Record Checks

1. Do you live within our jurisdiction (City of Peterborough, Village of Lakefield, Township of Cavan-Monaghan)? Map   Unsure? The OPP have an interactive map here.

2. Do you have the required identification?

• Two pieces of Government issued ID
  • Photo identification that includes your name, date of birth and address is required.  Acceptable forms of identification include drivers licence, photo health card, passport, birth certificate, Ontario photo card, permanent residence card, etc.
• International students who do not have Canadian identification are required to provide a valid passport, study/work permit and student card
  
  
• If identification does not show an address
• Proof of current address within our jurisdiction must be presented (piece of mail addressed to applicant, rent/lease receipt/agreement, etc.)
• Non-photo health cards and social insurance cards are not acceptable for identification purposes

3. Are you over the age of eighteen (18)?

4. Have you been advised that you require a "Certified Criminal Record Check" or fingerprints?

5. Are you applying as a volunteer?

Volunteer positions are considered positions where you do not receive any compensation and are willingly offering your time to the organization. 

*Volunteer Firefighters, court ordered community service hours, and those residing within the residence of home daycares or foster children do not qualify as volunteer positions.*

6. Are you applying for a student placement?
Please make sure you are aware if you are being financially compensated for your placement hours, or if they are unpaid. There are different fees depending on whether you are being paid or not.

7. Are you applying for a Vulnerable Sector Check?

Applying for a Police Record Check In Person

We will not accept walk-ins who have not made an appointment, or those attending outside of their scheduled appointment times.  

If you miss your appointment or missing any required documentation, you will need to schedule another appointment. We cannot guarantee wait times for appointments.

The public is reminded that within peak periods there may be a delay in processing.

The public is reminded that within peak periods there may be a delay in processing.

Section 6.3(1) of the Criminal Records Act defines a Vulnerable Person as a person who, because of his or her age, a disability, or other circumstances, whether temporary or permanent,

a)    is in a position of dependency on others; or

b)    is otherwise at a greater risk than the general population of being harmed by a person in a position of trust or authority towards them.

Children are defined as being anyone under the age of 18.

Working in The Vulnerable Sector

People who volunteer or have jobs where they are in positions of trust or authority over children or vulnerable persons can be asked to obtain a vulnerable sector check. Being in a position of trust or authority is more than just having contact with children or vulnerable persons. To meet the legal requirements for a vulnerable sector check, the nature of the position – not the person – must cause the person to have authority over, or trust of, children or vulnerable persons.

The decision to request a vulnerable sector check is made by the hiring company or volunteer organization. If they determine that a position is one of trust or authority over children or vulnerable persons, they can request that an applicant for the position obtain a vulnerable sector check. The person or organization responsible for children or vulnerable persons also decides how often a vulnerable sector check must be repeated.

The police service will use information submitted by the applicant to determine if the position meets the legal requirements to conduct a vulnerable sector check. If the position does not meet the requirements of the Criminal Records Act for a vulnerable sector check, it is illegal for the police service to conduct one.

Application Process

You will be required to provide the police service with the following information:

• A description of the position
• The name of the organization staffing the position
• Details about the children or vulnerable persons (e.g. age, or other factors that can show how the person is vulnerable)
• If the position is volunteer, provide a letter from the organization stating the person will not be paid for services or any other personal expenses incurred.

Please Note:  An offer of employment or volunteer position must have been received by the applicant prior to the VS screening process being initiated. 

Once the police service has determined that the position meets the requirements for a vulnerable sector check, a name-based search will be conducted. In some cases, you will be required to submit fingerprints to confirm your identity. The use of fingerprints ensures the accuracy of the identification process. 

Fingerprinting Services Civilian fingerprinting is offered to the public on an appointment only basis.  Please call 705-876-1122 ext. 288 to request an appointment.

This process does not apply to individuals requiring fingerprints for criminal charges.

(See below for full Fingerprint Services)

The Criminal Records Act requires that vulnerable sector checks be conducted for individual positions.  If you require multiple checks, an application must be submitted for each position.

The Criminal Records Act does not allow vulnerable sector checks to be conducted for the purpose of adoptions. However, based on other provisions in the Criminal Records Act, a local police service may request fingerprints in order to check if adoptive parents have record suspensions for sex offences.

Results of vulnerable sector checks are only made available to organizations located in Canada.

Source: https://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/en/types-criminal-background-checks

Civilian fingerprinting is offered to the public on an appointment only basis. Please call 705-876-1122 ext. 288 to request an appointment. 

This process does not apply to individuals requiring fingerprints for criminal charges.

Please refer to the below table for services offered and fees:

As appointments may be outside of the Records Unit hours, it is requested that payment be made in exact cash.

Things to know before booking an appointment:

1. Were you given a form that needs to be stamped by Peterborough Police Service? Are you being asked to provide a DCN number? If “Yes” - All paperwork needs to be brought with you to your appointment
2. You must know where your fingerprint results from the RCMP are coming back to (ex. Individual, 3rd party address etc.)
3. You do not need to be a resident of our policing area to obtain civilian fingerprints (record check/vulnerable sector checks excluded) 

*** NOTE: fingerprints are taken digitally - unless you require ink. Our system does NOT go from ORI to ORI. Fingerprints are sent electronically to the RCMP, the RCMP processes your fingerprints and mails your results via Canada Post regular mail to the address given at the time of fingerprints ***

Please refer to the RCMP website for processing times - https://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/en/processing-times-and-fees

Police Check – Agency Fact Sheet

Police Check – Applicant checklist

Self Declaration – Self Declaration Guidelines – A process whereby the Applicant declares their adult criminal convictions to the Police Service. In order to release criminal convictions identified through a name based query, the Police Service must be satisfied that the Applicant’s declared criminal record information is a match to their registered criminal record held at the RCMP.

Reconsideration Process – Reconsideration Document – An Applicant may wish to have certain information excluded from the results. A reconsideration request may be submitted in writing to the Police Service for review. The reconsideration process is only applicable to non-conviction information which has been released on a Vulnerable Sector Check.

For further information, please visit the RCMP’s website.

Please visit the Government of Canada website to obtain full information on the Record Suspension Process:

https://www.canada.ca/en/parole-board/services/record-suspensions.html

Downloadable Record Suspension Guide – PBC Record Suspension Application Guide 2022

If you have begun the process and require fingerprints (step #1), please call (705) 876-1122 ext. 288 to make an appointment.

If you are at the Local Police Check stage (step #4), please email foi@peterborough.ca to make an appointment.  Please advise in the email that it is for a Record Suspension.

Record Suspension applications do not qualify for on-the-spot processing.

If you have any questions about the Record Suspension process or for further information, please email the Peterborough Police Service FOI Analyst at foi@peterborough.ca or call 705-876-1122 ext. 213.

Fee for Record Suspension: $50