Canadian Pardons and Record Suspensions
A criminal record does not have to define your future. A Record Suspension removes your conviction from active Canadian criminal databases so it no longer appears in standard background checks. Our Calgary criminal defence lawyers can guide you through every step.
This page was written by the criminal defence lawyers at Hoare Claxton based on their experience appearing in Calgary courts. It is reviewed periodically for accuracy.
A Fresh Start Under Federal Law
A criminal conviction stays on your record and follows you into employment applications, professional licensing decisions, travel applications, and background checks for years after the sentence is completed. A Record Suspension, formerly called a Pardon, is the federal mechanism that changes that.
When the National Parole Board of Canada grants a Record Suspension, your criminal record is kept separate from active criminal records in the Canadian Police Information Centre. Standard searches of that database no longer reveal your past conviction. For most people this means being able to apply for jobs, cross borders, and move through daily life without that record being the first thing anyone sees.
The application process is lengthy and the documentation requirements are demanding. Our office guides clients through every step.
Call (587) 355-8889 for a free consultation.
What a Record Suspension Actually Does
A Record Suspension issued by the Parole Board of Canada does several specific things that matter practically.
Removes Your Record from CPIC
The Canadian Police Information Centre is the national database used by law enforcement across Canada. Once a Record Suspension is granted, a standard CPIC search will not reveal your conviction or the fact that a Record Suspension was granted.
Clears You from APIS
The Advance Passenger Information System is used by border and customs officials at international points of entry. A Record Suspension removes your record from APIS, which means you can arrive at US airports without being flagged during pre-screening.
What It Does Not Do
A Record Suspension does not erase your record entirely. Internal records at the local police detachment where you were arrested may still exist and could be accessed if you are re-arrested in that jurisdiction. Judicial orders such as driving prohibitions and firearms bans are not affected by a Record Suspension.
If your Canadian passport was issued before your Record Suspension was granted, it may contain a link to your fingerprint section number in its embedded data. We advise obtaining a new passport rather than a renewal after your Record Suspension is granted if you plan to travel internationally.
Are You Eligible?
Eligibility for a Record Suspension in Canada depends on two main factors: the nature of your conviction and the amount of time that has passed since you completed your sentence.
Waiting Periods
From completion of sentence including probation, fines, and any conditional sentence.
From completion of sentence for convictions after 2010.
The sentence completion date is not the date of your conviction or your release from custody. It includes the full period of any probation order, the final payment of any fine, and the end of any conditional sentence. You cannot apply until all of those obligations are fully satisfied.
Who Is Not Eligible
You are not eligible for a Record Suspension if:
- You were convicted of a sexual offence where the victim was a minor. There is no waiting period available for these offences and a Record Suspension cannot be obtained regardless of the time elapsed.
- You have four or more indictable convictions for which you served two or more years of jail time in total.
Not sure if you qualify? Call (587) 355-8889 and we will assess your eligibility in the first consultation at no charge.
CHECK MY ELIGIBILITYThe Application Process Step by Step
The Record Suspension process is longer and more document-intensive than most people expect when they first look into it.
- 01
Confirm Eligibility
Before any documents are gathered, confirm that your waiting period has been met and that none of the disqualifying factors apply to your situation. This is the starting point and the step where professional guidance saves the most time.
- 02
Gather Supporting Documentation
The most time-consuming part of the process, typically 3 to 10 months. Required documents include an RCMP National Repository record of convictions, court documents from every jurisdiction, a 10-year address history, police records checks from every jurisdiction you have lived in, and proof that all fines, restitution, and surcharges have been paid in full.
- 03
Complete the Application
The Parole Board of Canada's official Record Suspension application form must be completed accurately and completely. Errors or omissions are the most common reason applications are delayed or rejected. The Parole Board application fee is $631.00, payable to the Government of Canada.
- 04
Submit and Wait
Once submitted, the Parole Board typically takes 6 to 12 months to process and decide on a Record Suspension application. The full timeline from beginning the process to receiving a decision is commonly 12 to 24 months when document gathering is included.
- 05
Record Suspension Granted
If the application is approved, the Parole Board issues the Record Suspension and your record is separated from active CPIC databases. At this point we recommend obtaining a new Canadian passport if international travel is part of your plans.
The official Record Suspension application form is available directly from the Parole Board of Canada.
DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL APPLICATION FORMWhy Professional Assistance Matters
The Parole Board of Canada rejects a significant number of Record Suspension applications due to incomplete documentation, errors in the application, or eligibility issues that were not identified before the application was filed. A rejected application means starting the process again and potentially waiting additional time before reapplying.
Our office reviews your eligibility before any documents are gathered so you do not spend months collecting paperwork for an application that will not succeed. We guide you through the documentation requirements, review your completed application before submission, and ensure the filing is as complete and accurate as possible.
We advise contacting us well in advance of your eligibility date so the document gathering process can begin before the waiting period expires rather than after.
A friction-free process, four steps.
Calling a criminal lawyer about your record should not add to your stress. Here is exactly what to expect from Hoare Claxton.
We Listen
You tell us your conviction history, your sentence completion date, and where you have lived for the past ten years. We assess your eligibility at no charge.
We Identify What You Need
We confirm your eligibility, identify every document required for your specific application, and give you a clear picture of the timeline you are looking at.
We Guide the Process
We help you gather every required document, review your completed application before submission, and make sure nothing is missing that could delay or derail the process.
We Submit and Follow Through
We file your application with the Parole Board and follow up on its progress. You do not navigate the federal process alone.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a pardon and a record suspension in Canada?+
They are the same thing. The term pardon was replaced by record suspension in 2012 when the Criminal Records Act was amended. The process and the effect are the same: the National Parole Board of Canada reviews the application and, if approved, the criminal record is separated from active records in the Canadian Police Information Centre so it no longer appears in standard background checks.
How long does it take to get a record suspension in Canada?+
The full process typically takes between 12 and 24 months from start to finish. Gathering the required documentation usually takes 3 to 10 months depending on how many jurisdictions are involved and how quickly records can be obtained. Once the application is filed with the Parole Board, processing and decision typically takes 6 to 12 months. Starting the document gathering process well before your eligibility date is the most effective way to minimize the total timeline.
How much does a record suspension application cost in Canada?+
The Parole Board of Canada charges $631.00 as the application fee, payable to the Government of Canada. There may be additional costs for obtaining court records, police records checks from multiple jurisdictions, and professional assistance with the application. The total cost depends on how many jurisdictions your records span and the complexity of your history.
Will a record suspension let me travel to the United States?+
A record suspension removes your criminal record from CPIC and from the Advance Passenger Information System used by US border authorities. This means you can arrive at US airports without being flagged during pre-screening and standard border checks will not reveal your Canadian conviction. However, if you were previously denied entry to the US or have a US criminal record, a Canadian record suspension does not address those issues. If you obtained your Canadian passport before the record suspension was granted, we recommend applying for a new passport rather than a renewal.
Can I apply for a record suspension myself without a lawyer?+
Yes. The Parole Board of Canada accepts applications filed directly by individuals without legal representation. However, a significant number of applications are rejected due to incomplete documentation, errors in the application form, or eligibility issues that were not identified before filing. A rejected application means restarting the process. Professional assistance significantly reduces the risk of rejection and ensures the documentation gathered is complete before the application is filed.
Does a record suspension clear my record completely?+
A record suspension causes your conviction to be separated from active records in the Canadian Police Information Centre so that standard searches do not reveal it. It does not physically erase your record. Internal police records at local detachments where you were arrested may still exist and could be accessed if you are re-arrested in that jurisdiction. Judicial orders such as firearms prohibitions and driving bans are not affected by a record suspension.
What is the waiting period for a record suspension in Canada?+
The waiting period depends on how the offence was prosecuted. For summary conviction offences, you must wait five years from the completion of your full sentence including probation, fines, and any conditional sentence period. For indictable offences committed after 2010, the waiting period is ten years from the completion of your full sentence. The clock does not start until every aspect of your sentence is fully completed, including the final payment of any outstanding fine.
Are there offences that make me permanently ineligible for a record suspension?+
Yes. You are permanently ineligible if you were convicted of a sexual offence where the victim was a minor. You are also ineligible if you have four or more indictable convictions for which you served a total of two or more years of imprisonment. These disqualifications are permanent and cannot be overcome by the passage of time.
Ready to Find Out If You Qualify?
The waiting is the hardest part. Once you are eligible, the sooner you start the process the sooner your record stops following you.
Call (587) 355-8889. Free consultation. We assess your eligibility at no charge.
Free consultation. Strictly confidential. Our Calgary criminal defence team guides clients through the full record suspension process.
This is the official Government of Canada application form. We recommend contacting our office before filing to ensure your application is complete and your eligibility confirmed.