Please note that we are experiencing additional delays in processing your checks due to an increased volume. We apologize for the inconvenience but are processing them as quickly as we can.

For Record Suspensions (Pardon Application), please apply here .

For persons who are applying to have a record purged by the Parole Board of Canada via a record suspension (pardon).
This is NOT intended for persons seeking a record check for employment, volunteer or student placement

Police Check Completion Times:

Employment: 14 Days
Student Placement: 30 Days
Volunteer: 30 Days

We complete applications in the order received. These time frames are not guaranteed and can fluctuate due to volume. Please do not contact us unless your Police Check application is overdue. We do not offer "rush" service.

** Certified Civil Fingerprinting services for Immigration, Records Suspension, or Employment are by appointment only by calling 905-546-4977 **

** Electronic Police Checks Now Available **

Police Checks will be completed digitally, and will be available for applicants to download from their account once completed. Mailed certificates are no longer being provided.

Please be advised that if you are applying for a CRJMC or a VS,
you do not need to apply for the CRC for the same position.
These checks include the CRC.

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Police Background Checks

Welcome to the Hamilton Police Service's online process for persons needing a police screening check for volunteer or employment purposes. This system allows you to apply for a police screening check 24 hours a day without having to attend our facility. All aspects of the process - including verification of your identification, and fee payment - are handled electronically. If there are no concerns or follow-up required, your police screening documents will be returned to you.

Please note that we will not mail documents outside Canada.

Please note: You must be a resident of the City of Hamilton (including Ancaster, Dundas, Stoney Creek, Flamborough, Binbrook and Glanbrook) in order to apply through this Police Service. Making a false statement - such as a non-resident declaring a local address at which they do not currently reside - will result in the discontinuation of application processing and the forfeiture of all monies paid.

You cannot apply on behalf of another person. Authentication questions will be based on the applicant's personal credit file, and the questions are timed to ensure a prompt response and to further enhance security and privacy.

This process is intended for persons living and working in Canada. If you are living/working outside Canada, you should obtain a police check from the RCMP through the submission of fingerprints. Click here for details.

NOTE: We do not recommend that you attempt to use this system if you:

Have lived in Canada for less than one (1) year, and/or;
Are under the age of eighteen (18) years, and/or;
- (note: if you are applying for a government position the age restriction is reduced to 14 however your employment details may be verified)
Have no established personal credit history - i.e. no credit cards, bank loans, mortgage, etc. - that is required in order to authenticate your ID using EIV

Please be aware of these requirements before creating an account. If you fail to authenticate your ID, you will be required to attend our offices in person with two pieces of ID.

There are three levels of screening checks. The type of position you are applying for will determine which type of check you will require. In all cases you should consult with the agency, organization or employer that requires you to obtain a police check to determine which one is needed.

In order to use the online solution, a $9.95 processing / authentication fee will be added to the price of each police background check. This covers the cost of processing the web application and authentication with a licenced consumer credit reporting agency. In the event that you do not wish to pay the convenience fee, you may come in person during regular working hours to the Hamilton Police Service located at 155 King William Street Hamilton Ontario L8R 1A7. In many cases, the additional fee to process and authenticate on-line will be a reasonable offset to the time and costs associated with visiting the police facility, including frequent wait times. It also eliminates delays in finding an available opportunity to get to the station

Persons requiring a records check for the purposes of Adoption or Non-Parental Custody (through court order), cannot use this online screening process. You must attend the Hamilton Police Service Records Business Centre in person to make application. The Records Business Centre is located in the Police HQ building at 155 King William Street, Hamilton. If this is the reason for your police check, you must attend our office between 10:00am and 3:00pm Monday thru Friday. The Records Business Centre is closed on civic and statutory holidays.

A police record check is current as of the date it is completed. It is your employer/prospective employer or organization's function to determine if the record check is current enough to be accepted for the position applied for. The Hamilton Police Services Board, its officers, agents and employees, shall have no responsibility or obligation to make such a determination.

Incomplete applications (i.e. no identification provided, authentication aborted / failed / not completed or further information requested) and applications requiring in-person attendance will remain in the processing queue for no more than sixty (60) days from the time of initial application. Fees are non-refundable and incomplete applications will be considered 'abandoned', and removed from the processing queue after sixty (60) days.

The Hamilton Police Service will return the results of the check by mail to the applicant only. We will not mail the results to a third-party organization or employer under any circumstances.

Criminal Records Check (CRC)

Intended for applicants who are involved as a volunteer, employee or in any situation where a basic CRC is requested (i.e., retail or immigration).

Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check (CRJMC) (formerly PIC)

Intended for applicants who are seeking volunteer and/or employment with agencies who require a CRC along with local police involvement.

Vulnerable Sector Scan (VS)

Restricted to applicants seeking employment and/or volunteering with vulnerable individuals.

Please note: If you are seeking a 'Local Police Records Check' as part of the Record Suspension (Pardon) application process, do not use an online police check as it is not appropriate for this purpose.

	Position or Occupation (these are guidelines only, your employer will determine which check is required)	Criminal Records Check (CRC)	Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check (CRJMC)	Vulnerable Sector Scan (VS)
1.	School Teacher or Teaching Assistant (on hire or placement)
2.	Office worker
3.	Social Worker
4.	Daycare Worker
5.	School Bus Driver
6.	Taxi Cab Driver
7.	Retail Worker
8.	Personal Support Worker
9.	Factory Worker
10.	Food Vendor
11.	Minor Sporting Coach
12.	Scout Leader
13.	Hospitality (bars, restaurants, hotels)
14.	Tenant for rental property
15.	Youth Worker
16.	Nursing/Retirement Home Worker
17.	School Crossing Guard
18.	Landlord/Superintendent
19.	Security Guard
20.	Bank Teller
21.	Immigration/Permanent Resident

	Non-Refundable Fee All online checks require an additional $9.95 processing / authentication fee + applicable taxes	Criminal Records Check (CRC)	Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check (CRJMC)	Vulnerable Sector Scan (VS)
1.	For Employment	$50.00	$50.00	$50.00
2.	For Unpaid Student Placement	$25.00	$25.00	$25.00
3.	For Volunteer (letter from organization will be required for verification)	$0	$0	$25.00
4.	For School Crossing Guard	n/a	n/a	$25.00
5.	For Foster Parent	n/a	n/a	$50.00
6.	For Kinship (letter from organization will be required for verification)	n/a	n/a	$25.00
7.	For Government Employment (For youth under the age of 18)	$50.00	$50.00	n/a
8.	For Other (CRC i.e. Immigration, US Entry, Waiver, Business License, etc.) (CRJMC i.e. legal name change, sponsorship) (VS not for adoption or non-parental custody)	$50.00	$50.00	$50.00

9.	For Broad Record Check * Only available to those who may care for or provide a service to a child or youth under the Child, Youth and Family Services Act, 2017 (CYFSA) or the Intercountry Adoption Act, 1998 (IAA)	n/a	n/a	$50.00

10.	Extra Copies (per)	$5.00	$5.00	n/a

	Estimated Turnaround Times (while the police service strives to meet these timeframes, there is no guarantee)	Criminal Records Check (CRC)	Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check (CRJMC)	Vulnerable Sector Scan (VS)
1.	For Employment	14 calendar days	14 calendar days	14 calendar days
2.	For Unpaid Student Placement	30 calendar days	30 calendar days	30 calendar days
3.	For Volunteer	30 calendar days	30 calendar days	30 calendar days
4.	For School Crossing Guard			14 calendar days
5.	For Foster Parent			14 calendar days
6.	For Kinship			14 calendar days
7.	For Government Employment (For youth under the age of 18)	14 calendar days	14 calendar days
8.	For Other (CRC i.e. Immigration, US Entry, Waiver, Business License, etc.) (CRJMC i.e. legal name change, sponsorship) (VS not for adoption or non-parental custody)	14 calendar days	14 calendar days	14 calendar days

9.	For Broad Record Check * Only available to those who may care for or provide a service to a child or youth under the Child, Youth and Family Services Act, 2017 (CYFSA) or the Intercountry Adoption Act, 1998 (IAA)			14 calendar days