Drone Registration Canada: How to Register Step by Step

In Canada, every drone with an operating weight of 250 g or more must be registered with Transport Canada before it flies, whether you fly for fun or for work. Small drones from 250 g up to 25 kg are the most common case, and medium drones (over 25 kg up to 150 kg) must be registered too. You register online in Transport Canada’s Drone Management Portal in a few minutes, the fee is $10 per drone (as of 2026), and you must then mark the registration number clearly on the drone and keep the certificate of registration with you when you fly. Owners must be at least 14 years old and be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or Canadian organization.

This guide covers who needs to register, what counts toward the 250 g threshold, each step in the portal, fees, marking rules, what to do when you sell or lose a drone, and the penalties for skipping it.

This guide is general information, not legal advice. Always confirm current rules with Transport Canada before you fly.

Who must register a drone in Canada?

Under the Canadian Aviation Regulations (section 900.13), any remotely piloted aircraft with an operating weight of 250 g (0.55 lb) or more must be registered, unless it is flown under a Special Flight Operations Certificate that allows an unregistered aircraft. The purpose of the flight does not matter: recreational and commercial pilots follow the same registration rule.

What counts toward the 250 g threshold?

The weight that matters is the operating weight: the drone as you actually fly it, including the battery, propellers, propeller guards, ND filters, landing gear and any payload. Transport Canada notes that a drone under 250 g does not need to be registered unless something is attached to it. A popular sub-250 g model fitted with a larger “plus” battery or accessories can cross the line and suddenly need both registration and a pilot certificate. Our guide to sub-250 g drone rules explains what microdrone pilots can still do.

Who can be a registered owner?

• A Canadian citizen or permanent resident who is at least 14 years old.
• A corporation or other entity formed under federal or provincial law.
• A Canadian government body or its agents.

Younger pilots can fly a drone registered in a parent’s or guardian’s name; see our page on age rules for young pilots. Foreign pilots cannot register drones in Canada and need an SFOC-RPAS instead; read our guide for foreign pilots visiting Canada.

What you need before you start

• An account on Transport Canada’s Drone Management Portal.
• The drone’s make, model, serial number and type (for example, multi-rotor or fixed-wing).
• The purchase date, if you bought it.
• A payment method. Transport Canada lists Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Apple Pay and Google Pay; some debit cards work when added to Apple Wallet or Google Pay.

The serial number is usually printed on the drone body, inside the battery bay or on the box, and many manufacturer apps display it in the device settings. Custom-built and kit drones can be registered too: you declare them as custom-built and provide your own description and identifier.

How to register your drone in the Drone Management Portal: step by step

Transport Canada says registration takes about three minutes once you have your information ready.

1. Open the portal. Go to Transport Canada’s drone registration page and choose the link to the Drone Management Portal.
2. Sign in or create your account. If you already took a pilot exam, use the same account so your certificate and drones are in one place.
3. Choose the option to register a drone. If the drone belongs to a company, make sure you are registering it under the organization’s profile.
4. Enter the drone details: manufacturer, model, serial number, type, weight category and whether it was purchased or custom-built.
5. Review and pay the fee of $10 for that drone (as of 2026).
6. Download your certificate of registration. It shows the registration number assigned to that aircraft. Save a copy on your phone and keep a printed copy in your flight case.
7. Mark the drone with its registration number before the first flight (see below).
8. Repeat for each drone. Every drone of 250 g or more needs its own registration and number; one registration cannot cover several aircraft.

Drone registration fees in Canada (as of 2026)

The registration fee rose from $5 to $10 per drone on April 1, 2025. Fees can change, so check the amount shown in the portal before you pay.

For every certificate tier, including Level 1 Complex and SFOC fees, see our full breakdown of drone licence costs in Canada.

How to mark your registration number on the drone

Section 900.14 of the regulations says you may not fly unless the registration number is clearly visible on the aircraft. Transport Canada asks that the drone be marked with a permanent marker, a permanent label or an engraving, and recommends adding your name and contact information as well.

• Pick a spot that can be read without tools and without removing the battery, such as the top of the fuselage or an arm.
• Use a weatherproof label or engraving; ink can fade in rain, snow and cold.
• Make the characters large enough to read at arm’s length.
• Re-check the marking after crashes, repairs or shell replacements.

Carry your certificate of registration

Under section 900.20, the certificate of registration must be easily accessible to the pilot throughout every flight. A PDF on your phone works, but a printed copy in your case is a good backup when batteries run low in the cold. You also need your own pilot certificate, which is a separate document.

Registration vs pilot certificate

No certificate yet? Start with the Basic drone pilot certificate, or go straight to the Advanced drone pilot certificate if you want to fly in controlled airspace or closer to people.

Keeping your registration up to date

The regulations give owners seven days to notify Transport Canada after certain events. Do it in the Drone Management Portal.

• Name or address change: update your profile within seven days of the change (section 900.19).
• Drone destroyed or permanently withdrawn from use: notify within seven days of becoming aware of it.
• Drone missing: notify within seven days once a search has been ended or the drone has been missing for 60 days or more.
• Sold or given away: transfer or cancel the registration so the drone is no longer tied to you; the new owner registers it in their name.

Registration is cancelled automatically in some cases, for example if an organization that owns the drone is dissolved or the owner is no longer eligible. Buying or selling second-hand? Read our guide to registration transfer for used drones. If your drone flew away, our lost drone guide explains what to do first.

Penalties for flying an unregistered or unmarked drone

Transport Canada lists maximum penalties of up to $5,000 for individuals and up to $25,000 for corporations for flying unregistered or unmarked drones. Flying without a pilot certificate is a separate violation (up to $1,000 for individuals and $5,000 for corporations), and penalties can be stacked when several rules are broken in one flight. Details are in our guide to drone fines in Canada.

Common registration mistakes

• Assuming a “sub-250 g” drone stays under the limit with every battery and accessory.
• Registering one drone and flying a second, unregistered one on the same outing.
• Hiding the number under a battery door or inside the shell.
• Forgetting to cancel or transfer the registration after selling a drone.
• Letting your address go out of date after a move.
• Confusing registration with a pilot certificate: you need both.

FAQ: drone registration in Canada

How much does drone registration cost in Canada?

As of 2026, Transport Canada charges $10 per drone, paid online in the Drone Management Portal. The fee went up from $5 on April 1, 2025. Check the portal for the current amount before you pay.

Do I need to register a drone under 250 g?

No, as long as its operating weight stays under 250 g. If accessories or a larger battery bring it to 250 g or more, it must be registered and you need a pilot certificate.

Does a recreational drone need to be registered?

Yes. Registration depends on weight, not on purpose. A hobby drone of 250 g or more needs the same registration as a commercial one.

How long is drone registration valid?

Registration does not have an expiry date. It stays valid while the information is accurate, and you must update it within seven days of a name or address change, or after the drone is destroyed, missing or sold.

Can a tourist register a drone in Canada?

No. Foreign pilots and operators cannot register drones in Canada. They need a Special Flight Operations Certificate (SFOC-RPAS) to fly a drone of 250 g or more; see our guide to SFOC-RPAS applications.

Next steps

Once your drone is registered and marked, check that you hold the right pilot certificate, plan where you can legally fly, and review the full set of rules in our complete guide to drone laws in Canada. For official details, see Transport Canada’s drone safety pages.