How criminal record information can be obtained depends on where it is stored –namely, at the local police, RCMP, court, or other government office.

Individuals can request their criminal record information from local police services, through a Local Police Records Check (LPRC). Police services, however, can refuse to disclose some or all of their records if doing so could (among other things) invade the personal privacy of third parties (such as victims, witnesses, co-accused, etc.), threaten anyone’s health or safety, or harm law-enforcement efforts.

Each police service has its own policies concerning what information they will disclose and how that information will be organized and presented. Generally, police services disclose all records that they determine to be relevant to the purpose for which the check is being requested, such as employment, vulnerable sector check, immigration, and so on.

To erase your Canadian criminal record, or to obtain a USA Entry Waiver, call toll-free 1-888-808-3628 or learn more at Pardon Partners.

The local police service conducts a search of police records held in its own data bank, and usually includes a CPIC check as well. Each local police service uses its own record management system to create its police record reports.

An LPRC discloses criminal charges resulting in convictions and usually includes a wide variety of other information – such as information about pending charges, charges that resulted in non-convictions, and information about alleged incidents where no charges were laid. Often, the LPRC will even disclose non-criminal charges such as provincial driving infractions. An LPRC check may also include information from other police services (both in and outside of Canada).

How to request an LPRC

To request an LPRC, an individual will need to take two pieces of government issued identification (one of which must have a photo) to a local or regional police service and pay a processing fee. Depending on the policies of the individual police service, the results will either be mailed to the individual or can be picked up. The results will contain an original police stamp (or seal), the date the report was generated, and the signature of the police records manager.

Worth noting is that an LPRC is commonly referred to by many names.

• Criminal Background Check
• Criminal Check
• Criminal History Check
• Criminal Record Search
• Police Clearance Check
• Police Information Check
• Police Record Check
• Police Reference Check
• Police Security Check

These names can be confusing and give an inaccurate impression of what the police are certifying. An LPRC does not certify whether the individual has a criminal record elsewhere, nor is it a background check.

Once a criminal record exists, it is up to the individual to take the proper steps to have the record removed.

Get help

To erase your criminal record, call toll-free 1-888-808-3628 or learn more at Pardon Partners. It’s easier than you think.

If you have been charged with a criminal offence, refer to our criminal law section.

								
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