Federal employment, contracts and personnel screening

Fingerprinting for Federal Employment & Security Clearances

Fingerprinting for federal employment, government contracts, the PSPC Contract Security Program and other personnel security screening requirements.

Application types covered

Employment (Federal Government)
Security clearance / contract screening

Acuity captures and submits your fingerprints. The screening outcome is decided by the requesting department or security program — the departmental or company security officer who asked for your prints, or Public Services and Procurement Canada’s Contract Security Program — not by Acuity, and we are not told the result. Please bring the instructions you were sent by the department, program or company security officer; your DCN (document control number) or other file or reference number shown on that request; and written instructions telling us where the result is to be delivered, including the name and address of the office receiving it.

The federal fee for this purpose

Federal employment requested by a departmental security officer is generally exempt from the $25 RCMP federal fee, so you would pay the $60 service fee only. Bring the request or clearance paperwork you were sent, as that is what establishes the exemption.

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

Fingerprinting for Federal Employment & Security Clearances — 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.

Will you tell me whether I passed the screening?

No. The screening outcome is decided by the requesting department or security program — the departmental or company security officer who asked for your prints, or Public Services and Procurement Canada’s Contract Security Program — and we are not told the result. Our role is to capture and submit the fingerprints.

What is a DCN, and do I need one?

A DCN is the document control number shown on the request you were sent. Bring the instructions from the department, program or company security officer, the DCN or other file or reference number on that request, and written instructions naming the office the result is to be delivered to, with its address.

Is the $25 RCMP fee charged for federal employment?

Federal employment requested by a departmental security officer is generally exempt, so you would pay the $60 service fee only. Bring the request or clearance paperwork you were sent — that is what establishes the exemption.

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.