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Changes in legislation have made it harder to clear your record
New rules have closed the door on many Canadians. Find out whether you still qualify — it takes about a minute.
Canadian Pardons & U.S. Waivers
Put your record behind you and get on with your life
Royal Canadian Pardon Services is a nationwide processing firm specialising in the completion of Pardon (Record Suspension) and U.S. Entry Waiver applications. Each year we help Canadians pursue a new lease on life — one that can lead to better jobs, the ability to adopt children and the freedom to travel without worry.
The pardon and travel waiver application process is worrying. We understand your concerns, and we make communicating with you and easing those worries our top priority. We stand by you through every step of the application and keep you apprised of your status regularly.
Legislative changes have significantly reshaped the pardon process. Pardons are no longer called pardons — they are now record suspensions — and the waiting time to reach eligibility has roughly doubled for most offences. With those changes in place, it is more important than ever to confirm your eligibility date and apply as soon as you are able.
The next step in putting your past behind you starts with the eligibility form on this page. Complete it today, and tomorrow can be the first of many brighter days ahead.
Check If You Are Eligible
Fill out the form below and one of our specialists will review your situation.
Canadian Pardon (Record Suspension)
An official act of the Government of Canada that seals your criminal record so it no longer appears on a standard criminal record check.
U.S. Entry Waiver
The United States does not recognise Canadian pardons. A waiver from the Department of Homeland Security is the only reliable way to cross the border with a record.
Why it matters
What a sealed record gives back to you
A criminal record follows you into nearly every part of adult life. Clearing it removes those barriers.
Employment
Pass background checks, qualify for promotions and become bondable — a requirement in many trades, finance and transport roles.
Family
Adoption, custody matters and volunteering with children or vulnerable adults all hinge on a clean record check.
Travel
Remove the uncertainty at the border. Paired with a U.S. Entry Waiver, travel plans stop being a gamble.
Housing & credit
Landlords and lenders run record checks. A record suspension takes that obstacle off the table.
Education
Many college and university programs — nursing, education, policing — require a clear record for placement.
Peace of mind
Stop wondering whether an old charge will surface at the worst possible moment.
The process
How an application moves forward
1. Eligibility review
We confirm your offences, sentence completion date and the applicable waiting period so you know exactly when you become eligible.
2. Document collection
Fingerprints, RCMP records, court documents and local police checks. This is the longest stage — typically three to ten months.
3. Submission & follow-up
We assemble and file the application, then track it through the Parole Board of Canada and keep you updated until a decision is issued.
Start before you are eligible
Because document gathering alone can take the better part of a year, most applicants should begin roughly 12 months before their eligibility date. That way the application is ready to file the day you qualify.