A criminal record can quietly follow you into job applications, housing decisions, volunteer opportunities, and travel. A record suspension will not erase the past, but it can open doors that have been closed.
If you completed your sentence and enough time has passed, you may be eligible to have your criminal record suspended. This means your conviction is removed from the RCMP's database and will not appear on most standard background checks.
Most people seeking a record suspension are not trying to hide from their past, they have moved on, completed their sentence, and are dealing with the ongoing practical consequences of a record that follows them:
Eligibility basics
Summary offences: 5-year waiting period after completing your sentence.
Indictable offences: 10-year waiting period after completing your sentence.
Some offences are ineligible for record suspension, including sexual offences involving minors and offences with more than three indictable convictions each with 2+ years served. We can help you assess your eligibility.
Determine eligibility
We review your offences, sentence completion, and waiting period to confirm you qualify to apply.
Gather documents
The application requires a court information package, local police record checks, RCMP fingerprinting, and documentation of your sentence completion.
Prepare and submit the application
The completed application is submitted to the Parole Board of Canada, which reviews and makes the final decision.
Receive your record suspension
If approved, your record is sealed from CPIC. The process can take several months from start to finish.
Record suspension applications involve collecting specific documents in a specific way from multiple sources. Errors or missing information can delay or derail the process. Having someone guide you through it correctly the first time saves you time, money, and frustration.
They are the same thing. The term 'pardon' was replaced with 'record suspension' under the Criminal Records Act. A record suspension seals your criminal record from public view in the RCMP's CPIC database, meaning it will not show up on most background checks.
For summary conviction offences, you must wait 5 years after completing your sentence. For indictable offences, the waiting period is 10 years. The waiting period begins after all conditions of your sentence are fully completed, including fines, probation, and any other terms.
A record suspension seals your record from CPIC, which means it will not appear on standard background checks. However, the record is not destroyed. It can still be accessed in certain circumstances, such as for applications involving work with vulnerable persons.
A Canadian record suspension does not affect your US immigration record. US border authorities maintain their own databases and may still have records of your criminal history. A record suspension addresses your Canadian record only. If US travel is a concern, it is worth understanding this distinction before you apply.
Possibly. If you meet the eligibility requirements, a record suspension can meaningfully improve your prospects by removing the conviction from standard background checks. We can help you understand your eligibility and what the process involves.
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