A police clearance certificate is an essential document required during various Canadian immigration processes. It serves as proof that you do not have a criminal record or provides details of your criminal history if applicable. This document is crucial for determining whether an applicant is admissible to Canada.
What is a Police Clearance Certificate?
A police certificate confirms the absence of a criminal record. Other countries may refer to this document by a different name. For instance,
- Police clearance certificates
- Certificates of good conduct
- Extracts from the judicial record
- Additional expressions that are comparable.
Who is required to obtain a police clearance certificate for Canada?
Depending on the immigration program you are following, you and any family member who is 18 years of age or older may be required to submit a police certificate. Generally, your application needs to include a police certificate.
- Permanent residence
- Citizenship
- International Experience Canada (IEC)
In some cases, applicants with a prior criminal record may also be required to submit a police certificate for other immigration programs.
When Should You Get a Police Clearance Certificate?
The timing of when you need to submit a police certificate depends on the program:
- Express Entry, International Experience Canada, and Citizenship Programs – These programs have specific timelines for submitting police certificates.
- Programs Requiring a Request Letter – Some countries only issue police certificates upon receiving a request letter from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
If you need such a letter, upload a document in your application indicating, “I am applying from a country that requires an official request letter from IRCC to get a police certificate.”
IRCC will provide further instructions after reviewing and deeming your application complete.
The validity of police clearance certificates
The police certificate must be no older than six months when you send your application. Because processing times can change, you might need to give an updated certificate when you apply.
If you have lived in any other country for six months or more since turning 18, you must present the certificate.
If the certificate has an expiry date, IRCC will accept it as long as:
- It was issued after your last stay in the country for six consecutive months.
- It is not for the country where you currently reside.
You are not required to submit police clearance certificates for:
- Time spent in Canada.
- Periods before you turn 18.
Criteria for Submission
- Requirements for submitting a police certificate:
- Police certificates must be submitted as copied color copies of the original certificates.
- Certified or unstamped copies will not be accepted, and applications will be sent back.
If the police certificate is in a language other than English or French:
- Include the original certificate and a certified translation from a qualified translator.
Obtaining a Police Clearance Certificate
To get a police certificate, you typically need to contact the local police department or government authority in the relevant country. The process may require:
- Submitting personal information, such as:
- Photographs
- Fingerprints
- Details of your addresses and residency periods in that country.
- Paying a fee for the certificate.
Note:
Providing fingerprints for a police certificate is different from providing biometrics (fingerprints and photos) for immigration purposes