Reviewed September 4, 2026. These articles provide general planning information. The contract, title records, property evidence, professional advice and applicable authority control each transaction.

When a real estate professional asks for identity information, it is not a marketing preference and it does not mean the client is suspected of wrongdoing. Canadian real estate brokerages and sales representatives have obligations under federal anti-money-laundering law when acting in covered real-property purchases and sales.

The important questions are when verification is required, which method applies and how the information will be protected.

Verification is a regulated process

The brokerage must verify identity using a prescribed method and keep the information required for that method. A document copy is not required in every method; follow the brokerage’s approved FINTRAC process.

FINTRAC permits several methods for verifying an individual, including government-issued photo identification, a Canadian credit file, a dual-process method and specified affiliate, member or reliance methods. Each has exact source, validity, matching and record requirements.

Remote photo-ID review requires an authentication process. Sending a picture of identification by ordinary email is not automatically a compliant verification. Social media is not an acceptable reliable source for the dual-process method.

Timing depends on what is happening

Verification and record timing depends on whether the person is a client, an unrepresented party, funds are received, or another reporting trigger applies. There is no useful one-size-fits-all rule that everything happens “at closing.”

Entity transactions can require confirmation of existence, authority to sign and beneficial-ownership information. Current FINTRAC rules include specified ownership or control tests, including a 25% threshold for certain entities.

Protect the information while meeting the rule

Use only the brokerage’s approved secure process. Do not upload identity documents to a public website form, social channel or unapproved email workflow.

Real estate brokerages must retain specified records. Current FINTRAC guidance says an information record is kept for five years from the last business transaction, while other records use their applicable five-year starting points. Records must be producible to FINTRAC within 30 days of a request.

FINTRAC collection and retention do not automatically authorize a new marketing use. Personal information must still be collected, used, disclosed, safeguarded and retained for identified lawful purposes under applicable privacy rules.

Identity verification does not mean FINTRAC has approved or “cleared” a client, and an agent should not promise whether a report will or will not be made.

If you are preparing to buy or sell, I can explain when the brokerage’s process enters the transaction and which secure channel to use. Start with the Buyer Experience or Seller Experience for the wider service process.

Sources reviewed September 4, 2026: FINTRAC real-estate sector guidance, methods to verify identity, recordkeeping and beneficial-ownership guidance; applicable Canadian privacy guidance.

If you are preparing for a purchase or sale and want to know what information the brokerage will request, I can help you plan for the identity-verification step.

Expect Moore for Your Real Estate.
— Chad Moore, REALTOR®
— Lake City Realty Ltd., Brokerage