Fingerprint results processed in as little as 72 hours with Commissionaires Ottawa’s friendly, reliable service
Commissionaires Ottawa offers cutting-edge digital fingerprinting services for the fastest, most reliable results available. As one of only two providers, Commissionaires Ottawa has clearance from the RCMP to capture fingerprints and submit them directly to the Canadian Criminal Records Information Services for processing. This reduces the wait time for results to as little as 72 hours. In addition to offering digital fingerprinting, we still offer traditional ink & roll fingerprinting, (where the processing turnaround usually takes between four to six months).
Digital fingerprinting services from Commissionaires Ottawa are:
- delivered by friendly, professional, and knowledgeable commissionaires;
- competitively priced, efficient and quick;
- recognized as the latest digital technology that delivers results in as little as 72 hours;
- available at three convenient locations serving Ottawa and Gatineau.
How to Get Your Fingerprints Taken
We want to make sure your experience is a pleasant one. Our respectful and friendly staff members are experts in providing fingerprinting services. To speed up the fingerprinting process, please ensure that you have all the necessary materials in hand before you visit our office.
Identification Required
If you have a letter or file number from the requesting source, please bring it with you.
You must also bring two pieces of valid government-issued identification and one must be a photo ID. The following are the types of acceptable identification:
Passport
Citizenship Card or Document
Immigration Document (i.e. Landing Papers)
Birth Certificate
Driver’s Licence
Health Card with photo*
Permanent Resident card or Record of Landing for Citizenship Applicants
Government ID
Notes:
Please refer to provincial regulations - not all provinces accept health cards as valid government issued identification. Applicable to the Ottawa-Gatineau region, Québec Health Cards are accepted but Ontario Health Cards are not accepted.
If you do not possess valid identification, please see the Oaths and Affidavits section to find out how we can be of assistance.
All digital fingerprinting requests for Canadian Citizenship must include a letter from Citizenship and Immigration Canada. This letter must include the address for 3rd party results and should have a CIC file number which will be included in your transaction. Please ensure you bring this letter along with your permanent residence card for your fingerprinting session.
Our experienced staff will answer any questions you may have.
Payment Methods:
We accept major credit cards, debit or cash at all three of our Ottawa-Gatineau locations.
Note: For some applications, e.g. submission to the FBI, we offer traditional ink and roll method of fingerprinting. In this case a hard copy document of your prints will be given to you to send to the requesting source.
If you do not have identification
If you do not have valid ID please see Oaths and Affidavits to find out how we can help you.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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, directly 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.
- Immigration
If you wish to immigrate to Canada, you may be required to provide a police clearance with fingerprints.
- Citizenship
If you are applying for Canadian citizenship, you may be required to provide a police clearance with fingerprints.
- Permanent Residence
If you are applying for permanent residence in Canada, you may be required to provide a police clearance with fingerprints. You may also be required to provide police clearances from every country you have lived in for six months or longer. In most cases we can provide the forms and the information you need from various countries to assist you in this process.
- International Adoptions
If you wish to adopt a child from a foreign country, you will be required to provide a police clearance with fingerprints prior to completing the adoption proceedings.
- 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.
- Pardons
If you are seeking a pardon for a past criminal offence or if you simply wish to verify whether or not you have a record, you will be required to submit fingerprints as part of your application.
Do I need an appointment?
Appointments are recommended; however, walk-ins are welcome at most of our offices. Please check locations and contact your local office to determine if you need an appointment.
How long will it take to get my fingerprints taken?
Our digital process is fast, efficient, clean and normally takes approximately 20 minutes to complete. Our traditional ink and roll methods take approximately ten minutes to complete.
How do I get my results?
Your criminal record verification results can be sent directly back to you or to a designated 3rd party such as a family member, an immigration or pardons agency, an employer, etc. If you are under the age of 18, your results must be returned directly back to your home address. Please ensure you have all address information including postal codes, apartment numbers and office suite numbers for both your home address and for the 3rd party (if required).
How quickly can I get my results?
RCMP processing time for digital applicants who do not have a criminal record is often 72 hours or less. This means your digital fingerprint package is compared to the RCMP database where it is confirmed that no record is present. The results package is then printed, endorsed and in the mail again often within the 72-hour period. For those clients who do have a criminal record, the results can take up to 120 days to be processed.
For traditional ink and roll methods, results can take between four to six months.
In all cases, the digital fingerprinting process guarantees faster results than the old ink and roll process.
Do I get a copy?
All applicants can receive a true copy of the digital submission to the RCMP included in the transaction fee.
Commissionaires Ottawa identification services are available at convenient locations in the Ottawa-Gatineau area. Click here to find the location nearest you.
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