Frequently Asked Questions - Answered By The Criminal Record Experts
- What is a pardon?
A pardon is a legal process in Canada that removes your criminal record from all searchable systems. If you meet the eligibility requirements Read More
- How does the Pardon Work?
When you receive a Canadian pardon through Express Pardons, your criminal record is completely wiped from all of the searchable systems in Canada Read More
- Why Would I need a Pardon?
If you have a criminal record in Canada then you would need a pardon to have that record removed from all searchable systems Read More
- What happens if I was charged with a Criminal Offence but Not Convicted?
If you were charged with a criminal offence and not convicted then you would have a non-conviction record. This non-conviction record Read More
- Am I eligible for a Pardon?
Being eligible for a pardon depends on the length of time since your last offence. Criminal offences in Canada are either summary or indictable Read More
- Can I receive a Pardon for any Criminal Offence?
You can receive a pardon for any criminal offence provided you meet the pardon eligibility requirements Read More
- Can a Pardon ever be denied?
Yes a pardon can be denied, however, this only happens in rare cases involving more serious offences. The National Parole Board has the sole discretion Read More
- Can a Pardon ever be revoked?
If you are convicted of a new criminal offence, your pardoned criminal record may be brought back Read More
- What do I have to do for the Pardon Application?
Express Pardons will complete your pardon application on your behalf however, we will require you to sign the necessary pardon documents Read More
- Will a Criminal Record Check show that I have a Pardon?
Once a pardon has been granted, police officers will not be provided any indication that a criminal record ever existed. Your criminal record will not show up Read More
- Can a Sexual Offence be pardoned?
Sexual offences can be pardoned. However, when certain sexual offences are pardoned, the individuals name is entered into a flagged database Read More
- What is the difference between a Pardon and a Purge?
A pardon is for when you were charged and convicted of a criminal offence. A purge is when for situations where you were charged with a criminal offence Read More
- What is the difference between a Pardon and a Waiver?
A pardon is an application to remove your Canadian criminal record from all searchable systems. A Waiver is an application Read More
- What are Peace Bonds and do they affect my Pardon Application?
A peace bond is an order from a criminal court that restrains one person from bothering or threatening another. The bond can last for up to twelve months Read More
- If I do not get a Pardon how long will my Criminal Record remain in the system?
Criminal Records are retained until the subject of the record is eighty (80) years of age with no criminal activity reported in the last ten (10) years Read More
- Can I Enter Other Countries with a Criminal Record?
Many foreign nations discourage entry by individuals with criminal records. Most notably, the United States prohibits entry Read More
- What is a Local Indices Check?
A Local Indices Check is a review of local police files and occurrence reports in the area where the individual resides Read More
- Does a pardon have limitations?
A pardon will Read More
- When am I eligible for a Pardon?
You will be eligible for a pardon once you meet the eligibility requirements, which include Read More
- What are the Steps taken in getting my Pardon?
Obtaining Certified Criminal Records Read More
- Can I get a Pardon for a Military Record?
Yes you can. If you ever served in the Canadian Military, either regular or reserve, Express Pardons will request your military conduct sheet Read More
- Can my Employer look at my Criminal Record?
An employer can only check to see if you have a criminal record if you give them permission to do so Read More
- Can I adopt with a Criminal Record?
No. You must have a clear criminal record in order to be able to adopt in Canada. If you have a criminal record then you should Read More
- Can I become a Canadian Citizen with a Criminal Record?
No. You cannot become a Canadian Citizen if you have a criminal record in Canada. You must apply for a pardon Read More
- What is a U.S. Entry Waiver?
A U.S. Entry Waiver allows anyone who has been denied entry to the U.S. the ability to be able to re-enter the U.S. for vacation Read More
- Why Would I be Denied Entry to the United States of America?
There are many reasons as to why you may be denied entry to the United States of America Read More
- Are There Any Restrictions on a Waiver?
By United States regulation 8CFR 212.4 (3)(iii), a waiver may be valid for a maximum of five years. A waiver offers you Read More
- Can I Travel to Other Countries with a Criminal Record?
While Canada only shares its criminal record with the U.S., travel to other countries when you have a criminal record Read More
- What is the difference between a Waiver and a Pardon?
A pardon is an application to remove your Canadian criminal record from all searchable systems. A Waiver is Read More
- Can a Waiver Ever be denied?
Yes a waiver application can be denied by the Unites States Department of Homeland Security. The granting of a waiver is Read More
- How long will my Waiver be Valid for?
A U.S Waiver can be granted for anywhere from 1 to 5 years. Once the waiver is expired you will have to apply to renew the waiver Read More
- What are the Steps taken in getting my Waiver?
Obtaining Certified Criminal Records Read More
- Where do I file my U.S. Entry Waiver?
When your waiver package is ready to be filed with the U.S. it will be mailed to you. When you receive your waiver package Read More
- How much is the U.S. Filing Fee?
At the time of filing your waiver with the U.S. you will be required to pay the U.S. waiver-filing fee of $585.00 USD Read More
- What is a Purge?
A purge, or record destruction, is a process in which a petition is made to an arresting police force to destroy information Read More
- What if I was charged with a Criminal Offence but not convicted?
If you were charged with a criminal offence, but not convicted for whatever reason, then you would have a non-conviction record Read More
- I have a Dismissed Charge; do I still have a Criminal Record?
No. If your charge was dismissed you will not have a criminal record. However, you will have a non-conviction record that may show up Read More
- I have a Stayed Charge; do I still have a Criminal Record?
No. If your charge was stayed you will not have a criminal record. However, you will have a non-conviction record that may show up Read More
- I have a Withdrawn Charge; do I still have a Criminal Record?
No. If your charge was withdrawn you will not have a criminal record. However, you will have a non-conviction record that may show up Read More
- What is the difference between a Purge and a Pardon?
A pardon is for when you were charged and convicted of a criminal offence. A purge is when for situations where you were charged Read More
- What is a Conditional or Absolute Discharge?
A discharge occurs when a judge determines that you are guilty of an offence but provided you follow the conditions set out for you Read More
- What is a Record Suspension?
A record suspension is a legal process in Canada that removes your criminal record from all searchable systems Read More
- How does the Record Suspension Work?
When you receive a Canadian record suspension through Express Pardons, your criminal record is completely wiped Read More
- Why Would I need a Record Suspension?
If you have a criminal record in Canada then you would need a record suspension to have that record removed from all searchable systems Read More
- What happens if I was charged with a Criminal Offence but Not Convicted?
If you were charged with a criminal offence and not convicted then you would have a non-conviction record Read More
- Am I Eligible for a Record Suspension?
Being eligible for a record suspension depends on the length of time since your last offence. Criminal offences in Canada Read More
- Can I receive a Record Suspension for any Criminal Offence?
You can receive a record suspension for any criminal offence provided you meet the record suspension eligibility requirements Read More
- Can a Record Suspension ever be denied?
Yes a record suspension can be denied, however, this only happens in rare cases involving more serious offences Read More
- Can a Record Suspension ever be revoked?
If you are convicted of a new criminal offence, your criminal record for which you have received a record suspension Read More
- What do I have to do for the Record Suspension Application?
Express Pardons will complete your record suspension application on your behalf however, we will require you to sign Read More
- Will a Criminal Record Check show that I have a Record suspension?
Once a record suspension has been granted, police officers will not be provided any indication that a criminal record ever existed Read More
- Can a Sexual Offence receive a Record Suspension?
Sexual offences can receive a record suspension. However, when certain sexual offences receive a record suspension Read More
- What is the difference between a Record Suspension and a Purge?
A record suspension is for when you were charged and convicted of a criminal offence. A purge is when for situations where Read More
- What is the difference between a Record Suspension and a Waiver?
A record suspension is an application to remove your Canadian criminal record from all searchable systems. A Waiver is Read More
- What are Peace Bonds and do they affect my Record Suspension Application?
A peace bond is an order from a criminal court that restrains one person from bothering or threatening another Read More
- If I do not get a Record Suspension how long will my Criminal Record remain in the system?
Criminal Records are retained until the subject of the record is eighty (80) years of age with no criminal activity Read More
- Can I Enter Other Countries with a Criminal Record?
Many foreign nations discourage entry by individuals with criminal records. Most notably, the United States Read More
- What is a Local Indices Check?
A Local Indices Check is a review of local police files and occurrence reports in the area where the individual resides Read More
- Does a record suspension have limitations?
A record suspension will not clear your entry into any country that is already aware of your criminal record Read More
- When am I eligible for a Record Suspension?
You will be eligible for a record suspension once you meet the eligibility requirements which include Read More
- What are the Steps taken in getting my Record Suspension?
Obtaining Certified Criminal RecordsRead More
- Can I get a Record suspension for a Military Record?
Yes you can. If you ever served in the Canadian Military, either regular or reserve, Express Pardons will request your military conduct sheet Read More
- Can my Employer look at my Criminal Record?
An employer can only check to see if you have a criminal record if you give them permission to do so. Federal jobs Read More
- Can I adopt with a Criminal Record?
No. You must have a clear criminal record in order to be able to adopt in Canada. If you have a criminal record then you should apply Read More
