MAKE APPLYING FOR A PARDON / RECORD SUSPENSION SIMPLE AND PAIN-FREE
Advisory: There have been recent changes to the Pardon’s Program under Bill C-10. See our FAQ for more information.
People often suffer discrimination, restricted freedom and lost opportunities because of a criminal record. A pardon, now called a record suspension, 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 application in Canada for those who would like a friendly, knowledgeable helping hand in getting a record suspension done as quickly and efficiently as possible. Perhaps you don’t have time to apply for a record suspension on your own or you need help with the record suspension 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 record suspension.more
WHO NEEDS A CANADIAN PARDON?
Any conviction for a criminal offence, new or old, can severely restrict your freedom. A pardon, or record suspension, removes any record of your past offences from appearing in a criminal record check and can clear a criminal record 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 Canadian pardon:
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HOW DO I APPLY FOR A CANADIAN PARDON?
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 record suspension (previously called a pardon) with Commissionaires BC. After your initial first meeting with a Commissionaires service agent, we will compile the necessary personal information for your record suspension 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 the necessary documentation from all previous places you’ve lived. 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 as quickly as possible. We will keep you informed at each stage of the process. All documents will be returned to you once the record suspension process has been completed. All information is kept confidential.more
GETTING STARTED
Commissionaires’ Canadian pardon service is available at convenient locations in Vancouver and Surrey. Additionally we offer this service to those living outside of the Lower Mainland (with just one visit to our Vancouver or Surrey office necessary for digital fingerprinting and documentation processing). Please contact one of our Commissionaires BC processing locations to make your initial confidential appointment. During this first appointment, fingerprinting services will be conducted as a first step in the process. To speed up the process, please ensure you have all the necessary materials in hand before you visit our office.
IDENTIFICATION REQUIRED
We want to make sure your experience is a pleasant one. To speed up the process, please ensure you have all the necessary materials in hand before you visit our office.
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You should bring two pieces of valid government issued identification and one must be a photo ID. The following are types of acceptable identification. Please check with your local office for additional types of identification which may be accepted:
- Passport
- Driver’s License
- Birth Certificate
- Canadian Citizenship Card
- Permanent Resident Card
- Certificate of Indian Status
- Immigration Documents i.e. work or study permits
- Military Family ID card (MFID)
- Record of Landing for Citizenship Applicant
- Certificate of Live Birth
- Nexus card
Notes:
- If you were not born in Canada please bring your current and valid immigration documentation (PR Card, CIC card or immigration documents)
- It is recommended you bring with you a letter or file number from the requesting source, if applicable
- All identification must be current and not expired
SERVICE FEES AND APPOINTMENTS
Fees
Advisory: The Government of Canada increased the fee to process record suspension applicants to $631 effective 23 February 2012.
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This increase by the Government of Canada will not affect Commissionaires’ competitively priced fees for record suspension application preparation before submitting to the Parole Board of Canada. You can read more about this fee increase at Federal Government Parole Board of Canada. Federal Government official notice.
With Commissionaires BC record suspension (pardon) services, there are no hidden costs. The fees for our services are as follows:
- $350 + (depending on complexity) Record Suspension Processing Fee (facilitation of all paperwork, gathering of all applicable court documents, records checks, etc)
- $75 for Digital Fingerprints ($50 processing fee plus $25 RCMP fee)
- $631 Application 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 $175 on the first visit plus $75 for digital fingerprinting, then the remaining $175 near the end of 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.
Appointments
Appointments are necessary to apply for a Record Suspension. Please contact locations directly to confirm hours of operation and to schedule appointment.
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.
CANADIAN PARDON RESULTS
Pardons or record suspension are granted, or issued, by the national Parole Board. Having your record suspension request granted is not guaranteed and can typically take between six months to a year.
WHY USE COMMISSIONAIRES BC?
We are the trusted, friendly experts and can guide you in the process. We will offer you face to face service that takes the uncertainly out of preparing your application—ensuring you submit an accurate application and have the best possible chance for a successful record suspension.
Plus, unlike other record suspension (or Canadian pardon) service providers, Commissionaires BC offers a digital fingerprinting service, required for record suspension applicants, that will provide a speedy return of documentation required to start the process.
With record suspension services from Commissionaires BC, 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 record suspensions processing, which makes processing your application much quicker
- multi-language service
- face to face service at one of our convenient processing locations
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What are the new changes to the Pardons Program?
Amendments to the Criminal Records Act (CRA) came into effect on 13 March 2012, resulting in changes to the Pardon program’s name, eligibility requirements, and waiting periods, as follows:
- The term Canadian pardon is replaced with the term record suspension
- The waiting period for a record suspension has increased to 5 years for all summary conviction offences and to 10 years for all indictable offences; the waiting period starts after all of the sentence has been satisfied, including any fines or restitution orders and probation periods
- Individuals convicted of sexual offences against minors (with certain exceptions) and those who have been convicted of more than three indictable offences, each with a sentence of two or more years, are now ineligible for a record suspension
For more information, see Parole Board of Canada website.
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What exactly is a record suspension (pardon)?
Anyone who is convicted of a criminal offence has a criminal record. A pardon application in Canada allows people who were convicted of a criminal offence, and who have completed their sentence and demonstrated they are law-abiding citizens, to apply to have their criminal record removed and kept separate and apart from other criminal records. After a record suspension 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 record suspension.
What is a purge?
Absolute or conditional discharges handed down by the court on or after 24 July 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 record suspension if his / her criminal record consists only of an absolute or conditional discharge. For discharges, prior to 24 July 1992, the individual must contact the RCMP requesting the removal of such charge.
Who is eligible for a record suspension (pardon)?
For summary offences you are eligible for a record suspension five years after you have completed your sentence for your offence(s). For indictable offences you are eligible for a record suspension ten years 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 record suspension, a court order, which prohibits you from driving or possessing a firearm, is not considered as part of the sentence. Individuals convicted of sexual offences against minors (with certain exceptions) and those who have been convicted of more than three indictable offences, each with a sentence of two or more years, are now ineligible for a record suspension.
Who will grant my record suspension (pardon)?
Record suspensions are not issued automatically. To remove a criminal record, an application must be made under the Criminal Records Act (CRA) to The Parole Board of Canada. The person must have completed their sentence and shown that they are now a law-abiding citizen. The Parole Board of Canada issues, grants, denies or revokes record suspensions for convictions under federal acts or regulations of Canada. The Parole Board of Canada does this under the CRA. Visit the Parole Board of Canada website.
What is important to know about obtaining a record suspension (pardon)?
You do not need a lawyer or a representative to apply for a record suspension. The National Parole Board (NPB) gives the same consideration to a record suspension application submitted by an individual or by a representative. No record suspension company can expedite the record suspension 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 record suspension (pardon)?
How quickly you receive a record suspension is dependent on the National Parole Board, which grants and / or issues record suspensions. Having your record suspension request granted is not guaranteed and can take typically between six months to a year. The Parole Board of Canada’s website now states that they will process summary files within six months and indictable files within one year.
Commissionaires BC––offering fast, friendly and affordable pardon application in Canada.
Chris Hauptmann
I really appreciated having Commissionaires help navigate the (record suspension) process because it can be a difficult one.”
Bernie Lahmann | Vice President | Davidson and Sons Custom Brokers Ltd., Vancouver
For security purposes related to the shipping industry, we needed to get criminal background checks performed for all our employees. Commissionaires BC’s team came to our office, setup and was able to process everyone in less then a day. This was very convenient for all the staff. Best of all it was done for a very reasonable cost.
Chris Hauptmann
Many thanks to Commissionaires BC for their support in getting my record suspension and in particular to Deb Barnett, who made it easier for me by coming in extra early in the morning to accommodate my work schedule.”
Reginald | Surrey
I finished receiving my pardon. It is a long process but I received excellent customer service. The service was efficient and I would recommend Commissionaires BC to my friends if needed.”