A criminal record check searches to see if you have a criminal record. It can be name based (using your name and date of birth) or fingerprint based (which confirms your identity with certainty). Results are checked against the RCMP National Repository of Criminal Records and, in many cases, local police records.

A Vulnerable Sector Check is a criminal record check plus a search to see if you have a record suspension (pardon) for a sexual offence. It is designed to protect vulnerable persons and is only permitted when the position truly involves trust or authority over vulnerable groups.

A Vulnerable Sector Check may include a range of information, such as any adult or youth criminal convictions, whether they are indictable, hybrid, or summary offences. It can also show charges that are still before the courts or unresolved. In addition, police held reports or occurrence files may appear if the information is considered relevant, which can include past interactions a person has had with police. Any current judicial conditions—such as probation terms, prohibition orders, peace bonds, or recognizance requirements—may also be listed. In some cases, non conviction information may be released as well, but only in accordance with established disclosure policies.

There is no standard expiry date. How long it is considered valid is up to the organization requesting it.

We aim to process Record Checks within 3 business days. However, processing times can vary, and delays may occur during high volume periods, if additional verification is required, or if fingerprints are needed.

Anyone applying for a job or volunteer position where the role places them in a position of trust or authority over children (under 18) or vulnerable persons (individuals who may be more at risk due to age, disability, or other factors).

Fingerprints may be requested when your basic information is similar to someone else in the national system. This step is only used to verify your identity and ensure the results belong to the correct person. It is a routine identity confirmation process, not an indication of concern.

The organization responsible for the vulnerable individuals. They determine if the role meets the legal criteria and how often the check must be repeated.

No. Each position requires its own Vulnerable Sector Check. They cannot be reused for other roles or organizations.

No. Vulnerable Sector Checks can only be released to Canadian organizations. Even if the position is located outside Canada, the results must stay within Canada.

No. Adoptions do not meet the legal requirements for a VSC. Instead, a fingerprint based criminal record check is used, and the RCMP may check for record suspensions for sexual offences through a separate process.

You can attend in person at our detachment located at 911 Bison Way.

You must bring two pieces of valid government-issued ID.
Accepted Photo ID:

• Driver’s Licence (interim licences not accepted)
• Alberta Photo ID Card
• Passport
• Permanent Residence Card
• Firearms Licence
• Certified Refugee Protection Claimant Document
• Nexus Card
• Secure Certificate of Indian Status (federal)

Accepted Non Photo ID:

• Provincial Health Care Card
• Birth Certificate
• Marriage Certificate
• Valid Immigration Documents
• Citizenship Certificate or Card

No. For security reasons, results must be picked up in person. Bring your receipt and the same ID used during your application.

The letter must be on official organization letterhead and include:

• Organization name, address, phone number, and a signature from an authorized official
• Applicant’s full name
• A clear description of the volunteer role and how it involves the vulnerable sector (e.g., coach, chaperone)
• The type of check required (Criminal Record Check or Vulnerable Sector Check)
• A statement confirming the applicant is not paid

• A role must truly involve trust or authority, not just contact.
• Children are anyone under 18.
• Vulnerable persons are individuals who may be at greater risk due to age, disability, or circumstance.
• It is an offence to request a Vulnerable Sector Check for a position that does not meet the legal requirement.
• The organization must request the VSC; applicants cannot request one themselves.
• Results can only be released to Canadian organizations.

No, a Local Police Record Check (LPRC) required for record suspension applications is different from a CRC. We can provide an LPRC, please call us at (780) 449-0100 for more information.

Your user name and password are case sensitive; please ensure that you type the username and password exactly as shown in the email you received when you registered your account.

The Police Service does not have access to password information and cannot reset a password. Please use the "Forgot Password?" link on the Secure Login page or in the upper right corner of the Police Solutions website. To reset your password, you will need your User Name, Email Address and the answer to one of the Security Questions you selected when you registered your account.

You MUST be 18 years or older to register an account on the Police Solutions site. This requirement is noted in the Forrest Green End User License Agreement. Therefore, persons under 18 years of age must attend the Records Branch of the Police Service in person to submit a record check request.

Yes. The payment process is handled through our partner Moneris Solutions Canada. The name on the payment card does not have to be the same as the name on the record check.

However, the authentication process will not be successful if you do not have an established personal credit history in Canada. Credit history can be established through credit cards, bank loans, cell phones, chequing accounts, car loans, etc. If an applicant fails the online authentication process they must attend in person to verify their ID.

Acceptable forms of payment are: Visa, Visa Debit, MasterCard, American Express.

The authentication process will not be successful if you do not have an established personal credit history in Canada. Credit history can be established through credit cards, bank loans, cell phones, chequing accounts, car loans, etc. The questions and answers are generated based on information on your credit file held by TransUnion.

There can be many reasons for authentication failure, such as incorrect answer, no credit history or not enough of a credit history, navigating away from the question pages or session time out, or if you are a new resident to Canada. Further, each question is individually timed, and failing to answer the question in a timely manner may result in an authentication failure.

Authentication failures may be viewed as an opportunity to ensure the data in your credit file is up-to-date and correct. Concerns regarding the accuracy of information on your consumer credit report should be addressed with TransUnion.

You can obtain a copy of your personal credit report for review and corrections, please contact TransUnion at 1-800-663-9980 or visit www.transunion.ca. Once you have verified your identity with them, they can help you understand why information has appeared.

The CPIC policy on the Dissemination of Criminal Record Information requires a police agency to verify the identity of an individual requesting a police record check. If an applicant fails the online authentication process they must attend in person to verify their ID. We cannot verify your ID by phone, fax or email.

The new online Criminal Records Check application process is account based which will provide a more secure way of applying for and sharing your Criminal Records Check results. It will also assist you when applying for future Criminal Records Checks by auto filling some of the application information.

As you will need access to your account to retrieve your CRC results it is strongly recommended that you remember:

• Your Username
• Your Password
• Your Security Questions and Answers

There are 2 reasons why your account may be locked for 24 hours:

• You entered incorrect information while attempting to reset your password or retrieve your username.
• You selected “NO” for the confirmation of residence when applying for a Vulnerable Sector Check.

You can download a copy of the receipt by logging into your account. Click on shield 5 (payment shield.)