For those interested, here is an email that I received today from the RCMP…
Good Day,
Please note that the Canadian Criminal Real Time Identification Services (CCRTIS) of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) will only accept electronic fingerprint submissions for civil purposes. This process aims at improving the service level and accuracy of your screening.
At this time , electronic fingerprint submission directly to CCRTIS is not available outside of Canada.
In order to apply for a Certified Criminal Record Check (CCRC) from outside of Canada, please follow the steps outlined below.
First , you will need to contact an accredited fingerprint company based in Canada. For a list of accredited fingerprinting companies, please see attached document.
Please note that only the company locations listed have been authorized to take fingerprints for civil purposes and submit them as electronic transactions for verification against the National Repository of Criminal Records. This list is subject to change as company locations can be added or removed at any time. For an up-to-date list or for questions concerning this list, please contact the Canadian Criminal Real Time Identification Services by email at: CCRTIS-SCICTR@rcmp-grc.gc.ca or by phone at: 613-998-6362.
The accredited company will provide you with all documentation required as well as advise you on the steps to follow; where you can go to have your fingerprints taken with ink on paper and where you will have to mail all documentation including fingerprints and necessary fees directly to them.
The accredited company will then digitize your fingerprints in order to send them through CCRTIS’s system electronically so that they may conduct a certified criminal record check.
NOTE: Please do not mail these fingerprints or your application directly to CCRTIS as it will be returned unprocessed.
Also note that vulnerable sector check are not possible if you reside outside Canada.
Upon completion, CCRTIS will return your completed certified criminal record check by regular mail through Canada Post to the address indicated on the electronic submission (Therefore no tracking number available and you must allow time for delivery).
NOTE: once the demand is completed, the RCMP is not authorized to keep civil (non-criminal) fingerprints or copies of the certified results on file. If you have not received, misplaced or you require another certified document you will need to re-apply. If your document is returned to us by Canada Post and we have your contact information, you will be notified.
Wait times for Certified Criminal Record Checks vary depending on many different factors such as:
· The format of application received: electronic or paper (specific cases only);
· The number of applications received at different times of the year;
· The amount of manual processing related to your application.
Civil Fingerprints Screening Services (CFSS) processes more than 55,000 criminal record searches each month. The processing times for applications will vary depending on whether or not an individual’s fingerprints can be associated to a criminal holding maintained by the RCMP.
For those that are associated to a criminal holding (this would also include any non-conviction information), a manual review must take place and the process can take up to 120 business days from the date that the application was received. If no correspondence is established, processing times are 1 to 3 business days. The results are sent by regular mail through Canada Post to the address provided on file. An additional period of 5 to 10 business days must be taken into consideration for the receipt of the product if your address is located within Canada. If the document is return to us by mail, and we have your contact information on file, we will contact you to let you know.
For further information on processing times, please visit our website:
http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/en/criminal-record-checks
NOTE: Once the demand is completed, the RCMP is not authorized to keep civil (non-criminal) fingerprints or copies of the certified results on file. If you have not received your document, have misplaced it or you require another certified document, you will need to re-apply.
Thank You,
Single Point of Contact Agent of CCRTIS
Canadian Criminal Real Time Identification Services
RCMP - Forensic Science and Identification Service
Civil Fingerprint Screening Services
Phone: (613) 998-6362
Monday to Friday 7:30 am to 5:30 pm (Eastern Daylight Savings Time)
Email: CCRTIS-SCICTR@rcmp-grc.gc.ca