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Youth Record Access Period Calculator

Calculate when a young person's criminal record becomes inaccessible under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

Estimate only — not legal advice. Access period rules and disclosure exceptions are fact-specific.

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Disposition Details

Type of Disposition

Date Youth Sentence Was Completed

New Offence During Access Period

A new offence occurred during this access period

Access Period Results

Select the disposition type and enter the date, then click Calculate Access Period.

Quick Answer

In Canada, youth records under the Youth Criminal Justice Act are kept for a set access period tied to the outcome, after which access closes and the record is generally destroyed. For example, an extrajudicial sanction is retained about 2 years; a guilty finding with an absolute discharge about 1 year; other outcomes 3 to 5 years after the sentence is completed. Committing a new offence during the access period can reopen or extend the record, and in limited cases a youth record can convert to an adult record.

📋 About Youth Record Access Periods

Under YCJA s.119, a young person's record is only accessible to specified people (police, courts, certain officials) for a limited “access period” — after that, it generally cannot be used to identify the person as a youth offender, and the RCMP must purge it from CPIC. Further disclosure after expiry generally requires a judge's order.

Extrajudicial measures (informal warnings/cautions with no charge) don't create a formal YCJA record or access period at all — though police keep an internal record for their own future reference.

If a new offence is committed during an existing access period, the period extends to whichever is later — the original end date, or the access period end date for the new offence. Read our full guide: Youth Criminal Records in Ontario: How the YCJA Works

YCJA Access Periods — Quick Reference

Disposition	Access Period	Runs From
Extrajudicial Measures	No formal record/access period	N/A — internal police record only
Extrajudicial Sanctions	2 years	Date the sanction is consented to
Summary Conviction	3 years	Completion of the youth sentence
Indictable Conviction	5 years	Completion of the youth sentence

🔒

Limited Access, Not Erased

During the access period, only specified people/agencies can view the record — it isn't public.

⏳

Extended, Not Restarted

A new offence during the access period extends it to the later of the two applicable end dates.

⚠️

Adult Offence Exception

Being convicted of an adult offence during the access period can end YCJA protection entirely.

⚖️

Judicial Order for Later Access

Disclosure after the access period expires generally requires a court order.

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Questions About a Youth Record?

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Youth Record Access Period Calculator

Limited Access, Not Erased

Extended, Not Restarted

Adult Offence Exception

Judicial Order for Later Access

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