May 21, 2025 . 4 mins read

How to Get a Toronto Police Criminal Record Check in 2025

Toronto offers numerous opportunities for volunteering and employment. This attracts many people from around the world and within the country to settle in Toronto. If you are looking for such opportunities in the city, one of the most important documents required is a Toronto Police Criminal Record Check. Conducted by the Toronto Police Service (TPS), this check verifies whether you have a criminal history and helps organizations make safe and informed decisions.

This latest guide helps you understand the complete process of obtaining a police criminal record check in Toronto in 2025, including how, when, and why it is conducted.

What is a Toronto Police Record Check?

It is an official certificate that states whether you have been involved in criminal activity. Employers and organizations require it before considering you for employment. In Toronto, these checks are issued by the Toronto Police Service (TPS) under the Police Record Checks Reform Act, 2015.

Types of Police Clearance Certificates in Toronto

Criminal Record Check (CRC): This certificate includes criminal convictions from the Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC). This type of police record check is required for basic employment, visa applications, and volunteer work without direct contact with vulnerable individuals. The Toronto Police Service performs this check for you online if you are a resident. You can also approach a company with a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed with the police station for this check. There are four ways to apply for CRC for Toronto residents. You can read them below.

Once you have received the documents for the CRC fingerprint-based check and a conclusive result is obtained, your check is considered complete.

Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check: This certificate includes all details of CRC absolute and conditional discharges, as well as outstanding warrants, court orders, and pending charges before the courts. Suppose you seek employment in a position of trust and authority, such as for municipal licensing applications or ride-sharing services. In that case, you will likely undergo this type of background check. There are four ways for Toronto residents to apply for CRJMC. You can read them below. Your check is considered complete once you receive the documents for the CRJMC fingerprint-based check and obtain a conclusive result.

Vulnerable Sector Check: It includes all the details of the above two checks, along with pardoned sexual offences and non-conviction information. This type of police record check is only done by police stations in Toronto. It is suitable for a volunteer or employee position that involves direct work with children or vulnerable adults. Once you receive the results of the fingerprint-based check for the vulnerable sector, you must return to the police for a sign-off, after which your check is considered complete.

A broad record check is available at the TPS or Toronto police station. It is only available to those who may care for or provide a service to a child or youth under the Child, Youth and Family Services Act 2017 (CYFSA) or the Intercountry Adoption Act 1998 (IAA). This document includes the following details:

Every contact where actions were taken against the person under the Mental Health Act, as it was determined that the person was suffering from a mental disorder of a nature or quality that would likely result in serious bodily harm to them or another person, or severe physical impairment of themselves.
Information about every contact between the person and a police service where there is a written record unless disclosing the information could interfere with a law enforcement matter; person is unaware of the contact, person was a minor at the time of the contact, or information is not relevant to the person’s suitability to perform caregiving duties for a child or to reside in a place where a child is living and receiving care.

Fingerprint-Based Check: If the first three checks mentioned above do not yield conclusive results or if your employer requests a detailed verification, a fingerprint-based check is the right option. You can get your fingerprints taken at the headquarters if you make a prior appointment. You can also contact a third-party accredited company (Link to the local Toronto service page of Globeia here) to conduct the check on your behalf. They will take your fingerprints and send them to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). The RCMP then provides you with a certificate and conclusive results.

Qualifications To Apply For Toronto Background Clearance Check

Specific prerequisites must be met to apply for a Toronto background clearance. They have all been listed here:

Be 18 years or older (Youth Application explained under)
Be a resident of the City of Toronto
Have two pieces of valid ID, including at least one with your photo and signature
Accepted IDs include:
Driver’s Licence
Passport
Ontario Photo Card
Permanent Resident Card
Citizenship Certificate

How To Apply For a Criminal Record Check If You Are A Youth?

The TPS, or Toronto Police Service, processes applications from youth interested in employment or volunteering with the federal, provincial, or municipal governments of Canada. Applications that involve employment or volunteering with a non-governmental agency will not be processed.

CRC or CRJMC

These checks can be conducted without incurring fees if the individual is interested in employment or volunteering with Canada's federal, provincial, or municipal government.

Vulnerable Sector Check

The rules for this check are the same as above. The only difference is that the government agency seeking the check must be a Toronto Police-approved Vulnerable Sector Agency and provide you with a code required to proceed with the application process. No other checks are allowed for the youth.

How To Apply For a Police Record Check In Toronto

There are four correct ways in which you can apply for a Police Record Check in Toronto:

Online: You can log in here and pay for your online record check with your documents. Toronto police station outsources the check to a third-party company for the online work. You can directly approach a third-party agency to get the job done faster, discreetly, and with nominal charges.

In-person application: To obtain a criminal record check in Toronto, you can visit the Information Access Counter at the Toronto Police Station headquarters and pay the administrative fees.

By Mail: Mail your completed, signed application form, as well as clear copies of your two pieces of government-issued identification, and your payment, if applicable, which can be paid by certified cheque, business cheque, or money order made payable to Toronto Police Service.

Third-Party Companies with MOU: Some third-party companies have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Toronto Police Service to perform CRJMC and CRC on their behalf. You can use their services online. These companies cannot perform a vulnerable sector check for you.

Fee For The Various Background Checks In Toronto

The fee for various types of checks depends on the latest update given by the Toronto police station and the type of check that you opt for. The services for third-party accredited agencies start at $30, depending on your selected agency.

Processing Time For Applications

Services	Police Station	Third Party Agency
Online Applications	Application submission: 15 minutes Processing time: 1 month if there is no match. In case of a match, you must send fingerprints to the RCMP.	Application submission: 10 minutes Processing Time: 2-3 hours if there is no match. If there is a match, you need to send fingerprints to the RCMP.
Fingerprint-Based Checks	Application Submission: Appointment-based Processing Time: Up to 120 days if there is a match and 72 hours if there is no match.	Application Submission: 10 minutes Processing Time: Up to 120 days if there is a match and 72 hours if there is no match
Broad Record Check and Vulnerable Sector Check	Application submission: Appointment-based Processing Time: Up to 120 days in case of a match	NA

Delays in the certification may happen due to the following reasons:

Identity verification issues
Fingerprint submission backlogs
High application volume

Understanding Your Criminal Police Record Check Certificates

Government documents may use technical language that is not easily understood. You must realize this terminology to help you and your employers make an informed decision. You can understand the result of the criminal police record check here.

In other words, the Toronto Police Service makes it simple to apply in person or online for a vulnerable sector check or a standard criminal record check. Ensure you select the correct check type, prepare your paperwork, and begin as soon as possible, especially if you have a deadline.

Are you seeking a faster solution to obtain foreign police certifications or fingerprint-based criminal checks? Globeia can assist. Our RCMP-accredited platform enables you to access your results quickly and securely from the comfort of your own home.

Written by :

We are a background screening and document verification agency in Toronto. While we cover the Greater Toronto Area for in-person appointments, the bulk of our clientele uses our online services from different countries of the world. Globeia makes it simple and cost-effective for companies and individuals to navigate governmental red tape without breaking the bank.

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