July 8, 2025 . 5 mins read

Information about criminal record checks in Burnaby

If you live in Canada, you must know that a criminal record check is required if you want to go for legal name changes, adoption, immigration, employment, or volunteering. For those who have never done this, it can be challenging to procure a correct document without proper guidance. Your Burnaby criminal record check will be easy if you follow this article till the end.

Types of criminal record checks in Burnaby

Several types of criminal record checks are available in Burnaby for different occasions. They have been explained in detail as under:

Police information checks:

These are the standard forms of checks for employment and volunteering jobs that do not involve working directly with vulnerable adults or children. This type of check can be done via the local detachment centre or online with the help of a third-party accredited company. It consists of convictions, non-conviction records, and other relevant information about the individual.

Police Information Check with the Vulnerable Sector:

The vulnerable sector check is meant only for volunteers and employment roles working closely with children or vulnerable adults. It is done directly by the local police in person. It includes all the details in the standard police information check, including pardoned sexual offences and relevant police contact records.

Fingerprint-based check:

This type of check requires taking your fingerprints for employment, name changes, criminal record checks, record suspensions (pardons), Provincial security licenses, United States Entry waivers, immigration purposes, or employment within the Federal or Provincial Governments.

The fingerprint-based check can be done at the RCMP or via a third-party accredited agency. It is in your best interest to go through a third-party agency as it is faster, discreet, and charges a nominal amount for your result.

Note: The Burnaby RCMP does not do biometric submissions for Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada.

How to Apply for a Criminal Record Check in Burnaby

You can apply for your criminal record checks in Burnaby in two ways:

In-person application:

You need to visit the Burnaby RCMP centre to get your in-person application processed. For this, you will need to submit the following documents:

Two pieces of accepted identification (ID) have the person’s name and date of birth.
Proof of Burnaby address

Please note that the new BC Services Card combines the BC Driver’s Licence and Care Card and is considered one form of ID.

Online Application:

The easiest way to apply for your criminal record check in Burnaby is to choose a third-party accredited company like Globeia to complete your application. These companies can provide all types of checks for you, excluding the vulnerable sector check. The reason for choosing an online third-party check is that they use the same database as the police station to complete your check, providing the same result to you faster and discreetly.

Processing and understanding the results of the criminal record check in Burnaby

Suppose you choose a third-party company to complete your PIC application. In that case, the application processing can take 15 minutes if there is no match in the database, and the result is updated within 2-3 hours. In case of a match, it can take up to 120 business days to process an inconclusive result or a result that requires further clarification.

The checks, which require fingerprint submission, are processed by the RCMP Canadian Criminal Real Time Identification Services (CCRTIS). If there is no match to a criminal record, results are usually returned within 3 business days or less after fingerprint submission. However, if manual processing or further verification is needed, it can take up to 120 business days or longer.

Understanding the result of a criminal record check can be tricky. If the candidate does not get the correct information, it may include many details that confuse them. This guide can help you understand the result.

FAQ on criminal record checks in Burnaby

Can I apply for a Vulnerable Sector Check online?

No. You must visit the Burnaby RCMP detachment in person to apply for a PIC-VS.

What ID is required?

Two pieces of valid government-issued ID that state the name and date of birth clearly, such as:

Driver’s license
Passport
Health card
BC Services Card

Can I use the same criminal record check for multiple applications?

Yes, in some cases. However, some employers or agencies may request a newer check within 6–12 months.

How long is a criminal record check valid?

There is no fixed expiry, but most institutions require a check issued within the past 6 months to 1 year.

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.

Recommended by Globeia