Frequently asked questions

PoliceChecks is a global background check company that works with some of North America’s biggest brands to deliver a variety of background checks including education, employment, credit, driver’s abstract, and employee referrals.

PoliceChecks is a direct partner of the Canadian Police Detachments. As such, we’re authorized to conduct criminal record checks using the Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC) database. By law, any third party wishing to access the CPIC must undergo rigorous accreditation, as outlined in Section 19 of the Dissemination of Criminal Record Information policy. PoliceChecks has proudly surpassed all required accreditation policies, and has been approved by both the RCMP and Criminal Real Time Identification Services (CCRTIS) team.

Your privacy is of the utmost importance, which is why we use several layers of security. We use industry-standard SSL encryption on our website, meaning your information can’t be viewed or tampered with. All data is then protected and securely stored in an offsite data centre, and all PoliceChecks employees undergo extensive personal screening and are bound by confidentiality agreements. Lastly, PoliceChecks complies with all federal and provincial privacy laws, meaning we’re just as secure as your local bank.

PoliceChecks shows possible conviction matches by checking the information you provide against the RCMP Canadian Police Information Center (CPIC) database. If your record has convictions, by law, we are unauthorized to disclose those conviction details due to privacy policies. To view full convictions details, you must conduct a Criminal Records and Judicial Matters Check (CRJMC) at your local police station where a submission of fingerprints will also be required for verification.

Checks are returned in as little as 15 minutes but can take longer if your information needs manual review. If your report isn't approved within 24 hours, we'll let you know by email and will instruct you on what to do next.

Reports are sent to the email address specified on your application. We don’t physically mail reports to protect your information, and to avoid tampering. Haven’t received your report yet? Please contact support at 1-844-697-8786.

Review means that a criminal record match has been made based on the information you provided during this check. Because our reports are name-based, sometimes they’re returned with Review even though you might have a clear criminal record. While this is extremely rare, it can happen. If you think this might have happened to you, then chat with support who will explore the situation with you.

No. While our checks are accredited by the RCMP, some companies and individuals may not accept third-party criminal record checks. Unfortunately, if your PoliceChecks check is not accepted we cannot offer reimbursement. We strongly suggest you confirm with your employer that third-party checks are acceptable prior to making your purchase.

No. Our criminal record checks do not include convictions from the Canadian Border Service Agency (CBSA) or US Customs. To determine your VISA eligibility, or your entry status for the US or Canada, you must contact either CBSA or US Customs

For convictions that you'd like to be pardoned, dropped, or cleared, you can visit Pardon Services Canada’s website to learn how to obtain a pardon/record suspension. For convictions that you’d like to dispute, we encourage you to complete a Certified Criminal Record Check through your local police or fingerprinting agency.