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An officer gathering fingerprints from another individual

INTERNATIONAL FINGERPRINTING

Do you live outside of Canada and need fingerprints for an RCMP certified criminal background check?

Commissionaires provides an international fingerprinting service for an RCMP certified criminal record check. We offer digital conversion of ink fingerprints if you are applying for:

  • Canadian Citizenship
  • Permanent Residency
  • Foreign Employment
  • Foreign Education
  • An International Travel Visa

How does it work?

In the country outside of Canada where you are currently based, get your fingerprints taken at your nearest police station or accredited fingerprinting agency.

Ink fingerprints taken outside of Canada can be couriered to our Commissionaires Ottawa Headquarters for processing, at which time we will digitize them for direct, electronic submission to the RCMP.

The RCMP processes all transactions within 72 hours from submission, providing no criminal record is found.  

Note:  If a conviction is found, processing time could exceed 120 days.

For a faster turnaround, results from the RCMP certified criminal background check are mailed directly to Commissionaires and then couriered directly to you to save time and allow for document tracking. (*Please note that some transaction types require direct shipping to the client, in that case the courier option is not available.)

What are the steps?

Clients are required to complete and submit international fingerprinting forms (PDF), a set of ink fingerprints and photocopies of two pieces of government-issued ID.

For further information about our process and pricing, and to receive the above mentioned forms, please contact us at internationals@commissionaires-ottawa.on.ca or call 613-231-6462, ext 366.

Acceptable Identification

Photocopies of both sides of TWO pieces of valid identification must be submitted with international fingerprints. Identification must bear name and date of birth and be government issued. At least ONE piece of must contain a photograph.

Note: Expired documents are not acceptable. Examples of identification which can be used:

  • Passport
  • Citizenship Card or Document
  • Immigration Document (i.e., Landing Papers)
  • Birth Certificate
  • Drivers Licence
  • Permanent Resident card or Record of Landing for Citizenship Applicants
  • International student card
  • Government ID card

Additional Services (if required)

  • A scanned and emailed copy of your certificate prior to mailing
  • Standard Authentication by Department of Foreign Affairs/Global Affairs
  • Document legalization by an embassy

Note: Almost ALL embassies require that certificates be authenticated by Global Affairs Canada before being legalized.

Frequently Asked Questions

No. A vulnerable sector check can only be done from within Canada through a local police department. However, we can process a regular criminal background check in the meantime, if the requesting source will accept it.

No. We require the original fingerprints in order to digitize them. We cannot digitize scans.

Yes, we can digitize most forms from other countries.

Yes. We offer fast and secure document authentication and document legalization services. Based in Ottawa, our local team has quick access to the Global Affairs Canada Authentication Services Section and foreign embassies.

Please email us at internationals@commissionaires-ottawa.on.ca or call 613-231-6462, ext. 366 for a customized quote.

When we ship your result to you, we will take a payment.