Pardons
The federal government has recently introduced proposed changes to the legislation governing pardons for serious crimes. These are only proposals at this stage and will be adopted only if the bill is passed in the House of Commons and in the Senate. It does not affect the vast majority of Canadians seeking pardons. You can read about the new proposals in the official federal government news release.
Let us make getting a pardon simple and pain-free.
People often suffer discrimination, restricted freedom and lost opportunities because of a criminal record. A pardon can free your future, clearing the way for a new beginning and the fair treatment you deserve as a law-abiding citizen.
Commissionaires BC offers a simple and affordable pardon service for applicants who would like a friendly, knowledgeable helping hand in getting a pardon done as quickly and efficiently as possible. Perhaps you don’t have time to apply for a pardon on your own or you need help with the pardons process. We offer a cost-effective service with no hidden fees, backed by our Commissionaires expertise and integrity. All of our clients receive the same helpful and professional service, regardless of their background or the circumstances surrounding their pardon.
Unlike other pardon service providers, Commissionaires offers a digital fingerprinting service, required for pardon applicants, that will provide an expedited return of documentation required to start the process. With pardon services from Commissionaires, you receive:
- friendly, professional, and knowledgeable commissionaires to help you;
- a lower cost alternative to other providers with no hidden fees;
- the latest digital technology for reliable capture of fingerprints required for pardons processing, which makes processing your application much quicker;
- multi-language service;
- face to face service at our convenient processing location in downtown Vancouver.
The Pardon Application Process
If it has been the requisite amount of time since you’ve completed your sentence and paid any fines (see FAQ below) you can proceed with applying for a pardon with Commissionaires. After your initial first meeting with a Commissionaires pardons professional, we will compile the necessary personal information for your pardon application. We will complete all necessary background checks to support your application. This will include taking your fingerprints to obtain your criminal record, court information, local police records, relevant citizenship documents and military conduct sheets if necessary, including required documentation from all previous places you’ve resided.
We will then complete all the necessary forms, and present them to you for signature. Our proactive role and familiarity with the process will ensure all the documents required are obtained in a timely manner and that your case is processed expeditiously. We will keep you informed at each stage of the process. All records will be returned to the applicant once the pardon process has been completed. All information is kept confidential.
How to Get Started
Please contact our Commissionaires downtown Vancouver processing location to make your initial confidential appointment. During this first appointment, your fingerprints will be taken as a first step in the process. 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
- Health Card
Fees:
There are no hidden costs. The fees for our pardon services are as follows:
- $250 Pardon Processing Fee (facilitation of all paperwork, gathering of all applicable court documents, records checks, etc);
- $70 for Digital Fingerprints ($45 processing fee plus $25 RCMP fee);
- $50 Pardon Fee (payable to Receiver General for the National Parole Board to process the application);
- $40 - $80 per location for any disbursements, court fees (if applicable) and local police checks, which must be done for every place you have lived for more than 6 months in the past 5 years.
Our payment schedule will require a payment of $125 on the first visit plus $70 for digital fingerprinting, then the remaining $125 mid -way through the process. All disbursements will need to be paid via money order or certified check to the applicable agency. GST is applicable to some of these fees.
Payment methods
We accept major credit cards, debit, or cash.
Location
Please contact our Commissionaires downtown Vancouver processing location to make your initial confidential appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions about Pardons
Why should I seek a pardon?
Any conviction for a criminal offence, new or old, can severely restrict your freedom. A pardon removes any record of your past offences from appearing in a criminal record check that you might require for employment, travel and more. It can also give you peace of mind and a future free from judgement, discrimination and shame. There are many advantages to obtaining a pardon:
- better prospects for employment and self-employment;
- more freedom to travel outside Canada;
- greater peace of mind and self-respect;
- less difficulty getting bonded;
- reduced risk of negative impact on child custody and visitation;
- less hassle renting an apartment;
- improved prospects of meeting educational requirements.
What exactly is a pardon?
Anyone who is convicted of a criminal offence has a criminal record. A pardon allows people who were convicted of a criminal offence, and who have completed their sentence and demonstrated they are law-abiding citizens, to have their criminal record removed and kept separate and apart from other criminal records. After a pardon is granted, any search of the Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC) will not show that you had a criminal record, or that you were issued a pardon.
What is a purge?
Absolute or conditional discharges handed down by the court on or after July 24th, 1992 will automatically be removed from the CPIC data base one year (absolute discharge) or three years (conditional discharge) after the court decision. A person does not need to apply for a pardon if his/her criminal record consists only of an absolute or conditional discharge. For discharges, prior to July 24th, 1992, the individual must contact the RCMP requesting the removal of such charge.
Who is eligible for a pardon?
For summary offences you are eligible for a pardon three years after you have completed your sentence for your offence(s). For indictable offences you are eligible for a pardon five years and with good conduct after you have completed your sentence for your offence(s). A sentence may be a fine, probation, a jail term, surcharge or restitution. For the purposes of a pardon, a court order, which prohibits you from driving or possessing a firearm, is not considered as part of the sentence.
Who will grant my pardon?
Pardons are not issued automatically. To remove a criminal record, an application must be made under the Criminal Records Act (CRA) to the National Parole Board (NPB). The person must have completed their sentence and shown that they are now law-abiding citizens. The NPB issues, grants, denies or revokes pardons for convictions under federal acts or regulations of Canada. The NPB does this under the CRA. Visit the National Parole Board website.
What is important to know about obtaining a pardon?
You do not need a lawyer or a representative to apply for a pardon. The National Parole Board (NPB) gives the same consideration to a pardon application submitted by an individual or by a representative. No pardons company can expedite the pardon process for an additional fee. The NPB designed the process to be fair and equal. No particular company can do it faster than any other.
How long will it take to obtain a pardon?
How quickly you receive a pardon is dependent on the National Parole Board, which grants and/or issues pardons. Having your pardon request granted is not guaranteed and can take between two and six months typically. Depending on the number and type of offenses, it could take up to one year.
US TRAVEL WAIVERS
Ensure that you can travel to the US freely despite previous criminal convictions.
Commissionaires BC can assist you in obtaining a US Travel Waiver. United States (US) Customs can refuse admission to any person convicted of a criminal offence, even if this offense had been pardoned. This means that if you have a criminal record, you should obtain a US Travel Waiver to ensure that you will not be turned back at the border and that you can legally travel to or through the United States. Anyone granted a US entry waiver should be at no risk of being refused entry to the US, since a US Travel Waiver overrides any personal discretion border guards may have.
Refused entry to the US can be extremely inconvenient and disappointing when you are trying to cross the border for any reason, which may include business travel, vacations, or to seek medical treatments. There is also the possibility of lost employment opportunities if that job is contingent upon a person’s ability to travel to the United States.
Frequently Asked Questions about Waivers
How do I obtain a US Travel Waiver?
Commissionaires BC can manage the US Travel Waiver application process for you from start to finish. Contact a Commissionaires representative today to book your confidential appointment at our downtown Vancouver processing location or to learn more. Call 604 646 3330 E 2354.
How does the US have access to my criminal offences in Canada?
Records of criminal convictions are kept on the Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC) computer database. CPIC is connected to the United States National Crime Information Centre (NCIC) which gives US Customs, Immigration and State Police departments access to your file. Once a person's record has been checked by a US official, it is kept on the NCIC, even after a Pardon is obtained in Canada.
Do I need a US Waiver if I have been granted a pardon?
US Customs can refuse admission to any person convicted of a criminal offence, even if this offense had been pardoned. A US Travel Waiver is issued by the US Department of Homeland Security and will ensure your entry.