Last updated: July 9, 2026
Criminal record check in Halifax
Last updated July 9, 2026
There are two ways to get a criminal record check in Halifax. You can apply online through Instant Record Check, which searches the same RCMP and CPIC databases police use and usually returns results in about 15 minutes. Or you can apply in person at Halifax Regional Police, 1975 Gottingen Street, where a check costs $50 and takes around 14 days.
Both routes produce a name-based check accepted by most Nova Scotia employers, landlords, and licensing bodies. The exception is the vulnerable sector check, which no online provider can process. More on that below, because it trips up a lot of applicants.
Vulnerable sector check in Halifax
A vulnerable sector check (VSC) is required when you will be working or volunteering with children, seniors, or people with disabilities. In Halifax, VSCs are handled by Halifax Regional Police and must be requested with a letter from the employer or organization. The check runs a standard criminal record search plus a query of the pardoned sex offender database.
Halifax Regional Police charges $50 plus a service fee for a VSC. Processing takes about a week. If your gender and date of birth match a record in the pardoned offences database, police will contact you to provide fingerprints, and the check can then take two weeks or longer. Fingerprinting is the exception, not the rule. You only need it if you are notified.
No company can sell you a VSC online, in Halifax or anywhere else in Canada. What you can do online is confirm whether you actually need one. Organizations often ask for a "police check" when a standard criminal record check or an Enhanced CRC covers the role. Read the request letter carefully. If it does not name the vulnerable sector specifically, a CRC or CRJMC completed online in about 15 minutes usually satisfies the requirement. Our guide to vulnerable sector checks in Canada explains who needs one and who does not.
What a criminal record check shows
A criminal record check is a name and date-of-birth search of the RCMP's national repository. It reports criminal convictions for which a record suspension has not been granted. An Enhanced CRC, formally a criminal record and judicial matters check (CRJMC), adds outstanding charges, court orders, absolute and conditional discharges. Which one you need depends on who is asking; our FAQ page breaks down the common cases.
Fees and processing times
| Check | Where | Cost | Typical time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal record check (online) | Instant Record Check | from $59.97 | about 15 minutes |
| Enhanced CRC / CRJMC (online) | Instant Record Check | from $66.97 | about 15 minutes |
| Criminal record check (in person) | Halifax Regional Police, 1975 Gottingen St | $50 ($30 volunteers and students) | about 14 days |
| Vulnerable sector check | Halifax Regional Police only | $50 plus service fee | 1 week; 2+ weeks if fingerprints requested |
Halifax Regional Police takes cash, debit, or credit card in person. The $30 volunteer rate applies when the police service has an agreement with the volunteer organization, and students need to show enrollment proof. Current fees are published on the Halifax Regional Police record check page; they were last revised upward from the old $41.20 rate, so double-check before you go.
How to apply
In person: bring two pieces of government-issued ID to 1975 Gottingen Street on a weekday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. One piece must show your name, date of birth, and photo. You also need proof of a current address within Halifax municipality.
Online: first confirm the requesting organization accepts electronic results. Most Nova Scotia employers do. Then the process takes a few minutes:
- Create an account at Instant Record Check to track your request.
- Verify your identity and authorize the search.
- Submit your request.
- Receive your record check, usually within 15 minutes.
Applying from outside the city? The process is the same across the province; see our Nova Scotia criminal record check page, or the Moncton guide if you are across the border in New Brunswick.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get a criminal record check in Halifax?
Apply online through Instant Record Check for RCMP-based results in about 15 minutes, or in person at Halifax Regional Police, 1975 Gottingen Street. In-person checks cost $50 and take about 14 days.
How much does a criminal record check cost in Halifax?
Online through Instant Record Check: CRC from $59.97, Enhanced CRC from $66.97. Halifax Regional Police charges $50 in person, or $30 for volunteers and students who provide proof.
Can I get a vulnerable sector check online in Halifax?
No. Vulnerable sector checks are only available in person through Halifax Regional Police and require a letter from the requesting organization. Fingerprints are needed only if police notify you of a database match. If the organization did not specifically ask for a vulnerable sector check, a CRC or Enhanced CRC completed online usually satisfies the requirement.
What is the difference between a CRC and a vulnerable sector check in Nova Scotia?
A criminal record check (CRC) is a name-based search for convictions. A vulnerable sector check adds a search of the pardoned sex offender database and is required for roles with children, seniors, or people with disabilities. VSCs must be done in person; CRCs can be completed online.
Related Pages
APPLY FOR A RECORD CHECK