CANADA MSB GUIDE
How to Search the FINTRAC MSB Registry
The FINTRAC Money Services Business Registry is the official public source for checking the most recent registration status of Canadian money services businesses and foreign money services businesses.
A registry search can confirm the business name, public registration number, status, services and registration dates. It cannot confirm that FINTRAC endorses the business, that the business is safe, or that every commercial claim made by the business is accurate.
This guide explains how to search by name, interpret each status and use the registry as one part of customer, provider or acquisition due diligence.
Use the official FINTRAC registry
Start with FINTRAC's Money Services Business Registry on the Government of Canada website. FINTRAC states that the registry is updated monthly, that all fields are searchable and that downloadable XLS and CSV versions are available.
Search the exact legal name first. If the company also uses a brand or operating name, search that separately. Small differences in punctuation, abbreviations or corporate endings can affect how quickly the correct record is found, so compare more than one field before concluding that two names refer to the same entity.
- Search the exact legal company name
- Try the public operating or trade name
- Compare the business address and website
- Use the downloadable file for broader screening
- Record the date of the search
What information the registry shows
The public registry includes the legal and operating names, business address, website, services offered, registration status and MSB registration number. It also shows the initial registration and expiry dates, and where applicable cessation or revocation dates.
Corporate identifiers help distinguish companies with similar names. The registry can show the jurisdiction of incorporation, incorporation number and incorporation date, as well as whether the record is for a foreign MSB. Compare these fields with corporate records rather than relying on the name alone.
- Legal and operating names
- Business address and website
- Services offered
- Registration status and number
- Initial registration and expiry dates
- Jurisdiction and incorporation details
- Foreign MSB indicator
How to read each FINTRAC registration status
Registered means the business is currently registered with FINTRAC. Expired means it did not renew after the two-year registration period. Ceased means the business notified FINTRAC that it no longer offers prescribed services. Revoked means FINTRAC removed the registration for a reason identified in its guidance, such as ineligibility or a failure to answer or assist FINTRAC.
FINTRAC notes that a timely renewal can remain in process after the displayed expiry date while the status continues to show Registered. Read the status and date fields together, and save the result used for any material decision.
- Registered: currently registered
- Expired: not renewed after two years
- Ceased: prescribed services were reported as stopped
- Revoked: registration was removed by FINTRAC
What FINTRAC registration actually proves
A Registered status means the business has satisfied the federal legal requirement to register as an MSB or FMSB based on the information provided to FINTRAC. Operating an in-scope MSB without registration is an offence.
Registration does not mean FINTRAC has licensed, approved or endorsed the business. FINTRAC states that it does not issue licences or certificates of registration to the businesses it regulates. The market phrase MSB licence should therefore be checked against the actual FINTRAC status and number.
- Confirms the public registration status
- Does not equal a government licence
- Does not equal FINTRAC endorsement
- Does not guarantee banking or payment-provider access
- Does not replace commercial due diligence
Verify the services, not only the company name
A company can be registered for specific services without every product or claim automatically falling within that record. Compare the services offered in the registry with the actual customer journey, website and contracts.
If an acquisition target claims to support foreign exchange, remittance, virtual currency or payment processing, check whether the public services are consistent with that model. A mismatch can indicate that the registration needs updating or that further explanation and documentation are required.
- Foreign exchange dealing
- Remitting or transmitting funds
- Virtual-currency dealing
- Payment or crowdfunding activities where applicable
- Other services displayed in the registry record
Use the registry in acquisition and provider due diligence
When reviewing a ready-established MSB, match the registry record to the corporation being acquired. Confirm the legal entity, incorporation details, registration status, initial date, expiry date, services and foreign-MSB indicator. Then review the corporate books, ownership, liabilities, compliance records and correspondence separately.
A registry entry is not a transferable permit. In a share acquisition, the registered entity remains the same corporation, but ownership, management, contact details, services and compliance arrangements may need to be updated. The post-acquisition business should not continue using facts that are no longer correct.
- Match the registry entry to the exact corporation
- Review status and expiry before signing
- Compare public services with the proposed operation
- Check ownership and management changes
- Adapt the compliance program to the buyer's model
What to do when information is missing or different
FINTRAC states that it cannot provide further information about a business beyond what is made public in the registry. If a record is missing, outdated or inconsistent, ask the business for its registration correspondence and current corporate evidence, then verify what needs to be corrected.
Registered MSBs and FMSBs must keep their information current. FINTRAC states that relevant changes must be reported within 30 days and that registration must be renewed before expiry after two years. A documented update process is part of maintaining a credible registration record.
- Do not rely on a screenshot supplied without context
- Save the official search result and search date
- Request supporting corporate and FINTRAC records
- Identify the exact field requiring an update
- Track the 30-day update and two-year renewal obligations
Turn the guidance into a project-specific route
Choose your company status and planned services to receive an immediate scope and fee estimate before sharing contact details.
See the complete registration service