🛂 CBSA Employment

CBSA BSF644 Fingerprinting in Surrey, BC — Complete Guide for Canada Border Services Agency Applicants

📅 July 1, 2025 ✍️ Surrey Fingerprint Company ⏱️ 6 min read 📍 Surrey, BC

If you have received form BSF644 — Digital Fingerprint Request from the Canada Border Services Agency, you need to visit an RCMP accredited fingerprinting provider before your security screening can proceed. This guide explains exactly what the BSF644 form is, which CBSA positions require it, what documents you need to bring, and what happens after your appointment. Surrey Fingerprint Company processes BSF644 fingerprints daily — walk-ins welcome Monday to Saturday, 9 AM to 8 PM.

✅ We Process CBSA BSF644 — Same-Day RCMP Submission

Surrey Fingerprint Company is RCMP accredited and fully authorized to process BSF644 fingerprinting. We complete the C-216C fingerprint card, submit electronically to the RCMP with CBSA routing, and provide your receipt — all in one 20-minute appointment. Walk-ins welcome. (604) 825-8882 · 112-8232 120 Street, Surrey BC

What Is CBSA Form BSF644?

📋

BSF644 — Digital Fingerprint Request (Canada Border Services Agency)

BSF644 is the official fingerprint request form issued by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) for all employment candidates and current CBSA employees requiring personnel security screening. It is NOT the same as the standard RCMP C-216C form or the PSPC Contract Security Program form. The BSF644 routes your fingerprint results specifically to the CBSA Personnel Security Screening Unit in Ottawa, and must always be accompanied by two additional documents.

The BSF644 form contains your personal information, selection process number, and CBSA routing details. When you bring this form to an RCMP accredited fingerprinting provider, the provider uses the information to submit your digital fingerprints electronically to the RCMP, which then forwards results to the CBSA. For ink and roll fingerprints (which are less common), all physical documents must be mailed directly to Ottawa.

The Three Documents You Need

Unlike other fingerprint forms, the CBSA BSF644 process requires three documents — not just one. Make sure you have all of them before your appointment:

✅ Required

1. Form BSF644

The Digital Fingerprint Request form issued to you by CBSA Human Resources or the security screening coordinator. Contains your selection process number. Do not show up without this.

✅ Required

2. RCMP C-216C Fingerprint Card

The standard RCMP fingerprint card that captures your ten rolled fingerprints. Surrey Fingerprint Company provides this — you do not need to bring your own. We complete it during your appointment.

✅ Required

3. Third Party Waiver of Consent

Authorizes the RCMP to release your criminal record check results to the CBSA. CBSA HR usually provides this with your BSF644. If you did not receive it, ask your CBSA contact before your appointment.

✅ Required

4. Two Pieces of Photo ID

Two pieces of government-issued identification — at least one with your photo. Passport, driver's licence, PR card, or BC Services Card. Health cards are not accepted for this process.

📌 Keep This

5. Proof of Payment Receipt

The fingerprinting provider must give you a proof of payment receipt. Keep this — CBSA may request it to confirm you completed the fingerprinting step.

⚠️ Ink and Roll: Mail Everything to Ottawa

If for any reason you require ink and roll fingerprints instead of electronic, you must mail all three documents — both sets of fingerprints (C-216C), your BSF644 form, and the Third Party Waiver of Consent — directly to: CBSA Personnel Security Screening Unit, 355 North River Rd, Tower B, 20th Floor, Ottawa ON K1L 8C1. Electronic submission is strongly recommended as it is faster and more reliable.

Which CBSA Positions Require BSF644 Fingerprinting?

Every CBSA position — from frontline enforcement to administrative support — requires personnel security screening including fingerprinting. The clearance level depends on the position, but all require the BSF644 process:

Enhanced Reliability Status

Required for all CBSA positions. More thorough than standard reliability — includes enhanced law enforcement checks.

Secret Clearance

Required for most frontline and supervisory roles. Involves CSIS security assessment. Takes 3–6 months after fingerprinting.

Top Secret

Required for senior intelligence and national security roles within CBSA. Full CSIS field investigation. Can take 6–12 months.

🛂 Border Services Officers (BSO)

The most common CBSA position. BSOs require Enhanced Reliability Status plus Secret Clearance. The CBSA recruitment process can take up to 18 months and includes physical testing (PARE), medical evaluation, and security screening with BSF644 fingerprinting.

🔍 Intelligence Officers

CBSA Intelligence Officers assess threats, analyze data, and support enforcement operations. They typically require Secret or Top Secret clearance depending on their specific role and access requirements.

💻 Technology and IT Staff

IT analysts, developers, and network professionals working on CBSA systems require security screening including BSF644 fingerprinting before receiving access to CBSA information systems.

📊 Investigators and Enforcement

CBSA investigators, commercial fraud specialists, and criminal investigations officers require enhanced security screening. Positions involving sensitive national security information need Secret or Top Secret clearance.

🎓 Student Border Services Officers

Student BSO positions for summer 2026 intake (applications in July 2026) require security screening including fingerprinting. Students must be 18 years or older and enrolled full-time in a post-secondary program.

📋 Administrative and Support Staff

All CBSA administrative, financial, human resources, and support roles — including those without direct enforcement duties — require Enhanced Reliability Status with BSF644 fingerprinting.

🏗️ CBSA Contractors and Consultants

Private sector contractors providing services to CBSA through federal procurement must also complete CBSA-specific security screening. Depending on their contract, they may require their own BSF644 submission.

🔄 Existing Staff — Clearance Upgrades

Current CBSA employees requesting an upgrade in their security clearance level also require new fingerprinting through the BSF644 process, unless they were re-fingerprinted within the past 12 months.

Step-by-Step Process

You pass the CBSA assessment stage and receive your BSF644 package

CBSA HR or the security screening coordinator emails you the BSF644 form, the Third Party Waiver of Consent, and instructions. Review the instructions carefully and confirm your selection process number is correctly pre-filled on the BSF644.

Book or walk in to Surrey Fingerprint Company

Call (604) 825-8882 or walk in Monday–Saturday 9 AM–8 PM. Bring your BSF644 form, Third Party Waiver of Consent, and two pieces of government-issued photo ID. We supply the C-216C card — you do not need to bring one.

20-minute fingerprinting appointment

Our technician verifies your identity, completes the C-216C fingerprint card, enters your BSF644 routing information into our RCMP submission system, and captures your ten digital fingerprints. This takes 15 to 20 minutes.

Electronic submission to RCMP — same day

Your fingerprints are submitted electronically to the RCMP along with the Third Party Consent authorisation. You receive a proof of payment receipt. The RCMP routes results to the CBSA Personnel Security Screening Unit.

Notify CBSA you have completed fingerprinting

Contact your CBSA HR contact or security screening coordinator to confirm fingerprinting is done and provide your receipt. CBSA then processes your security screening application using the fingerprint results from the RCMP.

CBSA completes security screening — clearance granted

Once fingerprinting, reference checks, and all other security assessment steps are complete, CBSA grants your clearance level. For BSO candidates, the full recruitment process from initial application to clearance can take 6 to 18 months.

CBSA BSO Recruitment Timeline — Where Fingerprinting Fits

Many CBSA candidates are surprised by how long the full process takes. Here is where BSF644 fingerprinting fits within the Border Services Officer recruitment process:

Stage 1: Online application and screening (Public Service Commission)
Stage 2: Written exam (Situational Judgement Test)
Stage 3: Physical Abilities Readiness Evaluation (PARE) — must complete obstacle course in 4 min 45 sec
Stage 4: Structured interview
Stage 5: Medical evaluation by designated CBSA physician
Stage 6: Second language evaluation (bilingual positions only)
Stage 7: Security screening — BSF644 fingerprinting happens here
Stage 8: Canadian Firearms Safety Course (CFSC) and Restricted CRFSC
Stage 9: 5-week training at Canada Border Services College

💡 Do Not Delay Your Fingerprinting

Security screening is often the longest part of CBSA recruitment. Get your BSF644 fingerprinting done as quickly as possible after receiving your package — delays at the fingerprinting stage push back your entire start date. Surrey Fingerprint Company offers same-day walk-in service with no waiting period.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CBSA form BSF644?

BSF644 is the Digital Fingerprint Request form issued by the Canada Border Services Agency for employment candidates and staff requiring personnel security screening. It must be accompanied by a completed RCMP C-216C fingerprint card and a Third Party Waiver of Consent document. Electronic fingerprints are submitted to the RCMP by an accredited provider, which routes results to the CBSA Personnel Security Screening Unit in Ottawa.

Where do CBSA fingerprint results get sent?

Electronic fingerprint results are submitted to the RCMP and routed to CBSA. If ink and roll fingerprints are taken instead of electronic, all documents must be mailed to: CBSA Personnel Security Screening Unit, 355 North River Rd, Tower B, 20th Floor, Ottawa ON K1L 8C1. Do not mail documents to a local CBSA office — they must go to the Ottawa address.

What documents do I need to bring to my BSF644 fingerprinting appointment?

Bring your BSF644 form (provided by CBSA HR), the Third Party Waiver of Consent document, and two pieces of government-issued photo ID such as a passport or driver's licence. Surrey Fingerprint Company provides and completes the C-216C fingerprint card on your behalf during the appointment — you do not need to bring one.

What security clearance do CBSA Border Services Officers need?

CBSA Border Services Officers require Enhanced Reliability Status plus Secret Clearance as a condition of employment — both must be maintained throughout their career. Fingerprinting through BSF644 is required for both levels. Secret clearance involves a CSIS security assessment and typically takes 3 to 6 months after fingerprinting is complete.

How long does CBSA security screening take after fingerprinting?

CBSA security screening timelines vary by position. For Border Services Officer candidates, the fingerprinting itself takes 20 minutes, but the full security screening — including reliability status checks and secret clearance CSIS assessment — typically takes 3 to 12 months. The overall BSO recruitment process from application to start date can take 6 to 18 months.

I already have a security clearance from another federal department — do I still need BSF644 fingerprinting?

Possibly not — CBSA may be able to transfer or duplicate your existing clearance from another Government of Canada department if it is at the required level and still valid. Ask your CBSA HR contact about the duplication or transfer process. However, if your existing clearance has been inactive for more than 12 months, you will need new fingerprinting.

Need Your CBSA BSF644 Fingerprinting Done Today?

Surrey Fingerprint Company is RCMP accredited and processes BSF644 fingerprinting with same-day RCMP submission. Walk in any time Monday to Saturday — no appointment needed. Bring your BSF644 form, Third Party Consent, and photo ID and you will be done in 20 minutes.

📅 Book Appointment 📞 (604) 825-8882

📍

Surrey Fingerprint Company — RCMP Accredited

112 - 8232 120 Street, Surrey, BC V3W 3N4 · (604) 825-8882 · info@surreyfingerprint.com
Monday–Saturday: 9:00 AM–8:00 PM · Sunday: By Appointment
Serving Surrey, Delta, White Rock, Langley, Burnaby, Richmond & all of BC