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← Back to Law ExplorerLast verified: March 2026 · Source: laws-lois.justice.gc.ca
Theft, Fraud & Property OffencesHybrid
§368

Use, Trafficking or Possession of Forged Document

Uttering a forged document

Theft & Fraud
Maximum Sentence

14 years (indictable) / 2 years less a day (summary)

Classification: Hybrid
🍁 Immigration Impact

Uttering (using) forged documents carries the same 14-year maximum as forgery itself — serious criminality under IRPA s.36(1). Extremely relevant in immigration contexts where persons use forged passports, visas, or immigration documents. No deemed rehabilitation for offences with 10+ year maximums.

Legal Text — Criminal Code s. 368

Every one commits an offence who, knowing or believing that a document is forged, (a) uses, deals with or acts on it as if it were genuine; (b) causes or attempts to cause any person to use, deal with or act on it as if it were genuine; (c) transfers the forged document to any person, whether or not that person knows that the document is forged; or (d) has in their possession any forged document.

Amendment History (2)
R.S., 1985, c. C-46, s. 368
2009, c. 28, s. 8
Related Sections
Official Source: Justice Canada — Criminal Code s. 368 (authoritative, may differ from this display)
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