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How to Get Your Own Criminal Record Check in Canada (Online, From $39)
A new job offer contingent on a background check. A volunteer role at a school. A rental application. A licensing body asking for paperwork. At some point, most Canadians are asked to prove they do not have a criminal record. If you have ever wondered, “Can I do a background check on myself in Canada?”, the answer is yes. You can, and you can do it today.
The traditional route is your local police service. That can take days or weeks depending on where you live, and many services do not offer a rush option. The faster route is online. With MyCheck by Credibled, you can request a Canadian criminal record check from your phone, verify your ID digitally, and receive a result in as little as 15 minutes. Level 1 starts at $39. Level 2 starts at $49.
New readers get 10% off with code MYCHECK10. Get your check now →
Can you check your own criminal record in Canada?
Yes. You can request your own criminal record check through your local police service, through a fingerprint-based process when the situation requires it, or through an online provider like MyCheck.
It helps to clear up a common mix-up first. “Criminal record check,” “police check,” and “police certificate” often get used interchangeably, but they are not always the same product. Toronto Police, for example, offers three distinct options:
- Criminal Record Check (Level 1)
- Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check (Level 2)
- Vulnerable Sector Check
Choosing the right one before you order saves time and money.
What shows up on a criminal record check
Level 1: Criminal Record Check
A Level 1 check covers criminal convictions, summary convictions within the last five years, and findings of guilt under the Youth Criminal Justice Act within the applicable disclosure period. It does not include outstanding charges, warrants, or current judicial orders.
Level 2: Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check
A Level 2 check covers everything in Level 1, plus current charges, outstanding warrants, judicial orders, and certain additional court-related matters.
If you have ever asked, “Will a charge without a conviction show on my record?“, this is the difference. On Level 1 it generally does not. On Level 2 it may.
Not sure which level your employer, landlord, or licensing body actually needs? Ask them before you order. Police services and online providers will not choose on their behalf.
For a deeper explanation of how results are interpreted once they come back, read our guide to understanding the results of Canadian criminal record checks.
Common situations where Canadians get their own criminal record check
MyCheck is used for all kinds of reasons. Here are the most common.
A new job
Many employers ask for a recent criminal record check before your start date. Ordering your own ahead of time can shave days off the hiring timeline and stop a slow police service from pushing your start date back.
Gig, rideshare, and delivery work
Uber, Lyft, DoorDash, Instacart, and similar platforms often require a recent check before you can start earning. A fast digital certificate keeps you moving and lets you activate your account sooner.
Volunteering
Community organizations, non-profits, sports leagues, and event organizers often ask for a Level 1 or Level 2 check. If the role involves working directly with children, the elderly, or other vulnerable populations, you will need a Vulnerable Sector Check instead, which MyCheck does not provide.
Rental applications
Some landlords and property managers ask prospective tenants for a criminal record check as part of their screening. Having one ready speeds up your application, especially in competitive rental markets.
Professional licensing and renewals
Certain regulatory colleges, industry certifications, and provincial licensing bodies require a check as part of the application or renewal. Confirm which level they need before you order so you do not pay twice.
Freelance and contract work
Clients hiring freelancers, contractors, or consultants for sensitive or trust-based work, such as in-home services, financial roles, or work involving confidential data, sometimes ask for a background check before signing the contract.
Peace of mind
Some Canadians order a check on themselves simply to see what, if anything, appears on their record before a situation forces them to find out under pressure.
If one of these sounds like you, MyCheck can have your certificate in your inbox today. Use code MYCHECK10 for 10% off. Get started →
Your three options for getting a check
1. Through your local police service
Most services now accept online applications, though processing times and fees vary widely across the country. Some issue secure digital PDFs. Others still mail paper certificates. Expect anywhere from a few days to several weeks.
2. Through a fingerprint-based RCMP process
Some situations require a certified fingerprint-based check instead of a name-and-date-of-birth search. These are processed by the RCMP, involve a federal processing fee in addition to local police or accredited fingerprinting fees, and take longer. This route is typically required for immigration, citizenship, and certain federal positions.
3. Through MyCheck online
For the most common situations (job applications, volunteer roles, rentals, gig work, side hustles), MyCheck is the fastest and simplest route. Fully online. No appointments. No paperwork. Results by email.
Police service vs. MyCheck: quick comparison
| Local police service | MyCheck | |
|---|---|---|
| Where | In person or online portal | Fully online |
| ID verification | Usually in person | Digital, from your phone |
| Turnaround | Days to weeks | 15 minutes to 4 hours |
| Format | PDF or paper | Digital certificate by email |
| Price | Varies by jurisdiction | From $39 (Level 1), $49 (Level 2) |
| Rush option | Usually not available | Standard turnaround is already fast |
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Credibled offers seamless integration, fraud detection, and real-time processing, helping employers make informed hiring decisions.
How MyCheck works, step by step
We built MyCheck to remove the friction people expect from background screening.
1. Start online. Desktop or mobile. You need your most recent Canadian address, a valid unexpired government-issued ID, and a debit or credit card.
2. Confirm consent. You certify that the information you provide is accurate and consent to a search of the Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC) database.
3. Verify your ID digitally. No trip to a police station. No paper forms.
4. Receive your result by email. A digital certificate arrives in your inbox, usually within 4 hours and sometimes in as little as 15 minutes.
You can then forward the certificate to an employer, landlord, or any organization that needs it. Employers receive a secure verification link they can trust, which is especially useful when your start date is tight.
How long it actually takes
The honest answer is: it depends on the route.
- Local police service: days to weeks depending on backlog and jurisdiction. Most services do not offer a rush option.
- Fingerprint-based RCMP check: weeks, by mail.
- MyCheck: 15 minutes to 4 hours for most applicants.
If your deadline is tight, MyCheck is usually the right call.
What MyCheck is not for
Order the right check the first time. MyCheck is not a Vulnerable Sector Check, and it is not suitable for immigration, visa, or citizenship applications. If the organization requesting your check has strict requirements, confirm with them before you order so you do not pay twice.
Why Canadians trust MyCheck
- 5/5 on Google
- 4.9 on G2
- Secure, encrypted, and privacy-compliant
- 100% Canadian-owned and operated, built in Toronto
- The same background check platform Canadian employers use to screen their hires
- Accredited processing through CPIC
Get your check now
If you need your own Canadian criminal record check and you want the fastest Canadian option, MyCheck is built for you.
Level 1 from $39. Level 2 from $49. Use code MYCHECK10 for 10% off.
FAQs
Yes. You can request one through your local police service or through an online provider like MyCheck.
Request your own criminal record check. A Level 1 check returns convictions and certain youth findings. If your result is incomplete, a fingerprint-based process may be required.
Local police services can take days to weeks. MyCheck returns most results within 4 hours, and some in as little as 15 minutes.
A Level 1 check covers convictions and certain youth findings within the applicable disclosure period. A Level 2 check adds current charges, outstanding warrants, and other judicial matters.
Use your local police service’s online portal if it offers one, or order MyCheck for a fully online process from your phone.
Not always. Police services typically separate them into Criminal Record Check, Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check, and Vulnerable Sector Check. People use the terms interchangeably in everyday conversation.
MyCheck Level 1 starts at $39. Level 2 starts at $49. Use code MYCHECK10 for 10% off. RCMP fingerprint-based checks involve a federal processing fee plus local police or accredited fingerprinting fees.
There is no Canada-wide expiry rule. A check is a point-in-time search. The organization requesting it decides how recent it must be. Some ask for an update annually, others every two years, others only when circumstances change.
Yes. MyCheck results can return in as little as 15 minutes. Most police services do not offer a rush option.
On a Level 1 check, generally no. On a Level 2 check, it may appear.
Yes. Employers receive a secure verification link that confirms the certificate is authentic. MyCheck runs on the same platform Canadian employers and HR teams use to screen candidates, so most hiring managers will recognize the format.
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