May 28, 2025 . 5 mins read

Your Complete Guide For A Criminal Background Check In Montreal

A criminal background check is essential before applying for employment, volunteer work, legal name changes, adoption, or immigration. In Montreal, individuals may need different background checks depending on their purpose, and understanding the process can save you time and hassle.

Types of Background Checks in Montreal

You need to choose the type of background check you want based on your requirements. Different types of employment require different background checks. For example, if you are looking for jobs in a private firm, you must undertake a CRC; you will need a VSC for volunteer work. These types of checks have been explained in detail under:

Name-Based Criminal Record Check:

This is the most common type of background check. It searches the Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC) database using your full name and date of birth. This record check comes in handy during the employment screening for non-sensitive roles.

Limitations: If your name or date of birth matches someone in the system with a record, you may be asked to provide fingerprints for confirmation.

Certified RCMP Criminal Record Check:

It is the most accurate, advanced, and secure form of criminal background check, using the candidate’s fingerprints to retrieve records from the RCMP database. This check is primarily required in the following instances:

If the name-based check is inconclusive
If you need further verification on the vulnerable sector check
If the purpose requires taking your fingerprints for an RCMP check (e.g, visa, adoption, legal name changes)

Vulnerable Sector Check

It is a special check only done for those who wish for employment or volunteering opportunities with children and vulnerable adults. This check includes the following details in the results:

CPIC check
Pardoned sex offences check
Local police information

Only the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM) or local police authorities can conduct this check.

How to Obtain a Criminal Record Check in Montreal

There are several ways to get a criminal record check in Montreal. We have mentioned them here for your information.

Option 1: Through the SPVM (Service de police de la Ville de Montreal)

You can directly request the criminal record check from the SPVM. They can process your request online or in person if you have a prior appointment. For this, you will need all the necessary documents, including two verified IDs, one of which should be a photo identification.

Option 2: Via RCMP-Accredited Agencies

If your employer or the purpose of the criminal record check suggests that you should get a fingerprint-based check, you can approach an RCMP-accredited agency. There are various benefits of going via an agency like Gloebia:

Benefits of Using Globeia:

Quick and secure fingerprint capture
Nationwide and international coverage
Electronic submission to the RCMP with faster turnaround
Bilingual customer support

Understanding The Results Of Your Background Checks

The results of your background check can be tricky to understand, and for first-time users, it may pose an issue in deciding the next steps. Here is an in-depth guide that can help you understand the results of your criminal background check in Montreal.

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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