In Canada, CRC (Criminal Record Check) is handled by Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). This will determine if an individual has a criminal record, meaning if he/she has been charged or convicted of a crime. There are two ways to check your criminal record. however, As of April 01, 2015, the Korean Consulate will notarize ONLY the FINGERPRINTS C.R.C. and it does NOT need to be notarized by the Notary Public before notarization by the Korean Consulate. Also, U.S. citizen must obtain an FBI background check.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The applicant’s name on C.R.C. must EXACTLY match the name on his/her passport. If not, submit a copy of a SECONDARY ID (i.e. Driver’s License or Birth Certificate) which displays the EXACT name on his/her C.R.C.
*** IN CASE NAME ON C.R.C. DOES NOT MATCH NAME ON PASSPORT
- IF THE C.R.C. CONTAINS MIDDLE NAME BUT THE PASSPORT DOESN’T, SUBMISSION OF A SECONDARY ID (GOVERNMENT ISSUED PHOTO ID) WITH THE FULL NAME IS MANDATORY
- IF THE C.R.C. DOES NOT CONTAIN MIDDLE NAME BUT THE PASSPORT DOES, MUST REQUEST A NEW C.R.C. WITH THE FULL NAME.
Pro-tip: Please keep a copy after notarization for your record.
Process for Canada Applicants
Step 1: Have your fingerprints taken
Contact your local police service or an accredited fingerprinting company to have your fingerprints taken. You will be asked to review information on your application form prior to the police agency or authorized agency submitting it to the RCMP’s Canadian Criminal Real Time Identification Services (CCRTIS).
The following are the list of Authorized fingerprinting agencies;
- Canadian Corps of Commissionaires
- ClearNeed Information Systems Inc.
- East-West Fingerprinting and ID Services
- Gambit ID
- Global ID Services
- National Pardon Centre
- Reliability Screening Solutions Inc.
- The Fingerprint Room Inc.
- XL-ID Solutions (formerly Excellium)
Step 2: Provide the following information to the person taking your fingerprints
Inform the local police agency or accredited fingerprinting company of the reason for the certified criminal record check. As you are applying for Korean working visa, your reason should be,
- Foreign travel – Visas, U.S. Waivers, Border Crossing
Step 3: RCMP will mail you the certified Criminal background check.
If there is No match to a criminal record, it will only take 3 business days or less. So we are expecting that you can have the result within 2 weeks times.
Step 4: Take the Certified Criminal background check to the Korean consulate to get it notarized.
There are three different ways for notarization. If an applicant is currently in Korea, a representative who resides in the jurisdiction will apply instead.
Passport and a photocopy of the picture page
$5.20 per copy (CASH only)
Original fingerprints CRC
Application for notarization
Original fingerprints CRC
Application Fee $5.20 per copy
A photocopy of the picture page of the passport
Express return envelope (CANADA POST ONLY)
A photocopy of the picture page of the passport
Application Fee $5.20 per copy (CASH only)
Original fingerprints CRC
Permission letter (must be signed and dated by the applicant)
Photo ID of the representative
Korean Consulate in Canada
Vancouver Consulate Address:
#1600-1090 West Georgia St., Vancouver, BC V6E 3V7
Toronto Consulate Address:
555 Avenue Road, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M4V 2J7
What if someone does have a criminal background, let’s say a misdemeanor; will we still be able to work here ?
Should you do the criminal record check before you start application and submit it along with your CV or do you do it after you start the application process