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Fingerprinting
Commissionaires Southern Alberta is equipped with state of the art digital fingerprinting equipment to complete fingerprinting requirements within 10 – 14 days. Your information is sent securely to the Central Police Information Centre in Ottawa for Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) processing. Upon completion a certificate will be mailed directly to you at your requested address.
Commissionaires Speedy Digital and Ink and Roll Fingerprinting Services (Fingerprinting)
Ink and roll fingerprints are still required by some organizations. While the ink and roll method can take up to eight months to get results back; the Commissionaires state of the art digital equipment fingerprints can be electronically processed in less than 72 hours and completed within 14 days. If a criminal record is encountered during the verification process, the processing time can increase up to 120 days.
Either method, our consultants are professional, knowledgeable and provide dependable assistance. They have undergone extensive training and have the experience to ensure it’s done right the first time. Commissionaires Southern Alberta works to meet the individual needs of every client – and can travel with their digital equipment to your site to process a number of fingerprints.
To schedule an appointment please contact the Commissionaire office in your area.
Calgary Head Office: 403 244 4664
Lethbridge Office: 403 327 1222
Red Deer Office: 403 314 4142
Medicine Hat Office: 403 977 5836
TOLL FREE: 1 888 268 0715
Click on the icon to download or view our ID Services Brochure.
Fingerprints may be needed for:
Employment with Corporations and Agencies
With the need for greater security, many corporations and agencies are now requiring both employees and volunteers to be fingerprinted.
Immigration
If you wish to immigrate to Canada, you may be required to provide a police clearance with fingerprints.
Citizenship
If you are applying for Canadian citizenship, you may be required to provide a police clearance with fingerprints.
Permanent Residence
If you are applying for permanent residence in Canada, you may be required to provide a police clearance with fingerprints. You may also be required to provide police clearances from every country you have lived in for six months or longer. In most cases we can provide the forms and the information you need from various countries to assist you in this process.
International Adoptions
If you wish to adopt a child from a foreign country, you will be required to provide a police clearance with fingerprints prior to completing the adoption proceedings.
Foreign Travel, Passports, Work Permits, Visas and US Waivers
Those wishing to visit or work in other countries may be required to provide a police clearance. While some countries accept police clearance done with only your name and birth date, others require that the process be done through fingerprinting. Obtaining a 192 waiver to travel to the United States will require fingerprints.
Pardons
If you are seeking a pardon for a past criminal offence or if you simply wish to verify whether or not you have a record, you will be required to submit fingerprints as part of your application. Learn more about Pardons on the Pardons Canada Website.
Frequently Asked Questions about Fingerprinting
What is digital fingerprinting?
Digital fingerprinting is the electronic capture of a person’s fingerprints via an optical scanner at a capture station. The scanned fingerprints, along with the application details, are then formatted into a standardized electronic package that is attached and emailed, via a secure link, direct to the RCMP’s Canadian Criminal Real Time Information System (CCRTIS).
CCRTIS compares the fingerprint package against the RCMP’s criminal record database. If no record is present, the RCMP will issue a certificate indicating a clear record. If the applicant does have a criminal record this will be indicated in the results.
Will the results of my fingerprints include a transcript?
Yes, fingerprint results will include a transcript. A transcript is a record of the applicant's criminal record and will clearly indicate either a clean record or it will list convictions. The transcript also details the nature of the conviction(s). This transcript is released to the applicant, or it can be released to third parties if the applicant provides consent at the time of fingerprinting.
Who needs fingerprints?
- Employment with Corporations and Agencies
With the need for greater security, many corporations and agencies are now requiring both employees and volunteers to be fingerprinted; - Applicants for Foreign Travel, Passports, Work Permits, Visas and US Waivers
Those wishing to visit or work in other countries may be required to provide a police clearance. While some countries accept police clearance done with only your name and birth date, others require that the process be done through fingerprinting. Obtaining a 192 waiver to travel to the United States will require fingerprints; - Citizenship, Permanent Resident & Immigration Applicants
Applicants for Canadian citizenship, permanent residence or those immigrating to Canada may be required to provide a police clearance with fingerprints; - International Adoption Applicants
Prior to completing adoption proceedings applicants who wish to adopt a child from a foreign country are required to provide a police clearance with fingerprints; - Security Licence Applicants
Regulations in some provinces require individuals in security related positions to provide a police clearance with fingerprints for the application process.
How long will it take for digital fingerprints to be processed by the RCMP?
If the applicant does not have a criminal record and has never been fingerprinted for a criminal offence in Canada, the RCMP will make every effort possible to process the request within 72 hours of receiving the electronic submission. (This means that the RCMP will put the results “in the mail” for mailing back to the applicant or third party within 72 hours.) In view of this, please ensure sufficient time is allowed for receipt of the results in the mail before commencing inquiries about the status of fingerprints. If a criminal record is encountered during the verification process, processing will be increased to 120 days.
How long will it take for traditional ink and roll fingerprints to be processed by the RCMP?
Paper-based fingerprint submissions for a criminal record verification take an average of 120 days to complete for individuals that do not have a criminal record and have never been fingerprinted for a criminal offence in Canada. If a criminal record is encountered during the verification process, the turnaround time may exceed 120 days.
Can all applicants choose digital fingerprints?
Digital fingerprinting is available to most applicants for most applications. However in some cases, e.g., submissions to FBI, applicants may not choose digital fingerprinting. For these situations we offer traditional ink and roll fingerprinting. Our fingerprinting professionals can advise you on whether you may choose digital fingerprinting or if you must choose traditional ink and roll fingerprinting.
How can I find out about the status of a submission once it has been sent to the RCMP?
Commissionaires provides the best service to all our clients. Clients are advised that once the RCMP informs Commissionaires that the electronic submission has been received and is successfully processing, the RCMP will not release any further transaction status information to Commissionaires. Clients (e.g., applicant or authorized third party) may inquire about the status of their electronic and / or traditional ink and roll submission by contacting the RCMP Civil Fingerprint Screening Services at 613 998 6362 or civilnps@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.
Do applicants need an appointment?
Appointments are recommended although some locations welcome walk-ins. Please check locations to confirm hours of operation and determine if an appointment is necessary.
How long will it take to get fingerprints taken?
Our digital process is fast, efficient and clean and normally takes approximately 20 minutes to complete. Our traditional ink and roll methods take approximately 10 minutes to complete.
How are results obtained?
Each applicant’s criminal record verification results can be sent directly to the individual or to a designated third party, such as an employer or immigration or pardons agency. If an applicant is under the age of 18, results must be returned directly to the home address. Please ensure that all the address information for the applicant and third party are ready during the application process.
May applicants get a copy of the application?
All applicants can receive a true copy of the digital submission to the RCMP of a copy of ink and roll submission. An additional charge may apply.
Is Commissionaires a government agency?
Commissionaires is not a government agency. Commissionaires is a not-for-profit organization employing former military and police as well as responsible citizens of all ages in rewarding careers.