Record Suspension (Pardon) Fingerprinting in Surrey, BC — The Complete Guide to Starting Your Application
A Record Suspension — still commonly called a Canadian Pardon — is one of the most important steps a person with a criminal conviction can take to rebuild their life. It seals your record from standard criminal record checks, opening doors to employment, volunteering, professional licensing, and travel that would otherwise be blocked. But before you can apply to the Parole Board of Canada, fingerprinting is step one — and it must be done correctly. Surrey Fingerprint Company processes record suspension fingerprints with same-day RCMP submission, Monday to Saturday, 9 AM to 8 PM.
We submit your fingerprints electronically to the RCMP with clear notation that the purpose is a record suspension application — as required by the Parole Board of Canada. You receive a receipt and transaction number to track your RCMP criminal record request. Walk-ins welcome. (604) 825-8882 · 112-8232 120 Street, Surrey BC
What Is a Record Suspension (Pardon)?
A Record Suspension is granted by the Parole Board of Canada (PBC) under the Criminal Records Act. It legally separates your criminal convictions from the active RCMP National Repository of Criminal Records — meaning they no longer appear on standard criminal record checks used by most employers, volunteer organizations, and licensing bodies.
The term pardon was replaced by record suspension in 2012 when Parliament amended the Criminal Records Act. However, both terms refer to the same legal mechanism, and many people still use "pardon" in everyday conversation. The Parole Board processes both pardons and record suspensions under the same criteria — your application paperwork will refer to "record suspension" as the current official term.
The Parole Board of Canada received 17,072 record suspension applications in 2024–2025 and accepted 71% of them. Applications proposed for refusal may take up to 24 months to process. The application fee was reduced from $657.77 to $50.00 in January 2022 — making the process significantly more accessible.
Who Is Eligible to Apply?
Years Wait — Summary Offences
Minor criminal offences (e.g. minor theft, simple drug possession). Sentence must be fully completed including probation, fines, and conditions.
Years Wait — Indictable Offences
Serious criminal offences (e.g. assault, fraud, drug trafficking). Full sentence including all conditions must be completed before the wait begins.
A March 2020 Federal Court decision means the Parole Board no longer retroactively applies the stricter 2010 and 2012 legislative amendments. If your first offence was committed before those amendments, your application may be processed under the older, more lenient criteria — which had shorter waiting periods. If you were previously told you needed to wait 10 years, you may actually qualify under the old 5-year pardon criteria. Contact the Parole Board of Canada at 1-800-874-2652 to confirm which criteria apply to your situation.
Who is NOT eligible: Individuals convicted of a Schedule 1 offence (sexual offences against minors) face additional scrutiny and may be ineligible. People convicted of more than three indictable offences each carrying a sentence of 2+ years are also generally ineligible. Anyone with pending charges or outstanding warrants must resolve those before applying.
Cannabis simple possession — free record suspension: If your only conviction is simple possession of cannabis, you can apply for a record suspension with no application fee and no waiting period under Bill C-93. This applies even if sentence is not yet complete (fines do not disqualify you under this specific stream).
Why Fingerprinting Is the First Step
The fingerprinting step must be completed before anything else — before you fill out the Parole Board application form, before you request court documents, before you do anything. Here is why:
- The RCMP needs your fingerprints to locate your exact criminal record in their National Repository — not just find someone with your name and birthdate
- The RCMP produces a certified criminal record (or a Certification of No Criminal Record) which you must include with your Parole Board application
- Your electronic fingerprint submission must clearly state it is for a record suspension — otherwise the RCMP cannot process it for this purpose
- Hybrid offences (charges that can be prosecuted as summary or indictable) may not appear on a name-based check but will appear on a fingerprint-based check
The Parole Board of Canada will not accept a name-based criminal record check (CPIC) for a record suspension application. You must have fingerprint-based RCMP certified criminal record results. Using a name-based check will result in your application being returned without processing.
Benefits of a Record Suspension
💼 Employment
Most employers conduct standard criminal record checks. A record suspension means your convictions will not appear, removing a barrier to employment in the vast majority of positions.
🏥 Professional Licensing
Healthcare colleges, law societies, real estate boards, and other regulated profession bodies conduct background checks. A suspension removes most convictions from standard checks used by these bodies.
🤝 Volunteering
Coaches, youth workers, and volunteers with children or seniors must pass criminal record checks. A suspension allows you to pass standard checks and contribute to your community.
🏠 Housing
Many landlords and social housing providers conduct background checks. A record suspension removes convictions from standard checks, improving your housing options.
🎓 Education
Some colleges and universities require criminal record checks for admission to healthcare, education, or social work programs. A suspension removes the barrier.
✈️ International Travel
A suspension removes your conviction from standard Canadian criminal record checks used by some foreign embassies. Note: it does not automatically grant entry to the US — a separate US Entry Waiver (I-192) may still be needed.
The Complete Record Suspension Process — Step by Step
Get your RCMP fingerprints taken — record suspension purpose
Visit Surrey Fingerprint Company. Your fingerprints are submitted to the RCMP electronically with record suspension noted as the purpose. You receive a receipt with your transaction number. The RCMP then processes your criminal record and mails you a certified copy.
Receive your RCMP certified criminal record
The RCMP mails you an official certified criminal record (or a Certification of No Criminal Record). Current processing time is typically 3 to 5 weeks. This document is mandatory for your application — do not proceed without it.
Obtain certified court documents for each conviction
For every conviction on your record, request certified copies of court documents from the courthouse where you were convicted. Processing times vary — some courts take 2 weeks, others take 4 months. Request all documents simultaneously to save time.
Obtain local police records checks
Request a Local Police Records Check from every city or municipality where you have lived for 3 months or more in the past 5 years. Each requires a signed consent form and fee. The Parole Board will return your application if these checks are incomplete or missing required information.
Complete the Parole Board application form
Download the official Record Suspension Application Guide from the Parole Board of Canada website. Complete all sections carefully — incomplete applications are returned without processing. If you have a Schedule 1 offence conviction, you must also complete the Exception Form.
Gather supporting identity documents
Include a clear photocopy of a government-issued document with your name, date of birth, and signature (passport, driver's licence, or health card). If you are a past Canadian Armed Forces member, also obtain your Military Conduct Sheet from DND.
Submit complete application to the Parole Board of Canada
Mail your completed application package with the $50 processing fee (via the new Processing Fee form — not the old credit card form) to the Parole Board of Canada. Keep copies of everything. You cannot apply online — submission must be by mail, email, or fax.
Parole Board processes your application
The Parole Board reviews your application. Summary offence applications typically take 6 months. Indictable offence applications take 12 months. Applications proposed for refusal may take up to 24 months. If approved, your suspension is granted and your RCMP record is sealed.
What Does It Cost? Full Breakdown
| Item | Cost (Approx) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| RCMP fingerprinting (Surrey Fingerprint Company) | Contact us | Required first step. Same-day RCMP submission. |
| Parole Board of Canada application fee | $50 | Reduced from $657.77 in January 2022. Free for cannabis possession-only cases. |
| Court documents (per conviction) | $20–$80 each | Varies by court and province. May take weeks to months. |
| Local police records checks | $20–$60 each | Required for each city you lived in (3+ months) in past 5 years. |
| Identity document copy | Free | Photocopy of passport, driver's licence, or health card. |
| Typical total | $250–$500 | Depends on number of convictions and cities lived in. |
Many companies charge $800 to $1,500+ to "assist" with record suspension applications. You do not need to hire anyone — the application is available directly from the Parole Board of Canada for $50. No service can expedite or fast-track the Parole Board review. Using a representative does not speed up your application. The only step that may benefit from help is gathering court documents from multiple jurisdictions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Start Your Record Suspension — Get Fingerprinted Today
Fingerprinting is the first step and it only takes 20 minutes. Walk in any time Monday to Saturday. We submit to the RCMP with "record suspension" purpose clearly noted and give you your receipt to track the process.
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