File Destruction Canada

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Pardons Canada – Head Office

1376 Bathurst St.

Toronto, On M5R 3J1

Hours of Operation:

Monday – Friday 8:30 am-5:00 pm

Toll Free: (833) 394-6976

Toronto 647-930-5521

Vancouver 604-239-2100

Calgary 587-404-0220

Edmonton 780-800-6930

Winnipeg 204-818-8900

Ottawa 613-706-2070

Halifax 902-701-0440

St. Johns 709-800-8645

Montreal 514-613-0750

Canadian Bestseller!

Written by the founders of Pardons Canada

Managing and clearing past criminal records is an important step in moving past your mistakes. Pardons Canada offers file destruction in Canada, focusing on helping individuals remove records of criminal charges that may affect their future.

Our service is essential for those seeking to ensure that were peace bond, stayed, absolute discharge or conditional discharge, charges that were dropped, dismissed, or acquitted of don’t hinder their travel, employment opportunities or personal privacy.

What is File Destruction?

File destruction is a legal process that involves the removal of a criminal record from national and local police databases in Canada. The process ensures the complete deletion of all records associated with the charge, including fingerprints, photographs, police reports, and court records. This thorough removal is essential to prevent any future disclosure or unintended consequences.

Why is File Destruction Important?

File destruction plays a crucial role in safeguarding your future by ensuring that past criminal charges that were peace bond, stayed, absolute discharge or conditional discharge, dropped, withdrawn, dismissed, or that you were acquitted of do not appear in searches. Despite the lack of a conviction, the presence of these charges in police records can have lingering effects.

Travel and Immigration: For travel or immigration purposes, especially when travelling to countries with stringent entry requirements such as the United States, a cleared record can prevent complications or refusals at the border.
Employment: Many employers conduct criminal background checks as part of their hiring process. Canadian record destruction ensures that past charges, even those that did not result in a conviction, do not unfairly influence employment prospects.
Restoring Reputation: File destruction is often sought to restore a person’s reputation and privacy. Without it, even non-conviction records can lead to potential stigma and unjust treatment, especially in situations where background checks are conducted, such as for employment or volunteer opportunities.

Are You Eligible for a File Destruction?

Determining eligibility for file destruction is a nuanced process that varies depending on specific factors related to your legal history. Typically, eligibility is based on the nature of the charge and its final resolution in the legal system. Here are some considerations:

Type of Offence: Your eligibility for Canadian record destruction often depends on the type of offence charged. Generally, non-conviction records for lesser offences are more straightforward in terms of eligibility compared to more serious charges.

Time Since the Charge: There might be a required waiting period from the date the charges were withdrawn, dismissed, acquitted, peace bond, stayed, absolute discharged or conditionally discharged before you can apply for file destruction.

Ongoing Legal Proceedings: If there are any ongoing legal proceedings related to the charge, this may affect eligibility for file destruction.

File Destructions from Pardons Canada

Navigating the Canadian record destruction application process requires a thorough understanding of the steps involved and the necessary documentation for a positive result. With over 30 years of experience, Pardons Canada’s wealth of knowledge and track record of success make us a reliable choice for handling your file destruction needs. Here’s a breakdown of how Pardons Canada guides applicants through this process:

Initial Consultation and Assessment: We begin with a confidential review of your case to assess eligibility, including examining charges and legal history.
Gathering Required Documentation: Pardons Canada can help with the collection of essential legal documents and valid identification to verify your identity and connect it to your record.
Application Preparation and Submission: We assist in accurately completing all application forms and submitting them to the relevant law enforcement agencies.
Follow-up and Confirmation: We monitor the progress of your application and provide confirmation once the file destruction is approved and completed.
Post-Application Support: Pardons Canada can provide ongoing support for any queries or additional requirements from authorities and guidance for future scenarios involving past charges.
Appeals Process: In the event a file destruction is denied by the local police, Pardons Canada will endeavour to appeal the decision.

Frequently Asked Questions

For more in-depth information and a wider range of questions, you might find our dedicated FAQ page helpful. Below, we’ve addressed some of the most common queries specific to file destruction in Canada.

How is a File Destruction Different From a Record Suspension?

File destruction, for non-convicted individuals, completely removes their police records, while record suspension, for those with past convictions, seals their records from public view. Destructions apply to withdrawn, dismissed, or acquitted charges, as well as peace bonds, stayed, absolute discharge and conditional discharged offences and record suspensions or pardons to convicted individuals who’ve completed their sentences.

How long does the file destruction process take?

The duration varies based on the complexity of your case and the responsiveness of the involved agencies, but it generally takes several months to a year. At Pardons Canada, we do everything we can to speed up the process while keeping you up to date on your application.

How much does a file destruction cost in Canada?

The cost of file destruction depends on various factors, such as the complexity of your case and any associated administrative fees. We offer comprehensive services including case evaluation and application handling. Pardons Canada can provide a precise quote tailored to your specific needs after a free consultation.

Get Your File Destruction Started in Canada

If you have further questions or would like personalized guidance in starting your file destruction in Canada, Pardons Canada is here for you. Our team of experts is dedicated to providing you with clear and comprehensive support throughout this process.