What to bring
Arriving prepared keeps your appointment to roughly 15–20 minutes. Three items are required for every appointment; the rest apply only if they are relevant to your application.
Required for every appointment
These three apply to every applicant, whatever your reason for being fingerprinted.
- 01
Two pieces of original government-issued ID
Both must be valid and unexpired. Photocopies, scans and photographs of documents cannot be accepted.
- 02
At least one photo ID
One of your two documents must include your photograph — for example a driver’s licence, passport or PR card.
- 03
Payment for the appointment
The Acuity service fee, plus any applicable government fee, is paid at your appointment by card.
Bring these only if they apply to you
Not every applicant needs the items below. Bring whichever ones match your situation — if you are unsure, bring them anyway.
- If applicable
Your fingerprint request letter or instructions
If an organization asked you to be fingerprinted, bring their letter, email or file number. It tells us the correct application type.
- If applicable
Recipient name and mailing address
Where your result goes to an organization rather than to you, bring their full name and address exactly as they provided it.
- If applicable
Any card or foreign-government form you were given
Some foreign governments and consulates supply their own fingerprint form. Bring it unmarked and uncompleted.
- If applicable
Name-change documentation
If your legal name has changed, bring the document that records the change — for example a change-of-name certificate or marriage certificate.
Identification requirements are set by the receiving agency and are confirmed against current training material before each appointment. If you are unsure whether a document qualifies, call us before you travel to the office.
Commonly accepted identification
The documents below are typically accepted. Remember that at least one of your two documents must carry your photograph.
- Canadian passport or foreign passport
- BC driver’s licence or BC Services Card with photo
- Permanent Resident card
- Canadian Citizenship certificate
- Certificate of Indian Status
- Provincial or territorial identification card
- Birth certificate (secondary, non-photo)
- Work or study permit / visitor record
Before you arrive
A few small things make a noticeable difference to capture quality and to how quickly we can get you through.
- Arrive five to ten minutes early so we can verify your ID without rushing.
- Each applicant needs their own appointment — including family members.
- Do not apply lotion or hand cream immediately before your appointment; it affects print quality.
- If your fingertips are cut, cracked or heavily worn, call us first.
- Tell us in advance if you need accessibility accommodations.
Never send identity documents through the booking form
Our booking form collects only the minimum information needed to reserve your time. Do not attach or send passports, identity documents, criminal-history information or fingerprint request letters by web form. Bring your originals to the appointment instead — that is the only place we handle them.
Questions about identification
Requirements are set by the organization that asked for your fingerprints. Where their letter differs from this page, follow the letter and bring it with you.
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.
Will my result be sent to me or to the organization?
That depends on your application type and the instructions from the requesting organization. Bring the recipient name and mailing address to your appointment so the submission is directed correctly.
Can I email you a copy of my passport or request letter?
Please do not. Email and web forms are not appropriate channels for identity documents, criminal-history information or request letters. Bring your original documents to the appointment instead.