Clearance Letter

A Clearance Letter is a formal document produced on secure paper indicating that the subject of the inquiry has no criminal convictions in the National Repository of Criminal Records maintained by the RCMP.

Requests must be made in person. Please download and complete this form, then bring it to police headquarter, 40 College Street, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday to Friday (excluding holidays). Two pieces of government issued identification are required, one of which must contain a photograph and signature. Click here to read about the suitable forms of identification.

The processing fee for a clearance letter is $26.25, which can be paid by Visa, MasterCard, Interact or cash. Please read the application form carefully for eligibility requirements. The processing fee is NON-REFUNDABLE.

If you have charges presently before the courts, you may still be eligible for a Clearance Letter, however, the letter will outline the pending charges.

If you have a criminal record, you are not eligible for a Clearance Letter. You will be provided with a copy of your criminal record as it appears in the National Repository of Criminal Records maintained by the R.C.M.P. If there are discrepancies with entries submitted by the Toronto Police Service, please contact the unit coordinator at (416) 808-8239 and arrangements will be made for your fingerprints to be taken. They will be matched against the record and corrections made if necessary.

If a discrepancy involves another Police Service, please contact them directly.

If you require fingerprints as a further confirmation of identification, for the purposes of immigration or any other civil matter, please attend one of the various private R.C.M.P. accredited fingerprinting agencies listed in your local telephone book.

NOTE: The Toronto Police Service does not take fingerprints for civil purposes (e.g. visas, immigration, etc.) and is not affiliated with any private fingerprinting agency.

A Clearance Letter does not satisfy the needs of the social agencies (Big Brothers, Scouts Canada, and Toronto Parks & Recreation etc) that have entered into a memorandum of understanding with the Toronto Police Service for the purpose of a police reference check. It is also not accepted by the National Parole Board or the Ministry of Government Services for the purpose of obtaining a pardon or name change. Individuals requiring a record check for this purpose must submit the necessary documentation and sign a "Consent to Disclosure of Personal Information" which can only be obtained at Police Headquarters. A fee of $47.25 will be charged for this type of record check.

Clearance Letters and Criminal Records Check office number is 416-808-7991.