2026 Disclosure Periods

How Long Do Convictions Stay on Your CPIC Record?

Understanding criminal record disclosure periods in Canada

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One of the most common questions we hear is: “How long will my conviction stay on my record?” The answer depends on whether your conviction was summary or indictable. Here’s everything you need to know about CPIC disclosure periods in Canada.

Quick Answer:

5 Years
Summary Convictions
Forever
Indictable Convictions

Summary Convictions: 5-Year Disclosure Period

Summary convictions (less serious offenses) are disclosed on CPIC criminal record checks for 5 years after you complete your entire sentence. This includes:

  • • Completion of jail time (if any)
  • • Completion of probation
  • • Payment of all fines
  • • Completion of community service
  • • All other conditions satisfied

⏰ Important: The 5-year clock starts when you finish everything – not when you’re convicted. If you were sentenced in 2018 but finished probation in 2020, the 5 years starts in 2020, not 2018.

What Happens After 5 Years?

After 5 years, your summary conviction is no longer disclosed on criminal record checks. However, it’s not deleted – it remains in the CPIC database indefinitely but becomes “non-disclosable.” Law enforcement can still see it, but employers, landlords, and other requesters cannot.

Common Summary Offenses:

• Theft under $5,000
• Mischief under $5,000
• Common assault
• Impaired driving (first offense)
• Possession of marijuana (pre-legalization)
• Causing a disturbance

Indictable Convictions: Disclosed Indefinitely

Indictable convictions (more serious offenses) stay on your CPIC record forever. There is no automatic expiry period. They will continue to appear on criminal record checks indefinitely unless you apply for and receive a record suspension (pardon) from the Parole Board of Canada.

⚠️ No Automatic Expiry: Even if your indictable conviction happened 20, 30, or 40 years ago, it will still show up on CPIC checks unless you get a pardon. Time alone does not remove indictable convictions.

Common Indictable Offenses:

• Theft over $5,000
• Assault causing bodily harm
• Robbery
• Breaking and entering
• Fraud over $5,000
• Drug trafficking

What About Discharges?

Absolute Discharge

1 Year

Completely purged from CPIC after 1 year. Won’t appear on any checks after that.

Conditional Discharge

3 Years

Completely purged from CPIC after 3 years from date of sentence. Total removal from system.

Important: Discharges are NOT convictions. They’re completely removed from the CPIC database after their purge periods – unlike convictions which stay in the system forever.

Disclosure Timeline Visual

Absolute Discharge

1 year → Purged

Conditional Discharge

3 years → Purged

Summary Conviction

5 years → Not disclosed

Indictable Conviction

Forever → Unless pardoned

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a summary conviction stay on your record?

Summary convictions stay on your CPIC record for 5 years after you complete your entire sentence, including any probation, fines, or community service. After 5 years, the conviction is no longer disclosed on criminal record checks but remains in the database indefinitely.

How long does an indictable conviction stay on your record?

Indictable convictions stay on your CPIC record indefinitely. They are disclosed forever on criminal record checks unless you receive a record suspension (pardon) from the Parole Board of Canada. There is no automatic expiry for indictable offenses.

Do convictions ever disappear from CPIC completely?

No, convictions never disappear completely from the CPIC database. However, summary convictions stop being disclosed after 5 years. The record still exists in the system but won’t show up on standard criminal record checks. Only a record suspension (pardon) can seal convictions from disclosure.

How long do absolute and conditional discharges stay on record?

Absolute discharges are purged from CPIC after 1 year. Conditional discharges are purged after 3 years. After these periods, they’re completely removed from the system and won’t appear on any background check, including CRJMC checks.

When does the 5-year period start for summary convictions?

The 5-year disclosure period starts when you complete your ENTIRE sentence – not when you’re convicted. This includes jail time, probation, fines, community service, and any other conditions. The clock only starts ticking once everything is fully completed.

Will my old conviction show up on a criminal record check?

It depends on the type of conviction and how long ago you completed your sentence. Summary convictions over 5 years old won’t show up. Indictable convictions will always show up unless you have a pardon. Get a CPIC check from Surrey Fingerprint Company to see what’s currently on your record.

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