Trinidad and Tobago
If you now live in Canada and previously lived, worked, or studied in Trinidad and Tobago,
many immigration, employment, and licensing processes will ask you for a Trinidad and Tobago 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 Trinidad and Tobago police clearance
application. Email info@surreyfingerprint.com
beforehand so we can confirm the exact form and format Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) — Criminal Investigations Department and Criminal Records Office currently requires.
Why Would Someone in Canada Need a Trinidad and Tobago PCC?
- Canadian immigration & citizenship (IRCC): if you lived in Trinidad and Tobago for 6 months or more before moving to Canada, IRCC may require a police certificate from Trinidad and Tobago 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 Trinidad and Tobago.
- Employment & licensing: some regulated professions and international employers request a background check covering your time in Trinidad and Tobago.
- Legal, banking, or property matters: some processes back in Trinidad and Tobago may themselves ask you to complete identity verification via fingerprints while abroad.
The General Process From Canada
Because you’re applying from outside Trinidad and Tobago, the typical path is: get fingerprinted locally in Canada in the exact
format Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) — Criminal Investigations Department and Criminal Records Office accepts, then send that fingerprint record to them along with the rest of your
application package.
Contact Trinidad and Tobago’s issuing authority first
Confirm the current application form, required fingerprint format, fee, and mailing/submission method directly with
Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) — Criminal Investigations Department and Criminal Records Office — 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 Trinidad and Tobago PCC is:
Ink-and-Roll Fingerprinting (Paper Card). 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 Trinidad and Tobago
Mail or submit your fingerprint card along with your application form, ID copies, photos, and fee (as required) to
Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) — Criminal Investigations Department and Criminal Records Office. Use a tracked courier for original documents.
Confirmed directly via ttps.gov.tt: have your fingerprints taken by any fingerprint-taking service where you live (an RCMP-accredited agency such as Surrey Fingerprint Company works), then have the fingerprint slip certified by an authorized Notary Public with the notary's stamp affixed — the notarization step is what TTPS actually requires, not a special police-only fingerprint taker. Send the notarized fingerprints, a notarized copy of your passport bio-data page, a TT$50 money order or bank draft equivalent (plus return postage), and a letter addressed to the Senior Superintendent of Police explaining the request, by registered mail. You can also submit through a family member in Trinidad and Tobago, or through a Trinidad and Tobago mission overseas (allow 3-5 months if going through a mission).
Mailing address:
Office of the Senior Superintendent, Criminal Investigations Department and Criminal Records Office, Trinidad House, Ground Floor, Corner of Treasury and Edward Streets, Port of Spain 100202, Trinidad and Tobago
Receive your Trinidad and Tobago PCC
Processing time is TTPS aims to mail the completed certificate back within 3 working days of receipt; allow longer for international mail both ways, or 3-5 months if applying through a Trinidad and Tobago mission overseas. Some authorities mail the certificate directly to your Canadian
address; others may require pickup via a consulate or representative.
Source: Official guidance for Trinidad and Tobago. 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
Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) — Criminal Investigations Department and Criminal Records Office before your appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get fingerprinted in Surrey for a Trinidad and Tobago 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 Trinidad and Tobago applications. Contact us to confirm the exact form before your visit.
How long does it take to get a PCC from Trinidad and Tobago while living in Canada?
Timelines vary widely by country and by how the application is submitted. As a general estimate: TTPS aims to mail the completed certificate back within 3 working days of receipt; allow longer for international mail both ways, or 3-5 months if applying through a Trinidad and Tobago mission overseas. Confirm current processing times with the issuing authority.
Do I need an original fingerprint card, or is a scan acceptable?
This depends on Trinidad and Tobago'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 Trinidad and Tobago 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 Trinidad and Tobago PCC — Surrey, BC
Email us before your visit so we can confirm the correct form and format for Trinidad and Tobago.
+1 (604) 825-8882 · info@surreyfingerprint.com