FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, May 2, 2017 10:00am
(Ottawa) — Residents over the age of 18 will be able to apply online for a police records check 24/7 without having to attend an Ottawa Police Service location in person.
All aspects of the process, including verification of your identification and fee payment, are going to be handled electronically. You will need a bank account and credit history for the electronic identification verification process.
“People require police checks for many reasons, such as employment, volunteering, and coaching,” stated Debra Frazer, Director General. “The new online process gives the community a convenient, secure, accessible, and faster way to obtain a police records check.”
There are three different police records checks available:
- criminal record check,
- criminal record and judicial matters check, and
- vulnerable sector check.
Visit ottawapolice.ca for detailed explanations of what each police records check includes or does not include.
Once payment has been confirmed or waived, in the case of volunteers with a letter from the agency confirming their volunteer capacity, the application will be completed and either emailed or mailed back to the applicant based on the applicant’s preference. Additionally, you will be able to verify the status of your application online, once it is submitted.
It is expected that the average wait time will vary between 24-72 hours for the majority of applications. If fingerprint follow-up is required, or if the applicant has had negative contact with police, it could take up to six weeks to process the police check due to the RCMP’s involvement with the file.
If you have already applied for a police check in person at one of our police stations, do not reapply. All applications received are being processed with a minimal waiting time.
In-person applications for police checks will only be received at our west end location at 2670 Queensview Drive. Applications and walk-ins will no longer be accepted at alternate locations.
“This online application process was built in consultation with the public, and with customer service best practices in mind,” added Debra Frazer. “We would like to thank the hundreds of people who have participated in our testing phase of this application over the past three months.”
We urge users to fill out our survey upon completion of their online application so we can continue to improve our service to the community.
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