A pardon or record suspension allows individuals convicted of a crime, who have completed their sentence and conditions, and proven they are law-abiding, to separate their record from active criminal records. Issued by the Parole Board of Canada, it ensures that a CPIC search will not reveal the criminal record or the pardon/record suspension.

If you have been charged with a crime, even if found not guilty or never convicted, you still have a criminal record. If fingerprinted, a fingerprint number (FPS#) is assigned to your name and date of birth until you clear it. Regardless of fingerprinting, charges under the Criminal Code may still require a pardon/record suspension.

A person convicted under a federal act or regulation of Canada may apply for a pardon/record suspension, even if not a Canadian citizen or resident. If it has been at least three years since you completed your sentence and/or conditions, you may be eligible for a record suspension.

The waiting period begins once all sentences have been completed (including all sentences of imprisonment, any probation orders and payment in full of any fines, costs, surcharges, compensation orders and/or restitution).

Important: If you were ordered to pay any fines, costs, surcharges, compensation orders or restitution as part of your sentence, you should pay it in full as soon as possible. The waiting period only starts once full payment has been made. Proof of payment must be provided with your record suspension application.

If you have waited the required 3, 5, or 10 years after completing your sentence (depends on date of first offence and offence type), have the proper documents, and have been of good conduct, the Parole Board of Canada will grant a pardon/record suspension. Pardons/record suspensions are not granted for sexual offenses against minors or if you have more than three convictions with sentences over two years.

Acquiring the proper supporting documents takes between 3-6 months.

The Parole Board of Canada strives to process applications according to the following timelines:

• Summary offence: within 6 months of application acceptance.
• Indictable offence: within 12 months of acceptance.
• For applications where the Board is proposing to refuse a record suspension, it can take up to 24 months for a final decision to be made. If a proposal to refuse is being recommended in your case, you will be advised of this in writing by the PBC.