You are required to submit an original, signed and stamped Police Certificate from An Garda Siochana as part of your application for the Go4less Canada Work Placement Programme. You should begin applying for your Police Certificate as soon as you have decided you wish to go on this programme as processing times will vary for each individual.
As of 11 March 2010, the Canadian High Commission will no longer officially require Police Certificates from countries other than your home country, (Ireland/Northern Ireland depending on your country of permanent residence). If you have ever been arrested, convicted and/or charged with an offence in ANY country, then you may be required to obtain and submit a Police Certificate from all countries you have lived in for 6 months or more since turning 18. We would suggest you begin applying for these now as it is probable that you will be required by the Canadian High Commission to submit these to them at a later date. Please note, this may delay the processing of your application.
Police Certificates from your current country of residence must have been issued within the last 3 months.
Police Certificates, once submitted, cannot be returned. You should request two copies from the issuing authorities if you are obtaining Police Certificates from countries other than Ireland and you feel that you may need one in the future.
FAQs
Where can I get a Police Certifcate / Garda Clearance form?
Please go to the following link
http://www.garda.ie/controller.aspx?Page=1548.
I don't have a criminal record. Do I still need a Police Certificate?
Yes, you do.
Will a criminal record affect my application ?
Yes. All applicants that have an offence listed on their Police Certificate(s) will be subject to extra processing and will be required to submit extra documentation.
Is there a Fee?
At present the Gardai are not charging any for fee. Other countries may charge a fee, this will vary for each Country
Obtaining Police Certicate outside Ireland
Police Certificate for the UK
See Link -
http://www.acpo.police.uk/certificates.asp. The only accepted type of Police Certificate is the one issued by the ACPO. Please remember that the Police certificate should be returned to your postal address! (Average processing time for expedited service: 1 to 2 weeks; average processing time for normal service: 4 to 6 weeks)
Police Certificate for Australia
See link:
http://www.afp.gov.au/business/national_police_checks and download the National Police Check Application Form. You will need to obtain the 'Name and Fingerprint Check'. To indicate this you will need to complete the above form and tick 'Yes' to section 5. If you are applying to obtain this document from outside of Australia you will need to supply your fingerprints to them, you will also need to tick the box 5a and attach an official set of fingerprints as taken by the Police in your country of residence and the appropriate fee (at present this fee is AUS$105) and return all documents to the Australian Federal Police. (Average processing time: 6 to 8 weeks)
Police Certificate for New Zealand
See link:
http://www.justice.govt.nz/services/get-a-copy-of-your-criminal-record/application-forms. Download and complete the 'Request by Indvidual' and submit this to the New Zealand Department of Justice. Please remember that the Police Certificate should be returned to your postal address! (Average processing time: 6 to 8 weeks)
Police Certificate for the United States of America
See link:
http://www.cic.gc.ca/ and read these details and follow the link at the bottom of the page to the FBI website. Please note that for applicants on this programme they generally only require the FBI Police Certificate, however the Canadian High Commission reserve the right to request a Police Certificate from the individual state you lived in. You will need to obtain an official set of fingerprints from your local law enforcement agency. (Average processing timeframe: 6 to 8 weeks)
I need to obtain a Police Certificate from a country that is not listed above. What do I do?
See link,
http://www.cic.gc.ca/ and follow the appropriate geographical choices to the country you need to obtain a Police Certificate from.
Please note that all details regarding Police Certificates are subject to change.