Charged but never convicted? The arrest record may still be on file.
Charges that were withdrawn, stayed, dismissed or ended in an acquittal can stay in police databases, including the national CPIC system, until someone asks for them to be destroyed. Expungement is that request. Many people don't know this step exists.
Once it's gone, there's nothing for them to see
U.S. border officers can see Canadian police information on CPIC. While an arrest record is there, it can lead to questions, delays or a referral for a U.S. entry waiver, even when there was never a conviction.
Once the record is destroyed, it is no longer there for U.S. officers to see. For people who have never been refused entry or tried to cross while it was on file, that can mean no questions about it at the border and no U.S. waiver needed.
The exception: if you were refused entry before, or tried to cross while the arrest record was still on file, it may already be in U.S. Homeland Security systems. Destroying Canadian files does not erase U.S. records, so a waiver may still be needed. Every entry decision belongs to CBP.
Outcomes that may qualify
- Charges withdrawn
- Stay of proceedings
- Charges dismissed
- Acquitted or found not guilty
- Peace bond
- Absolute or conditional discharge
The RCMP removes discharges from its national system after 1 year (absolute) or 3 years (conditional), but local police files can remain. Each police service sets its own waiting periods and rules.
Three steps
- 1
Check your eligibility
Answer a few private questions online. It takes a few minutes.
- 2
Get a personalized proposal
A Federal Pardons And Waiver Services specialist reviews your answers and emails you a proposal with the steps, an estimated timeline and an itemized cost.
- 3
Requests go to each police service
FPWS prepares and follows up on the request with every police service that holds a file. Each service makes its own decision.
They cover different situations
Expungement
For charges that did not end in a conviction. Asks police to destroy fingerprints, photos and arrest records.
Record suspension (pardon)
For convictions. Applied for through the Parole Board of Canada after the waiting period. Some people need both.
You can apply yourself
Anyone can ask a police service directly to destroy their records. FPWS handles the paperwork and follow-up for people who would rather have help, especially when more than one police service holds a file.
Common questions
Does an arrest record show up if I was never convicted?+
It can. Fingerprints, photos and the record of the charge can stay with the police service that laid the charge and on CPIC until a destruction request is approved.
Can I travel to the U.S. after expungement?+
Once the record is destroyed, U.S. officers no longer see it. If you have never been refused entry or tried to cross while the record was on file, that can mean no questions about it and no waiver needed. U.S. border officers still make every entry decision.
Is approval guaranteed?+
No. Police services decide each request and can refuse. Rules and waiting periods differ from one service to the next.
I was convicted. Can I get an expungement?+
Expungement is for outcomes without a conviction. For a conviction, the usual route is a record suspension (pardon) through the Parole Board of Canada.
What happens after the eligibility check?+
A specialist reviews your answers and emails a personalized proposal. There is no obligation to go ahead.
A note on the word: in Canadian law, "expungement" also refers to a federal program for certain historically unjust convictions. On this page we use it in the everyday sense: asking police to destroy records of charges that did not lead to a conviction.
Record Support Canada is an independent educational and referral resource provided by Federal Pardons And Waiver Services. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to the Canadian or U.S. governments. Individual circumstances vary. We do not guarantee eligibility, admissibility, entry, waiver approval, pardon/record suspension approval, processing time or outcome. Final entry and admissibility decisions are made by the appropriate government authorities.
Find out if your record can be removed
Start a private eligibility check. A specialist reviews it and emails you a personalized proposal.
Start with our assessment to receive a personalized proposal with your estimated timeline, itemized costs and recommended next steps.