Record Expungement Lawyers

Want to put an old criminal record behind you? In Canada, the usual way is a record suspension, which most people still call a pardon. It is granted by the Parole Board of Canada and keeps your record separate from other criminal records, so it no longer shows up in most background checks. A record suspension lawyer can check whether you are eligible, gather the documents and prepare a complete application. On this page you can compare lawyers who handle these files, see their rates and availability, and book a consultation online.

Record suspension, pardon or expungement?

The words are often mixed up, but they mean different things in Canada.

• Record suspension: the current name for what used to be called a pardon. The record is not destroyed, but it is kept apart from other criminal records and is not disclosed in most checks. This is what most people need.
• Pardon: the older term. It is still widely used, and pardons granted under the old rules remain valid.
• Expungement: in Canada, this applies only to specific historical convictions that are now recognized as unjust. In those cases the record is destroyed or permanently removed. It is not a general way to erase a record.

Because record suspensions fall under federal law, the rules are the same across the country. For the broader picture of criminal charges and defence, see our page on criminal lawyers.

What a record suspension lawyer does

• Eligibility review: checking that every sentence is complete, working out when the waiting period ends and spotting offences or records that raise special issues.
• Collecting documents: requesting your criminal record, local police checks and court records for each conviction, and making sure they match.
• Preparing the application: completing the forms, explaining why the suspension would help you and showing how you have moved on.
• Follow-up: answering questions from the Parole Board and advising you if the Board is considering a refusal.

How a record suspension works

The Parole Board of Canada (PBC) decides record suspension applications under the Criminal Records Act. Its official record suspension page explains the process, the forms and the current rules. In general terms:

• Your sentence must be complete. That means every part of it, including fines, surcharges, restitution, jail time and probation.
• A waiting period must pass. It starts once the sentence is complete, and its length depends on the type of offence.
• Some records are not eligible. Certain offences and certain combinations of convictions cannot lead to a record suspension.
• The Board reviews your conduct. It looks at your behaviour since the conviction and, for some offences, whether the suspension would give you a real benefit.

Once granted, a record suspension can be revoked or stop applying if you are later convicted of a new offence or no longer meet the conditions.

Collecting court records and police checks

Incomplete or inconsistent documents are a common reason an application is returned. A typical application needs:

• Your criminal record from the RCMP, based on your fingerprints.
• A local police records check from the police service where you have lived.
• Court records for each conviction, from the courthouse that handled the case, showing the charge, the sentence and the date.
• Identity documents and, in some situations, immigration or military records.

In Quebec, court records come from the courthouse in the judicial district where you were sentenced. A lawyer knows what the Board expects to see and how to fix gaps when an old file is hard to find.

Absolute and conditional discharges

A discharge is not a conviction, and it is handled differently. If you received an absolute or conditional discharge, the record is generally removed from the national police database automatically after a set period, without a record suspension application. It is still worth checking that the removal actually happened, since some local police files can remain. Charges that were withdrawn, stayed or ended in an acquittal are also not covered by a record suspension, and separate steps may be needed to deal with those police records.

Travel to the United States

A record suspension is a Canadian decision. United States border authorities may not recognize it, and they may already have information about your record. If you have a criminal record and plan to travel to the US, a record suspension alone may not solve the issue, and a separate US entry waiver may be needed. Ask a lawyer who handles these questions before you travel, and be truthful at the border.

When to get a lawyer

• You have several convictions, or convictions in different provinces.
• You are not sure your sentence is fully complete, or old fines are unpaid.
• Court or police records are missing or do not match.
• Your record includes a serious offence, or a previous application was refused.
• You need the suspension for a job, volunteering, a professional licence or immigration.

Many people apply on their own. A lawyer is most useful when the file is not straightforward, or when getting it right the first time matters.

Preparing for your consultation

• Any copy of your criminal record or past police checks.
• The courthouse, year and outcome of each case you remember.
• Proof that fines and other parts of the sentence are complete.
• Your reason for applying: work, travel, volunteering or peace of mind.
• Your questions: eligibility, what the lawyer will handle and how they charge.

Compare record suspension lawyers on JustiConnect

Browse the lawyers listed below, filter by location, rates and availability, and book a consultation directly. You can also search all record suspension lawyers or see the record suspension lawyers in Laval.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get a record suspension in Canada?

You complete your full sentence, wait for the waiting period to end, gather your criminal record, police checks and court documents, and send a complete application to the Parole Board of Canada. The Board then decides whether to grant it.

Does a criminal record clear on its own after a few years?

No. A conviction stays on your record until a record suspension is granted. Absolute and conditional discharges are different: they are generally removed automatically after a set period.

Is a record suspension the same as a pardon?

Yes, in everyday language. Record suspension is the current legal term. Pardons granted under the old rules are still valid.

How much does a record suspension cost?

There is a government application fee, plus the cost of fingerprints, police checks and court records. Lawyers set their own rates. On JustiConnect you can compare rates before you book, and ask at the consultation what the total is likely to include.

Can I travel to the US after a record suspension?

Not necessarily. The US may not recognize a Canadian record suspension. If you have a record, get advice before you travel.