Police Records Check

What is a Police Records Check?

A Police Records Check is a Criminal Records check as well as a search of all police records held in the information database. This includes any and all files where a person may be named, regardless of outcome.

The Abbotsford Police Department will only release Police Records Check information directly to the applicant. The applicant will be responsible for sharing the information with the requesting agency.

The Abbotsford Police Department conducts police records checks through the following databases:

  • Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC) including criminal convictions, outstanding warrants for arrest, charges currently before the courts, stays of proceedings, acquittals, dismissed cases, conditional and absolute discharges and sexual offences that have been pardoned.
  • Police Records Information Management Environment (PRIME).
  • LEIP-PIP: outside agencies' local records located on the PRIME system.
  • PIRS local RCMP records.
  • A request will also be made to agencies outside of BC where you have resided in the past 5 years.

What is a Vulnerable Sector Search?

An applicant who is identified as working with a person or organization responsible for the well-being of children under 18 years or with vulnerable persons who, because of their age, a disability or other circumstances, whether temporary or permanent, are in a position of dependence on others or are otherwise at greater risk than the general population of being harmed by persons in a position of authority or trust relative to them as is authorized under the Criminal Records Act.

If you indicate that you are working with vulnerable individuals, you will be required to sign a consent that will allow a search for any sexual offences for which a pardon has been granted, and consent to disclose any pardoned sexual offences.

How to Apply for a Police Records Check

All Police Records Checks must be completed by the agency policing the area where the applicant resides. Abbotsford Police Department will complete Police Records Check searches for residents of Abbotsford only.

Police Criminal Record Applications are completed in person at the main office located at 2838 Justice Way.

Personnel are available six days a week to assist with these requests. Search requests can be completed Monday to Friday between the hours of 8:00 am  and 5:30 pm. On Saturday staff are available between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm. Our office is closed on Sunday and Statutory holidays.

Police Record Check applications are processed in order of date received and search results should be completed within 10 business days. Delays may occur in completing the search if we have to verify data with other agencies.

If living outside Canada, see Police Records Check Outside of Canada.

Police Records Check Process

  1. Applicant must complete:

    • Consent and Consent for Record Check and Disclosure (APD-155)
    • Consent for a Criminal Record Check and Disclosure for Vulnerable Sector Screening (APD-057)

    These forms can be downloaded by clicking the links above, or picked up in person from either the APD headquarters building or our Community Police Office. Bring the forms with you to the Abbotsford Police Department, along with the necessary identification and fees (see below).

  2. Provide two pieces of government issued ID - one of which must be current and valid photo ID.

    Accepted as photo ID are:

    • Passport
    • Provincial Driver's license
    • Provincial Photo ID card
    • Canadian Military ID
    • Status Indian Card
    • Citizenship Card
    • Current year's student card for youth

    Secondary ID that may be used includes:

    • Birth Certificate
    • Social Insurance Number Card
    • CARE (Provincial Medical) card
    • The names on the ID must match. For females who have ID in two different names (usually due to marriage or divorce) please note you may be asked for a marriage/divorce certificate to confirm the names used.

  3. All applicants will be charged a fee for obtaining a Police Record Clearance.

    $65.00 for employment related searches
    $27.00 for volunteer positions

    Fees are in Canadian funds, include HST and are payable in exact cash or by debit card at APD headquarters, 2838 Justice Way.

  4. In some instances the applicant may be asked to provide fingerprints so that we may complete the Criminal Record Search requested.  If there are any additional fees associated with the processing of the fingerprints by the RCMP, the fees are the responsibility of the applicant.

Fingerprint Services

Abbotsford Police provides fingerprinting service for Employment, Immigration, Security Licensing, Legal Name Change, Pardon Applications, etc. For your convenience this service is available six days per week:

Monday to Friday (except holidays), 9:30 am to 1:00 pm
Saturday, 9:30 am to 12:00 pm

There are possible delays for Police Record Checks with vulnerable sector requiring fingerprint comparison (see details).