Apply for or renew an Aviation Document Booklet

From: Transport Canada

Use the TC AIR mobile app to apply for or renew your Aviation Document Booklet. This page provides instructions to get you started.

An Aviation Document Booklet (ADB) holds the permits, licences, medical certificates, and other licensing information for aviation personnel.

Every pilot, flight engineer and air traffic controller must have an Aviation Document Booklet. An ADB is valid for 5 to 10 years depending on your language proficiency level. It should be renewed 60 to 90 working days before it expires.

Important notice

Temporary exemption: Exemption NCR-011-2024 will expire on March 31, 2025. After this date, the validity of all Aviation Document Booklets is subject to the expiry date indicated in the ADB.

Mobile app vs paper application

Whether you’re applying for an initial (new) or renewal, you can submit by using:

our free Transport Canada Aviation Intake Request (TC AIR) mobile app, or
a traditional paper application by mail

Table 1: Comparing mobile app and paper application requirements
Requirement	Mobile app	Paper
Type of ADB accepted	Initial (new) or renewal.	Initial (new) or renewal form (instructions are on the form). Replace a lost or destroyed ADB.
Photo	Free. Digital photo taken using the app and submitted in real-time. For best results, have someone else take your photo using your device.	Professional passport-style photo needed. Paid for separately and mailed in with application.
Verifier	Initial (new) applications: Verifier must be present and complete application on the app. See below a list of approved verifiers for the mobile app. Renewals: Verifier not needed.	Initial (new) and renewal applications: Verifier must complete and sign paper form. See list of approved verifiers on the paper form.
Submission process	App makes sure all steps are complete. No need to mail in.	Complete PDF paper form, submit with photo by mail.
Processing times	Up to 30 working days, depending on complexity.	Up to 60 working days, if application is complete and depending on complexity.

Before you apply

If you’re applying for your initial (new) ADB or renewing it, you will need:

your 6 digit licence, permit or medical number
a verifier present when applying (not needed for renewals using the mobile app)
the expiry date of your current booklet (for renewals only)
a photo of yourself taken using the app (if submitting by the app) or a passport-style photo (if submitting by paper)
to make sure you have no outstanding medical conditions that could affect the issuance of your ADB. If any medical information is required please complete an Aviation medical certificate enquiries form
a valid language proficiency. See Guide to a formal aviation language proficiency demonstration for more information

You must also make sure that you do not:

owe Transport Canada any fees
have any suspensions with the Department of Justice under the Family Order and Agreements Enforcement Assistance Act

Mobile app verifier requirements

A verifier is a person that holds a Transport Canada Minister’s Delegation. You can’t act as your own verifier. Verifiers include:

an Authorized Person (AP) (provide licence/file number)
a Pilot Examiner (PE) (provide licence/file number)
an Approved Check Pilot (ACP) (provide licence/file number)
a Civil Aviation Medical Examiner (CAME) (provide CAME number)

In rare cases, a Transport Canada Civil Aviation employee can serve as a verifier.

Apply for an Aviation Document Booklet using the mobile app

Get the free TC AIR mobile app for your mobile device. Download the latest version from your app store.

To apply for an ADB by our mobile app:

Download the Transport Canada Aviation Intake Request (TC AIR) mobile app free from the App Store or on Google Play
Once installed, follow the instructions in the app to get started
Review and submit your application. A check mark will appear at the end of the process to show that your application and photo have been submitted
After you submit your application, you’ll get a confirmation email

Important points to note before using the mobile app:

You must complete all steps in one session
The app doesn’t save any information you submit. If you close the application mid-session, you will have to start again
For initial (new) applications, your verifier must be with you throughout the process
You can’t upload a photo from your device. You will be asked to take one using the mobile app during the application process. For best results, have someone else take your photo with your device
Make sure to follow the photo guidelines in the app to avoid rejection of your application and having to submit a new application.
The app doesn’t provide status updates on your application
There’s no in-app messaging or chat. If we need to contact you about your application, we will contact you by email or phone

After you apply

Service standards

A mobile app application can take up to 30 working days to process, depending on how complex your request is.

A paper application can take up to 60 working days to process, depending on how complete and complex your request is.

Table 2: Application status
Status	Description
Approved applications	Once approved, you’ll get an email letting you know that your ADB will be mailed once it’s printed.
Pending applications	If your application is pending (placed on hold), it means there’s an issue or your application doesn’t meet the requirements. We’ll contact you up to 3 times by email or phone to solve the issue. If we don’t hear from you within that time, your application will be rejected.
Rejected applications	If your application is rejected, we’ll email you with the reason(s). If this happens and you still want to proceed after having addressed all the issues, you’ll need to submit a new application.

After you receive your Aviation Document Booklet

When you get your ADB in the mail, review it and sign the bottom of page 2. Check that:

all the information about your permits, licences, medical certificates, and other licensing information is correct
check your photo and signature

Note the expiry date on page 1 so you know when to renew your booklet. We recommend renewing 60 to 90 working days before your booklet expires. We will not send you a reminder of your expiry date.

The ADB is valid for 10 years unless you have a level 4 operational language proficiency. In this case, the booklet is valid for 5 years from the date of your language test.

Replace a lost or destroyed Aviation Document Booklet

To replace a lost or destroyed booklet, go to replace a lost or destroyed Aviation Document Booklet for more information.

Need help?

For help with the TC AIR app, email TC.DigitalAviationSupport-SoutienNumeriqueAviation.TC@tc.gc.ca.

For any other ADB-related question, contact your closest Transport Canada Centre.

Language selection

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