Pardon Services
Record Suspension Advisories
The Federal Government has introduced changes to the legislation governing record suspensions for serious crimes. These changes were passed in the form of Bill C10 in the House of Commons and in the Senate and received royal ascent on March 13, 2013. It does not affect the vast majority of Canadians seeking record suspensions. You can read more about this fee increase at Federal Government Parole Board of Canada.
Federal Government official notice.
Fast, Efficient Record Suspension Services
Record suspensions were formerly known as a Pardons, and along with the change in terminology, changes were made to eligibility. Please refer to the following website which lists the amendments made under Bill C10.
People often suffer discrimination, restricted freedom and lost opportunities because of a criminal record. A record suspension can free your future, clearing the way for a new beginning and the fair treatment you deserve as a law-abiding citizen.
Advantages to obtaining a record suspension include:
- Better prospects for employment and self-employment;
- More freedom to travel outside Canada;
- Greater peace of mind;
- Improved ability to be being bonded;
- Reduced risk of negative impact on child custody and visitation;
- Improved ability to obtain rental housing;
- Improved prospects of meeting educational requirements.
Commissionaires offers a simple and affordable record suspension service for applicants who would like a friendly, knowledgeable helping hand in getting a record suspension done as quickly and efficiently as possible. If you don’t have time to apply for a record suspension or you need help with the record suspension process, Commissionaires provides a cost-effective service with no hidden fees, backed by Commissionaires’ expertise and integrity. All of our clients receive the same helpful and professional service, regardless of their background or the circumstances surrounding their record suspension.
Unlike other record suspension service providers, Commissionaires offers a digital fingerprinting service, required for record suspension applicants that will expedite the return of documentation required to start the process. With record suspension services from Commissionaires, you receive:
- Assistance from friendly, professional, and knowledgeable Commissionaires;
- A low-cost alternative to other providers -- with no hidden fees;
- The latest technology for reliable capture of fingerprints -- required for record suspensions processing, to help your application be processed quicker; Multi-language service at many locations.
Record Suspension Application Process
If the requisite amount of time has passed since completion of your sentence and fines have been paid,(see FAQ below) you can proceed with applying for a record suspension with Commissionaires. After your initial meeting with a Commissionaires record suspensions professional, we will compile the necessary personal information for your record suspension application and complete any required background checks to support your application. This includes taking your fingerprints to obtain your criminal record, court information, local police records, relevant citizenship documents and military conduct sheets if necessary, and required documentation from all previous places of residence.
Commissionaires completes all the forms for you to sign. Commissionaires will keep you informed at each stage of the process. All records will be returned to you when the record suspension process is complete. All information remains confidential.
How to Get Started
Please contact a Commissionaires office to schedule a confidential appointment. During this first appointment, your fingerprints will be taken. To speed up the fingerprinting process, ensure you have all required documents with you.
Identification required
You are required to bring two pieces of valid government-issued identification. One must be a photo ID. The following types of identification are acceptable. Please check with your local office for additional types of identification that may be accepted:
- Passport
- Driver's Licence
- Birth Certificate
- Canadian Citizenship Card
- Permanent Resident Card
- Certificate of Indian Status
- Immigration Documents i.e. work or study permits
- Military Family ID card (MFID)
- Record of Landing for Citizenship Applicant
- Certificate of Live Birth
- Nexus card
Notes:
- It is recommended that you bring a letter or file number from the requesting source, if applicable;
- All identification must be current and not expired.
Payment Methods
We accept major credit cards, debit or cash at most of our locations. Please check locations to confirm.
Locations
Commissionaires’ identification services are available at convenient locations across Canada.
Frequently Asked Questions - Record Suspensions
Why should I seek a record suspension?
Any conviction for a criminal offence, new or old, can severely restrict your freedom. A pardon removes any record of your past offences from appearing in a criminal record check that you might require for employment, travel and more. It can also give you peace of mind and a future free from judgement, discrimination and shame. There are many advantages to obtaining a pardon:
- better prospects for employment and self-employment;
- more freedom to travel outside Canada;
- greater peace of mind and self-respect;
- less difficulty getting bonded;
- reduced risk of negative impact on child custody and visitation;
- less hassle renting an apartment;
- improved prospects of meeting educational requirements.
What is a record suspension?
Anyone convicted of a criminal offence has a criminal record. A record suspension allows people who were convicted of a criminal offence, have completed their sentence and demonstrated they are law-abiding citizens, to have their criminal record removed and kept separate and apart from other criminal records. After a record suspension is granted, a search of the Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC) will not indicate that you had a criminal record, or that you were issued a record suspension.
Who is eligible for a record suspension?
For summary offences, you are eligible for a record suspension five years after you have completed your sentence for your offence(s). For indictable offences, you are eligible for a record suspension after ten years and with good conduct following completion of your sentence for your offence(s). A sentence may be a fine, probation, a jail term, surcharge or restitution. For the purposes of a record suspension, a court order, which prohibits you from driving or possessing a firearm, is not considered as part of the sentence.
Who will grant my record suspension?
Record suspensions are not issued automatically. To remove a criminal record, an application must be made under the Criminal Records Act (CRA) to the National Parole Board (NPB). Applicants must first have completed their sentence and shown that they are now law-abiding citizens. The NPB issues, grants, denies or revokes record suspensions for convictions under federal acts or regulations of Canada. The NPB does this under the CRA. Visit the National Parole Board website for additional information.
What do I need to know about obtaining a record suspension?
You do not need a lawyer or a representative to apply for a record suspension. The National Parole Board (NPB) gives the same consideration to a record suspension application submitted by an individual or by a representative. No record suspensions company can expedite the record suspension process for an additional fee. The NPB designed the process to be fair and equal. No particular company can do it faster than any other.
How long will it take to obtain a record suspension?
How quickly you receive a record suspension is dependent on the National Parole Board, which grants and/or issues record suspensions.