March 6th, 2014
The RCMP will soon use only digital fingerprinting for all criminal record checks for civil applications (employment, immigration, etc.)
Effective July 1, 2014, submission of ink-based fingerprints by mail to the RCMP will end.
All fingerprint submissions must be made through a digital application. This change brings many advantages to the applicants and the RCMP, including faster processing time from months to days, improved privacy protection and provision of a certified criminal record check.
All fingerprint submissions must now go through a digital scanning machine. This can be done at some police stations or accredited third party fingerprint agencies.
Digital fingerprint scanners provide fast, accurate fingerprint submissions through secure internet connections direct to the RCMP. Results are mailed either to the individual, or to a consented third party.
For people living in areas without a digital fingerprinting access, or for anyone overseas needing a Canadian criminal record check, Commissionaires can assist you. Fingerprints can still be done in ink in your area. Simply provide those ink-based fingerprints to a Commissionaires office that is equipped to convert them to digital. Please visit our website for Commissionaires offices providing this service.