A National Non-Profit Organization for over 32 years.

Record Suspensions, U.S. Entry Waivers & File Destructions Services in Toronto

Any Torontonian with a criminal record knows how it can negatively impact your life. Travelling to the U.S. and other destinations can be difficult; you can lose out on valuable job opportunities, and it can make it hard to find a place to live as most landlords will conduct criminal background checks. 

Even people who have been charged with a criminal offence in Toronto but not convicted can face some of these difficulties if the record of their arrest remains on their file.

Pardons Canada is the leading authority in helping Canadians remove a past criminal offence from the public record. As a national non-profit organization, we have helped thousands of people like you get Pardons, Record Suspensions, U.S. Entry Waivers and File Destructions.

Record Suspension

Formerly known as Pardons, Record Suspensions are the removal of a criminal offence from the Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC) database, which is used for criminal record searches.

You can apply for a record suspension in Toronto following a waiting period of between five and ten years following your sentence and subsequent punishment, depending upon the type of conviction. The determination of whether a Record Suspension will be granted is made by the Parole Board of Canada and can take between 6 and 12 months to process.

U.S. Entry Waivers - I-192, I-194 and I-212

Entry into the United States for anyone with a criminal record can be denied if U.S. Customs do a search and uncover your record. Subsequent attempts to enter the United States from Toronto without a U.S. Entry Waiver could lead to you having your property seized, being detained for several hours, getting fingerprinted and handcuffed, and getting your airline ticket voided without the possibility of reimbursement.  You can also be banned from entering the US for a period of five to ten years which will then require an I-212 application to lift the ban.

While getting a Record Suspension is preferable since it also eliminates many other difficulties associated with having a criminal record, if you need to travel to the U.S. before one can be granted, a U.S. Entry Waiver will be necessary. 

A request for a U.S. Entry Waiver gets reviewed by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and can take between 5 and 12 months to be processed. The preparation of your application package will also take time, therefore, it is best to start the process well in advance of your travel date.

File Destructions

Canadians who have been charged and fingerprinted for a criminal offence that was withdrawn, dismissed, peace bond, stayed, absolute discharge, conditional discharge or for which they were acquitted, are often surprised to find that the record of the charge has shown up in a criminal search. File destruction is a critical step in ensuring that these records do not continue to affect their lives unexpectedly.

If you were fingerprinted when you were charged, your fingerprint number, as well as police and court records, photos and details of the charge may remain on record. The effect of this can range from difficulty in travelling to missing out on possible employment opportunities, among others.

To prevent this from happening to you, you will need to request a file destruction. A formal request can be sent to the RCMP and the police agency that laid the charges for review five months after the charges have been withdrawn, dismissed or acquitted. Once approved, your fingerprints, photographs and the details of the charge are destroyed and cannot be accessed again.

Not Sure What You Need?

If you’re unsure which service is right for you, don’t worry. We understand that navigating the legal system in Toronto can be overwhelming. Visit the link below to learn more about how we can help and discover which path is the best for you.

Choose Pardons Canada in Toronto

Choosing the right agency for your pardon or record suspension is important. Pardons Canada stands out in Toronto for numerous reasons, all centred on our unwavering commitment to helping you succeed.

Decades of Experience

With over 30 years of serving the Toronto community, our expertise is unmatched.

Personalized Approach

We recognize that each case is unique and provide tailored services for your specific situation.

End-to-End Support

Our team is with you from the initial assessment to the final steps of your application.

Success-Focused

Your success is our success. We strive for the best outcome in every case.

Transparent Process

We offer clear guidance and communication throughout the entire process.

Free Consultation

Start with a no-obligation, free consultation to understand your options.

What Our Clients Have to Say

FAQ About Pardons in Toronto

Pardons Canada has been answering questions about removing criminal records and US entry waivers of clients in Toronto for over 30 years; if you have any unanswered questions, feel free to refer to our comprehensive FAQ section.

A pardon and a record suspension are essentially the same; the term “pardon” was replaced by “record suspension” in 2012. Both refer to sealing a criminal record in Canada’s database, helping with employment and travel, but not erasing the conviction.

The Parole Board of Canada (PBC) is the federal agency responsible for making record suspension decisions. Pardons Canada can help ensure your application meets all of its criteria before submitting it to the PBC for approval.

Many factors can affect the timeline for the processing of a record suspension. Generally, you can expect the pardon process to take between 12 and 24 months depending on factors such as the complexity of your case and the response time of the police, courts and PBC.

Contact Pardons Canada in Toronto

Take the first step towards a future free from the weight of your past. Pardons Canada in Toronto is here to guide you through clearing your record and getting a fresh start; apply today and contact us for more information.

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