Your Complete Guide to Getting A Criminal Background Check In Alberta

Background checks are crucial for settling in Alberta, Canada. Whether for immigration, adoption, employment, or volunteering purposes, a criminal background check is one of the first steps. In Alberta, a criminal background check is conducted using a centralized system that provides access to a person's criminal history, enabling an informed decision. 

Criminal record checks involve checking local, provincial, and/or federal databases for information on arrests, convictions, and other police-related issues. 

Name-Based Checks OR CPIC: This check uses an individual's name and date of birth to search the CPIC database for any offenses in which the individual may have been involved. It can include both summary and indictable offences. Summary offences, such as public intoxication, are less severe and may result in fines and short prison sentences. Indictable offences, on the other hand, include more serious crimes like fraud, robbery, or assault, especially if you have been convicted in court.

Note: The pardoned offences do not show up in your criminal record; they are deleted until you do a similar offence for the second time.

Police Information Check: This is the enhanced level of check that includes 

• Criminal convictions from CPIC and local databases. 
• Findings of guilt under the Youth Criminal Justice Act within applicable disclosure periods. 
• Outstanding entries, such as charges and warrants. 
• Judicial orders include peace bonds, probation, and prohibition orders. 
• Absolute and conditional discharges. 
  This check is primarily conducted by employers and organizations that require a more in-depth examination of an individual’s background.

Vulnerable Sector Check: This type of check is only done by the police in Canada. This check is primarily required for individuals who will be employed or volunteer in roles involving work with children and vulnerable adults. Requesting a Vulnerable Sector check is the duty of the organization or individual in charge of the vulnerable person or people. When a Police Information Check application is submitted, the police department will confirm whether the job requires a Vulnerable Sector Check. A vulnerable sector check can be carried out only after the applicant has given written agreement to the search.

Fingerprint-based check or RCMP check: This type of check is done chiefly under four conditions:

• If the previously mentioned checks reveal any discrepancies in the records, they need further investigation.
• When name-based checks are inconclusive, or when the check must be certified by the RCMP.A Vulnerable Sector Check necessitates fingerprinting due to a possible match with a pardoned sexual offence.
• It is the most enhanced level of check and can be used for employment, adoption, immigration, travel visas, and legal name changes. 

You can obtain a fingerprint-based check in three ways: through local police stations, RCMP detachment centres, or third-party accredited companies that work with the RCMP to take your fingerprints and submit them to the RCMP for the check. 

There are three search mechanisms that the authorities go through for conducting the check:

• S.E.N.T.R.Y. - Local records of the Applicant's involvement with Calgary Police Service (Police Record Management System)
• J.O.I.N. - The Alberta court system (Justice Online Information Network)
• C.P.I.C. - The Canadian Police Information Centre system and R.C.M.P. National repository in Ottawa.

This police information check provides only information discovered on the systems mentioned above at the time of the check. Since we can only use the data accessible on these systems, the Alberta Police Services cannot ensure that the information is accurate.

This check excludes convictions listed on the National Repository for Canada and data entered into the Canadian Police Information Centre System, as well as information from any other jurisdiction's local police information system and court data from any other province.

Local Police: You can approach the local police or detachment centres for getting a CRC, CRJMC, VSC, and fingerprint-based check. However, for most of this check, you will need to schedule a prior appointment, which may take some time to clear the backlog and allow officials to approach you for help. In some police stations, walk-ins are also allowed, but priority is given to individuals who have made prior appointments.

Online Applications: Some police stations with the necessary facilities, such as those in Edmonton and Calgary, also offer online application services. These stations provide a step-by-step guide to digital identification, allowing you to obtain your certificate online.

Verified third-party companies: You can also approach a third-party verified company for all types of criminal record checks, except vulnerable sector checks, which are done only by the police. These companies offer nominal charges for their services in return for benefits such as skipping the queue, waiting for your turn, secure handling of personal information, and faster processing times.

Through a company or organization as part of recruitment: Someone at the business or organization may ask you to use the local web portal mentioned above if you require a criminal record check in Alberta as part of the hiring process, or they may work with another outside vendor.

A police check in Alberta can result in one of the two results, namely:

• No information to disclose in the certificate
• Information to disclose in the certificate

No information to disclose certificate: When an applicant has no criminal convictions, convictions under applicable provincial statutes, outstanding criminal or provincial statute charges, or local police records indicating a pattern of behavior that could endanger vulnerable individuals, a "No Information to Disclose Certificate" will be granted. However, the results are disclosed to the asking entity only once the applicant has signed a "Third Party Consent Form."

Information to be disclosed in the certificate: It will be provided when there are criminal convictions, convictions under applicable provincial statutes, unresolved criminal or provincial statute charges, or local police records that indicate a pattern of behavior that could pose a risk to vulnerable individuals. The applicant alone will be given access to these results; no other parties will ever be informed. Please be aware that any local police records (only those from vulnerable sector police information checks) that do not lead to criminal charges being brought will be explained in detail.

To know more about the results in detail, you can click here. 

According to the rules set by the authorities, a criminal background check in Alberta is valid for 90 days from the date of issue. Individuals may need to obtain a new check if the validity period has expired or if required by an employer or organization. You need to undergo different checks for various types of employment. For example, a vulnerable sector circle applies to volunteering positions that involve working closely with children and vulnerable adults. In other cases, you can suffice with a CRC. 

If you're applying for a record suspension (formerly a pardon) from the Parole Board of Canada, you must obtain a local records check from every police jurisdiction where you have lived for the last five years.

It would be safe to say that when applying for employment, adoption, volunteering, or immigration to Alberta, you must approach one of the mentioned authorities to obtain the required criminal record check. This is one of the most critical steps to building trust or taking safety precautions.