Updated: July 21, 2020
Applications for police record checks can be submitted online only. Record Checks will be made available for pick up at our three main divisions (Columbia Street, Frederick Street and Hespeler Road).
Essential workers will continue to receive priority queuing, including:
- Health care staff
- Social service workers
- Child care workers
- Food supply workers
- Workers involved in the maintenance of critical infrastructure
If you require fingerprints, you will be contacted regarding an appointment.
Please contact the Record Check Unit with any questions at recordchecks@wrps.on.ca.
Two pieces of government issued identification, as well as proof of residency within the Waterloo Region are required upon pick up of record checks. One piece of identification presented must include a photo. There are three different types of record checks:
- Criminal Record Check
- Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check (Includes Criminal Record Check Information)
- Vulnerable Sector Check (Includes Criminal Record Check & Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check Information)
Additional Information
Record Check Hours of Operation, Location, Fees, and Payment Methods |
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Regular Business HoursOnly the fingerprinting service for police record checks is being conducted at this time. Please call for a fingerprint appointment. LocationThe Record Check Office is located in the Police Reporting Centre (next to Police Headquarters) 150 Maple Grove Road, Cambridge 519-570-9777 ext. 8900
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Record Check Status Updates |
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Record check processing time can be found by choosing BEGIN RECORD CHECK, under STATUS. |
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More Information for Agencies and Applicants |
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Consider reading our Record Check Fact Sheets |
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Record Check for Adoption |
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To apply for a police record check for an Adoption:
Notes
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Fingerprinting |
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Fingerprinting may or may not be required depending on your application, review our dedicated fingerprinting page to learn more. |
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Acceptable Forms of Identification |
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In order to release or confirm confidential information regarding your criminal record, or lack thereof, we require sufficient proper identification to verify your identity. The applicant must produce two pieces of appropriate identification that confirms their name, date of birth and address. One piece of identification presented must include a photo. The following is a list of items that are considered acceptable forms of identification. (Health Cards cannot be required for identification purposes but if volunteered, no unauthorized use or disclosure of the Health Card is permitted.) Photo Identification which provides photo and both the name and date of birth of an individual:
Non-Photo Identification which provides both the name and date of birth of an individual:
For further information, please contact 519-570-9777 ext. 8900.
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Record checks for people living outside of Canada |
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The Waterloo Regional Police Service does not provide police record checks to people living outside of Canada. If you live out of the country, and need confirmation that you have no criminal record in Canada, you may obtain a copy of your Canadian Criminal Record through the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). Please visit the RCMP website for detailed instructions and costs. |
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Reconsideration Process for a Vulnerable Sector Check |
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The Waterloo Regional Police Service offers a Reconsideration Process to applicants who have received a Vulnerable Sector Check (VSC). This process is not available for the Criminal Record Check or the Criminal and Judicial Matters Check. Request for ReconsiderationIf you wish to request the removal or amendment of information listed on your police record check you may apply as follows:
Record Check Reconsideration Waterloo Regional Police Service 150 Maple Grove Road Cambridge, Ontario N3H 5M1
A: Reconsideration ProcessThe following will, if applicable, be considered in the reconsideration process:
B: Criminal DispositionsIf you have concerns regarding criminal dispositions that have been included on your Police Record Check, refer to our brochure File Closure of Fingerprints and Dispositions. Criminal convictions cannot be reconsidered in this process. C: Copies of Police ReportsThere may be times when obtaining a copy of a police report will assist you in recalling the event or in presenting the information on your Police Record Check to your employer. If you need to obtain a copy of a police report, submit an Access/Correction Request. D: Approved ReconsiderationOnce the application is received it will be reviewed by the Waterloo Regional Police Service’s Reconsideration Panel within 30 days to determine if it meets the criteria for reconsideration. If approval to remove or amend the information in question is granted, the applicant will be contacted to pick up a new Police Record Check, at no additional cost. A letter confirming the Reconsideration Panel’s decision will be sent to the applicant. E: Denied ReconsiderationIf the Reconsideration Panel determines that all or part of the request should be denied, a letter of denial will be sent to the applicant. The letter will state why the request was denied unless stating the reason for denial would jeopardize an on-going or open investigation or intelligence gathering, potentially endanger a person or property, be contrary to a privilege or be against public policy (i.e., fall under public immunity privilege). F: Extension of TimelinesIf, in extenuating circumstances, the Waterloo Regional Police Service cannot meet the timelines indicated in this process, the applicant will be notified of the applicable extensions as required. |
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Record Suspension (Pardon) |
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If you have been free of criminal convictions for a period of time you may apply to the Parole Board of Canada for a record suspension (formerly Pardon Application). Learn more by visiting our Record Suspension or Pardon Application page. | ||
Police Record Check Reform Act (PRCRA) |
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The PRCRA legislation passed on December 1, 2015 and will be enacted on November 1, 2018. This legislation introduces legislation to ensure clear, consistent and comprehensive set of standards to govern how police record checks (PRC) are conducted and disclosed in Ontario. Overview of the PRCA
When and why are police record checks used?
Types of Police Record ChecksThe PRCRA identifies three standard types of PRCs:
Disclosure of Youth RecordsThis is one of the most significant changes to record checks in Ontario. Youth records are only permitted to be disclosed in two circumstances:
What does this mean?
Only federal, provincial and municipal government agencies will receive youth records. The PRCRA regulates how police services release Police Record Checks (PRC) containing youth records to applicants. Up until now, police services have released a PRC containing youth records directly to the applicant who then provide the PRC to the organization or volunteer agency. The federal and provincial government has found this approach to be contrary to the Federal Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA). The only authorized release of a PRC containing youth records will be to a federal, provincial or municipal government. Applicants can gain access to their own record through the Federal Access to Information process but this record is not a PRC and is not allowed to be shared with any other agency. It is important to note the change for the community – police services will only provide PRC’s to applicants under the age of 18 for government positions. This is because non-government agencies are not authorized to receive any results. To require applicants to apply and pay for a PRC when no results will be released is not in the best interest of applicants, the police service and the community.
What does this mean?
Police services are unable to disclose whether or not there is a youth record. FormsAll forms are being updated or created to look similar across the province and include:
For questions or concerns, please contact Records Branch Supervisor, Angela Post at 519-570-9777, ext. 8807. |
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