Police Record Checks

Amendments to Police Record Checks Reform Act

Beginning April 1, 2022, amendments to the Police Record Checks Reform Act, 2015 will remove the fee for volunteers applying for two types of police record checks: Criminal Record Checks and Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Checks.

Prospective volunteers will still need to pay any fees charged by police services for Vulnerable Sector Checks, which are considered the most thorough type of police record checks and require a comprehensive search of national and local police databases.

Customer Service Unit services by appointment only

In order to minimize wait times at the Customer Service Unit, record check applicants are encouraged to apply online. When applicants select Express Pick-up at the Community Resource Centre, located at 10720 Yonge St., Richmond Hill, police record checks will be available the next business day, excluding weekends and holidays. At all other locations, record checks will be available for pick up in seven to 10 business days.

If an applicant is unable to apply online or requires fingerprinting services, please contact the Customer Service Unit at 1-866-823-3334 ext. 7655 to schedule an appointment.

Location and hours

Why do I need a record check?

A police record check is a tool to help employers or other agencies determine an applicant's suitability for certain types of opportunities. Record checks are just one tool available and can be used in addition to interviews, reference checks and verification of credentials/licences.

Agencies can only request one type of record check from an applicant specific to the opportunity. They are not permitted to ask applicants for any additional police records.

How to apply

The York Regional Police Customer Service Unit provides three separate kinds of police record checks:

• Criminal Record Check 
• Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check
• Vulnerable Sector Check

To apply for a police record check, please print and complete the appropriate form before attending our Customer Service location at 10720 Yonge Street in Richmond Hill. Online police record checks are now available, provided applicants do not require fingerprinting services to complete their check.

When attending, be prepared to provide two pieces of valid, original, government-issued identification, confirming your name, date of birth and address.

One piece of identification must include a photo.

Acceptable pieces of identification:

• Driver's licence (issued by a Canadian province or territory)
• Foreign driver's licence
• Canadian passport
• Foreign passport
• Canadian citizenship card
• Permanent Resident (PR) card
• Certificate of Indian Status
• Valid student identity card from a Canadian or foreign institute
• Firearms Acquisition Certificate (FAC)
• Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) identification card
• Federal, provincial or municipal identification card
• Military Family Identification (MFID)
• Birth certificate
• Ontario photo card
• Fishing, boating or hunting licence
• Vehicle ownership
• One piece of non-photo identification, which provides both the name and date of birth of an individual

Unacceptable pieces of identification:

• Health card (issued by a Canadian province or territory)
• Social Insurance Number (SIN)

Student discounts

All students must present a valid student card to qualify for the discount. A student card indicates attendance to a recognized educational facility, university, college or high school and must have an expiry date. Cards will not be accepted from a licenced professional who has completed their studies within the program and is expected to continue their education to enhance or requalify their skills.

Volunteer positions

A volunteer is someone who performs a service but receives no compensation for doing so, other than an allowance for expenses or an honorarium. This excludes anyone receiving some other form of credit, such as academic credit or fulfilling a sentence requirement.

All applicants applying for a volunteer position must provide a letter from the agency where they intend to volunteer. The volunteer letter must be on the agency's letterhead with the applicant's name and volunteer position. The agency’s letter should also state this is a "volunteer non-paid position."

How long will it take?

We strive to complete requests while you wait, however if you have a criminal record, require fingerprints or we have to confirm any information with another police service, additional processing time will be required.  

Motor Vehicle Collision Reports and Incident Reports

See steps for obtaining a Motor Vehicle Collision or General Occurrence Report.

Real time identification fingerprint services

York Regional Police offers Real Time Identification Fingerprint Services. See our service fees.