Fingerprints and Police Criminal Records Destruction Services Lawyer

Get your fingerprints, mugshot, and CPIC charge information destroyed.

We provide fingerprint destruction application services for non-conviction dispositions of criminal charges of theft under $5000, fraud under $5000, possession of property obtained by crime, mischief under $5000, assault, and more. We have successfully applied for and received approval for fingerprint destruction in thousands of criminal cases throughout the GTA (Toronto, Peel, York, etc.).

If you were fingerprinted by the police and later had the charges withdrawn, stayed, or discharged, you may be able to have your fingerprints destroyed. Fingerprint destruction also includes the deletion of your facial pictures (mugshot) and the information contained in the RCMP CPIC database. Having your fingerprints destroyed reduces the likelihood that the charges will show up on employment background checks, IRCC immigration applications, and while travelling and crossing the U.S. border.

Not having your fingerprints and photographs destroyed can cause problems with background checks, immigration, and U.S. travel

When someone is fingerprinted and has their mugshot taken by the police this information along with the nature of the alleged charges and dates is immediately sent to the RCMP and entered into the national CPIC database. CPIC is the Canadian equivalent of the U.S. FBI database in that it is used to share law enforcement information throughout Canada. Police agencies in the U.S., including US Customs/Homeland Security have access to CPIC. This information can result in problems for people crossing the U.S. border. Having entries for prior shoplifting, theft and other charges in CPIC also may show up on employment background checks and cause problems with IRCC immigration applications in Canada.

Fortunately the fingerprint destruction process for the above noted police forces includes having the RCMP CPIC database information removed. This is sometimes referred to as file closure. As of 2022, when you have your fingerprints destroyed through the police forces we submit applications with, they will confirm in writing that the RCMP CPIC file has also been destroyed. If you do not want to receive these letters in the mail for privacy reasons they can simply be sent to us instead.

How can I get my fingerprints destroyed and my police file closed?

The process is done through an application with the charging police force. Every police force in Canada has different policies that they follow with regards to this. We provide fingerprint destruction assistance services for those fingerprinted by the following police forces:

1. Toronto Police Service
2. Peel Regional Police
3. York Regional Police

What exactly is destroyed and what is not in when an application is approved?

In the Toronto, Peel, and York regions the fingerprint destruction process includes the removal of the:

1. fingerprints / handprints
2. facial (mugshot) and body photos of tattoos and/or scars if taken
3. information in the RCMP CPIC database

It is important to note that fingerprint destruction does not include the local police force arrest reports, officer notes, and computer databases documenting the case and its outcome. The local police force will always know that someone with your name, date of birth, address, etc. was charged and what the outcome of the case is. This means that if something were to happen again in the future it will be provided to the Crown Attorney and be considered a prior when they screen any future cases. Even in cases where a person is not charged (often referred to as a warning or caution), the police will retain information about what allegedly happened.

When can I apply to have my fingerprints and photographs destroyed?

Each police force has their own policies regarding this. In the case of a withdrawn charge, the Toronto Police Service asks that you wait 5 months before applying. Peel and York Regional Police currently do not have a waiting period. If a person receives an absolute discharge they can apply one year after the sentencing date. In the case of a conditional discharge they can apply 3 years from the sentencing date. If the applicant is subject to an active peace bond (s. 810 or common law) they will need to wait until it expires to be approved for fingerprint destruction.

Is it guaranteed that the fingerprint destruction application will be approved?

It is not guaranteed at all. The police have a right to refuse the application. The most common reasons for refusal are that the:

1. application is made prior to eligibility (including before the expiration of a peace bond)
2. applicant has a prior criminal record (conviction) no matter how dated
3. applicant has a CPIC or police record that includes mental health apprehensions, suicide attempts, etc.
4. applicant has family court restraining orders
5. offence circumstances involve children being present or an active CAS case

The type of offence that the person was charged with also matters to the police when deciding to destroy the fingerprints or not. For non violent charges like theft under, fraud under, mischief under and possession of property obtained by crime, in most cases the application will be approved. In cases of assault, uttering threats (both domestic and non-domestic), fingerprint destruction is often still possible but may attract greater scrutiny particularly if children/CAS were involved or witnessed the alleged crime.

The most common reason fingerprint / photograph destruction applications are denied is that the person has a prior criminal record that they were unaware of or failed to disclose. Some people have criminal records and legitimately do not realize it. This may be the result of a 30 year old shoplifting incident where they attended court and paid a fine thinking it was no big deal. A fine is a criminal record. These individuals would need to apply for and receive a records suspension (pardon) before their fingerprint destruction application would be approved.


Start the fingerprint and police file destruction process today
If you had criminal charges withdrawn or discharged in the past and you are looking for a lawyer to prepare and submit your fingerprint destruction application, give us a call to discuss your situation. We have successfully applied for fingerprint destruction and CPIC database information removal in over 2000 criminal cases.





Are you a lawyer? If you are defending a theft or fraud related case and are looking for expert advice regarding possible defences, case strategies, and information release management call us at: 647-228-5969.

Please note: We do not accept legal aid certificate cases. All clients are handled on a private retainer only.

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