RCMP Card Scan Service: Get Your Canadian Police Clearance Certificate From Anywhere in the World
If you are living outside Canada and need an RCMP Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) or a Canadian Criminal Record Check for immigration, employment, or a visa application in another country โ you can get it without travelling to Canada. Surrey Fingerprint Company offers a card scan service that accepts ink fingerprint cards mailed from anywhere in the world, digitizes them professionally, and submits them electronically to the RCMP on your behalf.
This guide covers which countries most commonly need this service, how to get your fingerprints taken in your home country, exactly what to mail to us, and what happens after we receive your card.
Surrey Fingerprint Company is RCMP accredited and authorized to submit electronic fingerprints to the CCRTIS (Canadian Criminal Real Time Identification Services). We accept ink fingerprint cards from clients in any country. Email us at info@surreyfingerprint.com to start your application today.
What Is the RCMP Card Scan Service?
Electronic fingerprint submission to the RCMP is only available from within Canada. If you are outside Canada, you cannot submit your fingerprints digitally yourself โ and the RCMP will not accept paper fingerprint cards sent directly from abroad either. The only legal pathway is:
- Get your ink fingerprints taken at a local police station or fingerprinting agency in your country
- Mail the original completed fingerprint card to an RCMP accredited agency in Canada
- The Canadian agency digitizes (scans) your ink card and submits it electronically to the RCMP
- The RCMP processes the submission and issues your Police Clearance Certificate
This is called card scan โ and it is the service Surrey Fingerprint Company provides for international clients. We receive your original ink fingerprint card by courier, scan it on professional-grade equipment, and transmit it directly to the RCMP's CCRTIS database the same day we receive it.
Who Needs This Service? Countries We Serve
Anyone who has lived or worked in Canada and is now living abroad may need an RCMP Police Clearance Certificate for immigration, employment, or visa purposes in their country of residence or a third country. The following are the most common countries from which clients mail us fingerprint cards:
Countries We Currently Serve
If your country is not listed above, contact us โ we accept fingerprint cards from any country in the world as long as the original card can be mailed to our office in Surrey, BC, Canada.
How to Get Your Fingerprints Taken โ Country by Country
The process for getting ink fingerprints taken varies by country. Below is a guide for the most common countries. In all cases, the fingerprints must be in black ink, on the RCMP C-216C form (or a form with the same layout), and the card must be signed and officially stamped by the fingerprinting authority before mailing to us.
๐ฎ๐ณ India
- Visit your nearest local police station (thana) and request ink fingerprinting for a Canadian RCMP check
- Alternatively visit a notary public or private fingerprinting agency in major cities
- Use black ink only โ not red or blue
- Bring your passport and one additional photo ID
- Ensure the officer stamps and signs the card with their official seal
- Mail the original card by DHL, FedEx, or Speed Post International
๐ต๐ญ Philippines
- Visit your local Philippine National Police (PNP) station and request ink fingerprinting
- The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in Manila can also take fingerprints on a card format
- Some private fingerprinting agencies in Metro Manila and Cebu offer this service
- Ensure the card is stamped with the official PNP or NBI seal
- Mail via LBC International, DHL, or FedEx courier service
๐ต๐ฐ Pakistan
- Visit your local police station (thana) or a District Police Office
- In larger cities, the FIA (Federal Investigation Agency) Facilitation Centres also take fingerprints
- Bring your CNIC (national ID card) and passport
- Request fingerprints specifically for a Canadian immigration or RCMP purpose
- Get the card stamped with the official police seal and the officer's signature
- Mail via TCS International, DHL, or FedEx
๐ณ๐ฌ Nigeria
- Visit the Nigeria Police Force Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in your state
- Request an ink fingerprint card for Canadian RCMP submission
- The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) can also assist
- Bring your national ID and passport
- Ensure the card carries the official CID stamp and officer's signature
- Mail via DHL, FedEx, or NIPOST EMS International
๐ง๐ฉ Bangladesh
- Visit your nearest police station or the Special Branch of Bangladesh Police in Dhaka
- Bring your National ID (NID) card and passport
- Request ink fingerprinting specifically for Canadian immigration or RCMP record check
- Get the card signed and officially stamped
- Mail via DHL, FedEx, or Sundarban Courier International
๐ฑ๐ฐ Sri Lanka
- Visit the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Colombo, or your nearest police station
- Bring your National Identity Card and passport
- Request ink fingerprint form for Canadian RCMP submission
- The card must be stamped and signed by the responsible police officer
- Mail via DHL, FedEx, or Sri Lanka Post EMS International
๐ฐ๐ช Kenya
- Visit the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) headquarters in Nairobi, or a regional DCI office
- Bring your national ID and passport
- Request fingerprinting specifically on a card for Canadian RCMP submission
- Ensure official DCI stamp and officer signature on the card
- Mail via DHL, FedEx, or G4S Kenya courier
๐ฟ๐ฆ South Africa
- Visit your nearest South African Police Service (SAPS) station
- Request fingerprint clearance on a card for international (Canadian) RCMP submission
- Bring your South African ID and passport
- The card must carry the SAPS official stamp and the officer's signature
- Mail via DHL, FedEx, or South African Post Office EMS
๐ธ๐ฆ Saudi Arabia
- Visit a General Directorate of Passports (Jawazat) office or local police station (makhfar)
- Bring your Iqama (residency card) or national ID and passport
- Request ink fingerprinting on a card for Canadian government purposes
- Ensure official stamp and signature on the completed card
- Mail via Saudi Post (Aramex) International or DHL
๐ฆ๐ช United Arab Emirates
- Visit an AMER Centre or a General Directorate of Residency & Foreign Affairs (GDRFA) office
- Alternatively visit a local police station (shurta) for ink fingerprinting
- Bring your Emirates ID and passport
- Request fingerprinting specifically for a Canadian RCMP record check
- Mail via Emirates Post International, DHL, or FedEx
๐ฌ๐ง United Kingdom
- Visit a UK post office with biometric services or a private fingerprinting company (several in London, Manchester, Birmingham)
- The Metropolitan Police (London) can take fingerprints by appointment for overseas purposes
- Bring your passport and UK proof of address
- Request ink fingerprinting on a card for Canadian RCMP submission
- Mail via Royal Mail International Tracked or DHL
๐ฆ๐บ Australia
- Visit your local Australian Federal Police (AFP) office or a state police station
- Private fingerprinting companies operating in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane also offer this service
- Bring your Australian passport or driver's licence and one additional photo ID
- Request ink fingerprinting on a card for Canadian RCMP submission
- Mail via Australia Post International, DHL, or FedEx
๐ณ๐ฟ New Zealand
- Visit a New Zealand Police station โ most district offices will take ink fingerprints for overseas purposes
- Some private identity verification companies in Auckland and Wellington also offer this
- Bring your NZ passport or driver's licence
- Request fingerprinting on a card for Canadian government (RCMP) submission
- Mail via NZ Post International or DHL
๐จ๐ณ China
- Visit your local Public Security Bureau (PSB) โ Exit/Entry Administration division
- Some private authentication companies in Shanghai, Beijing, and Guangzhou also provide this service
- Bring your Chinese ID (ๅฑ ๆฐ่บซไปฝ่ฏ) and passport
- Request ink fingerprinting on the RCMP C-216C form for Canadian immigration purposes
- Mail via SF Express International, DHL, or EMS China Post
๐ญ๐ฐ Hong Kong
- Visit a Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) district station
- The Immigration Department also provides fingerprinting services for overseas document purposes
- Bring your HKID card and passport
- Request ink fingerprinting for Canadian RCMP submission
- Mail via Hong Kong Post Air Mail Registered or DHL
๐ฒ๐ฝ Mexico
- Visit the Secretarรญa de Seguridad Ciudadana (SSC) or a state ministerial police office
- Some private fingerprinting companies in Mexico City, Monterrey, and Guadalajara also offer this
- Bring your CURP, INE (voter ID), and passport
- Request ink fingerprinting specifically for Canadian RCMP submission
- Mail via DHL, FedEx, or Correos de Mรฉxico EMS International
๐ฏ๐ต Japan
- Visit your local Police Station (Keisatsu-sho) or Prefectural Police Headquarters
- Explain you need ink fingerprinting for a Canadian government (RCMP) background check
- Bring your residence card (Zairyu Card) or My Number card and passport
- Ensure the card is stamped with the official police seal
- Mail via Japan Post EMS International or Yamato International courier
๐ฐ๐ท South Korea
- Visit a local police station (gyeongchalseo) and request ink fingerprinting for overseas background check purposes
- The National Police Agency office in Seoul (Minwon Center) also provides this service
- Bring your ARC (Alien Registration Card) or Korean ID and passport
- Request fingerprints in black ink on the RCMP C-216C form
- Mail via Korea Post EMS International or DHL
๐บ๐ธ United States
- Visit a local sheriff's office, police department, or a private fingerprinting company
- Many UPS Stores and notary offices in the US also offer ink fingerprinting on request
- Bring your US ID or driver's licence and passport
- Request fingerprinting on the RCMP C-216C form specifically for Canadian RCMP submission
- Mail via USPS Priority International, FedEx International, or DHL
๐ง๐ท Brazil
- Visit the Polรญcia Civil in your state โ the civil police handle background check fingerprinting
- Some notary offices (cartรณrio) in major cities also offer fingerprinting services
- Bring your CPF, RG, and passport
- Request ink fingerprinting on a card for Canadian RCMP submission
- Mail via Correios EMS International or FedEx
Email us at info@surreyfingerprint.com before visiting your local police station. We will send you the correct RCMP C-216C fingerprint form (if you do not already have one), a checklist of what must be on the card, and our current mailing address. This ensures your fingerprints are taken correctly the first time and avoids rejection and costly re-submission.
What to Send Us โ Complete Checklist
Once your fingerprints are taken, mail a package to our office in Surrey, BC with the following items. Missing any of these will delay processing:
๐ฆ Mail This Package to Surrey Fingerprint Company
- Original ink fingerprint card โ completed, signed by you, and stamped/signed by the official who took your prints. No photocopies.
- Clear photocopy of your passport (photo page) โ or other government-issued photo ID showing your full legal name and date of birth.
- Completed RCMP application information โ your full legal name, date of birth, sex, reason for the check, and your mailing address for results. We will provide you a form for this.
- IRCC or requesting agency letter (if applicable) โ if your request is for a Canadian immigration application, include a copy of your IRCC letter with your file number and UCI. This is required for citizenship and PR applications.
- Payment confirmation โ credit card authorization form or proof of bank transfer. Contact us for current pricing before sending.
- Return address and delivery preference โ clearly state where you want the completed RCMP certificate mailed, and whether you prefer standard post or express courier delivery.
Our mailing address:
Surrey Fingerprint Company โ Card Scan Department
112 - 8232 120 Street
Surrey, BC V3W 3N4
Canada
Courier recommended: DHL, FedEx, or UPS with tracking. Always use a courier with tracking for your original fingerprint card โ do not send untracked regular post for original documents.
What Happens After We Receive Your Card
Confirmation email sent to you
The same day we receive your package, we email you to confirm receipt and that your fingerprints are being processed. If there is any issue with the card quality or missing documents, we will contact you immediately before proceeding.
Card scanned and quality reviewed
We scan your ink fingerprint card on professional equipment. Each impression is reviewed for clarity and legibility to RCMP standards. If any prints are unclear and could cause a rejection, we notify you before submitting.
Electronic submission to RCMP CCRTIS
We submit your digitized fingerprints electronically to the RCMP's Canadian Criminal Real Time Identification Services (CCRTIS) the same day or next business day after receipt. We send you the transaction reference number once submitted.
RCMP processes your submission
If there is no criminal record match: the RCMP typically processes the submission within 3 business days and issues the Police Clearance Certificate. If a manual review is required (record match or similar name found): processing can take up to 120 days. We have no control over RCMP processing times.
Certificate mailed to your address
The RCMP mails the official embossed certificate directly to the address on your application โ either your home address or a third party such as your immigration consultant or lawyer. We can also arrange express courier delivery of the certificate to any international address upon request.
Critical Rules for Your Fingerprint Card
The RCMP has strict requirements for fingerprint card quality. Failure to follow these rules will result in rejection and require you to get re-fingerprinted in your country โ causing significant delays. Follow all of these carefully:
- Black ink only. Never use blue, red, or any other ink colour on the fingerprint card.
- All ten fingers must be rolled individually from nail edge to nail edge. Partial impressions are rejected.
- Flat impressions required โ four fingers flat together for each hand, plus both thumbs flat in the designated boxes at the bottom of the card. Do not leave these blank.
- All personal information fields must be completed โ full legal name, date of birth, place of birth, sex, and the date fingerprinted. Cards with blank fields are returned unprocessed.
- Do not photocopy the card after fingerprinting. Each submission requires an original card with original ink.
- Official stamp and signature required โ the fingerprinting official must stamp the card with their agency's official seal and sign it. Cards without an official stamp are not accepted.
- Do not sign the card yourself before visiting the fingerprinting official โ your signature must be witnessed by the official at the time of fingerprinting.
- Moisturise your fingertips in the days before your appointment โ dry skin is the most common cause of poor quality prints and RCMP rejection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Start Your RCMP Card Scan Application?
Email us first โ we will send you the correct fingerprint form, a complete checklist for your country, and our current pricing. Once you mail your card, we handle everything from digitizing to RCMP submission to worldwide delivery of your certificate.
๐ Phone (Canada): +1 (604) 825-8882 ยท โ๏ธ info@surreyfingerprint.com
Surrey Fingerprint Company โ RCMP Accredited
Mailing Address: 112 - 8232 120 Street, Surrey, BC V3W 3N4, Canada
+1 (604) 825-8882 ยท
info@surreyfingerprint.com
Office Hours (for in-person): Monday โ Saturday 9:00 AM โ 8:00 PM PT
Email inquiries answered 7 days a week