Frequently Asked Questions for Online Record Checks

Can I submit my request online?

You can request a record check from Peel Regional Police if you reside in Mississauga or Brampton.  You can request three levels of records check:  Criminal Record Check, Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check or a Vulnerable Sector Check.  DO NOT apply online if you require a records check for a Record Suspension.

Youths can only apply for an online record check in certain circumstances. 

See additional information.

What do I need to submit an application?

You will need to know what level of record check you require.

You will need to pass Electronic Identity Verification.  Please ensure that you have your Social Insurance Number available, as this will be required. 

You will need to pay for your record check online. 

How long is a police check valid? Is there an expiry date?

Police records checks are a point in time search and only valid on the day they are issued, since information can change from day-to-day.

The police service doesn’t determine an expiry date; this is up to the agency/employer. Some might accept a police check that is three to six months old, while others may want a new one.

What do I need to know about Electronic Identification Verification?

To submit an application online and in order to use the Electronic Identification Verification process, you are required to have a bank account and credit history. This is NOT a credit check.

Before you get started online, you will need:

  • A computer with an internet browser and an email address.
  • Your social insurance number.
  • A bank account and credit history to complete the online Electronic Identity Verification process.

Peel Regional Police uses Equifax, which uses your credit information to confirm your identity. Learn more about Equifax.

How will I receive the results of my Records Check?

Results stemming from Record Check applications will be returned to you either via email (Softcopy) or via paper (Hardcopy).

Email (Softcopy)

Regardless of whether the Record Check application was made Online or In-Person, the Peel Regional Police now has the ability to return Record Check results to applicants via email method.

Emailed Record Check results must remain electronic (no printing) in order for the authenticity and continuity of the Record Check to remain uncompromised. Printing the Record Check results renders the authenticity and continuity incomplete, therefore Peel Regional Police won’t recognize the results as valid and legitimate.

It is essential that applicants confirm with the Agency requesting the  Record Check, that the Agency is willing to accept and maintain the electronic copy of the Record Check on file in an electronic capacity as printing the Record Check results will cause the results to become illegitimate.

In order to view the emailed softcopy results, you are required to have access to a program which can support .PDF-formatted documents (i.e. Adobe Acrobat).

Paper (Hardcopy)

Additionally, regardless of whether the Record Check application was made online or in-person, Peel Regional Police can also return Record Check results to applicants via paper method.

Paper Record Check results will be returned to the applicant by mail.

How many copies of my Records Check will I receive?

You will be provided with one original copy of your Records Check.

How long does it take to get my Records Check back?

Online Record Check submissions and In-Person Record Check submissions - Approximately 25 business days for all record check submissions.

Timelines are subject to a Monday to Friday work schedule and any requirement to contact other Police Services may add additional processing time. Processing timelines don’t account for postage processing (if applicable). Refer to Canada Post for postage processing.

Peel Regional Police Records Search Unit strives to serve you in a timely manner. Please help us meet our timelines by filling out your online Record Check application or in-person Record Check form(s) accurately and carefully.

What can cause a delay in the process?
  • The Records Search Unit must contact other police agencies to request local information of an applicant who has resided outside of Brampton or Mississauga in the last five years. We allow two weeks for the outside agency to respond to our inquiry.
  • If applications received are missing information, we attempt to contact the applicant. Applications with errors or omissions to the current address, such as missing apartment numbers, often end up being returned to Peel Regional Police by Canada Post. This results in delays to your service.
  • The Records Search Unit will often receive influxes of large numbers of Police Record Checks needing to be processed due to special events being held in Brampton or Mississauga.
  • Which form you fill out depends on the organization requesting the Police Record Check, your status as an employee or a volunteer and if you are working directly with vulnerable persons.

Which form do I fill out for a Records Check?
  • There are three types of Police Record checks. These include a Criminal Record Check (CRC), a Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check (CRJM), and a Vulnerable Sector Check (VS).
  • Which form you fill out depends on the organization requesting the Police Record Check, your status as an employee or a volunteer and if you are working directly with vulnerable persons.

What is a Digital Signature and why is it so important?

Police Record Check results created and submitted online will be provided to you in an electronic format or mailed. The Digital Signature is a unique identifier and combination of personal information that certifies the .PDF is original and authentic.

Why do I need to authenticate myself each time I log in?

Your privacy is protected. Once your identity is verified, we will authenticate your identity each time you login. A special authentication key is sent to you each time you want to log in.

This special key changes every time. It allows us to confirm it is a person with a known email address that is requesting access and not automated 'bot' or someone who doesn’t have access to your email address.

What forms of payment are accepted?

You may pay with Visa, Master Card, or Debit.

Outside of Canada

We don’t process Canadian Police Certificates for persons residing outside of Canada.

Refer to the RCMP for this service.

Where can I check the status of my online Records Check request?

In order to check the status of your Online Record Check Request you are required to login to the account originally created to submit your Record Check request.

How do I determine if the Records Check I have received is completed and authentic?

Hardcopy (Printed) Record Check result:

  1. Hardcopy Record Checks are sent by Peel Regional Police Service to the applicant's mailing address.
  2. Confirm all information is accurate once you receive it in the mail.
  3. In the Results portion of the Record Check, there will be a box selected with an ‘X’ inside. This is the result of the Record Check.
  4. There will also be an embossed Peel Regional Police seal at the bottom of the page. This imprint can be felt on both sides of the hardcopy Record Check. This certifies the Record Check as authentic.
  5. The Date Completed and Badge Number fields are filled in.

Softcopy (email) Record Check result:

  1. Softcopy Record Checks are sent by Peel Regional Police to the Record Check applicant's email with a .pdf attachment.
  2. Using a pdf reader (i.e. Adobe Acrobat), open the .pdf.
  3. Confirm the Record Check you have received is in fact your Record Check and that all information is accurate.
  4. At the top of the .pdf's first page you will see either (dependant on the type of software you are using):

The file you have opened complies with the PDF/A standard and has been opened read-only to prevent modification.

Or

Signed and all signatures are valid.

  1. In the result portion of the Record Check, there will be a box selected with an ‘X’ inside. This is the result of the Record Check.
  2. At the bottom of the second page, you will find the Digital Signature from Peel Regional Police Service.
  3. Select the Click here to verify Digital Signature. This will open up the Signature Validation status. You will be able to see here that the document has not been modified since it was certified. This certifies that the Record Check is authentic.
  4. Confirm that the Date Completed and Badge Number fields are filled in. 

Helpful Links

Technical Questions

All questions related to Records Check process, forms and all other questions will be directed to Records Search Unit: 905-453-2121 ext. 4338.

All questions relating to the Online Background Web Application (i.e. difficulty logging in/online payment issues) Rogue Data Corporation will be directed to:

Emails and Voicemails will be responded to within 24 hours Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. (excluding Statutory Holidays).

Monitored access to some personal information may be given to the Vendor. This is for support and maintenance purposes. The Vendor follows the same MFIPPA requirements that are followed by Peel Regional Police.

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