What Is A Police Clearance Certificate
A police clearance certificate, also called a police certificate, may be called something different in your home country. For example, in Hong Kong, its called a good citizen certificate. In Australia, its called a national police history check.
No matter what your home country calls it, this document is issued as part of a background check conducted by police or government agencies. It will list any criminal history for your stay in a specific area. Information found in a police clearance certificate may include:
- Arrest records
- Convictions
- Criminal proceedings
The purpose of a police clearance certificate is to prove your moral character. The United States screens all green card petitioners to ensure only ethical, responsible applicants are approved. A criminal record may cause your petition to be denied.
Personal Record Review: What You Need To Know
You may use your Personal Record Review response for any personal reason.
An employer or licensing entity cannot ask you to provide this information as a condition of obtaining or continuing a job or holding a license: this is prohibited by New York State Labor Law. This law does not apply to: employees of state or municipal departments employees of legally incorporated hospitals, and employees of medical colleges associated with such hospitals and employees of private proprietary hospitals.
Access to criminal history records for employment or licensing is only permitted if there is a state law, federal law, or local law of a New York State village, town, city or county that specifically authorizes a fingerprint-based criminal history record check for employment or licensure.
State Labor Law also requires every employer to post a copy of New York State Correction Law Article 23-A, which deals with the licensing and employment of individuals convicted of crimes. The information must be posted in a place accessible to employees.
Please Note:
There are two types of Personal Record Review responses:
Personal Record Review Unsuppressed
This response contains all criminal history records, including those suppressed or sealed under New York State Criminal Procedure Law , including:
Personal Record Review Suppressed
How To Apply For A Criminal Record Check In
You can apply in-person for a criminal record check Monday to Friday between 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the following location:
- Halifax Regional Police Headquarters 1975 Gottingen Street, Halifax
You must present two pieces of identification with your current address. The address must be within Halifax Regional Municipality. Accepted identification includes:
- and one other of:
- passport
- social insurance number card
If you are a new resident to the Halifax-area and you ID has your old address on it, you must bring some form of proof of residence, e.g. a tenant agreement.
The results of your criminal record check will be shared with you and then you can decide whether you want to share it with the organization requesting the check. Halifax Regional Police wont share the results of the criminal record check without your consent.
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Fingerprint Checks And Act Fingerprinting
Fingerprint checks may only be conducted where there is a legal or regulatory requirement for such a check to be conducted. Your fingerprints will be checked against a central database of records and will take additional time to process. An additional cost is also associated with this service.
Where a fingerprint check is required, it is your responsibility to obtain a full set of fingerprints from your local police jurisdiction. The original of the fingerprints must be posted with your completed off-line application form. Please note that fingerprints taken using a “Livescan” system cannot be accepted.
Applicants in the ACT requiring fingerprints should make a booking to have their fingerprints taken by telephoning the ACT Fingerprint Hotline on 02 5126 9121. Please note that this applies to applicants in the ACT only. However, if you require fingerprints in relation to obtaining a Security Licence, please contact Access Canberra for an update on this process.
Who Needs A Police Clearance Certificate
Not every U.S. immigration application will require a police clearance certificate. Applicants who need to obtain this certificate include:
- Green card petitioners aged 16 or older who apply through a U.S. consulate
- Green card petitioners aged 16 or older who apply through Form I-485 and failed to attend a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services biometrics appointment
A USCIS biometrics appointment will involve submitting fingerprints for a criminal background check so this appointment serves the same purpose as a police clearance certificate. Green card petitioners who are required to submit a police clearance certificate must obtain one from each country where they resided for six months or more after the age of 16.
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If A Police Clearance Certificate Is Not Available
If you visit the U.S. State Departments website and do not find the country you need a police clearance certificate from, it might not be available. Not every country offers a way to share police records.
If a police clearance certificate is unavailable for your home country or another country you lived in, you will need a personal affidavit. This is a written statement explaining why you could not get a police clearance certificate and listing the attempts you made. You will need to have your statement notarized.
Australia Post International Police Check
If youve recently returned from a long stint working abroad or are new to Australia, your potential employer may need you to complete international police clearance as part of your pre-employment screening.
An international criminal history check from Australia Post is 100% online, fast and secure. Get police clearance from more than 190 overseas countries and territories, with results typically available in 5-15 business days.5
1 Your police check details will be stored securely for 10 years and can be reused on your next police check.
2 Around 70% of applicants who finalise their application at the Post Office receive their check result within 2 business hours. Online processing times are typically 1 2 business days and may vary depending on demand. More complicated applications may be referred to one or more police agencies for manual processing, which can take 15 or more business days. If your police check has taken more than 15 business days please call us on 13 7678.
3 If youve requested a hard copy of your certificate, allow at least 7 business days for it to arrive via Registered Post before enquiring about its status.
4 If you have a valid Australian Visa and you’re applying online, you don’t need to provide a visa document. We’ll validate it using your foreign passport details. If you’re applying in person, you’ll need to bring a printed Visa Grant Notice.
Quick links
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Can I Get My Police Check Done Any Faster
We do not have a system in place to process ‘rush’ requests. We appreciate that everyone would like their check completed as quickly as possible, and we strive to minimize the turnaround time as best we can.
Can I receive replacement copies of my background check?
Background checks are only valid as of the date they are issued. Most record checks are made available to you when you download them from your online account. You have 31 days to download the completed record check or to notify us of any technical difficulties. In some cases, we are still required to mail the completed record check using Canada Post. If you require a replacement paper copy , you have 90 days from the processing date to notify us. Please email our to submit your request.
Penalties For Impaired Driving 2019
Police record checks are often used as part of the screening process for various purposes, including but not limited to employment, volunteering, education, professional licensing, rental housing, insurance, adoption, child custody and foster care.
There is currently no comprehensive provincial legislative framework governing how police record checks are conducted in Ontario. Practices and policies differ among jurisdictions about the types of police record checks offered, the range of information disclosed, how and to whom the information is disclosed, and the process for individuals to request reconsideration of information included in his/her record check results.
If passed, the Police Record Checks Reform Act, 2015, will mean that, for the first time, Ontario will have a comprehensive legislative framework for how police record checks are conducted.
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Removal Of Fingerprint Records
Application can be made for destruction of fingerprints, photographs and records of disposition in relation to an arrest by the Peel Regional Police which did not result in a conviction.
There is a 60 day waiting period from the date of the last court appearance before an application will be processed. This is to ensure that all pertinent documents are accessible for recall.
The following conditions must also apply before the request is approved:
- The applicant cannot have any criminal convictions,
- The applicant cannot have outstanding charges before the courts,
- The applicants charges must have resulted in one or more of the following non-conviction dispositions:
- Acquittal: wait 30 days from date of disposition, plus an additional 30 days in the event of a late notification for appeal.
- Dismissal: wait 30 days from date of disposition, plus an additional 30 days in the event of a late notification for appeal.
- Not Guilty: wait 30 days from date of disposition, plus an additional 30 days in the event of a late notification for appeal.
- Stayed/Stay of Proceedings: after one year has elapsed from the date of disposition.
- Withdrawn: wait 30 days from date of disposition, plus an additional 30 days in the event of a late notification for appeal.
- Withdrawn & Peace Bond: after the Peace Bond has expired,
- Not Criminally Responsible: at least five years from date of disposition.
Receiving Your Request
Application
Mailing Address:
Disclosure Of Youth Records
This is one of the most significant changes to record checks in Ontario. Youth records are only permitted to be disclosed in two circumstances:
Only federal, provincial and municipal government agencies will receive youth records.
The PRCRA regulates how police services release Police Record Checks containing youth records to applicants. Up until now, police services have released a PRC containing youth records directly to the applicant who then provide the PRC to the organization or volunteer agency. The federal and provincial government has found this approach to be contrary to the Federal Youth Criminal Justice Act .
The only authorized release of a PRC containing youth records will be to a federal, provincial or municipal government. Applicants can gain access to their own record through the Federal Access to Information process but this record is not a PRC and is not allowed to be shared with any other agency.
Police services are unable to disclose whether or not there is a youth record.
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What Disclosures Are Included
- Criminal Records – Adult and Youth
- Pending and outstanding charges
- Outstanding warrants for arrest Canada-wide
- Police Files/Information Reports: Relevant occurrences this may include any interactions an individual has had with police as being disclosed, including mental health occurrences, if they are deemed to be relevant. A relevant occurrence may not have resulted in charges being laid, but will be disclosed if relevant or there is a potential risk to public safety
- Records of not criminally responsible by reasons of Mental Disorder pursuant to s.16 cc
- Judicial Orders while in effect: probations, prohibitions, peace bonds and recognizance conditions
- Vulnerable Sector Records
- Absolute Discharge for one year period
- Stay of Proceedings for one year period
- Conditional Discharge for three year period
- Alternative Measures for one year period
How To Request Verification That A Record Has Been Sealed
Individuals or their lawyer can use the forms that follow to receive verification from the Division of Criminal Justice Services that a court-ordered seal as defined by state Criminal Procedure Law 160.59, 160.55, or 160.50 has been applied to their New York State Criminal History Record.
- This form should be used by individuals who have applied for and received a court order seal related to a conviction that occurred more than 10 years ago.
- This form should be used by individuals requesting verification of a seal related to a felony or misdemeanor arrest that resulted in a conviction to either a traffic infraction or violation.
- This form should be used by individuals requesting verification of a seal related to an arrest that resulted in the termination of the criminal proceedings in their favor .
Note: A copy of the signed court seal order must be mailed with the verification form.
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What Type Of Background Check Do I Need
For services that need to be performed at the service counter for the Module vérification dantécédents at the SPVM, please call the phone number 514 280-0002, option 3, to schedule an appointment before coming to our offices.
Can you process my application for a background check urgently?
Unfortunately, no application will be processed urgently out of respect for all our clients.
I am currently abroad and I have been asked to get a vulnerable sector check for a position working with vulnerable persons. What should I do?
For information, please visit the website for the Steps for getting a certified criminal record check | Royal Canadian Mounted Police
What is the validity of the result of a vulnerable sector check and police verification for civil purposes?
With the exception of childcare services , the business and/or organization requiring the check will decide its validity.
Questions about daycare centres and CPEs
I have been advised to go to the service counter to complete an impediment check application
No, please do come to our service counter. You should complete the consent form with the relevant daycare centre, coordinating office and/or CPE. They are responsible for forwarding the forms to us.
* Please note that all daycare centres with six or more children are required to sign a memorandum of understanding with their local police department for where they are based .
What should I do if I have six or more children in my home childcare service?
Certified Criminal Record Checks With Fingerprints
If you need to apply for a certified criminal record check with fingerprints, Commissionaires is accredited by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police to capture fingerprints and submit them directly to the RCMPs Canadian Criminal Real Time Identification Services for processing.
All digital fingerprinting is supervised by knowledgeable security professionals who will answer questions and help guide the process in a confidential setting.
It usually takes about 10 minutes to complete your application and submit to the RCMP. Results will be mailed to you.
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I Have A Criminal Record Can I Use This Criminal Record Check Service
No. This Criminal Record Check service was designed for individuals who do not have a criminal record and wish to prove they do not have a criminal record. If you have a criminal record, your only option is a different service: a criminal record check with digital fingerprints. You will need to appear in person. For your convenience, Commissionaires offers a criminal record check with digital fingerprints service at locations across Canada. The service is offered in a confidential setting where your individual rights and privacy are assured. Please visit the Commissionaires office nearest you and well help you apply.
Requesting Expungement And Destruction Of Certain Marijuana Conviction Records
State law permits individuals convicted of Penal Law sections 221.05 and 221.10 to ask the court where the conviction occurred to expunge and destroy their criminal history records related to these charges. Individuals seeking destruction of those conviction records must make a formal request through the state Office of Court Administration . Please visit the OCA website for more information about how to make this request.Please note: Convictions of Penal Law sections 221.05 and 221.10 have been sealed. This means that all of the arrest, court, prosecution and criminal history records related to those convictions are confidential and cannot be seen except under the following circumstances:
- If an individual is applying for a job as a police or peace officer and,
- If an individual is applying for a pistol permit.
Individuals who are satisfied with the confidentiality that record sealing already provides are not required to apply for expungement or destruction of conviction records.
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Benefits Of A Police Check With Australia Post
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Fast Results are typically received within 2 business hours2. You can also choose to store your details and save time on future checks with us1.
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Secure We collect your information for the purpose of verifying your identity and we encrypt any information we receive. Your personal information and check result is always treated confidentially.
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Convenient You’ll receive a digital certificate and you can request a hard copy for an extra $103. Scan your certificate’s QR code using the Australia Post app to confirm authenticity.
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Trusted Accredited by the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission . Complete, accurate and trusted by government departments, licencing authorities and employers.
Minutes To Verify Your Identity
The online application process takes less than 15 minutes. You will be asked to fill out an online form and pay via credit card or PayPal. To verify your identity, Electronic ID Verification will ask you four questions about your credit history. Developed by Canadas major credit bureaus, eIV is used by most major financial institutions.
Your application will be submitted automatically through a direct and secure connection to our police partners.
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