FAQ
A criminal record check may contain certain categories of information the police could have on file pertaining to an individual. This includes, but is not limited to, a record of convictions for criminal offences across Canada, outstanding warrants, judicial orders in effect (such as peace bonds, prohibitions or probation orders), and certain documented contacts an individual may have had with the police in recent years. Our record checks also include any pending charges that are before the courts. Some people have absolutely no such information, while others may have some or all of these categories. The extent of information released depends on which level of police information check the employer requires, specific to the position.
In releasing information, the police take no position on the suitability of the applicant and will not offer any comment or opinion. It is entirely at the discretion of the employer as to whether or not the applicant may be considered for the position.
In releasing information, the police take no position on the suitability of the applicant and will not offer any comment or opinion. It is entirely at the discretion of the employer as to whether or not the applicant may be considered for the position.
Not necessarily. Although some employers do not require one, more are asking for police checks as part of the application process. We advise employers to use the police check as one of the last steps in the process, after they've reviewed your application, conducted interviews and checked references.
The police do not require people to get record checks. You are being asked to provide one by the agency/employer to which you are applying. Our role is limited to providing a report with any potentially relevant information held in police databanks.
The police do not require people to get record checks. You are being asked to provide one by the agency/employer to which you are applying. Our role is limited to providing a report with any potentially relevant information held in police databanks.
Changes under Section 119(1) of the Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA) defines who has the authority to access the criminal records of youth under age 18.
Per section 119(1)(o) of the Act, youth criminal record checks are only allowed for the purposes of employment (with or without remuneration) with Federal, provincial, or municipal governments, this includes universities and colleges. Access to, and disclosure of, youth information for private employment, or other purposes not defined in the YCJA is prohibited.
Per section 119(1)(o) of the Act, youth criminal record checks are only allowed for the purposes of employment (with or without remuneration) with Federal, provincial, or municipal governments, this includes universities and colleges. Access to, and disclosure of, youth information for private employment, or other purposes not defined in the YCJA is prohibited.
We will accept your application if you are able to provide documents to prove you are registered as a student (student card or letter of acceptance) and have a local address at the time of application.
We do not recommend it. First, you might obtain the wrong type of check and have to apply for a new one at an additional cost. Also, most employers will want a recent police check; if you do one in advance it might not be accepted depending on when it was originally completed.
Police information checks are only valid on the day they are issued, since information can change from day to day. They are a 'snapshot in time' only. The police do not determine an expiry date; this is up to the agency/employer. Some might accept a police check that is 3-6 months old, while others may want a new one.
Since a person can be clear of charges or criminal activity today but could be arrested and charged tomorrow, we offer no guarantees on the validity of a police check beyond the actual date on which the search was conducted. As well, not all criminal convictions are reported to the RCMP, and more recent dispositions may not be updated on their system at the time a check is conducted.
Since a person can be clear of charges or criminal activity today but could be arrested and charged tomorrow, we offer no guarantees on the validity of a police check beyond the actual date on which the search was conducted. As well, not all criminal convictions are reported to the RCMP, and more recent dispositions may not be updated on their system at the time a check is conducted.
We stress that you make your choice carefully as we do not provide refunds or exchanges. If you are in doubt, the agency/employer should be able to tell you which one they require for the position. If you accidentally pick the wrong application online, please contact us and advise us of the error, we will do the one requested. Do not apply again online, we are unable to do refunds for online applications.
The employer must find information from a police check relevant to the job they are offering. The Human Rights Code states that a person cannot be discriminated against based on, among other things, a 'record of offences'. Obviously, some jobs - such as Police or Corrections Officer - will require the person to be free of convictions and have nothing in their history that might call their integrity into question. A person seeking a job at a financial institution will not likely be successful if they have convictions for theft, fraud or other crimes of dishonesty. However, a criminal record may not necessarily bar a person from obtaining employment or a volunteer position. The employer must show how the criminal record is relevant to the position being offered as a valid reason for refusal.
We do not disclose any non-criminal driving offences. If the job you are applying for requires proof of a clear driving record, you can obtain your Driver's Abstract from Access Nova Scotia. However, we will disclose any driving offences under the Criminal Code, such as Impaired Driving, Dangerous Driving, Criminal Negligence, etc.
We offer an expedited service for an additional $30, where we will guarantee a check is ready in two business days. Checks are done in order of when they are received and we strive to minimize the turnaround time as best we can.
You can get criminal record check done through your local municipal police service or RCMP Detachment that covers the area where you live or through a third party online service. Third party online services are not able to provide vulnerable sector checks.
A vulnerable sector check or VSC is for employment or volunteering with kids or vulnerable adults where you're in a position of trust/authority. A VSC includes criminal convictions, youth findings, pending charges, absolute/conditional discharges (with time limits), and authorized "non-conviction" info, but excludes certain mental health/restraining orders, requiring the organization to request it, with fees varying by role (volunteer vs. paid).
Criteria for Requiring a VS Check
Position of Trust/Authority: The role, not the person, must place you in authority over children (under 18) or vulnerable persons (due to age, disability, etc.). Examples: Teacher, daycare worker, nurse, personal support worker, coach, foster parent, bus/taxi driver, youth worker, scout leader, etc.
Request Origin: The hiring organization or volunteer agency must request the check; you cannot request it for yourself.
How to Get One?
Apply online through this site and choose Vulnerable Sector Check (VSC) as your application type, or apply in person at the Kentville Police Service Office at 80 River Street, Kentville, Nova Scotia. You must have a letter from the hiring organization or volunteer agency requesting a VSC in order to have one completed.
Provide personal details, address history (5 years), and the organization's name/reason for the check.
Fingerprinting may be requested
Per Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) policy, the requirement of providing your fingerprints is mandatory whenever the gender and date of birth of the applicant matches to an existing pardoned sexual offence record. This search is for date of Birth and Sex only and is not an accusation of criminality but is required to verify the person’s identity and to protect personal privacy.
The RCMP will require you to follow this process with every new Vulnerable Sector Check application you make. The Canadian Criminal Real Time Identification Service destroys fingerprint submissions when the search is completed, and verification is made. The results of your verification are never retained. Refusal of fingerprinting will result in incomplete application.
Criteria for Requiring a VS Check
Position of Trust/Authority: The role, not the person, must place you in authority over children (under 18) or vulnerable persons (due to age, disability, etc.). Examples: Teacher, daycare worker, nurse, personal support worker, coach, foster parent, bus/taxi driver, youth worker, scout leader, etc.
Request Origin: The hiring organization or volunteer agency must request the check; you cannot request it for yourself.
How to Get One?
Apply online through this site and choose Vulnerable Sector Check (VSC) as your application type, or apply in person at the Kentville Police Service Office at 80 River Street, Kentville, Nova Scotia. You must have a letter from the hiring organization or volunteer agency requesting a VSC in order to have one completed.
Provide personal details, address history (5 years), and the organization's name/reason for the check.
Fingerprinting may be requested
Per Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) policy, the requirement of providing your fingerprints is mandatory whenever the gender and date of birth of the applicant matches to an existing pardoned sexual offence record. This search is for date of Birth and Sex only and is not an accusation of criminality but is required to verify the person’s identity and to protect personal privacy.
The RCMP will require you to follow this process with every new Vulnerable Sector Check application you make. The Canadian Criminal Real Time Identification Service destroys fingerprint submissions when the search is completed, and verification is made. The results of your verification are never retained. Refusal of fingerprinting will result in incomplete application.