Vulnerable Sector Checks
Obtaining a VSC is mandatory for Canadian students volunteering with McMaster TAV. Students must apply at their local police service in their home province or city, or from the City of Barrie. This process can take up to a month so please apply ASAP. We only accept VSCs within 6 months of when your volunteer placement begins in October 2025.
International students will be asked to submit their student visa.
Does your VSC application require a volunteer letter from the institution?
Visit your Branch's website to find the volunteer letter link.
Ontario Students: Find your police station
Please use your place of permanent residence, meaning the address that is on your IDs (eg: drivers license). Please note, this search feature may not include all municipalities.
Some applications may ask for this information:
Title of employment/volunteer position: Teacher Assistant Volunteer
Organization: McMaster Teacher Assistant Volunteer Program
Description/Duties: To ensure every student feels supported, empowered, and capable of achieving their full potential by assisting students in class
City not found.
Ontario Provincial Police (OPP)
$0
2-6 weeks
Online ONLY
During the online application, you will be required to select different options.
Choose VULNERABLE SECTOR CHECK (VSC)
You MUST have a letter from the requesting organization, requiring:
- Confirmation that the volunteers require this type of check
- A detailed description of the specific job volunteers will be hired/volunteer for, in particular how they will be working with vulnerable persons
- Hiring manager’s name and contact number
If you are applying as a VOLUNTEER, you must upload your volunteer letter in a PDF or JPEG format. The letter must have the following information on it.
1. Be on Agency/Organization letterhead
2. Dated
3. Has applicants legal name
4. Indicated the position is a volunteer position
5. Details about the role
6. How the position relates to working with vulnerable people
7. Signed by an authorized agency personnel
Haldimand County, Sarnia-Lambton, Norfolk County, Middlesex County, Leamington, Kingsville, Elgin County, Oxford County, Grand Bend, County of Brant, Bayfield, Elora and Fergus, Goderich, Caledon, Dufferin County, Collingwood, Kincardine, Midland and Penetanguishene, Orillia and Lake Country, Sauble Beach, The Blue Mountains, Thornbury and Clarksburg, Tobermory, Wasaga Beach, Wiarton, Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland County, Bay of Quinte and Belleville, Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry, Prescott, Russell, Prince Edward Country, Thousand Islands and Rideau Canal, Frontenac County North, Frontenac County South, Haliburton Highlands, Hasting County, Lanark County, Lennox and Addington North, Ottawa Valley, Bracebridge, Gravenhurst, Huntsville, Muskoka, Parry Sound, Killarney, Manitoulin Island, Algoma Country, Blind River, Elliot Lake, Wawa, Kenora, Sudbury, Sunset Country, Superior Country
Chatham Kent Police Service
$16 + $9.95 online fee + tax
10 business days
Volunteer letter required.
Online ONLY
Municipalities include: Blenheim, Bothwell, Chatham, Clachlan, Coatsworth, Dover Centre, Dresden, Erie Beach, Erieau, Grande Pointe, Highgate, Kent Bridge, Merlin, Mitchells Bay, Morpeth, North Buxton, Pain Court, Ridgetown, Shrewsbury, South Buxton, Thamesville, Tilbury, Tupperville, Wallaceburg and Wheatley.
Residents of Moraviantown and Walpole Island must attend their local OPP Detachment to obtain their record checks.
Chatham-Kent
Windsor Police Service
$25 + tax
2-6 weeks
Volunteer letter required.
Online Option
Apply on the website.
In Person Option
Visit Windsor Police Services Headquarters at 150 Goyeau St., Windsor or WPS Amherstburg Detachment at 532 Sandwich St. South, Amherstburg, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m, with the form filled:
The Windsor Police Service will no longer be mailing hard copy record check results for applicants who apply online (unless under exceptional circumstances). Completed record checks will be available electronically by secure download through your online account. You will have 31 days to download your completed record check, which can then be printed and submitted to the requesting agency or you can email a password protected copy to the requestor. Instructions will be provided to you via email upon completion of the record check. If you apply for your record check in person or if your record check contains information pertaining to a criminal record, an original embossed hardcopy will still be mailed to your home address.
Windsor
London Police Service
$15 + tax
2-6 weeks
** Record checks my only be available by appointment as of March 2025. Check London Police Services website for updates **
Online Option
Apply on the website.
In Person Option
Appointment must be made by calling 519-661-5255 or emailing ipa@londonpolice.ca.
Residents of Komoka, Delaware, Mt. Brydges, Ilderton, Arva, Thorndale, Dorchester, Ingersoll or any other town outside of the city limits must attend their local OPP Detachment to obtain their record checks.
London
Niagara Regional Police Service
$25 + $9.95 online fee + tax
6 weeks
Volunteer letter required.
Online Option
Apply on the website.
In Person Option
You can also apply in person at any of the NRPS locations throughout the Region.
You will need two pieces of government issued identification (one with a photo) and proof of a permanent address within the Region.
Bring the filled form when you apply in person:
The Niagara Regional Police Service is now providing police record check certificates in a digital format, which are sent directly to the applicant’s email address as a PDF attachment. Detailed instructions on how to view the PDF are provided in the email. Printed hard copies are no longer being provided.
Municipalities Include: Fort Erie, Grimsby, Lincoln, Niagara Falls, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Pelham, Port Colborne, St. Catharines, Thorold, Wainfleet, Welland, West Lincoln
St. Catharines, Niagara Benchlands, Niagara’s South Coast, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara Falls
Brantford Police Service
$33.24 + $9.95 fee
2 weeks
Volunteer letter required.
Online Option
Apply on the website.
In Person Option
You can apply in person at the Brantford Police Service, 344 Elgin Street, Brantford, Ontario as per the exceptions listed above.
Fill out the Application for Police Record Check Form listed on the police service website, bring ID and student card (or any two pieces of identification document).
Brantford
Hamilton Police Service
$25 + $9.95 online fee + tax
30 days
Online Option
Apply on the website.
In Person Option
Apply at Central Station, 155 King William Street, Hamilton, ON
Fill out police record check form and bring two pieces of information
Municipalities Include: Ancaster, Dundas, Stoney Creek, Flamborough, Binbrook and Glanbrook
Hamilton
Halton Regional Police Service
$30 + $9.95 online fee + tax
30+ days
Online Option
Apply on the website.
In Person Option
Apply via computer kiosk at HRPS Headquarters located at 2485 North Service Road West, Oakville. For most efficient processing, we strongly encourage residents to use our online service.
Municipalities Include: Oakville Burlington, Milton, or the Town of Halton Hills
Burlington, Halton Hills, Milton, Oakville
Six Nations Police Service
$30 (Cash only)
10 business days
In Person ONLY
Must be completed by the requesting person (Students) and submitted to the front reception area of the Six Nations Police Service (2112 4th Line, Ohsweken, ON N0A 1M0)
VSC Forms are in HARD COPY ONLY and ONLY AVAILABLE at the Six Nations Police Station.
Volunteer letter required.
Six Nations of the Grand River