Your go-to guide for a criminal record check in Nova Scotia.

It is an established fact that a criminal record check is a mandatory document if you want employment, legal work, or immigration anywhere in Canada. The Canadian province of Nova Scotia is no different. The process for each type of check is different, and you must go through the various types first to determine the one that fits your needs the best.

A criminal record check is an official document showcasing the candidate's previous criminal history. Most employers ask for this document to make an informed decision about hiring potential candidates. A criminal record does not mean you will not get a job. It helps determine the type of work you may or may not be fit for.

• Name-Based Criminal Record Check: This standard check requires input of your name and date of birth to go through the CPIC database and give the results. It is used for employment and volunteer work, where there is no direct involvement with the children and vulnerable adults.
• Vulnerable Sector Check: This check is required for positions involving trust or authority over vulnerable individuals, such as children or the elderly. It includes additional screening for sexual offences. Only police stations can do vulnerable sector checks.
• Fingerprint-based check:  If a name-based check cannot conclusively confirm identity, fingerprints are required for a certified check from the RCMP. This is often necessary for immigration or specific employment sectors. You can get this check done from local police, or hire the services of a third-party agency that can help you with the check from the comfort of your home.

• Regional Police: You can make an appointment with the regional police to get your criminal record check. The date for the appointment depends on the backlog at the regional police station. The processing time is also longer for these police stations as they have a lot of applications to process.
• RCMP Detachment Centre: You can also go to the RCMP detachment centre in Nova Scotia. These authorized centers can take your fingerprints and submit your application for a criminal record check.
• Third-party accredited agencies: Using a third-party agency is the best way to skip the queue and get a faster application turnaround. You can complete your application online with a few clicks of a button, and the rest will be done by the agency you hire. You do not have to wait in a long queue. Instead, the agency helps you with real-time application tracking so that you have an update.

Applications sent to detachment centres and police stations usually take longer, as they have a long list of applicants for the criminal record check. You can apply via a third-party agency to take the faster route. They run your data on the same database as the stations and RCMP detachment centres, but provide more rapid results as they work on the latest technology.

Each type of criminal record check will have a separate fee. In some cases, if you have a letter from the asking authority for a vulnerable sector check, your fee may be waived altogether. However, for checks other than the VSC, you may have to undergo a lot of back and forth for a result that you can get in a smaller span with a third-party agency, which does it for a third-party agency.

1. Bring two valid IDs, including:

• A government-issued photo ID (e.g., driver’s license or passport)
• A secondary ID (e.g., health card, birth certificate, student card)
• Proof of address if not listed on your ID

Your photo ID should be valid, and your official name and date of birth should be mentioned in the ID. 

2. For VSCs and some employment positions, you may also need:

• A letter from your employer or volunteer organization
• Proof of enrollment (for students)

If you have no criminal history, it will indicate that nothing was discovered throughout the background check.

A criminal record check may be complicated for some people to understand. Some technical terms can confuse you. You can get a complete understanding of the result with this article.