How To Get Your RCMP Check In Canada To Teach In Korea
Congratulations! Your thirst for adventure has led you to apply to teach English in Korea! You are one step closer to a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! However, you may have inquiries about the documentation required for the visa, such as:
- What is an RCMP check?
- Where can I obtain my RCMP check?
- What will the cost be?
- What does it mean to get a document notarized and apostilled?
Do not fret, as it sounds much more complicated than it is in actuality.
Please note, that although fairly straightforward – it may take up to two months in totality.
RCMP Check
By now you have been selected to be a teacher! Your first big step while you wait to get your placement is to acquire your RCMP Check.
So, what is an RCMP Check? The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Criminal Check is a certified background check. It determines if you have been charged or convicted of a crime. The criminal record check is done against the RCMP’s Canadian Police Information Center (CPIC), within the National Repository of Criminal Records.
Now, where can I obtain it?
RCMP Check - Commissionaires Office
One option to obtain your RCMP Check is through a Commissionaires Office. Select your province, and request a fingerprinting appointment.
NOTE: When filling out your information, make sure to select Certified Criminal Record Check with Fingerprints, which will send your criminal record check directly to the RCMP. Your RCMP Check will cost in the ballpark range of 75$ in 2025.
It can take up to 4 weeks for you to receive the results of your RCMP Check, via mail.
RCMP Check - RCMP Station
Alternatively, you can go directly to your local RCMP Station and have the fingerprinting/record check process done. Click here to find a detachment near you.
NOTE: Residents outside of AB, NS, ON, QC, and SK may find their detachments limited. If you live outside of the listed provinces, try Googling: RCMP Location (my city).
You may require an appointment depending on the detachment. Not all detachments offer fingerprinting services. Prices and wait times may vary depending on location.
Notarizing Your Documents
Congratulations! You have received your RCMP Check, what now? Well, now you will need to get your documents notarized!
A notarization is an official fraud-deterrent process that assures the parties of a transaction that a document is authentic, and can be trusted. In your case, this will assure Aclipse that the copy of your degree and RCMP Check are legitimate.
This begs the next question. What do I need notarized? You need:
- A copy of your degree
- An original RCMP Check
You will take both of these documents to a notary public (a legal professional that is able to certify documents), and you can search via Google.
They will copy your degree and make the notary on the spot, so there are no wait times. Cost will be per document, and vary depending on the lawyer.
Apostilling Your Documents
The FINAL step before you are to send those documents off, and one step closer to obtaining your visa code!
An apostille is a certificate attached to your notarized document that allows it to be used in ~125 countries! You can read more here if it interests you.
You can find more information below, as navigating, booking appointments, and processes vary depending on province. However, here is a great place to start your search:
- Alberta Residents: Alberta Official Documents
- British Columbia Residents: OIC Administration Office
- Ontario Residents: Ontario Document Service
- Quebec Residents: Quebec Justice Services
- Saskatchewan Residents: Saskatchewan Authentication Service
- MB, NB, NL, NS, NT, NU, PE, YT Residents: Global Affairs Canada
NOTE: Cost will be 16-32$ and wait times are dependent if service is by mail or in-person.
Conclusion
You have your apostilled documents. A job well done! You’re now all set to send off all the documents needed to start the visa process.
Now get ready for a year of adventure, excitement and living to the fullest!
Jason Moreland is from Georgina, ON, Canada, and has a Bachelor’s in Psychology from Carleton University. From encyclopedias to Geography books, Jason has had an undeterred interest in the world and its people from a young age. This was a perfect storm that led him to Chungdahm Institute and Aclipse in adulthood. He will begin his first year with CDI in Seoul, this spring.