Regulators · Resource briefing
FINTRAC MSB Registry Search
Use the public MSB register for counterparty checks without mistaking registration for approval or a complete risk assessment.
Independent editorial summary of FINTRAC material. Not legal advice or a statement from the authority.
Match the legal entity behind the service
The public FINTRAC MSB register is a starting point for checking a business’s registration. Search the legal name and compare the result with the entity named in the contract, website disclosures and onboarding documents. A similar trading name is not enough to establish that the same business is involved.
Interpret a registry result carefully
Review the registration status and the information shown in the record, rather than relying on a registration number printed on a website. Registration is not a FINTRAC endorsement and does not certify the quality of a business’s controls or authorize unrelated regulated activities.
An absent or ambiguous result needs investigation. It is not, by itself, a complete legal conclusion about a business’s obligations: the service model, scope and entity identity still matter.
Keep the check within a wider due-diligence file
Record what you searched, the date and the matching entity details. Combine the result with ownership checks, service descriptions, relevant permissions and your own risk assessment. Recheck material changes instead of treating a one-time search as permanent assurance.
Operational checklist
- Obtain the counterparty’s exact legal name and registration details.
- Compare the current public result with contractual entity information.
- Save a dated record of the search and any unresolved discrepancies.
- Assess other permissions and risk factors beyond FINTRAC status.
Source & current guidance
Confirm the requirements for your activities in the original material. Official guidance and participation terms can change.
Visit FINTRAC ↗Optional third-party directory: Search US and Canadian MSBs in one place.
Search US and Canadian MSBs in one place — MSBSearch ↗