Wondering if you are eligible to get a pardon? To apply for a pardon, and to get a Canada pardon requires that you can demonstrate that you meet the pardon eligibility requirements.
To meet the Canada pardon eligibility requirements and apply for a pardon in Canada, sufficient time must have passed since your last offence. Criminal records in Canada are categorized as either “indictable” (or criminal records tried by indictment), or “summary” (or criminal records tried summarily).
Summary criminal records are for minor offences and currently have a pardon eligibility waiting period of 3 years from the completion of your sentence to get a pardon.
Indictable criminal records are for more serious offences and currently carry a pardon eligibility waiting period of 5 years from the completion of your sentence to get a pardon.
A few serious offences carry a pardon eligibility waiting period of 10 years.
You can apply for a pardon up to one year before your pardon eligibility date.
Not sure if your criminal record is “summary” or “indictable”? The Canada pardon experts are here to help you apply for a pardon:
Common Summary Offences (3 Year Pardon Eligibility Waiting Period):
- Driving Under the Influence
- Simple Possession
- Theft Under $5000
- Fraud Under $5000
- Mischief
- Failure to Appear
- Breach of Probation
- Assault
Common Indictable Criminal Records (5 Year Pardon Eligibility Waiting Period):
- Robbery
- Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking
- Theft Over $5000
- Fraud Over $5000
- Breaking and Entering
- Trafficking in Narcotic/Controlled Substance
- Conspiracy
- Assault Aggravated/Causing Bodily Harm
- PLEASE NOTE: Due to the additional work required in clearing a criminal record charged by Indictment, these files are subject to an additional $150 fee charged on receipt of a certified Indictable criminal record.
To Apply For A Pardon, A Sentence Must Be Complete, But When Is The Sentence Complete?
Part of the pardon eligibility to get a pardon requires that you complete your sentences (excluding prohibition of driver’s license and firearms). The Parole Board of Canada considers fines to be part of the criminal record sentence. So to be eligible for a Canada pardon, at least 2 years must have passed since you paid your last summary offence fine, or 4 years for an indictable offence, before you can apply for a pardon in Canada.
If you are not sure if you meet the pardon eligibility requirements, or if you are close to meeting pardon eligibility requirements, you should apply for a pardon through our secure online pardon application system or request a free pardon consultation, and a pardon expert at Express Pardons Canada will be in touch to assist you determine your pardon eligibility and help you get a pardon.
> Learn more about the Express Advantage
> Learn more about the Pardon Process
