Fingerprinting

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Digital fingerprinting results processed and in the mail in 72 hours.

Commissionaires BC offers cutting-edge digital fingerprinting services for the fastest, most reliable results available. As one of only two providers, Commissionaires has clearance from the RCMP to capture fingerprints and submit them directly to the Canadian Criminal Real Time Identification Services for processing. This reduces the RCMP processing time to as little as 72 hours, which means your fingerprinting results will be in the mail to you in as little as three business days after your submission. In addition to offering digital fingerprinting, we still offer traditional ink & roll fingerprinting with a processing turnaround time of approximately 120 days.

In addition to offering digital fingerprinting, we still offer traditional ink & roll fingerprinting with a processing turnaround time of approximately 120 days.

Commissionaires BC offers digital fingerprinting for employment, police clearances and security licenses. Fingerprinting services from Commissionaires BC:

  • are delivered by friendly, professional, and knowledgeable commissionaires;
  • are competitively priced, efficient and quick;
  • use the latest digital technology for reliable capture and RCMP processing in as little as 72-hours at convenient BC mainland office locations in Vancouver and Surrey. Note: This service is not available in our Kelowna office;
  • traditional ink and roll method also available at convenient BC mainland office locations in Vancouver, Kelowna and Surrey;
  • are provided in multi-languages at many locations;
  • mobile fingerprinting service is available for convenient and cost-effective group processing at locations in BC.

How to get your Fingerprints

We want to make sure your experience is a pleasant one. Our respectful and friendly staff members are the experts in providing fingerprinting services. To speed up the fingerprinting process, please ensure you have all the necessary materials in hand before you visit our office.

Identification required

You must bring two pieces of valid government issued identification and one must be a photo ID. The following are types of acceptable identification:

  • Passport
  • Citizenship Card or Document
  • Immigration Document (i.e., Landing Papers)
  • Birth Certificate
  • Drivers Licence
  • Permanent Resident Card or Record of Landing for Citizenship Applicants
  • Government ID

Notes:

  • It is recommended applicants have with them a letter or file number from the requesting source, if applicable;
  • All digital fingerprinting requests for Canadian Citizenship must include a letter from Citizenship and Immigration Canada. This letter must include the address for third party results and should have a CIC file number, which will be included in your transaction. Please ensure you bring your letter with you to your fingerprinting session.

Our experienced staff will be happy to assist in answering any questions.

Fees

Digital: $45 plus GST (plus $25 RCMP fee if applicable)
Ink & Roll: $30 plus GST (plus $25 RCMP fee if applicable)

Payment methods

We accept major credit cards, debit or cash at most of our locations. Please check locations to confirm.

Locations

Commissionaires' identification services are available at convenient BC mainland office locations in Vancouver, Kelowna and Surrey. Digital service is available in our Vancouver and Surrey locations. Digital fingerprinting is not available at our Kelowna office at this time.

Appointments

No appointments are necessary to have your fingerprints taken.

Refunds

Fingerprints (either digital or ink and roll) not accepted by the RCMP will be fully refunded (100%) upon the verification of receipt and rejection from RCMP. Clients must verify all personal information prior to submission of applications. Resubmission of applications due to operator errors will be fixed and resubmitted free of charge to the client. Service fees for resubmission of applications due to client error will be charged to the client.

Frequently Asked Questions about Fingerprinting

What is digital fingerprinting?

Digital fingerprinting is the electronic capture of a person’s fingerprints via an optical scanner at a capture station. The scanned fingerprints, along with the application details, are then formatted into a standardized electronic package that is attached and emailed, via a secure link, direct to the RCMP’s Canadian Criminal Real Time Information System (CCRTIS).

CCRTIS compares the fingerprint package against the RCMP’s criminal record database. If no record is present, the RCMP will issue a certificate indicating a clear record. If the applicant does have a criminal record this will be indicated in the results.

Who needs fingerprints?

  • Employment with Corporations and Agencies
    With the need for greater security, many corporations and agencies are now requiring both employees and volunteers to be fingerprinted;
  • Applicants for Foreign Travel, Passports, Work Permits, Visas and US Waivers
    Those wishing to visit or work in other countries may be required to provide a police clearance. While some countries accept police clearance done with only your name and birth date, others require that the process be done through fingerprinting. Obtaining a 192 waiver to travel to the United States will require fingerprints;
  • Citizenship, Permanent Resident & Immigration Applicants
    Applicants for Canadian citizenship, permanent residence or those immigrating to Canada may be required to provide a police clearance with fingerprints;
  • International Adoption Applicants
    Prior to completing adoption proceedings applicants who wish to adopt a child from a foreign country are required to provide a police clearance with fingerprints;
  • Security Licence Applicants
    According to the BC Security Services Act, individuals in some security related positions are now responsible for directly obtaining and holding a security licence. Fingerprints are required for the application process.

How long will it take for digital fingerprints to be processed by the RCMP?

If you do not have a criminal record and have never been fingerprinted for a criminal offence in Canada, the RCMP will make every effort possible to process your request within 72 hours of receiving the electronic submission. (This means that the RCMP will put the results “in the mail” for mailing back to the applicant or third party within 72 hours.) In view of this, please ensure sufficient time is allowed for receipt of the results in the mail before commencing inquiries about the status of fingerprints. If a criminal record is encountered during the verification process, processing will be increased to 120 days.

How long will it take for traditional ink and roll fingerprints to be processed by the RCMP?

Paper-based fingerprint submissions for a criminal record verification take an average of 120 days to complete for individuals that do not have a criminal record and have never been fingerprinted for a criminal offence in Canada. If a criminal record is encountered during the verification process, the turnaround time may exceed 120 days.

Can all applicants choose digital fingerprints?

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

How can I find out about the status of a submission once it has been sent to the RCMP?

Commissionaires provides the best in service to all our clients. Clients are advised that once the RCMP informs Commissionaires that the electronic submission has been received and is successfully processing, the RCMP will not release any further transaction status information to Commissionaires. Clients (e.g., applicant or authorized third party) may inquire about the status of their electronic and / or traditional ink and roll submission by contacting the RCMP Civil Fingerprint Screening Services at 613 998 6362 or civilnps@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.

Do applicants need an appointment?

Appointments are recommended although some locations welcome walk-ins. Please check locations to confirm hours of operation and determine if an appointment is necessary.

How long will it take to get my fingerprints taken?

Our digital process is fast, efficient and clean and normally takes approximately 20 minutes to complete. Our traditional ink and roll methods take approximately 10 minutes to complete.

How are results obtained?

Each applicant’s criminal record verification results can be sent directly to the individual or to a designated third party, such as an employer or immigration or pardons agency. If an applicant is under the age of 18, results must be returned directly to the home address. Please ensure that all the address information for the applicant and third party are ready during the application process.

May applicants get a copy of the application?

All applicants can receive a true copy of the digital submission to the RCMP for $5 + GST in addition to the transaction fee.

Ink & roll copies are $25 + GST in addition to the transaction fee.

Is Commissionaires a government agency?

Commissionaires is not a government agency. Commissionaires is a not-for-profit organization employing former military and police as well as responsible citizens of all ages in rewarding careers.

Is Digital Fingerprinting available at the Commissionaires office in Kelowna?

No. At this time only ink and roll fingerprinting service is available in Kelowna.