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Frequently Asked Questions

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Police Certificates

I just arrived in Canada or I used to reside in Canada; can I still obtain my certificate?

You must have a current address and/or a delivery address in Canada, as we only issue certificates within Canada by mail. 

  • Your initial result in PDF format will be sent to you by email within the following business hours. Please note that the processing time begins only once the form is fully completed and your identity has been successfully verified.
  • Processing times are fast via email, and your original certificate will be sent to you by Canada Post within 3 to 10 business days.
It consists of an additional search within your records to determine if you are currently facing any pending criminal charges before a Canadian criminal court. This option is only available if selected prior to payment.

A Premium/Enhanced Check will report:

(a) Criminal convictions found in the CPIC and/or local databases; (b) Summary convictions, for a period of five years, where applicable; (c) Guilt verdicts under the Youth Criminal Justice Act within the applicable disclosure period; (d) Pending cases, including charges and warrants, judicial orders, peace bonds, probation, and prohibition orders; in accordance with CPIC policy, information obtained from the Investigative Data Bank must be confirmed and authorized for disclosure by the contributing agency; (e) Absolute and conditional discharges for a period of one (1) or three (3) years, respectively.

Through our partner, Equifax. By accessing databases from the Equifax credit reporting agency and other third parties, the “Kount” system generates four questions related to a candidate’s credit history. These questions are strictly confidential and are handled exclusively between you and the system. Furthermore, this process will have no impact on your credit score.

Only the candidate will be able to answer these questions correctly to complete the process. The information is cross-referenced with the personal data provided by the candidate (such as date of birth and previous addresses) to confirm their identity. If this process fails, it is generally due to a lack of credit history for the candidate. If the online verification is inconclusive, copies of identity documents will be requested via secure email.

At the request of an employer, for a rental application, or by your insurance company. It may also be required for visa applications for another country, by government agencies such as Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), for adoption procedures, or by organizations for volunteer work, among other reasons.

We only accept Visa, Mastercard, or Amex. Debit cards or prepaid (reloadable) cards do not always work. Your bank may have blocked the transaction; please ensure that you have sufficient funds available.

Alternatively, you may call us during business hours to make a payment over the phone—we even accept Interac e-Transfers. We will find a solution together.
Please check your emails in the minutes following your order. If you do not receive an email from us, check your “Spam” or “Promotions” folders, or search for the keyword “Accès certification” in your search bar before contacting us.

We recommend providing a personal email address rather than a business or organizational one, as these emails are often blocked by corporate servers. If you still cannot find it, there may have been a typo in your email address during registration; if so, please contact us.

Yes. A refund may be issued minus an administrative fee of 15%. However, if you have already completed and submitted your form, a refund is no longer possible as the processing service has already begun or been completed.

The certificate will display your last name, first name, any other names, date of birth, and gender. The search results will be indicated as “Negative,” “Confirmed,” or “Incomplete.”
  • “Negative” means that you declared no criminal record, and the police service confirms the truthfulness of your declaration.
  • “Confirmed” means that you declared one or more offenses, and the police service confirms that your declaration is accurate.
  • “Incomplete” means that the search results do not match your declaration, or that your name and date of birth match another individual in the national police database.

Therefore, no, the specific details of your criminal record are not listed; you must declare them yourself. To obtain the full details of a record, you must use our Fingerprinting Service.

The certificate will also include the date of issue, the Police Chief’s signature, and the official embossed police seal. The document is issued in a bilingual format (English and French).

The certificate is issued in both of Canada’s official languages: English and French.

Candidates under the age of 18 must visit their local police station or one of our branches (Quebec City or Longueuil) to obtain a criminal record check. For minors, these requests can only be processed through our Fingerprinting Service.
It is a code used to apply a discount obtained through our customer service department. You can request one if you need background checks for a group of four or more people. The larger your group, the greater the discount on your final invoice.
In Canada, criminal background checks can only be performed with the informed consent of the individual concerned. Alternatively, you may request this information through our private investigation agency under the Private Investigations tab.
The minimum validity period is 3 months. This duration may be longer depending on the specific criteria and policies of the institution requesting the document.

The Cobourg Police Service in Ontario directly processes your request and sends it to you via email and Canada Post. We act as an authorized intermediary. Please note that the police database is the same for all police services across Canada.

There are several key differences:
  • Jurisdiction: Since criminal law is federal, criminal records are managed at the federal level rather than the provincial level. Plumitifs (court records) conducted in Quebec are limited strictly to Quebec. Furthermore, certain municipal courts, such as those on the Island of Montreal, are excluded from those lists.
  • Data Fragmentation: While courthouses have partnered to provide a centralized list available within the Province of Quebec, data from the municipal courts of Longueuil, Laval, and Montreal are not always fully included.
  • Geographic Limitations: Plumitifs are strictly limited to the Province of Quebec. Any offense committed outside of the province will not appear on the report.
  • Technical Gaps: Some smaller courthouses in Quebec (e.g., Amos, Gaspé) may lack the technological tools required to transmit information to major centers. Consequently, Plumitifs reports may be incomplete.
  • Nationwide Scope: Our checks are pan-Canadian, conducted through the CPIC (Canadian Police Information Centre) database.
  • Official Proof: A Police Certificate serves as official evidence in the event of legal issues, a standard that Plumitifs reports do not meet.
First and foremost, please note that this form is standardized and secured by Canadian police services. For security reasons, the form is locked and encrypted once submitted; therefore, we cannot make any changes to it.
  • If the error was made by the police service that processed your request, then yes, a correction can certainly be made. If you completed your form correctly, please submit a written request for a correction to our customer service department at [email protected] .
  • However, if the error was made while you were filling out the form, you will be required to restart the entire procedure and will be charged a second time.
With this option, your request automatically becomes a top priority. It is placed at the head of the queue to be processed as quickly as possible—including evenings, weekends, and statutory holidays.

Furthermore, a paper duplicate will be sent via courier service, ensuring you receive it within 2 to 4 business days.
To begin your application, visit our website at “accesidentite.com” and look under our services for “Online Police/Good Conduct Certificates,” or simply click here: https://accesidentite.com/services/certificat-de-police/.

From there, you can follow the instructions and visit our FAQ page for further details.
The most important thing to know is that this form is standardized and secured by Canadian police services. For your security, the form is locked once submitted, and we cannot make any changes to it.

You will need to provide identifying information—please pay close attention to any typos. You will also be required to answer questions based on your Equifax credit file to verify your identity. If you are unable to answer these correctly, we will ask you to provide two pieces of government-issued ID via a secure email link. Additionally, you will be required to provide a self-declaration regarding your criminal history.

To begin the application, visit our website here: https://accesidentite.com/services/certificat-de-police/.

Enter your candidate’s information, and in the “Results Delivery” section, enter your organization’s email address. From there, you can follow the instructions. Additionally, the transaction receipt will be sent directly to your organization’s email address.

The email containing your certificate will offer you the option to conduct an enhanced search for $40, which will confirm the existence and specific details of a criminal record.

It is important to note that the initial search, based on name and date of birth, may return an “Incomplete” status if your information matches that of another individual in the national police database. Therefore, a certificate can be marked as “Incomplete” even if you have a clean criminal record.
The cost is $56.95 plus taxes. There are also additional options available, with their respective prices displayed before you proceed to payment.

Fingerprinting

Should I request a Police Certificate or a Fingerprint-based background check?

To answer your question regarding the choice of background check, the decision rests with the organization requesting the verification.

While Immigration Canada generally accepts both types of requests, fingerprints are sometimes required on a random basis. We therefore recommend checking the specific instructions provided by the requester to confirm the required format.

Unlike a fingerprint-based background check, a police certificate can be issued using the applicant’s name and date of birth. The purpose of this certificate is to provide proof that you do not have a criminal record in your name. If you have infractions on your record, they will not appear on this certificate; in such cases, we advise proceeding with fingerprints, which is the only way to obtain the contents of a criminal record. Furthermore, an RCMP fingerprint-based criminal record check is internationally recognized.

 Please allow approximately 20 minutes for your fingerprinting appointment. Your application will be submitted to the RCMP instantly.

As for the RCMP processing times, they are approximately 5 to 25 business days if you do not have a criminal record. If a record is found, the processing time can take up to 120 days.

Certainly. You will need to book an appointment on our website under the “Services” tab → “Criminal Background Check by Fingerprinting.” Please select one of our offices (Quebec City or Longueuil) and choose the available time slot that works best for you. Don’t forget to bring two pieces of identification and, if applicable, any documents or letters related to your request.
YES. We offer appointments between 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM daily, except for Friday afternoons and weekends. Appointments are mandatory to avoid unnecessary wait times and to ensure that an accredited technician is on-site to assist you.

Additionally, for your convenience, we offer evening and Saturday time slots for an additional fee.
You must present two valid pieces of government-issued identification, at least one of which must include a photo.

Depending on your situation, please remember to bring any required documents from your local police station, or the specific forms provided by your organization or employer.

We accept the following payment methods:
  • Cash
  • Debit cards
  • Credit cards

No. Only the Global Affairs Canada department can apostille RCMP documents.

No. The RCMP only issues its official legal documents in physical paper format, bearing an embossed seal, delivered via Canada Post.
No. The RCMP has only one delivery method, which is via regular mail.
Yes—no paper, no ink.
Yes, we have the official FBI fingerprint cards on hand.
For all federal government requests, the fee is $65.23 plus taxes. For all other requests, the fee is $86.00 plus taxes.

Yes, provided that you have a Canadian mailing address or that of a relative available. RCMP documents are only delivered within Canada.

Yes, we will give you the DCN during our appointment after the RCMP transmission.

Yes, we can take your fingerprints for background check applications for other countries. Please book an appointment for fingerprinting services.

Record Suspension

How long will it take to obtain my pardon?
The entire process can take between 8 and 15 months, depending on the applicant’s specific situation. The full timeline and steps will be explained to you during your initial consultation.
  • Identification: Your ID cards (two valid pieces).
  • Address History: Your residential addresses for the past 10 years.
  • Fingerprints: To obtain your official criminal record.
  • Power of Attorney: You will be asked to sign a power of attorney form, allowing us to carry out the necessary steps on your behalf.
  • Summary Offense: You must wait 5 years after your sentence, probation, and all fines have been fully completed and paid.
  • Indictable Offense: You must wait 10 years after your sentence and probation have ended. Naturally, all fines must also be paid in full.

Note: There are new regulations regarding offenses committed prior to 2012. Please consult with one of our advisors for more information.

No, there are generally no restrictions for those with a criminal record in most countries, except for the United States.

There is a data-sharing agreement between Canada and the U.S. that grants border agents access to criminal records; we recommend looking into the U.S. Waiver (I-192). However, having an obtained pardon (record suspension) can be considered a positive factor for your file during an evaluation by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

It takes between 3 months and one year, depending on the complexity of your file.

The fee is $950 for a fully turnkey service. This price includes up to five files. Additional fees may apply.

USA Waiver

How long is it valid for?

The Waiver can be valid for 1 to 5 years depending on the case.

A U.S. Entry Waiver (officially Form I-192) is a waiver of inadmissibility that allows you to travel to the United States with peace of mind, despite having one or more criminal records.

You need it when traveling to the USA or if you have a layover in the United States and have one or more criminal records. However, if you only have a record for impaired driving (DUI), customs officials generally do not consider this type of charge as grounds for inadmissibility.

The entire process can take between 9 and 12 months, depending on the applicant’s specific situation. The full timeline and steps will be explained to you during your initial consultation.

The fee is $950 for a TURNKEY service for new applications, and $550 for renewals. Additionally, U.S. Customs and Border Protection charges a fee of $1,100 USD to process and analyze your application.

Private Investigations

What is the mission of a private investigator?
While private investigators are often associated with crime movies, it is important to know that it is a fully recognized profession, though often misunderstood by the general public. A private investigator’s primary mission is to conduct investigations on behalf of their clients, as well as to inform and assist them.

All investigations conducted by a private investigator must be legal and legitimate in nature. Their work is often governed by the rules of the Civil Code, which grants them the right to refuse a mandate without having to provide a specific reason.
ACCÈS IDentité et Investigation offers a wide range of investigation services tailored for individuals and/or businesses (including industries, lawyers, insurance companies, government agencies, etc.):
  • Pre-rental screenings
  • Pre-employment background checks
  • Solvency, asset searches, and seizable property location
  • Locating individuals, addresses, employment, or specific information
  • Undercover investigation services
  • Cell phone number searches
  • Tailing and surveillance
  • Bailiff (Process Server) services
In the exercise of their duties, private investigators are bound by a code of ethics that they must follow to ensure respect for privacy. They are bound by professional secrecy at all times, and all information collected remains strictly confidential.

The only exception occurs when a court order is issued by a judge, legally requiring the investigator to disclose information.
Several packages are available for simple information searches, ranging from $180 to $450. For field investigations, there is an initial file analysis fee of $350 to $500 to determine the best investigation strategy.

Our hourly rates start at a base of $85, reaching up to $150 for certain specialized services. Please note that this does not include field expenses, equipment costs, travel, or lodging.
Please visit the “Private Investigations” section of our website, where you will find our request form.

Pre-Employment and Pre-Rental Screenings including access to our portal

Are you compliant with Law 25?
Yes. We are also accredited by the RCMP, and we meet all the requirements of the law.
Once you have obtained authorization from your candidate, simply submit the request through our portal. We only require their name, personal phone number, and email address. We take care of the rest.
Two billing options are available:
  • Monthly: Payment by credit card, direct deposit, or cheque.
  • Per Request: Payment exclusively by credit card.
Simply enter your own email address to receive the form, which you can then fill out in the person’s presence.
Yes, we also offer credit checks, driver’s license and driving record verifications, employment references, educational credentials, Quebec civil records, social media analysis, online reputation analysis, and banking analysis.
The cost per request varies depending on the volume and the specific services required. Certain packages may be available directly through our website.
Simply provide us with your contact information, and we will reach out to you to set up your account.