Digital Fingerprinting
Electronic capture and submission of your fingerprints for a certified criminal record check. Your prints are captured on a Livescan device — For standard electronic submissions, fingerprints are captured digitally using a Livescan device and securely submitted for RCMP processing without ink or paper fingerprint cards — and transmitted electronically through an RCMP-accredited Direct Connect agency.
Application types covered
- Eligible civil application types supported by our RCMP-certified system.
The federal fee for this purpose
The $60 service fee is the same for every application type. Whether the RCMP adds its $25 federal fee depends on the purpose of your application — citizenship, immigration to Canada, federal employment requested by a departmental security officer, Privacy Act requests and qualifying volunteer work are generally exempt.
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 breakdownWhat 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
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.
- RCMPCriminal record checks
- RCMPTypes of certified criminal record checks
- RCMPProcessing times and fees
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.
Digital 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.
Do you still use ink and paper fingerprint cards?
No. Your prints are captured digitally on a Livescan device and submitted electronically through an RCMP-accredited Direct Connect agency. There is no ink and nothing for you to sign a card for.
Does the $60 service fee change with my application type?
No. The $60 service fee is the same for every application type. What changes is whether the RCMP adds its $25 federal fee, and that depends on the purpose of your application — citizenship, immigration to Canada, federal employment requested by a departmental security officer, Privacy Act requests and qualifying volunteer work are generally exempt.
I was given a paper fingerprint card or form — what do I do with it?
Bring it with you, unmarked. Do not fill it in, and do not attempt to take your own prints on it — a card with your own ink prints on it cannot be used. At your appointment we will look at what the form asks for and tell you what can be done with it, and whether an electronic submission is what the requesting body actually needs.
How long does an appointment take?
Most appointments are completed in approximately 15 to 20 minutes, including identity verification, capture and image review. Allow a little longer if you are bringing a foreign-government form or several applicants.
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.
What if my fingerprints cannot be read clearly?
Worn, cracked or heavily calloused fingertips sometimes affect capture. We review image quality on the spot and recapture during the same appointment at no extra service fee. If a submission is later rejected for a reason attributable to our capture or data entry, we recapture and resubmit without a further Acuity service fee — where a rejection results from information you supplied, a further government fee may apply. In rare cases where electronic capture is not possible, we will explain the alternatives available for your application type.