How Long Does a Pardon Take in Canada in 2026?

The short answer: For most people, getting a pardon in Canada takes two separate waits. First comes the waiting period before you can apply, which is 5 years for a summary conviction or 10 years for an indictable one after your whole sentence is done. Then comes processing: the Parole Board of Canada aims to decide within about 6 months for summary offences and 12 months for indictable ones, once it accepts a complete application.

Updated October 21, 2026 · General information, not legal advice

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Most people who ask how long a pardon takes are really asking two things. When can I apply? And once I apply, when will I have an answer? The answers are different, and mixing them up is one of the most common reasons people plan around the wrong date.

What is the waiting period for a pardon in Canada?

A pardon is now officially called a record suspension. Before you can apply, a waiting period has to pass. For offences committed on or after March 13, 2012, the Parole Board of Canada sets it at:

• 5 years for an offence prosecuted by summary conviction
• 10 years for an offence prosecuted by indictment

The clock does not start on the day you were convicted. It starts when every part of your sentence is complete: fines, surcharges, restitution, jail time, parole and probation.

That last point catches many people. A fine paid years late, or a probation order that ran longer than expected, can move the date you're eligible.

Why it matters: if you count from the wrong date, you may apply too early and have the application sent back. Our pardon waiting period calculator gives you a first estimate in a minute.

How long does the Parole Board take to process a pardon?

Once the waiting period is over and you send in a complete application, the Parole Board's service standards say it aims to decide:

• within 6 months for summary offences
• within 12 months for indictable offences
• within 24 months if the Board is proposing to refuse the application

Those targets start once the Board has accepted your application as eligible and complete. Time spent fixing a returned application is not counted.

The targets are not always met. The Board's 2024–25 report says it decided 87.3% of summary applications within 6 months and 73.7% of indictable applications within 12 months, so some files took longer.

Why it matters: the processing clock only starts when the paperwork is right. A clean first submission is the biggest thing you control.

Why do some pardon applications take much longer?

The Parole Board's 2024–25 report to Parliament gives a clear picture. It received 17,072 applications that year. About 71% were accepted for processing, and about 21% were rejected at screening, usually because something was missing or incomplete.

The most common delays come before the Board even looks at the file:

• Court documents. Each courthouse has its own process, and older files can take longer to find.
• Local police checks. Each police service sets its own timing. In Montreal, for example, the SPVM lists 4 to 8 weeks.
• Records from more than one city or province. Every location adds another request.
• Gaps in the sentence record. If the paperwork doesn't show that a fine or probation was completed, the Board can't confirm eligibility.

Not sure where you stand? The RSC Eligibility Check is private and online. An FPWS specialist reviews your answers and emails you a personalized proposal. There is no obligation.

What does the whole pardon timeline look like?

Here is the usual order, from first step to decision:

1. Confirm you're eligible. Work out when your sentence ended and which waiting period applies.
2. Request your documents. Court records, local police checks and your criminal record from the RCMP. Hold off on booking fingerprints until you know exactly which type of check you need and how it should be labelled.
3. Complete the application. The Parole Board's guide lists every form and document. Its application fee is $50.
4. Screening. The Board checks that the application is eligible and complete.
5. Review and decision. The service standards above apply from here.

You can do all of this yourself. The Parole Board says you do not need a lawyer or representative to apply. Some people prefer help, especially when records are spread across several places or when they also need a U.S. entry waiver.

Why it matters: steps 1 and 2 are where most of the calendar time goes. Starting them early is the best way to shorten the total.

Will automatic pardons make this faster?

You may have read about Senate Bill S-207, which proposes automatic "record expiry". It is not law. As of this update, LEGISinfo shows it at second reading in the Senate. Until a law passes, the current application process is the only way to get a record suspension.

Does a pardon help at the U.S. border, and how long does that take?

A pardon is a Canadian decision. For travel, there are two routes people usually look at. If you've never been denied entry to the U.S., a pardon combined with a Canadian expungement may mean your record no longer shows in CPIC, the RCMP database U.S. officers can see. If you've already been refused, a U.S. entry waiver is usually the route to look at, and it has its own timeline. Read more in can an old criminal record get you turned away at the U.S. border?

For what a pardon changes on a job check, see does a pardon show up on a background check?

Quick FAQ

How long does it take to get a pardon in Canada?

It depends on two waits: a 5- or 10-year waiting period after your sentence ends, then about 6 or 12 months of processing once the Parole Board accepts a complete application.

When does the pardon waiting period start?

When every part of your sentence is finished, including fines, restitution, probation and parole.

Can I speed up a pardon application?

The Parole Board sets its own pace. What you can control is sending a complete application the first time, since incomplete files are returned.

How much does a pardon cost in Canada?

The Parole Board's application fee is $50. Court documents, police checks and fingerprints cost extra, and prices vary by location.

What if my application is refused?

If the Board proposes to refuse, you can usually respond before a final decision. That stage can take up to 24 months under the service standards.

Is a pardon the same as a record suspension?

Yes. "Record suspension" has been the official term since 2012, but most people still say pardon.

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Record Support Canada is an independent educational and referral resource. It is not affiliated with any government. This article is general information, not legal advice, and no outcome, timeline or approval is guaranteed. Fees and rules change, so confirm with the official sources below before you apply.

Sources

• Parole Board of Canada: Applying for a record suspension
• Parole Board of Canada: Service standards
• Parole Board of Canada: Application guide and forms
• Parole Board of Canada: Service performance reporting 2024–25
• Parole Board of Canada: Record suspension report to Parliament 2024–25
• Parliament of Canada: Bill S-207 on LEGISinfo
• SPVM: Suspension de casier