Key facts
- Who
- You and family members aged 18 or older
- Which countries
- Each country lived in for six months or more in a row since age 18
- Includes
- Your current country and Canada, if those rules apply
- How
- Follow IRCC's instructions for each country
- If delayed
- Upload proof you requested it and an explanation
- Official authority
- IRCC
Last verified against official sources: 2026-09-21
How to request each certificate
List every country
Write down each country where you (and each adult family member) lived for six months or more in a row since age 18.
Read IRCC's country instructions
IRCC explains the correct document, the issuing authority and how to apply for each country.
Apply early
Some certificates need fingerprints, an in-person visit or embassy help. Start straight after the invitation.
Upload or explain
Upload each certificate. If one is delayed, upload proof of your request and a letter explaining the delay.
Common mistakes
- Forgetting countries lived in for study or work years ago.
- Getting a local police letter when the country requires a national certificate.
- Leaving requests until the final weeks of the 60-day deadline.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a Canadian police certificate?
If you have lived in Canada for six months or more in a row since age 18, IRCC generally asks for a Canadian criminal record check, obtained through the RCMP process.
Do my children need police certificates?
Only family members aged 18 or older generally need them.
What to do next
- List every country for each adult family member.
- Open IRCC's instructions for each country and start requests.
Your next steps
Continue in the order most people find useful, rather than a list of unrelated pages.