A criminal record check—or, as it is officially known in Canada, a Police Information Check (PIC)—is an official document confirming whether a person has any criminal convictions, pending criminal proceedings, court orders, or other police records. It is also known as a Police Clearance Certificate, Criminal Record Check (CRC), Background Check, or simply a “police record”—all of these terms, depending on the context, essentially refer to the same type of document.
In Edmonton, employers widely require such a certificate in the healthcare, education, social services, security, and finance sectors. But this applies not only to “sensitive” industries: an increasing number of ordinary employers—logistics companies, fitness centers, real estate agents, and even some restaurants—are including a Criminal Record Check in their standard hiring package. The reason is simple: Alberta provincial law allows most employers to legally require the certificate and refuse to hire based on its results.
Types of Checks: Three Levels
Before requesting a check, it’s important to understand that there are three fundamentally different types of checks in Edmonton, and choosing the wrong one could mean you either pay extra or provide your employer with an incomplete document.
Level 1 — Basic Criminal Record Check (CRC)
This is the most common type. It contains information on criminal convictions from the RCMP database (Canadian Police Information Centre, or CPIC), as well as convictions under the Youth Criminal Justice Act within the disclosure period. This level is suitable for most standard jobs—retail, construction, manufacturing, administrative positions, and managerial roles. This is what people usually mean when they say “Criminal Record Check.”
Level 2 — Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check (CRJMC), or Enhanced Check
This is an expanded version of the basic check: in addition to convictions, it includes pending criminal proceedings, charges, court orders, arrests without conviction, and other legal records. This level is more commonly required for positions with increased responsibility or access to confidential data.
Level 3 — Police Information Check with Vulnerable Sector Search (VSS)
This is the most comprehensive type. It includes everything listed above plus a check for records of pardons or record suspensions for sexual offenses. This check is mandatory for anyone who will work in a position of trust or authority regarding children (persons under 18) or other vulnerable groups. This includes:
- teachers;
- kindergarten teachers;
- educators in after-school programs;
- medical staff;
- coaches of children’s teams;
- social workers;
- caregivers for the elderly;
- staff at group homes and rehabilitation centers.
Important note: only the police service (EPS or RCMP) has the authority to issue a Vulnerable Sector Search. No private online service can legally conduct such a check.
Method One: Online via the Edmonton Police Service system
The most convenient and fastest way for most Edmonton residents to obtain a PIC is through the EPS online system, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at policesolutions.ca/checks/services/edmonton/.
The process is entirely electronic: you don’t need to go anywhere, stand in line, or make an appointment in advance. The system verifies your identity using questions based on your credit file (this method is called electronic ID Verification, or eIV)—meaning you’ll be asked several questions about your credit history that only you can answer correctly. There is a time limit for answering the questions—this is for security purposes. If verification fails (for example, if you recently moved to Canada and your credit history hasn’t been established yet), the system will ask you to email copies of your documents to the police department for manual verification.
After successful verification, you pay the fee by card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or debit card). Once the check is complete and there is no information to disclose, you receive an electronic certificate—a download link is sent to your email. If the check reveals certain records, the office will contact you for clarification. The estimated processing time for an online application is up to 15 business days. In practice, if you have nothing to disclose, the result often comes much faster—sometimes the next business day or even the same day.
Cost of an online check via EPS
- For employment — $80
- For volunteering — $20
- For students applying for an internship permit (Post-Secondary Education/Practicum) — $55
- For immigration/visa purposes — $80
- For housing — $80
Option Two: In-Person Visit to the EPS Office
If online verification did not work or you are unable to submit your application electronically for any reason, you can apply in person at the Police Information Check Section of the Edmonton Police Service. The office is located at: #108, 14315 – 118 Avenue NW, Nexus Business Park.
Office Hours
- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday — from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM and from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM
- Thursday — closed to visitors, as the entire day is dedicated to processing the backlog of applications
General inquiries can be sent to: [email protected].
To submit an application in person, you will need two forms of identification, one of which must be a photo ID (e.g., driver’s license and passport). Payment is accepted in cash, by debit or credit card, by check, or by money order (payable to “The City of Edmonton”). Results for in-person applications are mailed within 7–10 business days. If the situation is urgent and the check comes back “clear,” EPS may issue the certificate directly at the office on the same day, but this is not guaranteed.
Vulnerable Sector Search: a separate procedure for working with vulnerable individuals
If the prospective position involves working with children or vulnerable adults, the employer will almost certainly require a Vulnerable Sector Search (VSS) as part of the PIC. This check is significantly more rigorous than the standard one and includes a query of the RCMP database for records of suspended sentences for sexual offenses—records that a standard Criminal Record Check does not have access to.
Important note: To apply for a VSS through the EPS, you must verify your place of residence. Acceptable documents include a driver’s license with an address within the EPS jurisdiction, a recent (no older than 90 days) utility bill, phone bill, bank statement, lease agreement, or insurance policy.
EPS serves residents of Edmonton itself and the surrounding RCMP jurisdictions:
- Beaumont;
- St. Albert;
- Sherwood Park;
- Fort Saskatchewan;
- Lethbridge;
- Spruce Grove;
- Stoney Plain;
- Morinville.
If you live outside these areas, please contact your local RCMP detachment.
Sometimes, when processing a VSS application, the system detects a similarity in the applicant’s last name or a match in gender and approximate age with a person who has a suspended sentence for a sexual offense. In this case, EPS will send a letter requesting that you undergo fingerprint identification. This does not mean you have a criminal record—it is merely a technical procedure to rule out identity confusion.
The cost of fingerprinting at EPS is:
- $50 for the first set of fingerprints;
- $15 for each additional set in the same session.
Additionally, the RCMP may charge an extra fee of $25 for processing fingerprint data if the purpose is not volunteering.
Private Online Services: When They’re Suitable and When They’re Not
Alongside EPS, there are accredited private companies offering basic criminal record checks through the CPIC database. Among the most well-known are:
- Commissionaires Northern Alberta (10633 – 124 Street, Edmonton)
- Certn
- Triton Canada
- Credibled
Commissionaires, in particular, is one of the first organizations accredited by the RCMP to conduct digital fingerprinting in Canada. They provide background checks online (using name + date of birth) or in person, as well as fingerprinting services for RCMP-certified checks. A basic Level 1 check through Commissionaires costs $55, while a Level 2 (extended) check costs slightly more. Online processing takes anywhere from one hour to the next business day if there are no criminal convictions.
However, it is important to understand the limitations: no private service can issue a Vulnerable Sector Search. If an employer specifically requires a VSS, you must go only to EPS or your local RCMP. Additionally, some employers accept only PICs from EPS as an authoritative local source and do not recognize documents from third parties. Check with HR before submitting your application—so you don’t waste money twice.
Fingerprinting: When It’s Required
The vast majority of standard Criminal Record Checks in Canada are based on a search by name and date of birth (name-based check). This is quick and convenient. However, there are situations where a fingerprint-based search is required—that is, an RCMP-certified check.
When fingerprints may be required
- if a name-based check yields a match with someone else’s record (for example, there is another person with the same last name and similar details);
- to apply for a federal Controlled Goods Program permit or Security Clearance;
- for IRCC purposes (for example, when applying for permanent residency), when an RCMP Certified Criminal Record Check may be required;
- for a Vulnerable Sector Search, if the RCMP sends a letter requesting fingerprinting due to a potential match with a pardoned sex offender.
In Edmonton, fingerprinting for non-criminal purposes can be done in two ways.
Option 1: directly at EPS
At the Police Information Check Section, fingerprinting is available on a walk-in basis:
- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday;
- from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM and from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM.
Option 2: Through Commissionaires Northern Alberta
Address: 10633 – 124 Street. Digital fingerprinting is available there online or in person. Commissionaires is an RCMP-accredited organization and sends digital fingerprints directly to the RCMP in electronic format.
How to Obtain a Police Certificate from Ukraine for Canadian Immigration
For many Ukrainians in Edmonton, another question is relevant: if IRCC requires a police certificate from the country of previous residence—that is, from Ukraine—where and how can one obtain it while in Canada?
The official name of the document from Ukraine is “Extract from the Information and Analytical System of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine regarding information on criminal prosecution and the existence of a criminal record”. It is issued by the Information Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine. For Ukrainian citizens residing outside the country, there are two options:
Option 1
Visit the Consulate General of Ukraine in Edmonton (9707 110 St NW) or any Ukrainian consular office in Canada in person. Before visiting, you should check the current procedures for accepting applications for this service.
Option 2
Obtain a notarized power of attorney for a representative in Ukraine so that he or she can submit the application on your behalf directly to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine.
Processing takes up to 30 days. It is also possible to obtain the document through the “Diya” app—if you have access to it and a qualified electronic signature. The document you receive must be translated into English or French by a certified translator and notarized.
Canadian immigration authorities require a police certificate from every country where the person has resided for 6 months or more after turning 18. For IRCC applications, the document’s validity is limited—it must have been issued no more than 3 months prior to the date of the permanent residency application.
What is included in the report and what does a “clear” check mean
The result of a Police Information Check is an official certificate with one of two conclusions.
Option 1 — “No Information to Disclose”
This means that no criminal records, pending proceedings, or other relevant records were found in the databases. It is this conclusion that employers consider a “clean” certificate.
Option 2 — Information to be disclosed
In this case, the certificate will contain a list of specific records subject to disclosure.
It is important to understand that a “clean” record does not necessarily mean a complete absence of any past contact with law enforcement. If a person was charged but not convicted, or if alternative measures were applied (such as anger management classes or community service) and subsequently completed—these records are generally not subject to disclosure. Similarly, if a person has received a Record Suspension (pardon), their criminal record is separated from the general registry, and a standard name check will return a “No Record” result.
A Criminal Record in the Past: Does It Mean the End of a Career?
Having a criminal record in Canada is not an automatic barrier to employment. The Alberta government explicitly states that employers are required to carefully consider each specific case and assess the extent to which a criminal record affects the specific duties of the position. Automatically refusing to hire someone based on any record in their background check without assessing its relevance to the position may be considered discrimination.
For employers subject to federal regulation—such as chartered banks and airlines—the Canadian Human Rights Act applies, which protects against discrimination, but only if the individual has obtained a Record Suspension. This is why obtaining a Record Suspension (formerly known as a Pardon) through the Parole Board of Canada is an important tool for those who want to remove a criminal conviction as a barrier to employment. Once a Record Suspension is granted, the criminal record is separated in the CPIC database and does not appear during a standard background check. The application is submitted directly to the Parole Board of Canada—hiring a lawyer or intermediary is not required.
How long is the certificate valid and who should be provided with it
A criminal record certificate technically has no official expiration date—it reflects the state of the database at the time of issuance. However, most employers and organizations in Edmonton recognize as valid only those certificates issued no more than 6 months ago, and some—no more than a year. When applying for permanent residency with IRCC (from abroad), the document must have been issued no earlier than 3 months prior to submission.
The certificate is provided exclusively to the employer or organization that requested it—and only after receiving a formal offer or as part of the formal hiring process. It is not a “general” document that can be used to verify your identity in all situations at once. If you are applying to multiple employers at the same time, each may require its own check, or they may agree to accept the same one if it is recent enough.
Confidentiality and Consent: Your Rights
Under Canadian law, an employer cannot conduct a Criminal Record Check without your written consent. By signing the consent form, you authorize a specific organization to access the results of the check. Refusing to give consent is legally permissible, but the employer, in turn, may legally deny you the job on this basis. EPS emphasizes: no third party may apply for a PIC on someone else’s behalf—the application must be submitted exclusively by the applicant themselves.
The results of the check are confidential. If the check reveals any record and clarification is needed before issuing the certificate, EPS will contact the applicant directly—not the employer. This gives you the opportunity to review the results before a potential employer sees them.