How your personal information is used
On this page
Your application for a certified criminal record check (fingerprint-based) includes personal information. The police agency or accredited private fingerprint company submits this information to the RCMP's Canadian Criminal Real Time Identification Services (CCRTIS) in order for us to search the national repository of fingerprints and criminal records.
When you apply for a certified criminal record check
- You are authorizing the RCMP to use the information submitted as part of this application to search the Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC) system and CCRTIS national repository of fingerprints and criminal records in accordance with RCMP policy and federal laws
- You are giving consent to the RCMP to release your criminal convictions, and where authorized, charges before the courts, findings of guilt, court orders, non-conviction information and any other information concerning your criminal history that is accessible in the CPIC system and CCRTIS' National Repository of Criminal Records
Possible consequence
The results of your criminal record check can have consequences that can affect you personally. Some of the consequences may include loss of employment opportunities, rejection of your volunteer application, being denied entry into a foreign country, and being denied citizenship.
Use of personal information
- If your fingerprints match to a criminal record, you are giving consent for the RCMP to include any new name you provided on your certified criminal record check application to your criminal record
- You are giving consent to the RCMP to notify the relevant police agency of any new information you may have provided in your certified criminal record check application (for example new name, new address)
- Your personal information is held in the RCMP's personal information banks:
- Your personal information is searched and disclosed in accordance with law and federal policies, including:
- Privacy Act
- Criminal Records Act
- Youth Criminal Justice Act
- Ministerial directive concerning the release of criminal record information by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police
- Dissemination of criminal record information policy
Record suspension information
- When you apply for a certified criminal record check, you are authorizing the RCMP to contact the Minister of Public Safety with any suspended (pardoned) criminal record information, in accordance with the Criminal Records Act
- Ministerial approval is required before releasing record suspension (pardoned) information
Fingerprint destruction
- With the exception of individuals employed or applying for employment with the RCMP, the RCMP is not authorized to keep the fingerprints you provided or keep copies of your certified criminal record check on file
- The RCMP destroys fingerprint submissions after processing your request and they are not further used or added to RCMP systems
Delivery of your results
CCRTIS issues one product and only allows for one method of delivery per application submission.
- For vulnerable sector checks, the RCMP will send the results of your vulnerable sector record check directly to the police agency that is processing your certified criminal record check application. This means that you will not receive a copy of your results from the RCMP
- For some criminal record checks, you can choose to receive it by post via Canada Post:
- Some privacy risks exist when using postal services
- The RCMP is not responsible for information loss due to technical failures, mishandling, damage or delay in the delivery of results, or if an invalid or incorrect return address was provided
- There is no expedited service delivery available
- Depending on the preferences of each police agency, the RCMP can send your criminal record search result directly to the police agency that is processing your certified criminal record check application. In this case, the police agency uses the CCRTIS search result and creates its own criminal record check product to provide to you. The RCMP is not responsible for the delivery of these products
- You can authorize the RCMP to send the results of your criminal record check to a third party (for example agency, lawyer, friend, family member). You must complete a third-party consent form; however, this means that you will not receive a copy of your results from the RCMP
Points of contact
The personal information you provide as part of your application is protected under the Privacy Act. To request access to or modify your personal information, contact:
RCMP Access to Information and Privacy Branch
- Telephone
- 1-855-629-5877 or 613-843-6800
- atip-aiprp@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
You have the right to file a complaint with the Privacy Commissioner of Canada if you think your personal information has been handled improperly
- Date modified: