Domestic and international adoption requirements

Adoption Fingerprinting

Electronic fingerprinting for adults completing a domestic or international adoption, where a provincial or territorial adoption authority, a licensed agency or a receiving country requires an RCMP-certified criminal record check.

Application types covered

Adoption (Canada / International)

Purposes we cover, and what each one costs

Domestic adoption (Canada)
$60 service fee + $25 RCMP fee
Adoption is governed provincially and territorially, so the requirements are set where your file is being handled. Authorities and licensed agencies commonly ask for a fingerprint-based check at the home-study stage, for each adult in the household. Follow the instructions you were given: they state which check is required, whose fingerprints are needed and the date by which the result has to be received. Bring those instructions to your appointment so we submit the transaction the way they specify.
International adoption
$60 service fee + $25 RCMP fee, plus separate consular and authentication fees
A receiving country, its consulate or the adoption authority in that country may require an RCMP-certified check as part of your dossier. Some countries additionally require the certificate to be authenticated and legalized after the RCMP issues it — a separate step handled by Global Affairs Canada and the consulate concerned, not by Acuity. Check the dossier list for your specific country, because the required document and its validity period differ from one country to the next.

Tell us at your appointment where the result has to go. Depending on the jurisdiction, the certified result is returned to you, to the provincial or territorial adoption authority, or to the licensed agency or social worker handling your home study — the requesting body decides, and we can only submit the transaction the way its instructions specify. Acuity’s role is limited to capturing and submitting the fingerprints. We do not carry out home studies, do not assess suitability to adopt, do not prepare or file an adoption application or dossier, and do not decide the outcome. Those steps belong to the adoption authority, the licensed agency and, in an international adoption, the receiving country.

The federal fee for this purpose

Adoption, whether domestic or international, is generally subject to the $25 RCMP federal fee in addition to the $60 service fee. Every adult who has to be fingerprinted needs a separate appointment and pays separately. Home-study, agency, provincial and consular fees are set by those bodies and are not collected by Acuity.

The federal fee is set by the RCMP, not by Acuity, and is passed through at cost. GST does not apply to the service fee. We confirm the fee that applies to you against your request letter before your appointment.

See the full fee breakdown

What to bring

Two pieces of valid, original government-issued identification
At least one identification document containing a photograph
Your fingerprint request letter, instructions or file number
Name and address of the organization receiving the result

See the full checklist

Processing times

Processing times are set by the RCMP, not by Acuity. Where fingerprints do not match a criminal record, processing may take three business days or less. Applications requiring manual processing, or involving a possible match, may take approximately 120 business days. Mailing time is additional. Acuity Fingerprint Solutions does not control processing or delivery times.

Note — These processing times apply only to the RCMP criminal-record-check component. They do not include mailing time or processing by IRCC, the Parole Board of Canada, a foreign government, an employer, a licensing body or another requesting organization.

Official guidance

Requirements are set by the organization that asked for your fingerprints and can change without notice. Where their letter or instructions differ from anything on this page, follow their instructions, and bring the letter to your appointment so we can submit the transaction the way they need it.

These links open official government websites, which Acuity does not operate or control.

Acuity Fingerprint Solutions Inc. is an RCMP-accredited affiliate fingerprinting company. Electronic fingerprint transactions are securely submitted to CCRTIS through an RCMP-accredited Direct Connect agency.

Questions

Adoption Fingerprinting — frequently asked

The questions we are asked most often about this application type. Where your request letter says something different, follow the letter and bring it with you.

Does everyone in the household need to be fingerprinted?

Authorities and licensed agencies commonly ask for a fingerprint-based check for each adult in the household at the home-study stage, but your instructions decide it — they state whose fingerprints are needed. Every adult who has to be fingerprinted needs a separate appointment and pays the $60 service fee separately.

Where is the result sent?

Depending on the jurisdiction, the certified result is returned to you, to the provincial or territorial adoption authority, or to the licensed agency or social worker handling your home study. The requesting body decides, and we can only submit the transaction the way its instructions specify — so tell us at your appointment where the result has to go.

Do you carry out the home study or assess suitability?

No. We do not carry out home studies, assess suitability to adopt, prepare or file an adoption application or dossier, or decide the outcome. Those steps belong to the adoption authority, the licensed agency and, in an international adoption, the receiving country.

Does an international dossier need anything extra?

Often yes. Some countries require the certificate to be authenticated and legalized after the RCMP issues it — a separate step handled by Global Affairs Canada and the consulate concerned, not by Acuity. Check the dossier list for your specific country, because the required document and its validity period differ from one country to the next.

What identification do I need to bring?

Two pieces of valid, original government-issued identification, at least one of which shows your photograph. Photocopies, scans and photographs of documents cannot be accepted. Requirements are set by the receiving agency and are confirmed against current training material.