1. Understand how criminal record checks work

A criminal record check shows only crimes that you were convicted of in court. A peace bond does not appear on a criminal record check because a peace bond is not a conviction.

A criminal record check also can't include:

• outstanding charges and warrants
• any crime that you got an absolute discharge for
• any crime that you got an conditional discharge for
• convictions where you were granted a record suspension (pardon)
• summary offences you were convicted of more than 5 years before you asked for the check

You may have to get a criminal record check when you apply for:

• job or volunteer applications
• immigration purposes
• by-law licenses

If you're charged with criminal offences and sign a peace bond to deal with your case, the Crown will withdraw or stay your criminal charges. Criminal charges that are withdrawn or stayed do not appear on a criminal record.