Digital Fingerprinting

Digital fingerprinting is the primary method used to process RCMP police checks and certified criminal record checks. We combine advanced scanning technology, professional expertise, and years of experience to provide fast, reliable, and affordable digital fingerprinting services across Alberta. Digital fingerprinting involves the electronic capture of a person’s fingerprints using an optical LiveScan scanner at a designated capture station. The scanned fingerprints, along with the applicant’s personal information, are securely formatted into a standardized electronic file and transmitted directly to the RCMP’s Canadian Criminal Real Time Identification Services (CCRTIS). CCRTIS compares submitted fingerprints against the RCMP’s national criminal record database. If no criminal record is found, the RCMP issues a certified criminal record check confirming a clear result. If a record exists, it will reflect in the official results.

Yes. Most permanent residency applications require fingerprint submission via the RCMP digital fingerprint system. We can submit directly to RCMP on your behalf.

There are many situations where digital/electronic fingerprinting is required for identity verification, background screening, or legal processing: Immigration & Citizenship • Canadian citizenship applications • Canadian permanent residence applications • Immigration, study, work, or travel applications for foreign countries • US immigration, visa, or waiver applications Employment & Licensing • Employment with federal, provincial, or municipal governments • Employment under the Contract Security Program • Employment in private industry requiring background checks • Applications for licensed professions (e.g., realtors, immigration consultants) • Security guard or security license applications • Volunteer positions requiring screening Legal & Personal Requests • Legal name change applications (Alberta or other provinces) • Privacy Act requests / personal criminal record checks • Record suspension (pardon) applications • Adoption applications (Canadian or international) Digital fingerprinting provides a secure and accurate way to verify identity and conduct criminal record checks for these official purposes.

Vulnerable Sector Police Information Check can only be done at a local police station. A vulnerable Sector Police Information Check also includes a check of local police records to determine the existence of a pattern of behavior that may result in harm to vulnerable persons. A Vulnerable Sector Police Information Check is required when the applicant will be in a position of trust or authority of children under 18 years of age, the elderly or the disabled. A position of trust or authority must be more than the opportunity for casual contact.

If the applicant does not have a criminal record and has never previously been fingerprinted for a criminal offence in Canada, the RCMP typically makes every effort to process electronic submissions within 72 hours of receiving them. However, the official result is mailed to the address provided, so additional time should be allowed for delivery by Canada Post. Estimated Processing Times • No criminal record: 5–10 business days • Criminal record or manual processing required: 120 days or more Processing times may be longer if fingerprints require manual review or if there is a match in the criminal record database. Checking the Status of Your Application Once fingerprints are submitted electronically and successfully received by the RCMP, they do not release status updates to the fingerprinting agency. Only the applicant (or an authorized third party) can request an update. If your application has taken longer than the timelines above, you may contact the RCMP directly by email at: CCRTIS-SCICTR@rcmp-grc.gc.ca(mailto:CCRTIS-SCICTR@rcmp-grc.gc.ca) Please include the following details in your inquiry: • Full name • Date of birth • Type of application (Criminal Record Check) • Date the application was submitted • Daytime contact phone number • Document Control Number (DCN) RCMP response times may vary, and replies are not immediate.

If you would like to obtain a Certified Criminal Record Check from the RCMP, you should book an appointment for Digital/Electronic Fingerprinting. Please let us know that you are requesting the record for US immigration (not for travel or other purposes) under the PRIVACY ACT. The record will be specifically requested to include the “RCMP National Repository entire holdings.”

Our digital fingerprinting process is fast, efficient and clean. A complete fingerprint session normally takes approximately 15 minutes to complete.

Digital fingerprinting is available to most applicants for most applications. However in some cases, e.g., submissions to the FBI, applicants may not use digital fingerprinting. For these situations we offer traditional ink and roll fingerprinting. Our fingerprinting professionals can advise you on whether you may opt for digital fingerprinting or if you must use traditional ink and roll fingerprinting.

We ensure that your criminal record check application is processed smoothly. Your digital fingerprints, along with the completed application package, are securely submitted to the RCMP. The RCMP compares your information against their national database and issues an official certificate confirming whether you have a criminal record. If no criminal record is found, your certificate will indicate a clear record. If a record exists, it will be reflected in the results. The RCMP will send the official certificate and report directly to you. Applicants may choose to have their criminal record verification results sent either to themselves or to a designated third party, such as an employer, an immigration representative, or a record suspension (pardon) agency. Please note: If the applicant is under 18 years of age, the results must be mailed directly to the applicant’s home address. To avoid delays, please ensure that complete and accurate mailing information for the applicant or authorized third party is provided during the application process.

For digital fingerprinting, you will be provided with a confirmation document with Document Control Number (DCN) after your application is submitted. It is important to keep this document until you or your designated third party receives the result from the RCMP. If this document is lost, there will be an administration fee to provide a copy of this document. For ink and roll fingerprinting or livescan print-to-card clients, you will be provided with the original fingerprinting card after the fingerprinting is completed. For fingerprints card scanning, we will email you a confirmation document with DCN after your application is submitted.

If you live outside Canada or in an area where digital fingerprinting is unavailable, we are RCMP-accredited to digitize ink fingerprints and submit them electronically to the RCMP. Please email or contact us to receive a package of Fingerprint Card Scanning Application Forms and Instructions.

Yes, we can provide Certified Criminal Record Check (CCRC) which is a certified fingerprint-based criminal record search for non-criminal purposes conducted by the RCMP in Ottawa, in which digital fingerprints are compared against the central repository of Canadian criminal records. The result of the CCRC will be sent directly from RCMP to RECA. Your identification must match the name that you provided to RECA, otherwise RECA will NOT accept it.