Digital Fingerprinting Services
Digital fingerprinting is the electronic capture of fingerprints using an approved LiveScan fingerprinting system, followed by secure submission to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) for the purpose of obtaining a Canadian Criminal Record Check.
Nationwide Document Services is responsible solely for the accurate capture and electronic submission of fingerprints in accordance with RCMP requirements. Nationwide Document Services does not conduct criminal record checks, does not have access to RCMP databases, and does not determine the content, outcome, or issuance of criminal record results.
Purposes Requiring Digital Fingerprinting
Digital fingerprinting may be required for purposes including, but not limited to:
- Canadian immigration applications
- Employment screening and background checks
- Vulnerable Sector Checks
- United States entry waivers
- United States visas and permanent residence (Green Card) applications
- Privacy Act requests
- Foreign country visa or immigration applications
- Record suspension (pardon) applications
- Legal name change applications
- Adoption processes
Processing Time Disclaimer
All processing times are estimates only and are determined exclusively by the RCMP. Processing timelines may vary depending on factors including, but not limited to:
- The stated purpose of the fingerprint request
- RCMP internal review requirements
- Fingerprint quality or resubmission requests
- Name and date-of-birth similarities
- The existence of a criminal record
- RCMP workload, system availability, or operational delays
Nationwide Document Services has no control over RCMP processing times and cannot expedite, delay, or influence the processing or issuance of results for any purpose listed above. Clients are strongly advised to complete fingerprinting well in advance of any deadlines imposed by employers, government agencies, foreign authorities, or other third parties.
RCMP Responsibility Disclaimer
For all fingerprinting purposes listed, the RCMP is solely responsible for:
- Reviewing and processing fingerprint submissions
- Determining whether a criminal record exists
- Assessing the results against the stated purpose
- Issuing and delivering criminal record results by mail or electronic means
Nationwide Document Services:
- Does not receive copies of criminal record results
- Is not informed of the outcome or status of any application
- Does not know whether a client has or does not have a criminal record
Acceptance of criminal record checks is at the sole discretion of the receiving authority, employer, government body, or foreign institution.
Limitation of Responsibility
Nationwide Document Services shall not be held liable for:
- Rejection of criminal record checks by any receiving authority
- Delays caused by RCMP processing or third-party requirements
- Missed deadlines resulting from processing timelines
- Decisions made by immigration authorities, employers, or foreign governments
Process
Getting your RCMP Fingerprint-Based Criminal Record Check is simple:
- Nationwide Document Services captures your fingerprints digitally and submits them securely to the RCMP’s Canadian Criminal Real Time Identification Services (CCRTIS).
- The RCMP processes your application.
- Once completed, the RCMP issues a hard-copy fingerprint-based criminal record check.
- The certificate is mailed by Canada Post (regular mail) to your home address or to a third party, as requested.
Please note: Nationwide Document Services is not involved in the processing, issuance, or delivery of the RCMP certificate.
Estimated Processing Times
All processing times are determined by the RCMP and may vary:
- No criminal record match
RCMP processing typically takes approximately 3 business days, plus mailing time.
Total delivery time is usually 2–4 weeks, depending on RCMP processing and Canada Post. - Manual review and/or criminal record match
RCMP processing may take up to 120 business days, plus mailing time.
Processing timelines are estimates only and are outside our control.
What to Bring
- Two (2) valid government-issued photo IDs
(Please refer to the list of acceptable identification.) - Any request letter, email, or instructions from the organization requesting your RCMP background check.