Destruction of Fingerprints and Photographs
The Ottawa Police Service (OPS) will accept requests for the destruction of photographs and fingerprints from our Records Management System under the following criteria:
- You have no criminal convictions; and
- You are at least 18 years of age; and
- You do not currently have any outstanding charges before the Courts; and
- You are not wanted by any police service.
Please note, if you were charged with an offence included in Schedules 1 & 2 of the Criminal Records Act, or an offence listed as primary or secondary designated offences defined in s. 487.04 of the Criminal Code your request will be subject to additional review and may be denied.
The related charges must have originated from an OPS case to have this destruction request processed. If the charges originated from another police service, please contact that police service for more information.
When can I apply?
Timelines about when you can make a request to have your fingerprints and photographs destroyed:
- Charges are withdrawn or dismissed: Applications are accepted four months after the disposition date.
- Acquittal: Applications are accepted four months after the disposition date.
- Stayed Charges: Applications are accepted one full year from the date the stay was imposed.
- Peace Bond (withdrawn): Applications are accepted once the peace bond has expired (typically one year).
- Diversion (withdrawn): Applications are accepted two years from the date of expiry of the diversion.
- Absolute Discharge: Applications are accepted one year from the date of disposition.
- Conditional Discharge: Applications are accepted three years from the date of the disposition.
- Not Criminally Responsible: If found not criminally responsible, these applications will be accepted five years after the disposition date.
If you have a criminal conviction(s), you can apply for a record suspension through the National Parole Board.
Request for Reconsideration |
An applicant who applied for the destruction of fingerprints and photographs and was denied may apply for reconsideration by the service. This process is not suitable for records including Absolute Discharges, Conditional Discharges, or Convictions. Individuals wishing to have convictions removed from their Criminal Records can utilize the Parole Board of Canada's record suspension process. Please note that our reconsideration panel takes the following criteria into account:
The Ottawa Police Service will need to receive a request for reconsideration in writing within 60 days of the date of the response letter to the applicant. Please submit your written request, including any information and/or documentation that you believe may be of assistance to the reconsideration panel, to: Ottawa Police Service P.O. Box 9634, Station T Ottawa, ON K1G 6H5 Attention: Manager Court Liaison |
If you have further questions, please email courtcriminalrecords@ottawapolice.ca.