Record Suspension Process
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 called a Pardon).

The Parole Board of Canada (PBC) is the only federal agency authorized to grant a Record Suspensions . You do not need a lawyer or third‑party company to apply. The process can be completed by individuals directly through the PBC.

To apply, download and complete the application forms available from the Parole Board of Canada’s Record Suspensions section.

Fingerprinting Appointment (Step One)

The first step is to obtain a copy of your Criminal Record from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) in Ottawa by submitting your fingerprints.

To do this, you must book a fingerprinting appointment. Please call 705‑675‑9171, ext. 6622 to schedule your appointment, as walk‑ins are not currently accepted.

A fingerprinting fee applies and can be found on our Fees for Services page. This fee is required at the time of your appointment. You must also bring two pieces of valid, government‑issued identification. Accepted forms of ID include:

  • Passport
  • Driver's licence
  • Birth Certificate
  • Canadian Citizenship Card
  • Permanent Resident Card
  • Certificate of Indian Status
  • Immigration Documents (i.e. work or study permits)
  • Military Family ID card (MFID)
  • Record of Landing for Citizenship Applicant
  • Certificate of live Birth
  • Nexus card
  • Ontario Identification Card

Local Police Records Check (Step two)

When your fingerprints are received back from the RCMP, the Local Police Record Check Form in the Record Suspension Application booklet is to be provided to every police agency where you have lived in the last five years.

In Greater Sudbury, you can submit this form via our online Local Police Check site.

Fees for Services

Effective January 1, 2026, the Fees for Services provided by the Greater Sudbury Police Service as approved by the Police Services Board.

*As per Bill 13, amendments to the Police Record Checks Reform Act (PRCRA) allow police services to provide volunteer Criminal Record Checks (CRC) and volunteer Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Checks (CRJMC) at no charge, when a valid volunteer letter from the organization is submitted.

Please note that expedited service is not available for:

  • Record Suspension applications
  • Destruction of Fingerprint and Photograph Records
  • Insurance Confirmation Requests