Puerto Rico
If you now live in Canada and previously lived, worked, or studied in Puerto Rico,
many immigration, employment, and licensing processes will ask you for a Puerto Rico Police Clearance Certificate (PCC)
in addition to your Canadian one. Getting fingerprinted correctly is usually the first step. This guide walks through how that works
while you’re based in Canada, and how Surrey Fingerprint Company can help with the fingerprinting part.
Visit Surrey Fingerprint Company for professional, correctly-formatted fingerprints for your Puerto Rico police clearance
application. Email info@surreyfingerprint.com
beforehand so we can confirm the exact form and format FBI Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Division — Identity History Summary currently requires.
Why Would Someone in Canada Need a Puerto Rico PCC?
- Canadian immigration & citizenship (IRCC): if you lived in Puerto Rico for 6 months or more before moving to Canada, IRCC may require a police certificate from Puerto Rico as part of permanent residency, sponsorship, or citizenship applications.
- Immigration to a third country: if you are applying to move from Canada to another country (e.g. Australia, the UK, the US, or elsewhere), that country’s character/background check requirements often ask for a clearance from every country you’ve lived in for an extended period, including Puerto Rico.
- Employment & licensing: some regulated professions and international employers request a background check covering your time in Puerto Rico.
- Legal, banking, or property matters: some processes back in Puerto Rico may themselves ask you to complete identity verification via fingerprints while abroad.
The General Process From Canada
Because you’re applying from outside Puerto Rico, the typical path is: get fingerprinted locally in Canada in the exact
format FBI Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Division — Identity History Summary accepts, then send that fingerprint record to them along with the rest of your
application package.
Contact Puerto Rico’s issuing authority first
Confirm the current application form, required fingerprint format, fee, and mailing/submission method directly with
FBI Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Division — Identity History Summary — requirements can change, so always check before your appointment.
Get fingerprinted at Surrey Fingerprint Company
Bring valid photo ID and any required form. The fingerprint format usually requested for a Puerto Rico PCC is:
Either Ink-and-Roll or Digital (confirm current preference). We offer both ink-and-roll and digital fingerprinting on-site.
We complete your card correctly
We take your fingerprints on the correct form, complete any required identity/witness sections, and provide the card or
document ready to send.
Send your package to Puerto Rico
Mail or submit your fingerprint card along with your application form, ID copies, photos, and fee (as required) to
FBI Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Division — Identity History Summary. Use a tracked courier for original documents.
Puerto Rico uses the same FBI Identity History Summary process as the rest of the USA. You must obtain a complete set of fingerprints and mail the fingerprint card with the applicable fee to the FBI. Note: IRCC does not accept FBI police certificates issued by FBI-approved third-party private companies for this — only certificates issued directly by the FBI are accepted, and originals only (no photocopies), and this cannot be sent by mail for Express Entry applications.
Mailing address:
FBI CJIS Division, Attn: Summary Request, 1000 Custer Hollow Road, Clarksburg, WV 26306, USA
Receive your Puerto Rico PCC
Processing time is Confirm current turnaround on the FBI website. Some authorities mail the certificate directly to your Canadian
address; others may require pickup via a consulate or representative.
Source: Official guidance for Puerto Rico. Requirements can change; always confirm current details on the official page before applying.
the current requirement before your appointment so you don’t need to redo it.
clearance applications can change without notice. Always confirm current requirements directly with
FBI Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Division — Identity History Summary before your appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get fingerprinted in Surrey for a Puerto Rico PCC?
Yes. Surrey Fingerprint Company offers both ink-and-roll and digital fingerprinting, and can prepare your fingerprint card or document in the format most commonly requested for Puerto Rico applications. Contact us to confirm the exact form before your visit.
How long does it take to get a PCC from Puerto Rico while living in Canada?
Timelines vary widely by country and by how the application is submitted. As a general estimate: Confirm current turnaround on the FBI website. Confirm current processing times with the issuing authority.
Do I need an original fingerprint card, or is a scan acceptable?
This depends on Puerto Rico's current requirements — some authorities require original ink cards mailed physically, others accept digital submissions. We'll help you confirm which applies before you leave our office.
Can Surrey Fingerprint Company submit my application to Puerto Rico for me?
We handle the fingerprinting step. Submission of the full application package is generally your responsibility (or your immigration consultant/lawyer's), unless otherwise noted for a specific country.
Get Fingerprinted for Your Puerto Rico PCC — Surrey, BC
Email us before your visit so we can confirm the correct form and format for Puerto Rico.
+1 (604) 825-8882 · info@surreyfingerprint.com