Obtain a criminal record check (Police Information Check)

You may need a criminal record check for various purposes, including: employment, adoption, international travel, volunteer work, citizenship, name change, student placement or to obtain a record suspension (formerly pardon).

The RCMP in BC, like all police agencies in the Province, provides one form of criminal record check. It is called a Police Information Check (PIC).

The Canadian Criminal Real Time Identification Services (or CCRTIS), part of the Forensic Science and Identification Services in Ottawa, also provides a product called a "criminal record check." It is available to individuals across the country and you do not have to go through an RCMP detachment to obtain one. This check is different from a PIC.

Although CCRTIS provides its own type of criminal record check, CCRTIS may also be involved in the processing of a PIC, where there is a need to check for pardoned sex offences as part of a PIC-VS.

Find out the difference between a Criminal Record Check, a Police Information Check, and a Vulnerable Sector Check.

B.C. Police Information Check (PIC)

There are two types of Police Information Checks:

1. PIC - for employment or volunteer services that do not involve children or vulnerable adults
   • It will be limited to criminal convictions, outstanding criminal charges and warrants and other judicial orders.
   • It can be used for employment outside of Canada.
   • You can apply for a PIC when you are outside of Canada by verifying your identity with a local police force or the nearest consulate.
2. PIC-VS - for employment or volunteer services that do involve children or vulnerable adults
   • It will include:
     • criminal convictions, outstanding criminal charges and warrants, and other judicial orders.
     • non-convictions and files in which you were a bona fide suspect in a founded substantiated offence.
   • It will not include unsubstantiated allegations.
   • Can only be done for organizations in Canada. The position itself can be outside of Canada, but the results of the vulnerable sector check must stay within Canada.
   • You cannot apply for a PIC-VS when you are outside of Canada.

Note: If you require fingerprinting services for immigration purposes please bring a letter or form from the Immigration Department setting out what the requirements are, along with identification.