In this article, you'll learn about the Canadian criminal record checks that Certn offers. This article is part of a set. To learn more, read our articles about ordering this check and understanding this check's results.

Introduction

The Canadian criminal record checks that Certn offers can help you to confirm whether or not a candidate has a criminal history. Our checks use your candidate’s name, date of birth, and address history to search specific data sources for criminal record history. The searches performed depend on the type of Canadian criminal record check that you order from Certn. There are two types available to order:

• Basic Canadian Criminal Record Check
• Enhanced Canadian Criminal Record Check

Basic Canadian Criminal Record Check

Certn’s Basic Canadian Criminal Record Check searches the federal Canadian criminal records database. The check verifies the accuracy of criminal convictions disclosed by the candidate (indictable, hybrid, and summary offences for which a pardon has not been granted). If your candidate has any convictions to disclose, they'll need to provide the name, date, and court location for each conviction. Typically, the date given by a candidate for a conviction must be accurate within two years to be verified. The Basic Canadian Criminal Record Check does not usually contain records for offences committed as a youth (under 18 years of age). 

When the Basic check is complete, you receive one of three standard results: Negative, Confirmation of a Criminal Record, or Incomplete. Learn more about Basic check results. 

Enhanced Canadian Criminal Record Check

Certn's Enhanced Canadian Criminal Record Check includes our Basic check, plus searches of additional information sources for broader criminal history information to indicate whether or not your candidate has a criminal history beyond the scope of the Basic check. The Enhanced check searches the CPIC investigative data bank, the Public Safety Portal previously known as the Police Information Portal (PIP), and in some cases, local police indices and/or court registries. Typically, the scope of these searches includes items in the following list:

When the Enhanced check is complete, you receive one of two standard results: Clear or Not Clear. Learn more about Enhanced check results.

Who can order this check

To order Canadian criminal record checks from Certn, your business must have a legitimate reason for conducting criminal record checks. Typically, clients who order Canadian criminal record checks are Human Resources (HR) users who are performing pre-employment checks.

Property Manager (PM) users may also order Canadian criminal record checks. However, it is the responsibility of each property manager to confirm such a check is reasonable in the circumstances and not an over-collection of personal information. Be sure to review privacy legislation in your jurisdiction.

You can order this check for your candidates who live in Canada, excluding Québec. For candidates who live in Québec, you may be able to use our SOQUIJ check.

Turnaround time for this check

On average, our Canadian criminal record checks are completed within four hours. However, many of our Canadian criminal record checks are completed in as little as 15 minutes. 

In some cases, the turnaround time can exceed the four-hour time frame. Following are some examples of why a Canadian criminal record check could take longer than usual: 

• If your candidate is unable to complete the identity verification step, Certn will need to complete a manual verification. This can cause the check to exceed the typical turnaround time.
• For Basic checks, issues with your candidate's criminal history disclosure can extend the turnaround time. In such cases, upon request, Certn may correspond with your candidate for more information or to re-run the check.
• Enhanced checks are occasionally placed on hold. This typically occurs if the search returns potentially relevant records in an external agency’s database, and we need to wait for a response from the external agency.
  

  Note: If your check's status remains as In Progress for longer than 2-3 business days, the check may be on hold. For an update, you can contact us.

Stages of this check

There are several ways to order a Canadian criminal record check from Certn, including via our web application, via our API, or via an integration with your applicant tracking software (ATS). 

When you use Certn’s web application to invite your candidate to complete a Canadian criminal record check, the stages of this check are as follows:

How to get started

If you're new to Certn and you want to start ordering this check, start by creating your account. 

If you have an account and are ready to order this check, refer to our article about ordering this check.