About the Canadian Pardon

Though the technical term for a Pardon in Canada has been changed to “Record Suspension”, the effect of attaining a Pardon remains the same. Eligible persons may have their criminal records removed from all searchable databases in Canada.

Getting a Pardon will help you:

• Get the job you have always wanted.
• Feel comfortable travelling to another country.
• Start a family using the adoption process.

Start your new life - On your terms.

If you were convicted of a crime, but have completed your sentence and demonstrated your commitment to remaining a law abiding citizen for the prescribed waiting period, then it is time to get your own Pardon from the Parole Board of Canada. Express Pardons has an experienced team of pardon professionals ready to help you get back to a normal life experience.

Not sure if you qualify?

Start on the path to a personal pardon by using our easy eligibility calculator. With a few quick clicks, you will have a clear indicator of your next step.

Am I Eligible? or Apply Now

As of March 13, 2012 the name for a Canadian Pardon was changed to “Record Suspension”.

What’s Different

The name change signified a shift in eligibility requirements for those seeking a pardon in Canada.

Changes to Pardon Eligibility

Longer waiting periods

The waiting period for a record suspension has increased to 5 years for all summary conviction offences and to 10 years for all indictable offences

Ineligible Persons

Individuals convicted of sexual offences against minors (with certain exceptions) and those who have been convicted of more than three indictable offences, each with a sentence of two or more years, are now ineligible for a record suspension.

What Stays the Same

Aside from these eligibility changes, the Record Suspension does the same things that a Pardon in Canada has always done. A Record Suspension will still remove your criminal records from all searchable databases, allowing you to apply for jobs that require a background check.

You have probably noticed that our website still uses the term “Pardon” instead of “Record Suspension” in many places. The reason for this is simple: People are used to calling it a Pardon.

Our job is to help people find the easiest way to achieve a clean record in Canada. Though Record Suspension is officially the correct term, it is not the easiest. A Pardon is still the term that most people are using to define a Record Suspension, so that’s what we will continue calling it.

Questions?

Wondering if you are currently eligible for a Record Suspension? Our online eligibility calculator is up to date with the latest requirements for a Record Suspension in Canada.

If you have any more questions please contact us at

1-866-416-6772

Eligibility Calculator

Follow each step providing all the information necessary.

The Process

The process of attaining a Pardon is a simple one at Express Pardons.

First we need to determine that you are in fact eligible to receive a pardon. To do this, you can use our handy online calculator, or speak to a representative of Express Pardons in a free private consultation.

Once your eligibility is confirmed, Express Pardons begins the real legwork of the pardon process. By using our contacts throughout the legal system, we quickly gather together the details of your conviction, including any supporting documentation, and a certified physical copy of the criminal record itself.

To support the application, Express Pardons will conduct a follow up search of local records in any area that you have lived during your wait period in order to verify your history as a law-abiding citizen.

With documentation in hand, Express Pardons will represent you before the Parole Board of Canada, giving you the benefit of our considerable experience and ensuring that your pardon is granted without delay.

It’s never been easier.

Try our eligibility calculator to see for yourself!

US Waivers

There is no need to wait for a pardon if you wish to enter the United States. If you have a criminal record, you will require a US Entry Waiver to travel freely across the border. Express Pardons offers an easy combo plan with a great discount for anyone requiring both services.

Click here for more information.

What You Can Expect

It Takes Time To Do Things Right

The process for achieving a Canadian Pardon is not a fast one.
Currently the Parole Board of Canada states:

“Applications seeking a record suspension [or pardon] for an offence or offences tried summarily will be processed within 6 months of application acceptance.” For offences tried by indictment, that waiting period could jump to 12 months.

Applications that have the board proposing to refuse a record suspension can be held up for 24 months.

It’s important to remember however that these waiting periods apply only after your application has been completed, and accepted by the Parole Board.

Our process begins before any of this happens.

Internally it can take 4-8 months to complete an Express Application. Those with the Express status take priority among applications, while standard applications will take 6 -12 months before it is ready for acceptance by the Parole Board.

Expect The Unexpected Costs:

Third party fees for court documents, fingerprint services, priority mail, police information checks, etc. may arise throughout the application process.

Express Pardons will treat with all third parties on your behalf, keeping you aware of any applicable fees from the courts or police centres throughout the process.

Here’s The Upside:

The Government of Canada has decided that a Canadian citizen convicted of a Summary offense must wait 5 years before their application is accepted.

Meaning, even if you have 6 months to go before you are eligible for a pardon, you can still begin the application.

Pardon Privacy

Express Pardons understands the importance that you place on your right of privacy, and we appreciate your trust when it comes to protecting and respecting those rights.

The information collected on our site is used exclusively for the purpose of preparing and completing the Canadian Record Suspension (referred to on this website as a Pardon) and any physical records are secured according to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) accreditation standards.

How Safe is My Online Data?

All personal information collected on our site is secured and transmitted with full 128-bit Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) encryption. Payment information is processed with 128-bit encryption using the same secured session keys required by today’s online banking standards.

Express Pardons will never sell your personal information, nor will we otherwise make personal information available to a third party under any circumstance, except as is explicitly required for the completion of services you specifically request.

Who Else Sees My Information?

Express Pardons will never contact or communicate with anyone other than you, or the relevant third parties involved in the application requested, as required.

Documents containing personal information are mailed in unmarked envelopes to protect your identity.

For How Long is My Information Kept?

Upon the completion of service, Express Pardons will retain non-payment related personal information for up to 60 days, after which time this information is physically destroyed. All payment related information is kept for up to 5 years, as is the legal requirement of the Canada Revenue Agency.

What Information Is Collected?

This notice applies to all information collected or submitted on the Express Pardons website or by email/telephone. Certain pages allow you to order products, make requests, or register to receive materials. The types of personal information that could be requested on these pages include:

Name
Address
Address History
Email address (optional)
Phone number(s) (optional)
Drivers License/Provincial ID #
Employment History*
Spousal/Family Information**
U.S. Entry Information
Criminal History
Credit / Debit Card Information

* Employers are never contacted under any circumstances, unless you explicitly request that we contact them to explain your application status, etc.
** Spouses and Family Members are never contacted under any circumstance, unless you explicitly add their names to your account as an accepted contact person to discuss the details of our case.

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