Verifying your eligibility to apply for a pardon.
PARDON SERVICE
Helping you apply for a pardon
Want to initiate a record suspension application, also known as a pardon? Want to travel to the United States despite your criminal record? Have you been charged with something, but found not guilty?
We’re here to help! Our assistance and support service are free of charge and we offer you individualized guidance throughout the process.
Please note that we are currently no longer taking new applications for record suspension applications (pardons). The very large number of requests we’ve received in recent months has forced us to take this step in order to maintain a high quality of service for ongoing cases, and for the well-being of our team. Please check back regularly or follow us on social networks to keep up to date with any changes. Thank you for your patience!
OUR TEAM CAN SUPPORT YOU IN:
Informing you about the process.
Helping you complete the forms.
Answering your questions throughout the process.
Making copies of your documents for your personal files.
Checking the documents required for your application.
PARDON SERVICE
A criminal record suspension blocks access to criminal records. When obtained, the information contained in this register will no longer be accessible, with certain exceptions.
Pardon applications are submitted to the Parole Board of Canada, which is responsible for reviewing applications and deciding whether or not to grant the suspension. Any eligible person can complete the documents; there is no need to go through a lawyer or firm. As a non-profit organization, Alter Justice is here to support and assist you throughout the process, free of charge.
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW…
Cost
- $50
application - +/- $90
fingerprints - other fees
depending on the police department and municipal court
In total, the application will cost somewhere between $150 and $400.
This estimate applies to most pardon applications, but the total could be higher in some cases. If offences were committed in several different cities, for example, this would require paying police station fees several times over.
Do I need to apply through a lawyer or third-party service company?
NO. The Parole Board of Canada (PBC) is the only federal agency authorized to provide a record suspension and you do not need to go through an independent company or lawyer to apply for one.
You can still go through a company, but you should know that a company WILL NOT:
get it processed faster
give your application special status.
guarantee you a record suspension.
Beware of hidden fees
If you are dealing with a lawyer or agency, you will need to factor in additional costs for their services. Please note that you can’t apply for a pardon for free, nor pay a lower fee.
For more information, visit the Parole Board of Canada website. If you believe you’ve been a victim of fraud, contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre and tell them about your situation. We can also assist you in this process.
Contact us for more information.
Process
12 to 24 months
When can I apply for a pardon?
3, 5 or 10 years after serving all sentences
Note that changes have been made for people whose last offence took place before 2012.
Does the suspension of a criminal record erase it?
No. A pardon application puts a person’s criminal record on the sidelines, making its contents inaccessible to the public. However, if the person is found guilty of a new offence, their criminal record will be “reactivated.”
What about simple possession of cannabis?
If you have been convicted of simple cannabis possession offences, contact us to see if you are eligible for an accelerated pardon!
The benefits of a suspension
With a suspension, no information about your background can be released without the authorization of the Minister of Public Safety Canada. As a result, employers and insurance companies will no longer have access to your criminal history. Also, you are now protected by the charters of human rights and freedoms in matters of employment.
What is the recidivism rate once a record suspension has been granted?
Since 1970, over 460,000 Canadians have been granted a pardon or record suspension; 96% of these have never been revoked. The vast majority of pardoned or suspended offenders continue to be law-abiding citizens in the community.
About criminal records
What is a criminal record?
A criminal record is a complete list of a person’s convictions by the courts for an offence under a federal statute or regulation, corroborated by fingerprints. The RCMP manages criminal records.
When are criminal records deleted?
Criminal records are kept until a person reaches the age of 125.
Who can access a criminal record?
Since criminal convictions are public, anyone can have access to your criminal record: employers, legal professionals, insurance companies and so on.
Can I prevent access to my criminal record?
Yes. A pardon application enables you to block access to your criminal record. If you are eligible, you can have your criminal record suspended. This ensures that your criminal record is set aside from view. The information contained in your record will no longer be accessible to the public, unless you are convicted of a criminal offence or there is convincing evidence that you are no longer of good conduct or have made false or misleading statements when you applied for a record suspension.
Can I have a passport?
Yes. A person with a criminal record can apply for a passport.
Can I travel with a criminal record?
Yes, it is possible to travel. However, it’s advisable to check with the embassies of the countries you wish to visit to see if you could be refused entry because of your criminal convictions. In the United States, for example, a criminal record may be grounds for refusing entry. What’s more, despite having obtained a criminal record suspension, you may still be refused access to the United States, since a criminal record suspension is not recognized by the United States. You may then need a waiver of inadmissibility.
What are the repercussions of a criminal record?
The repercussions vary from person to person, but a criminal record has a particular impact on employment, insurance and, sometimes, travel outside the country.
WAIVER SERVICE
A waiver of inadmissibility allows people who would normally be barred from travelling to the U.S. because of their criminal record to enter with special permission.
Waiver applications are submitted to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, which is responsible for reviewing applications and deciding whether or not to grant the waiver. Any eligible person can complete the paperwork, and there’s no need to go through a lawyer or firm. Please note that, for the time being, we do not offer assistance with waiver applications.
Please note that we are no longer taking new applications for the waiver application.
HERE’S WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THE WAIVER
Cost
$930 + other related costs = about $1,100
Do I need to apply through a lawyer or third-party service company?
NO.
You can still go through a company, but you should know that using a company WILL NOT:
get it processed faster
give your application special status.
guarantee you a record suspension.
Beware of hidden fees
If you are dealing with a lawyer or an agency, you will need to factor in additional costs for their services. Please note that you can’t apply for a waiver for free, nor pay a lower fee.
For more information, visit the US Customs et Border Protection.
Process
12 to 24 months
When can I apply for a waiver?
After serving your sentence, but sometimes on probation
Do I have to apply for a waiver every time?
No, but the waiver must be renewed every 1 to 5 years, for life, 6 months before the current waiver expires.
Fees are payable each time a waiver is requested.
Does the waiver guarantee entry to the United States?
No. U.S. customs officials have discretionary power. They may deny you entry on certain occasions.
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