Canadian Citizenship & Fingerprinting: Your Essential Guide in Surrey
Are you on the exciting journey towards becoming a Canadian Citizen? For many, the path to citizenship includes an important step: fingerprinting. At Surrey Fingerprint Company, located right here in Surrey, BC, we understand the nuances of this requirement and are dedicated to making the process as smooth and stress-free as possible for our community.
Why Do I Need Fingerprinting for Canadian Citizenship?
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) often requires applicants for Canadian Citizenship to provide their fingerprints for a criminal record check. This security measure helps ensure the safety and integrity of Canada’s citizenship process. Even if you’ve never been fingerprinted before, or if you’ve lived in Canada your entire life, you may still receive a request for “digital fingerprints” or a “fingerprint criminal record check for citizenship.”
Key reasons IRCC might request your fingerprints include:
- Identity Verification: To confirm your identity against national and international databases.
- Criminality Assessment: To ensure you meet the criminality requirements for Canadian citizenship.
- Past Residency Outside Canada: If you’ve lived in other countries, your fingerprints help facilitate international criminal record checks.
The Digital Fingerprinting Process for IRCC
Gone are the days of messy ink and paper! At Surrey Fingerprint Company, we utilize state-of-the-art digital fingerprinting technology (also known as live scan fingerprinting). This advanced method offers numerous advantages:
- Accuracy: Digital scans capture high-quality images, reducing the chance of rejections due to poor print quality.
- Speed: The capture process is quick and efficient.
- Direct Submission: Your fingerprints are securely transmitted directly to the RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) for processing, expediting your criminal record check.
Once the RCMP processes your fingerprints, the results are sent directly to IRCC, fulfilling your requirement. We do not receive the results ourselves, ensuring the privacy and integrity of your application.
Choosing the Right Fingerprinting Service in Surrey, BC
When it comes to something as crucial as your Canadian Citizenship application, choosing a reliable and experienced fingerprinting service is paramount. Surrey Fingerprint Company stands out as the leading choice in Surrey for several reasons:
- RCMP Accredited: We are an RCMP accredited agency, authorized to submit digital fingerprints for citizenship, permanent residency, visa applications, and more. This accreditation ensures our services meet the highest standards of security and professionalism.
- Experienced & Professional Staff: Our friendly team is highly trained in digital fingerprinting, ensuring precise capture and adherence to all IRCC and RCMP guidelines. We guide you through each step, answering any questions you may have.
- Convenient Surrey Location: Located centrally in Surrey, we are easily accessible for residents across the Fraser Valley, including Delta, Langley, White Rock, and beyond. We understand the value of your time.
- Affordable & Transparent Pricing: We believe quality service shouldn’t break the bank. Surrey Fingerprint Company offers discounted fees for Canadian Citizenship fingerprinting, making us an accessible choice for everyone in our community. We provide clear, upfront pricing with no hidden charges.
- Walk-Ins Welcome & Appointments Available: While we accommodate walk-ins, scheduling an appointment ensures minimal wait times and allows us to serve you more efficiently.
What to Bring for Your Citizenship Fingerprinting Appointment:
To ensure a smooth and efficient process, please bring the following to your appointment at Surrey Fingerprint Company:
- Your IRCC Request Letter: This letter clearly states that you need to provide fingerprints for your Canadian Citizenship application.
- Two (2) Pieces of Valid Government-Issued ID:
- One piece of ID must be photo identification. Examples include:
- Passport (Canadian or foreign)
- Driver’s License (Canadian or foreign)
- Permanent Resident Card (PR Card)
- Provincial ID Card
- The second piece of ID can be another from the above list, or a SIN card, health card (non-photo), or birth certificate.
- Important: Ensure your IDs are valid and not expired.
- One piece of ID must be photo identification. Examples include:
Your Journey to Canadian Citizenship Starts Here!
Don’t let the fingerprinting requirement be a roadblock on your path to Canadian Citizenship. Surrey Fingerprint Company is your trusted partner in Surrey, offering expert, efficient, and affordable digital fingerprinting services. We are dedicated to supporting our community’s aspirations to become proud Canadian citizens.
Ready to take the next step? Visit our website or call us today to book your appointment!