internationally.

What if my destination country does not accept Apostilles?

Countries that are not members of the Hague Apostille Convention generally require Authentication and Legalization instead of Apostille services.

Can National Pardon Centre help with international document certification?

Yes. National Pardon Centre works with Global Document Solutions to assist clients requiring Apostille or Authentication and Legalization services for international use of their RCMP certified criminal record check.

What is the difference between Apostille and Authentication & Legalization?

An Apostille is a simplified international certification used between Hague Convention member countries.

Authentication and Legalization is a multi-step process used for countries that are not members of the Hague Apostille Convention.

Do I need to send my RCMP certificate somewhere after I receive it?

If international certification is required, the RCMP certificate must be submitted for Apostille or Authentication and Legalization before it can typically be used overseas.