Body armour permit

Overview

In Alberta, you must have a permit to buy, transport or wear body armour.

Permits are issued under the Body Armour Control Act by Alberta Justice.

Policy manual

Read the Body Armour Control Act Policies and Procedures Manual for more information about a body armour permit.

Body armour

Body armour is any garment or item that protects the body from objects used to stab, pierce, puncture or otherwise wound the body.

Permits are not required for those working in certain jobs, including:

• licensed security guards
• police officers
• emergency health workers

See section 4 of the Body Armour Control Act for a complete list of exemptions. Body armour doesn’t include:

• sporting equipment
• protective work wear
• medieval or historical armour

Eligibility

To apply for a permit, you must:

• prove you legitimately need body armour for work or personal reasons
• have no criminal record

Some people with a need for body armour might include:

• bouncers
• justice officials
• people the police identify as at risk of harm

Your need for body armour will be considered when you apply.

To buy body armour, you must present your permit. This ensures that only people who have a permit can purchase body armour.

You’ll need to carry your permit with you at all times when you wear or transport body armour.

Apply for or renew your permit

Step 1. Records check

See your local police service website to find out how to get your documents.

Both searches are mandatory – no exceptions:

• criminal record check
• local police database search

For all classes of licences:

• your photo does not need to be signed on the back
• these details are important when applying for a police information check:
  • security services are designated as essential services
  • you must specify the employment type as 'security services' – regardless of licence class
  • ask for a print/mail copy of your results to attach to your application – if needed, police services can email results to [email protected]

Step 2. Fill out the forms

Fill out these forms:

• Individual Permit Application or Renewal (PDF, 290 KB)
• Consent for Disclosure for Applications (PDF, 151 KB)

Step 3. Gather your documents

When you apply, you’ll need to provide photocopies of your Canadian photo ID.

You’ll also need to provide a current:

• police information and criminal record check, and
• passport-size colour photo

Step 4. Choose your payment method

The body armour permit fee is either:

• $50 for one year, or
• $100 for 2 years

There are 2 ways to make your payment:

Online

Make your payment online

Print and attach the receipt to your application as proof of payment.

Mail

When submitting your application by mail, you can pay by:

• certified business cheque
• certified personal cheque
• money order
• bank draft
• credit or debit online – attach the receipt to your mail application as proof of payment

All payments must be made out to the Government of Alberta.

Step 5. Submit your application

Mail your application, required documents and payment to:

Security Programs
Alberta Justice
P.O. Box 1023 Station Main
Edmonton, Alberta  T5J 2M1

After you apply

Your permit will be mailed to the address in your application.

If you’re using body armour for work, you must provide a photocopy of your permit to your employer.

You must carry your permit with you at all times while you’re wearing or transporting body armour.

Change, cancel or report a permit

Follow the below steps to:

• update your personal information
• cancel your permit
• report a lost, stolen or destroyed permit

Step 1. Fill out the form

Update to Individual Permit (PDF, 158 KB)

Step 2. Submit the form

There are 2 ways to submit the form:

Email

Email: [email protected]

Mail

Security Programs
Alberta Justice
P.O. Box 1023 Station Main
Edmonton, Alberta  T5J 2M1

Complaints

If you have concerns about a permit holder’s use of body armour, you can file a complaint.

To file a complaint

Step 1: Fill out the form

Complaint Against a Permit Holder (PDF, 158 KB)

Step 2. Submit the form

Submit the form by mail or email to:

Complaints Coordinator
Security Programs
Alberta Justice
9th Floor, 10365 97 Street
Edmonton, Alberta  T5J 3W7

Email: [email protected]

Contact

Hours: 8:15 am to 4:30 pm (Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)
Phone: 1-877-462-0791
Email: [email protected]

Security Programs
P.O. Box 1023 Station Main
Edmonton, Alberta  T5J 2M1