Electronic Transmission of Fingerprints to the RCMP
If you are in Canada, you can simply Google search a “fingerprinting agency” near you and go there. The RCMP’s accredited and certified fingerprinting agency will take your fingerprints with a live-scan machine and transmit them to the CCRTIS division of the RCMP with the click of a button.
The RCMP will run fingerprints through the national database and send a certified criminal record check via Canada Post regular mail. The process is that simple. If you are outside Canada, the process for applying police check from the RCMP Canada is different and sometimes challenging. The applicant, however, does not have to be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
There are basically two types of criminal record checks i.e. name and date of the birth-based check and a fingerprint-based check. It is relatively easier and faster to get a basic name and date of the birth-based check, however, most of the time the authorities outside of Canada do not accept this type of check and ask for a fingerprint-based check issued by the RCMP.
What is the process to get a fingerprint-based check from Canada?
If you are outside Canada, you cannot simply send a set of fingerprints directly to the RCMP with a request to issue a certified criminal record check.
You would need to get your fingerprints taken on a standard fingerprint form by the local police, Notary Public, or a fingerprinting agency and send them to a reliable RCMP’s accredited and certified fingerprinting agency in Canada to get them digitized and transmitted to the RCMP via a secure server.
Here is the step-by-step process:
- Contact an accredited and certified fingerprinting agency in Canada. One of the leading fingerprinting agencies is Worldwide Forensic Services Inc (www.fingerscan.ca).
- The fingerprinting agency will email you or send a link to download a complete application package including a card-scan application, fingerprint form, third-party consent form, guidelines, and a list of frequently asked questions. Some fingerprinting agencies ask to apply and pay online and then send a physical fingerprint form via mail or courier.
- Read the guidelines and get fingerprints taken by the local police, notary public, or a fingerprinting agency. The local fingerprinting agency must have signed a memorandum of understanding with the RCMP’s accredited fingerprinting agency in Canada.
- Once the fingerprinting agency in Canada receives the complete application, they will digitize ink fingerprints with special software and electronically transmit them to the RCMP.
- After processing fingerprints, the RCMP will mail out the certified criminal record check via Canada Post regular mail to any address in Canada or overseas. The RCMP do not send Certified criminal record checks via email, registered mail, or courier.
Challenges faced by individuals living overseas:
Depending upon the country, the process of applying for Canadian police clearance can be pretty simple or highly complex.
- Each country has its own system of fingerprinting and in some courtiers, the police prefer to take fingerprints on their own form. Most of the fingerprint forms have basically the same layout of fingerprints and are acceptable for digitization and transmission to the RCMP.
- Due to old age or skin conditions, sometimes the fingerprints are not clear for digitization or transmission to the RCMP. This hardship causes lots of frustration and delay in the process. This can be saved by getting the services of properly trained fingerprinting officers to make sure they make every effort to take clear prints. The other option is to find a live-scan location to get fingerprints taken with a live scan and printed on a fingerprint form. To digitize inked fingerprints, it is also preferable to find a fingerprinting agency in Canada having experienced staff and forensic background.
- In some countries, the police do not take fingerprints for civil purposes. The applicants are left with no option other than to get fingerprints taken by Notary Public. The notary public may not have proper fingerprinting equipment or experience to take clear fingerprints for digitization purposes. The fingerprinting agencies having forensic backgrounds can properly guide the applicants in this process and may even review the scanned copies of fingerprint forms before the originals are mailed out to them. This process saves a lot of time and frustration.
- Due to the time difference, it becomes difficult for individuals living outside of Canada to get clear answers to their questions relating to the fingerprinting process and filling out the required forms. This fingerprinting process and the inked fingerprint digitization need to be handled by a properly trained fingerprint technician, preferably having a forensic background or knowledge about the science of fingerprints.
Why Choose Worldwide Forensic Services Inc.
Among the accredited fingerprinting agencies in Canada, Worldwide Forensic Services Inc (WWFS) is the only fingerprinting agency run by forensic professionals having over 37 years of experience in examining and taking fingerprints.
WWFS is known for excellent customer care, prompt replies to emails, and a very high success rate.
WWFS is one of the leading fingerprinting agencies in Canada, providing superb services to local and international clients for over 12 years.
With multiple workstations, WWFS transmits fingerprints to the RCMP the same day they are received.
Contact Worldwide Forensic Services Inc.