Canadian Pardon Details

A pardon is a formal attempt to remove the stigma associated with a criminal record. Here are some basic facts about pardons:

  • If you've been found guilty of a criminal offence, you have a criminal record.
  • Criminal records are not automatically removed-you must apply under the Criminal Records Act of Canada for a pardon.
  • A pardon allows people who were convicted, but have rehabilitated themselves since their conviction, to have their criminal record kept 'separate and apart' from other criminal records.

Pardon Eligibility

After completion of your sentence, the following waiting periods must elapse before your application can be submitted:

3 years

  • for a summary offence other than a sexual offence

5 years

  • for an indictable offence other than a sexual offence
  • for a summary sexual offence

10 Years

  • for a personal injury offence (Section 752 of the Criminal Code) including manslaughter, where a sentence of two or more years was imposed
  • for an indictable sexual offence

Completion of your sentence includes:

  • Payment of any fines, surcharges or restitution orders.
  • Conclusion of parole and/or probation period.

Please Note: For the purpose of a pardon, a court order, which prohibits you from driving or possessing a firearm, is not considered as part of a sentence.

Pardon Process

Once you've retained our services, we will take the following steps to obtain the information needed to complete your application:

  • We arrange for a criminal record search from the Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC) in Ottawa. The record will list all of your convictions, charges, discharges and your arrest record throughout Canada. You will need to be fingerprinted at your local police station or a private fingerprinting service.
  • We obtain confirmation from each court that you have paid any fines or surcharges and verify the method of trial of your conviction.
  • We obtain a local police report from the Police Service for every address that you've lived at within the past 5 years. You may have to go to your local police station.
  • If you've ever been a member of the military, we will have your Commanding Officer, National Defence, or the National Archives provide us with your military conduct report.

We keep track of all correspondence relating to your case and keep you informed during each stage of the process.

Once we obtain all of the necessary information, we will petition the Parole Board. Currently, the process can take anywhere from 6 to 12 months and varies depending on RCMP and Parole Board workloads.

NOBODY will obtain a pardon on your behalf faster than Assured Pardons, regardless of what they promise. Call us and we will explain why we are the FASTEST.