Criminal Record Check By Mail (International Card Scan)
No need to come to our office
Please send us your fingerprints taken on paper. We will digitize the fingerprints and submit them electronically to the RCMP for fast processing.
Worldwide Express Shipping
We send the original certified Canadian criminal record check document to any address worldwide using a secure and fast express courier service.
IMPORTANT MESSAGE
Apostille (or Authentication) of the Canadian Criminal Background Check Certificate from the RCMP
Several countries request thatGlobal Affairs Canada (formerly the Department of Foreign Affairs) apostille (or authenticate) RCMP certificates. We can help you with this process, and you can choose this option on your order.
For information on Vulnerable sector check, please read our "Frequently Asked Questions" section.
For information on Privacy Act, please read our "Frequently Asked Questions" section. You can choose this option on your order. Due to the sensitive nature of this request and despite our best efforts, RCMP could send the results directly to the residential address (instead of the stipulated shipping address).
Online Registration
We provide an online order form that can be filled out to obtain your Canadian criminal record check. Further instructions will be sent to you by email once you complete the form.
How to Proceed
The first step is to fill out our online application form. The form will show you the price for the criminal record check determined by the return address of the result and the optional services you selected.
Note that some Required Documents can be uploaded to XL-ID during the online application.
An order number and additional information will be sent to your email once you have completed the online form.
You must get your fingerprints taken by a local police service or fingerprinting agency.
To facilitate the fingerprinting process, XL-ID provides its own fingerprint form. You can download it from the Required Documents section.
If you already had your fingerprints taken, XL-ID may accept your local police's fingerprint card/form as long as the Fingerprint Form Requirements are met.
You will have to send your documents to XL-ID’s office:
XL-ID Solutions Att: Fingerprinting Dept., 5255 Henri-Bourassa BLVD West, Suite 208
Ville St-Laurent (Montreal), Quebec, Canada, H4R 2M6
We strongly recommend using an express courier service to send us your documents.
Please ensure all the Required Documents are included to avoid delays.
Once we receive your documents, we will process them as soon as possible. However, sending your fingerprints to the RCMP may take several working days if we receive a large volume of documents.
You may choose our “Priority Service” option in our online order form to get processed within one business day.
You can view the status of your order here.
The RCMP immediately proceeds with the criminal record check following the electronic transmission.
Note that the RCMP has its own Processing Time.
The result may be sent directly by the RCMP for Canadian return addresses.
For international return addresses, XL-ID prefers to receive and ship the result with its express courier service. This guarantees that the result will arrive much faster, and you will get a tracking number.
You can choose this option in the Shipping Address Section of our online application form.
This step is required to ensure the best deliverability when the result is returned to an international address.
Xl-ID will receive your certificate from the RCMP, ensure it’s accurate and send it with our express courier service. You will get a tracking number by email.
At an additional cost, we will scan the certificate and send you a copy by email before shipping the original.
Required Documents
XL-ID requires the following documents when proceeding by mail from Canada or anywhere in the world:
- Fingerprint Form
Paper/card containing flat impressions of all your fingers. We may accept your local police's fingerprint form as long as the Fingerprint Form Requirements are respected.
XL-216c Fingerprint Form
- Consent Form Allowing The Release of Your Criminal Record Check
This form is always required except when the RCMP sends the results directly to your home.
XL-ID Consent Form
- Your Photo
The photo will appear on the certificate. The only requirement is a white background. -
Color Copy of a Government-Issued Identification Document
The document must have your photo. Recommended document: Passport. -
A Secondary (Different From the First) Color Copy of a Government-Issued Identification Document
The document must have your photo. Recommended document: Driver's licence, National Identity Card.
You may submit a digital copy of your photo and identification documents using our online application form. However, you still need to mail the original fingerprint and consent forms to XL-ID.
Fingerprint Form Requirements
XL-ID may accept your local police's fingerprint card/form if the following requirements are met. The fingerprints may be taken electronically and printed on paper. You can scan and email us your fingerprint form to confirm it is correct (with your order number).
Requirements for ALL Fingerprint Forms/Cards
- It must be the original fingerprint form. Photocopies are not accepted.
- The form must contain:
- Personal information of the fingerprinted person (name, date of birth, …)
- Name of the official who took the fingerprints
- Name of the Police Station/Agency
- Date when the prints were taken
- Two full hands (4 fingers taken simultaneously) and two thumbs, all flat impressions.
- Fingerprints should not exceed the designated box.
- Fingerprint details should be clearly visible.
Prints with too much ink, not enough ink or smudged cannot be processed by XL-ID. - Black ink should be used when not taken electronically.
- All fingerprints should be on the same side of a single sheet of paper.
To facilitate the fingerprinting process, XL-ID provides its own fingerprint form. You can download it from the Required Documents section. We encourage you to use this form whenever possible. A Special Format Fee may apply when not using this form and/or the requirements are not respected.
Additional requirements only for XL-216c:
- Printed on A4 or letter size paper
- The Police Agency section must be filled appropriately and readable.
Fingerprint Form Special Format Fee
XL-ID can accept all forms that respect the Fingerprint Form Requirements. The following forms are accepted without any additional cost:
- XL-216c
- C-216c (Canada / RCMP)
- FD-258 (United States / FBI)
- Australian forms, except when thumbs are on the back.
However, a Special Format fee applies if your fingerprint form has any of the following characteristics:
- Incorrectly printed fingerprint forms.
- Thumbs are on the back.
- Not all fingerprints are in the same direction (e.g. Thumbs are turned 90°).
The Special Format fee covers additional steps XL-ID’s technicians need to take to digitize correctly your fingerprint form.
RCMP Processing Time
A potential labour disruption at Canada Post (CPC) may begin as early as May 22, 2025, which could significantly impact ground and air shipments of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) certificates and Privacy Act reports.
The processing time of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) is:
- If there is NO match to an RCMP fingerprint record, the result is mailed after 3 business days or less (Allow extra time for delivery by Canada Post.). Please note the RCMP’s processing times vary depending on demand, and they do not update their website regularly.
- If there is a match to a criminal record, or if your fingerprints need to be processed manually for any reason, the processing time could be up to 120 days or longer.
The RCMP (Headquarters) is in Ottawa and the RCMP ships using regular Canada Post. Therefore, depending on the return address, it may take up to 7 additional business days until the result is received.
XL-ID has no control or additional information once the electronic transaction is submitted to the RCMP. If you want further information while the RCMP is processing your application, please contact the RCMP directly. We encourage you to wait at least four weeks before contacting the RCMP about your order.
You can view the status of your order here.
Prices
RCMP Certified Criminal Record Check 135$
The RCMP federal processing fee of 25$ is included in the above price. Shipping and taxes are extra when applicable.
Express shipping price will be automatically calculated when you indicate the shipping address in our online form.
Optional services
- Express Service 58$
Your request is processed the following business day, or less, after reception of your documents. - Special Format 40$
This applies when your fingerprint form is in a non-Canadian format. - Scan & Email 35$
Upon receipt of your certificate, we scanned it and emailed it to you before we sent you the original by courier. - Additional Certificate 58$
Get a second official RCMP certificate with an RCMP seal. - Apostille 160$
Your RCMP certificate is Apostilled (authenticated) by Global Affairs Canada (formerly DFAIT).
RCMP Accredited
XL-ID Solutions is accredited direct connect by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police
- to submit electronic fingerprints for
- criminal record checks
- vulnerable sector checks
- to receive fingerprints that have been taken on paper, convert them to electronic transactions, and submit them for processing
- NIST standard 1.7.8.
Requests are submitted directly to the RCMP's Canadian Criminal Real Time Identification Services (CCRTIS).
Frequently Asked Questions
PRIVACY ACT - RCMP National Repository entire holdings
It is often required by USCIS (Department of Homeland Security U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services).
If you have any questions or concerns, please consult USCIS.
The report (not a certificate) is based on a fingerprint search and will contain a copy of the data in the National Repository of Criminal Records as it exists. A copy of your fingerprints is not included in the report. It will contain only that information permitted to be disclosed under federal law. The report you receive cannot be used as a certified copy of a criminal record as it will not have the official RCMP seal or format.
There is no obligation to share your criminal record information with a third party; however, if you decide to do so, you may be sharing information to which the third party would have no legal access rights. The report could contain criminal record information, such as a record suspension (pardon or sealed youth record), that would not normally be disclosed during a criminal record check.
I’m applying for Visa/Residence/Citizenship and I need to obtain a criminal record check from Canada, do you provide such a service?Yes, we will submit electronically your request to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). You can either come to our office or fill out an Online Application and send the Required Documents by mail from anywhere in the world.
How much does the criminal record check cost?The prices are in our Online Application Form or the Prices box above.
How much time does it take until I receive my criminal record check?The whole process can take from 2 to 6 weeks or more.
Look at the details of How To Proceed and the RCMP Processing Times.
Which documents are required for a RCMP Criminal Record Check?You will find this information in the Required Documents section.
Can I send my fingerprint form by email?No! The RCMP requires that we digitize the original paper form with our certified equipment. Therefore you must send it to us by mail.
You can send by email your form only to make sure it is acceptable (with your order number).
I already got my fingerprints taken on another form: do I need to get them taken on XL-ID’s fingerprint form?Not necessarily. XL-ID may accept your local police's fingerprint card/form as long as the Fingerprint Form Requirements are met.
I didn’t upload any digital documents during my online application. Can I send them to XL-ID by email?Yes, you can email your photo and identification documents. You will still need to send the original fingerprint form to XL-ID.
I have already uploaded a digital copy of my photo via your web form, do I also need to attach a photo to my xl-216c form?No, if you uploaded your photo and it's clear, we will use the digital copy.
What's the status of my order?You can view the status of your order here.
What does the Criminal Record Check result delivered by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police look like?It is a paper certificate containing your picture, name, address and four (4) fingerprint images. It will be written in French and English and confirm the absence or existence of criminal records, if any. However, if the result is positive, a second page with all the record details will be written in French or English, depending on where you have been arrested. To ensure its authenticity, the document has an official RCMP embossed seal and is signed by the Director General of the Canadian Criminal Real Time Identification Services.
Vulnerable sector check
Getting a Vulnerable Sector Check is different than a criminal record check:
- Local Canadian police always initiate a Vulnerable Sector Check.
- Vulnerable sector checks must be conducted by the local Canadian police service where an applicant lives.
- The hiring organization must request a vulnerable sector check. The person being checked provides consent but does not make the request.
- No federal legislation requires any organization to conduct vulnerable sector checks. Contact your provincial or territorial government for more information.
- Results of vulnerable sector checks are only made available to organizations located in Canada.
- If the position does not meet the requirements of the Criminal Records Act for a vulnerable sector check, it is not legal for the police service to conduct one.
- More information on the RCMP web site.
