TSCA DocuSign help videos: Marine port - Employer or sponsor

Starting a new Transportation Security Clearance application

As an employer, sponsor, or authorized signatory, we recommend starting Transportation Security Clearance Applications (or TSCAs) for applicants by completing the first two sections, Application Details and Requesting Authority. As you will sign applications digitally using DocuSign, filling in the first two sections of applications yourself ensures the correct company information is entered.

You do not have to create a new application every time or a separate one for every new applicant. You can create new application files one time for each applicant type, such as a new longshoreman, a new harbour master, and a new seafarer, then save those files to your computer and send them out as needed. They do not expire and only need to be changed if the company’s information changes.

To do this, go to the online TSCA.

Select “no” to the first question.

Indicate the type of security clearance for this applicant type, and that you’re a marine port. Then select “next”.

Select your marine port from the drop-down menu, then select the occupation for this applicant type, the company’s name, and the reason for the application. Then enter the company’s address.

Instead of selecting “next” at the bottom, scroll back up to the top of the page and select “save progress”

Enter the email address you want to send this saved file to, and select the check box indicating you agree to the statement, and select “send”.

Once you’ve sent this file, you can return to the TSCA and change the parameters for another applicant type. For example, if you initially selected “longshoreman,” now we can change it to “harbour master” and then select “save progress” and send the updated file to ourselves. You can continue making as many versions of the application as you need. 

Saving .TSCX files and sharing them with applicants

You will receive an email from Saved TSCA Application with your .TSCX files as attachments. To save them, simply right click or click the down arrow, and select “save as” to save the attachment to your computer.

You can change the name of the file to match the applicant type it’s for, for example “new longshoreman” while ensuring it gets saved as a TSCX file.

When you are ready to share this started application with your employees, you can simply add it as an attachment and email them with instructions on how to open and continue the file. There is a recommended email template in the guidance material.

Reviewing applications

Applicants have the option of sharing their application with you for review. This way you can ensure there are no errors or missing information prior to them submitting.

You will receive an email from “Shared TSCA” with a .TSCX file attached, and instructions for how to upload and review it. To save the file, simply right click or click the arrow, and select “save as” to save the attachment to your computer.

Click the link in the email you received to open the online TSCA.

Select “yes” to the first question, “Would you like to continue an application that you already started in a tscx file format?”

Select “choose file” and then browse for and attach the TSCX file you saved to your device.

Once you’ve attached the file, select “restore data.” The online TSCA will populate the data the applicant entered. You will see green check marks next to all of the sections indicating they are completed. Select the “Summary or Submission” page to move to the final section and review the application.

Select the “Review” button to open a PDF version of the application. Select “ok” if you see this pop-up. Select “cancel” to the option to print if you see it. You can then review the unsubmitted application in PDF format. Make note of any required changes.

When you are ready to communicate with the applicant, go back to the email you received and select their email address. This will open a new email with prepopulated information. From here, indicate if there were no errors, or if there were errors, what they were. Attach the same file that you were sent so the applicant can upload it and make the changes.