Frequently asked questions

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 directly 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.

Those seeking employment with certain corporations and agencies Applicants for foreign travel, passports, work permits, visas and US waivers Citizenship, permanent residence and immigration applicants International adoption applicants Security license applicants volunteers

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 fingerprint records. If a criminal record is encountered during the verification process, processing will be increased to 120 days.

Digital fingerprinting is available to most applicants for the majority of application types. However in some cases, e.g., submissions to the FBI, applicants may not use digital fingerprinting. For these situations we offer traditional ink and roll fingerprinting. Our fingerprinting professionals can advise you on whether you may opt for digital fingerprinting or if you must use ink and roll fingerprinting.

Once VSFingerprinting submits your fingerprints electronically you will receive confirmation via e-mail (if an email address is provided on your application) that your fingerprints have been successfully received by the RCMP. If you require further information or have questions regarding your fingerprints you can contact the RCMP Civil Fingerprint Screening Services via email at civilnps@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.

Our digital process is fast, efficient and clean. A complete fingerprint session normally takes approximately 15 minutes to complete

Each applicant's criminal record verification results can be sent directly to the individual or to a designated third party, such as an employer, immigration or pardon agency. If an applicant is under the age of 18 their results must be returned directly to the home address of the applicant. Please ensure that all of the address information for the applicant or third party is readily available during the application process.

All applicants can receive a true copy of the digital submission to the RCMP. An additional charge may apply.

You must provide two pieces of valid government-issued identification, at least one of which must be a photo ID. The following types of identification are acceptable: Passport Citizenship card or document Immigration document (student visa, work visa, landing papers) Birth certificate Driver's license Permanent Resident Card or Record of Landing for citizenship applicants Government ID (if you are employed by a Federal or Provincial branch of the government) Health card with photo (please note not all provinces accept health cards as valid government-issued ID. Please refer to provincial regulations or call the office nearest to you.

Please note that it is recommended that applicants have with them any letter or file number provided by the requesting agency (if applicable). All digital fingerprinting requests for Canadian Citizenship must include a letter from Citizenship and Immigration Canada. This letter must include the address for third party results submissions and should have a CIC file number. Please ensure this letter is available during your fingerprinting session.

Digital fingerprinting is available to most applicants for the majority of application types. However in some cases, e.g., submissions to the FBI, foreign police clearances, applicants may not use digital fingerprinting. For these situations we offer traditional ink and roll fingerprinting. Our fingerprinting professionals can advise you on whether you may opt for digital fingerprinting or if you must use traditional ink and roll fingerprinting.

No. The RCMP is now mandating that all fingerprint submissions to the national fingerprint database be made electronically. Unless you fall under one of the special categories (i.e. under the age of 18, applying for certain high level Canadian security clearances, electronic submission has failed) your inked fingerprint cards will be returned to you unprocessed. We can help you convert your inked fingerprint cards into an electronic file for submission to the RCMP if you are out of the country, are unable to make it into a facility with a digital fingerprint scanner or if your electronic fingerprint submission has failed. Please contact us for information regarding electronic processing of inked fingerprint cards.

If you have had your fingerprints processed electronically in one of our offices and the submission to the RCMP has failed due to damaged or low quality prints, you will be required to provide proof of a failed electronic submission along with your inked fingerprint card. Our fingerprint solution allows us to identify fingerprints that are at a high probability of failure in real time. Once poor quality fingerprints are identified our technicians will offer to process you on a traditional ink and roll fingerprint card and will keep this physical card until the RCMP provides us with notification that the electronic submission has failed. Once we receive the failure notification from the RCMP are able to mail your physical fingerprint card along with a copy of your failed electronic transaction record.

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 120 days of receiving the inked fingerprint card. This means that the RCMP will put the results in the mail for mailing back to the applicant or third party within 120 days. 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 fingerprint records. If a criminal record is encountered during the verification process, processing will be increased beyond the 120 days.

Once we submit your fingerprints to the RCMP we have no further insight into their status or estimated processing time. If you require further information or have questions regarding your fingerprints you can contact the RCMP Civil Fingerprint Screening Services via e-mail at civilnps@rcmp-grc.gc.ca

Each applicant's criminal record verification results can be sent directly to the individual or to a designated third party, such as an employer, immigration or pardon agency. If an applicant is under the age of 18 their results must be returned directly to the home address of the applicant. Please ensure that all of the address information for the applicant or third party is readily available during the application process.

You must provide two pieces of valid government issued identification, at least one of which must be photo ID. The following types of identification are acceptable: Passport Citizenship Card or Document Immigration Document (Student Visa, Work Visa, Landing Papers)