Update or replace the certificate of registration of an aircraft

You must keep the information on your certificate of registration up to date.

Owners of Canadian-registered aircraft must notify Transport Canada about:

• changing their address
• changing their name (individuals or entities) 
• adding or deleting an entity’s trade name 
• changing the mark format to or from the vintage format
• modifying an aircraft model or serial number (with Transport Canada’s permission)

Other information changes appearing on a certificate of registration require a new application for registration. For example:

• amalgamating entities
• adding or removing an owner
• changing the registration mark (with Transport Canada’s permission)
• changing between advanced ultra-light and basic ultra-light

Replacing a certificate of registration

A certificate of registration must be carried on board the aircraft. If your certificate has been lost or damaged and the information is current, you can get a replacement.

On this page

• Interim certificate of registration
• Fees and service standards
• How to apply

Interim certificate of registration

If you want to fly the aircraft after you submit your notification of changes and any required payment for the updated certificate of registration, you can activate an interim certificate of registration. An interim certificate allows you to operate a Canadian-registered aircraft while waiting for an updated certificate of registration.

If you don't have a blank interim certificate, send an email to a Transport Canada Centre to request one with the subject line “need a replacement interim certificate” and include:

• your name
• the aircraft registration mark

To activate an interim certificate, follow the instructions on it. The activation date is the signing date on your application to register your aircraft.

Validity period

The interim certificate is valid until:

• 90 calendar days after the activation date (the date of your application for registration), or
• the custody and control of the aircraft is transferred again, or
• you receive the updated certificate of registration

Carry the interim certificate on the aircraft.

Fees and service standards

Actual processing times can vary depending on how complex and complete your request is.

Time is counted by working days and starts once we receive a complete application and all the required documents and fees.

Fees and service standards for updating or replacing a certificate of registration

Service	Fee	Service standard
Amendment to a certificate of registration, other than a change of address		60 working days
Replacement of a lost or damaged certificate of registration		10 working days

Learn more about the Service Fees Act.

How to apply

Find out how to:

• Change an address
• Change a name
• Add or delete an entity’s trade name
• Change the purpose
• Change the mark format to or from the vintage format
• Modify the aircraft model or serial number
• Replace a lost or damaged certificate

Change an address

Every owner must notify Transport Canada within 7 days if their address changes. If the aircraft is registered to multiple owners, a new certificate of registration will only be issued if the address shown on the certificate of registration changes.

To make an address change:

1. Gather the information you need to provide:
   • the aircraft registration mark
   • the old address
   • the new address
2. Email your request to a Transport Canada Centre including the information above
3. Activate an interim certificate of registration

Change a name (individuals or entities)

Every owner (including entities) must notify Transport Canada within 7 days if they legally change their name.

Adding or removing an owner is not a name change and requires a new application for registration.

To make a name change:

1. Pay using the online payment system (select “Aircraft certificate of registration”)
2. Gather the information you need to provide:
   • receipt number from the online payment system
   • the aircraft registration mark
   • proof of name change
     • for individuals: Canadian government-issued name change document or new Canadian government-issued ID document
     • for entities: government document supporting name change
3. Email your request to a Transport Canada Centre including the information above
4. Activate an interim certificate of registration

Add or delete an entity’s trade name

An entity must notify Transport Canada within 7 days if they add or remove or change a trade name on their certificate of registration.

To add or delete an entity’s trade name:

1. Pay using the online payment system (select “Aircraft certificate of registration”)
2. Gather the information you need to provide:
   • receipt number from the online payment system
   • the aircraft registration mark
   • the entity’s legal name
   • if adding a trade name, a document showing the entity has the right to use the trade name
3. Email your request to a Transport Canada Centre including the information above
4. Activate an interim certificate of registration

Change the purpose (private or commercial)

An owner may update the certificate of registration if the purpose of the aircraft changes between private and commercial.

To change the registered purpose:

1. Pay using the online payment system (select “Aircraft certificate of registration”)
2. Gather the information you need to provide:
   • receipt number from the online payment system
   • the aircraft registration mark
   • the new intended purpose
3. Email your request to a Transport Canada Centre including the information above
4. Activate an interim certificate of registration

Change the mark format to or from the vintage format

Some older aircraft may display their mark in the vintage format CF-??? instead of the usual C-F???. Before flying the aircraft, an owner must notify Transport Canada if they change the display of a mark to or from the vintage format.

Only aircraft manufactured before 1957 can display the vintage format. Aircraft manufactured before 1974 can only display existing vintage format marks until they’re repainted.

To change the mark format to or from the vintage format:

1. Gather the information you need to provide:
   • the aircraft registration mark
2. Email your request to a Transport Canada Centre including the information above
3. Activate an interim certificate of registration

Modify the aircraft model or serial number

Before modifying the aircraft model or serial number on the aircraft ID plate, you must have received written authorization from a Transport Canada Civil Aviation Safety Inspector – Airworthiness.

An owner should notify Transport Canada if the model or serial number of the aircraft changes to obtain an updated certificate of airworthiness.

To modify the aircraft model or serial number:

1. Pay using the online payment system (select “Aircraft certificate of registration”)
2. Gather the information you need to provide:
   • receipt number from the online payment system
   • the aircraft registration mark
   • a photo of the new or modified aircraft ID plate
   • the authorization letter from a Transport Canada Civil Aviation Safety Inspector - Airworthiness
3. Email your request to a Transport Canada Centre including the information above
4. Activate an interim certificate of registration

Replace a lost or damaged certificate

A certificate of registration must be carried on board the aircraft. If your certificate has been lost or damaged and the information is current, you can get a replacement.

1. Pay using the online payment system (select “The Replacement of a Canadian Aviation Document”)
2. Gather the information you need to provide:
   • receipt number from the online payment system
   • the aircraft registration mark
   • the reason, why you need a replacement certificate (lost or damaged)
3. Email your request to a Transport Canada Centre including the information above
4. Activate an interim certificate of registration