How to Get a Criminal Record Check in Edmonton

Performing a criminal record check in Edmonton, Alberta is easy.

As long as you have the correct set of documents prepared and are ready to answer personal questions, record checks in Edmonton can be conducted quickly.

That said, three criminal record checks can be requested of you in Edmonton, and it’s essential to be sure exactly which one it is — a criminal record check, a certified criminal record check, or a vulnerable sector check.

What Is a Criminal Record Check?

A criminal record check, or police information check, is a named-based check — meaning only personal information is required. They are also known as police checks or police certificates.

More important, a record check in Canada will provide any criminal convictions, police involvement, or findings of guilt regarding your name.

How to Perform a Police Information Check in Edmonton, Alberta

Police information checks are name-based and only require personal information, therefore they can be completed entirely online.

As a result, police information checks are commonly performed by using accredited websites.

Or, if an in-person application process interests you, your local Edmonton police service will offer in-person checks.

Step-by-Step Instructions for a Police Information Check in Edmonton

1. Visit Instant Record Check‘s website or the Edmonton police service for your police information check.
   • If you’d like to go through the Edmonton police service, contact them to book an in-person appointment or ask if they offer an online option.
2. Once you get to your appointment or start the process online, you will be asked to provide the following personal information:
   • Your full name
   • Place and date of birth
   • Legal address
   • Photo ID
   • Facial recognition scan (online only)
   • Additional document verifying your identity

   Note: At least one of the documents needs to be government-issued, such as a driver’s license, passport, birth certificate, or identity card.

3. After you’ve provided your personal information for a police information check, you will have to pay a $20.00 processing fee.
4. Once you’ve paid, you’re all done! Although you won’t receive your results immediately from Edmonton police service, you should receive your results in three to ten days if your record is clear. However, if you do have a criminal record, it could take 30 days or longer. For further reading material, or if you are interested in doing a police information check completely online, we strongly suggest this related topic: conducting a check.

Did you know? According to the John Howard Society, 23% of Canadian men and 4.3% of Canadian women have a criminal record. This means 3.8 million people in Canada have a criminal record.

What Is a Certified Criminal Record Check?

Certified criminal record checks require all the same information as the name-based police information checks — except for one crucial component.

Certified checks require the documentation of fingerprints for absolute identity verification.

This requires the applicant to visit an accredited fingerprinting company or the Edmonton police service to document their fingerprints.

For a list of accredited fingerprinting agencies in Canada, contact the RCMP’s Canadian Criminal Real Time Identification Services (CCRTIS).

Step-by-Step Process for a Certified Criminal Record Check

1. First, book an appointment with an accredited fingerprinting company or your local Edmonton police service.
2. Then, gather all your required documents, such as:
   • Two different government-issued documents that include a photo of you. For example, your driver’s license, identity card, or passport.
   • Any documents or letters from the company requesting your criminal record.
3. When you get to your appointment, you will provide the same personal information needed for a police information check.
4. Next, the professionals will use an optical scan to document your fingerprints. These optical scans provide quicker and more accurate results than ink fingerprinting.
5. Once your fingerprints have been verified, your accredited company will use your information to directly request your criminal history from the RCMP’s Canadian Criminal Real Time Identification Services.
6. Similar to a police information check, you won’t receive your results immediately:
   • If your record is clear, you will receive your certificate within 3–7 business days.
   • If your record is not clear, it could take up to 120 business days to receive your results.

Sounds like a lot? You can also contact Instant Record Check for any questions or concerns you have about this process.

What Is a Vulnerable Sector Check?

A vulnerable sector check is a police information check plus a scan for any sexual offence. It is a check into local police records for any pattern of behaviour that may harm the vulnerable.

Ultimately, only a person who meets the requirements for a vulnerable sector check can have one performed on them — it’s an offence to run a vulnerable sector check on someone who doesn’t meet the requirements.

Vulnerable sector checks are governed by the Criminal Records Act and were created in 2000 to protect our youth and other vulnerable people.

That said, a person must hold a position of authority and trust with children or other vulnerable people to meet the check requirements.

Step-by-Step Process for a Vulnerable Sector Check in Edmonton

1. Vulnerable sector checks can only be completed by the Edmonton police service — contact your local police department and book an appointment.
2. The professional performing the check needs to know information about the position you are acquiring and the company you are working for, such as:
   • The name of the company or employment organization you are working for.
   • A detailed description of the working position.
   • A description of the children or vulnerable people you are working with (age or any factors that demonstrate how they are vulnerable).
   • If you are acquiring a volunteer position, a letter will be needed stating that you will not be paid for this position.
3. After you have provided the previous information to the professional, they will decide if you meet the requirements.
4. If the professional does decide a check is required, a name-based check with police records will be conducted, and, in some cases, fingerprints will be required.
5. After your information has been obtained, the Edmonton police service will send your information to disclose with the organization that put in the request.

Where to Get a Criminal Record Check in Edmonton

In Edmonton, you can receive a criminal record check at your local police station or online through services such as Instant Record Check.

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