Requests & Appeals

Fingerprint and Photograph Destruction

If you were fingerprinted and photographed after being charged with an offence but were not convicted, you may be eligible to apply for the destruction of your fingerprints and photographs.

Important: The destruction of fingerprints and photographs does not remove occurrence reports, investigation records, or other police records from police files. Investigative records are retained in accordance with applicable legislation and records retention requirements.

Eligibility requirements

You may apply online for the destruction of your fingerprints and photographs if:

  • You were arrested but not convicted
  • You were 18 years of age or older at the time of the offence
  • You have no criminal record
  • You have no pending charges before the courts
  • At least 60 days have passed since your final court date

Please Note: Destruction requests can take up to one year to process and may be denied.

Each application is reviewed to ensure all eligibility requirements have been met. Once approved, requests are submitted to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and Forensic Identification Services (FIS) for record removal. After the removals are completed, the Records Management System is updated, and a confirmation letter is sent to the applicant.

Submit a request

Request Destruction of Fingerprint Records or Destruction Appeal

Frequently asked questions

Eligibility depends on the final outcome of your court matter and any applicable waiting periods.

Court Record Suspension Eligibility Requirements
Court Outcome Eligibility Requirement
Withdrawn, Dismissed, Not Guilty, Acquitted or Discharged 60-day waiting period from final court date
Absolute Discharge 1-year waiting period from disposition date
Conditional Discharge 3-year waiting period from disposition date
Stay of Proceedings 1-year waiting period from disposition date
Judicial Orders (Probation Orders, Peace Bonds, Prohibition Orders) Must be expired

Please refer to your court disposition or court documents to determine your eligibility.

A request may be denied if:

  • The offence was serious in nature
  • There are public safety concerns
  • You are involved in an ongoing investigation
  • You have pending charges before the courts
  • You have outstanding Judicial Orders
  • You are the subject of an active investigation by Peel Regional Police or another police service

You may submit a request 60 days after your final court date, provided all eligibility requirements have been met.

No.

The Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA) governs the fingerprinting and photographing of young persons. Applications for the destruction of fingerprints and photographs relating to youth records will not be accepted.

Yes. You may apply if your charges were withdrawn or dismissed, provided:

  • You meet all eligibility requirements; and
  • Any required waiting period has been completed.

No.

All court matters must be completed, and the charges must not have resulted in a conviction before a destruction request can be considered.

No.

While fingerprints and photographs may be destroyed, police occurrence reports, investigative records, and other police records may still be retained in accordance with legislative and records retention requirements.

If your application is denied and you are not satisfied with the decision, you may request an appeal or review.

The application will be reassessed, including any additional information or mitigating circumstances you provide. You will be notified of the final decision in writing.

No.

The destruction of fingerprints and photographs does not guarantee entry into another country or the ability to cross a border.

Admission decisions are made solely by the border authorities of the destination country.

For questions regarding eligibility, application status, appeals, or the destruction process, please contact the unit directly.

Contact

Fingerprint & Photograph Destruction Requests

Phone
905-453-2121 ext. 4314

Email
CCRUnit@peelpolice.ca

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