Before you can get a Pardon, we need to make sure you’re eligible. Once you have completed your sentence (which may be a fine, probation, surcharge, restitution, or jail term) a waiting period is also required. For summary offences (where a judge decided if you were guilty or not), a waiting period of 3 years is needed before you can apply for a Pardon. For indictable offences (where a jury decided if you were guilty or not), the waiting period is 5 years.
If you have met these primary requirements, the next step before petitioning the National Parole Board (NPB) is compiling the necessary legal documentation:
Criminal Record
A criminal record check is mandatory and will be requested from the Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC). The CPIC’s records show all your convictions, discharges, charges and your arrest record across Canada. You will also have to be fingerprinted for identification purposes. Our staff will direct you on the quickest methods of obtaining this information and we can recommend a private fingerprinting service if you would rather not get them through your local Police detachment.
Court Information
All Court records must be obtained. This includes Court records of convictions in more than one jurisdiction. We will contact the Court where the case was heard and provide them with a copy of your Authorization to search and locate your record. Once your record is located, the Court will sign and include their official seal or stamp on the documents. Court information requests can take anywhere from one week to several months.
Local Police Records
A local Police record check for every address where you have resided in the past 5 years must be conducted. This record check can take anywhere from 2 weeks to several months. Our staff will obtain these on your behalf.
Military Conduct Record
If you have ever been a member of the military and have committed an offence, you must have your Commanding Officer, National Defence or National Archives provide us with the pertinent information. A letter or Military Conduct Sheet from your Commanding Officer confirming your offences will be required. Military information requests can take anywhere from one week to several months.
If you have not yet met the time requirements for a Pardon, you can still contact our offices and enquire about starting your application process. That way we will be able to submit your application as soon as you are eligible, ensuring the fastest possible outcome for you.
