Last updated: July 23, 2026
Performing a criminal record check in Edmonton, Alberta is easy.
As long as you have the correct set of documents prepared and are ready to answer personal questions, record checks in Edmonton can be conducted quickly.
That said, three criminal record checks can be requested of you in Edmonton, and it’s essential to be sure exactly which one it is — a criminal record check, a certified criminal record check, or a vulnerable sector check.
What Is a Criminal Record Check?
A criminal record check, or police information check, is a named-based check — meaning only personal information is required. They are also known as police checks or police certificates.
More important, a record check in Canada will provide any criminal convictions, police involvement, or findings of guilt regarding your name.
How to Perform a Police Information Check in Edmonton, Alberta
Police information checks are name-based and only require personal information, therefore they can be completed entirely online.
As a result, police information checks are commonly performed by using accredited websites.
Edmonton Police Service also runs its own online application through the Police Solutions portal, and recommends it over visiting in person. The in-person counter is at #108, 14315-118 Avenue in the Nexus Business Park, with fingerprinting hours Monday to Wednesday and Friday, 8 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. The office is closed to the public on Thursdays, there is no on-the-spot processing, and divisional stations do not accept applications. EPS charges $80 for an employment police information check and $20 for volunteers with a letter from the organization. Vulnerable sector fingerprinting adds a $25 federal fee when prints are required.
Step-by-Step Instructions for a Police Information Check in Edmonton
- Visit Instant Record Check‘s website or the Edmonton police service for your police information check.
- Once you get to your appointment or start the process online, you will be asked to provide the following personal information:
- Your full name
- Place and date of birth
- Legal address
- Photo ID
- Facial recognition scan (online only)
- Additional document verifying your identity
Note: At least one of the documents needs to be government-issued, such as a driver’s license, passport, birth certificate, or identity card.
- After you’ve provided your personal information for a police information check, the fee is $80 for employment, $55 for post-secondary placements, or $20 for volunteers.
- Once you’ve paid, you’re all done! Although you won’t receive your results immediately from Edmonton police service, you should receive your results in three to ten days if your record is clear. However, if you do have a criminal record, it could take 30 days or longer. For further reading material, or if you are interested in doing a police information check completely online, we strongly suggest this related topic: conducting a check.
Did you know? According to the John Howard Society, 23% of Canadian men and 4.3% of Canadian women have a criminal record. This means 3.8 million people in Canada have a criminal record.
What Is a Certified Criminal Record Check?
Certified criminal record checks require all the same information as the name-based police information checks — except for one crucial component.
Certified checks require the documentation of fingerprints for absolute identity verification.
This requires the applicant to visit an accredited fingerprinting company or the Edmonton police service to document their fingerprints.
For a list of accredited fingerprinting agencies in Canada, contact the RCMP’s Canadian Criminal Real Time Identification Services (CCRTIS).
Step-by-Step Process for a Certified Criminal Record Check
- First, book an appointment with an accredited fingerprinting company or your local Edmonton police service.
- Then, gather all your required documents, such as:
- Two different government-issued documents that include a photo of you. For example, your driver’s license, identity card, or passport.
- Any documents or letters from the company requesting your criminal record.
- When you get to your appointment, you will provide the same personal information needed for a police information check.
- Next, the professionals will use an optical scan to document your fingerprints. These optical scans provide quicker and more accurate results than ink fingerprinting.
- Once your fingerprints have been verified, your accredited company will use your information to directly request your criminal history from the RCMP’s Canadian Criminal Real Time Identification Services.
- Similar to a police information check, you won’t receive your results immediately:
- If your record is clear, you will receive your certificate within 3–7 business days.
- If your record is not clear, it could take up to 120 business days to receive your results.
Sounds like a lot? You can also contact Instant Record Check for any questions or concerns you have about this process.
Police Information Check in Edmonton: EPS Fees and Process
Edmonton Police Service calls its record check product a police information check (PIC); other police services use the name criminal record check for their equivalent name-based search. EPS takes applications online around the clock, and you do not need to visit a station. The check costs $80 for employment, $55 for post-secondary placements, and $20 for volunteers, payable by credit or debit card. Only Edmonton and Greater Edmonton residents can apply through EPS; if you live elsewhere in Alberta, see our Alberta guide.
Need results faster than the roughly 15-business-day EPS turnaround? An online criminal record check through Instant Record Check searches the same RCMP and CPIC data from $59.97, usually in about 15 minutes.
Vulnerable Sector Checks in Edmonton
In Edmonton, vulnerable sector screening is part of the Edmonton Police Service's police information check, and EPS is the only body that can run it for Edmonton residents. Applications go through the EPS police information check system, online for most categories. No online company can issue a vulnerable sector check, Instant Record Check included.
EPS fees, as published in July 2026: $80 for employment, housing, immigration and most other purposes; $55 for post-secondary practicums and placements with proof of program admission; and $20 for volunteers with a letter from the agency confirming the position. If fingerprints are required as part of vulnerable sector screening, a $25 RCMP fee applies.
The check is restricted by law to positions of trust or authority over children or vulnerable persons, and the requesting organization determines whether a role qualifies. If yours does not, a standard criminal record check online covers most Edmonton employment screening in about 15 minutes. Our vulnerable sector check guide explains who qualifies, what a VSC discloses and how it differs from the checks you can get online.
Where to Get a Criminal Record Check in Edmonton
In Edmonton, you can receive a criminal record check at your local police station or online through services such as Instant Record Check.
How Long Does an Edmonton Police Check Take?
Online: about 15 minutes for a standard criminal record check through Instant Record Check. Through EPS, plan for longer: the service publishes no fixed turnaround, the public counter closes on Thursdays to clear volume, and nothing is processed on the spot. Vulnerable sector checks with fingerprinting take the longest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a police information check in Edmonton online?
Yes, two ways. EPS runs its own online application through the Police Solutions portal, and Instant Record Check runs standard criminal record checks from $59.97 with results in about 15 minutes. Vulnerable sector checks must go through EPS.
How much does a police information check cost in Edmonton?
EPS charges $80 for employment checks and $20 for volunteers with a letter from the organization. An online criminal record check through Instant Record Check starts at $59.97. Vulnerable sector fingerprinting adds a $25 federal fee when prints are required.
How long does a criminal record check take in Edmonton?
Online through Instant Record Check, about 15 minutes. EPS does not publish a fixed turnaround, its counter is closed to the public on Thursdays, and there is no on-the-spot processing, so plan ahead when a start date is close.
What do I need for a vulnerable sector check in Edmonton?
Apply through EPS directly, and bring proof of Edmonton residency dated within the last 90 days, such as a utility bill or bank statement. Fingerprinting may be required, and no online provider can issue a vulnerable sector check.
Instant Record Check Editorial
Writing on criminal record checks and background screening in Canada.
