FINTRAC Registry Search: How to Check If an MSB Is Registered (2026)
How to search FINTRAC's MSB registry, what each status means (registered, expired, revoked, ceased), how to check a business in 5 steps, and the red flags to watch.
To check if a business is a registered money services business (MSB) in Canada, search FINTRAC's public MSB registry by name, registration number or any other field, or use our free MSB registry search. Make sure the legal and operating names match, the status says "Registered" (not expired, revoked or ceased), and the listed services match what the business offers you. FINTRAC updates the registry monthly. Registration is not a licence or an endorsement, and FINTRAC doesn't issue certificates.
What is the FINTRAC MSB registry?
The FINTRAC MSB registry is the public list of every money services business that has registered with FINTRAC, Canada's anti-money laundering regulator. Banks, payment partners and customers use it to confirm that a business is allowed to offer money services such as foreign exchange, money transfers or crypto exchange. New to the term? See what is an MSB.
How to search the FINTRAC registry
- Official registry: FINTRAC's Money Services Business Registry. All fields are searchable, and you can download the whole list (XLS or CSV).
- Our free tool: the AML Incubator MSB registry search, a faster way to look up a business by name or number.
Search by the legal name first. If nothing comes up, try the operating (trade) name or the MSB registration number.
What each registry entry shows
- Legal and operating names
- Business address and website
- Services offered (for example, foreign exchange, money transfers, virtual currency)
- Registration number and status
- Initial registration, expiry, cessation and revocation dates
- Where and when the business was incorporated
- Whether it's a foreign MSB (serving Canadians from outside Canada)
The 4 registry statuses explained
| Status | What it means |
|---|---|
| Registered | The business is currently registered with FINTRAC. |
| Expired | It didn't renew after two years. |
| Revoked | FINTRAC removed its registration, for example because it didn't answer a FINTRAC request, didn't assist FINTRAC, or was found ineligible. |
| Ceased | The business told FINTRAC it no longer offers MSB services. |
Good to know: if a business filed its renewal before the expiry date but FINTRAC hasn't processed it yet, the status stays "Registered". See our MSB renewal guide.
How to check an MSB in 5 steps
- Search the registry by name, number or any field.
- Match the names: both the legal name and the operating name should match the business you're dealing with.
- Check the status: it should say "Registered", not expired, revoked or ceased.
- Check the services: the services listed should match what the business offers you. A business registered only for foreign exchange shouldn't be moving crypto.
- Check the details: the address, website and foreign MSB flag should make sense.
Red flags when checking an MSB
- They show a "FINTRAC licence" or "certificate". FINTRAC doesn't issue either.
- They can't give you a registration number, or it doesn't appear in the registry.
- The status is expired, revoked or ceased.
- The names, website or services don't match the registry.
- Someone asks you to pay a "FINTRAC registration fee". Registration is free. See the FINTRAC fee scam.
If it's your own business
- Wrong details? Update FINTRAC within 30 days of any change.
- Expired? You can't offer MSB services until you're registered again. See what to do when your MSB registration expires.
- Revoked? Read what revocation means and whether it can be reinstated.
- Banks checking you? Make sure your registry entry matches your website and documents. See why banks decline MSBs.
Other registries to know
- Bank of Canada PSP registry: payment service providers registered under the RPAA. See our RPAA registration guide.
- Revenu Québec: MSBs operating in Quebec also need a provincial licence.
- FinCEN MSB search (US): for US-registered MSBs. See our FinCEN guide.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check if a company is registered with FINTRAC?
Search FINTRAC's public MSB registry by name or registration number, or use our free MSB registry search. Check that the status says "Registered".
How often is the FINTRAC registry updated?
FINTRAC updates the MSB registry monthly, so very recent changes may not show yet.
What does "revoked" mean in the FINTRAC registry?
FINTRAC removed the business's registration, for example because it didn't respond to a FINTRAC request, didn't assist FINTRAC, or was found ineligible.
Is a FINTRAC registration a licence?
No. FINTRAC registration isn't a licence or an endorsement, and FINTRAC doesn't issue certificates.
Can I download the FINTRAC MSB list?
Yes. FINTRAC offers the full registry as an XLS or CSV download.
AML Incubator helps MSBs register with FINTRAC, keep their registration current and pass bank due diligence.
