Applying for a Record Suspension
You can apply on your own. Here's how to get organized.
A criminal record can get in the way of work, housing and travel. A Record Suspension (it used to be called a pardon) is one way forward, and many people apply on their own. What it takes is patience, organization and a clear checklist. This page walks you through the paperwork, one step at a time. The Parole Board of Canada's official guide has the final word on every detail.
I'm not a lawyer, and this page isn't legal advice. It's a practical guide to the paperwork, based on the Parole Board of Canada's public process. For questions about your own situation, read the official guide, or talk to a lawyer or a community legal clinic.
First, Check Whether You Can Apply
Whether you can apply depends on your sentence, whether everything is finished and paid, and how much time has passed. Some offences can't be suspended. We don't interpret these rules for anyone, because small details matter. Read the eligibility section of the official guide first. If anything is unclear, ask a lawyer or a community legal clinic before you start paying for documents.
Five Steps, One at a Time
Step 1: Get Your Fingerprints
Book an appointment with an RCMP-accredited fingerprinting company, or a police service that offers this service. Tell them the fingerprints are for a Record Suspension application. Before you book, ask what it costs, how the results are sent, and how long they usually take.
Step 2: Get Your Court Documents
Contact the courthouse where you were sentenced and ask for the court documents the official guide lists. If you were sentenced in more than one place, you may need to contact each courthouse. Ask about any fees before you order.
Step 3: Get Your Local Police Check
The application needs a local police records check, done on the Parole Board's own form. A regular criminal record check is not the same thing, so ask for the form by name. The official guide says which police services and which years you need to cover. Ask each police service about fees and timing.
Step 4: Fill Out the Application
Download the current application guide and forms from canada.ca. Older copies may be out of date. Part of the application asks you to explain how a Record Suspension would help you. Take your time with it, write it in your own words, and keep a copy of everything you send.
Step 5: Mail It In and Keep Records
Check the official guide for the current fee and how to pay. Mail the complete package to the Parole Board of Canada. Keep copies of every page and write down the date you sent it. Processing takes time. The Parole Board posts current information on its website.
Heads Up
Two things to watch for. Paid application services: some companies charge to fill out these forms for you. They can't make the police, the courts or the Parole Board move any faster. Before you pay anyone, read the official guide and decide whether you can do it yourself. Travel to the United States: a Record Suspension is a Canadian process. It doesn't decide whether you can enter the United States, which has its own rules. Check official US government sources before you plan to cross the border.
Links
Official guide and forms (canada.ca) — https://www.canada.ca/en/parole-board/services/record-suspensions/official-pbc-application-guide-and-forms.html
Find an accredited fingerprinting company (RCMP) — https://www.rcmp.ca/en/criminal-records/criminal-record-checks/private-fingerprinting-companies-accredited-rcmp
Want Help Getting Organized?
The paperwork has a lot of steps and a lot of waiting. In a coaching session we can build your checklist, sort your documents and plan your timeline, so nothing gets missed. Your application is yours: we don't write or edit it, and we don't give legal advice.
Cole, CPC · ICF member
Own Your Story. Build Your Future.
Not sure where to start? Book a free 15-minute call: https://calendly.com/theunpolishedpath/discovery-call
Information on this page is general information. It is not legal advice, therapy or medical treatment.