Fill in a checklist a business sent you
Fill in a checklist a business sent you
When a realtor, mortgage broker, lawyer, immigration consultant, property manager or clinic needs information from you, they may send a checklist. It's one page that can ask you questions, ask for documents and ask you to sign something. You fill it in from a link, and you don't need an account.
Open it
- Open the link in the email from the business. It starts with
my-id.ca/g/. - Enter the code emailed to the same address.
- Work down the list. If the business added instructions, they're at the top, along with a due date if there is one.
If you already have a my-id.ca account with the same email address, the checklist also appears in your account.
What each item asks you to do
| What you see | What to do |
|---|---|
| A checkbox | Tick it to confirm, for example that you've read the rental criteria |
| A text box ("Type your answer") | Type a short answer, such as your move-in date |
| A list of options | Pick one, or every option that applies if the list allows several |
| An upload button | Add the document: a PDF or a photo, up to three files |
| Sign now | Confirm your email with a code, sign the document, then return to the checklist |
Items marked with * are required. Text under an item explains what the business needs, for example "all pages, including the summary page". Read it before you upload. It's the most common reason a document is sent back.
Why items appear and disappear
Some items depend on your answers. If you answer that you're self-employed, items for tax returns may appear. If you say someone will co-sign, items for their ID and income may appear. Your answer is saved as soon as you give it, and the items it unlocks show up right away.
If you change an answer, items that no longer apply disappear and don't count against you. Anything you already uploaded for them is kept.
What the labels mean
- Submitted: you've sent it and the business hasn't reviewed it yet.
- Done: the business accepted it.
- Needs fix: the business needs it again. Their reason is shown under the item. Upload a new file or change your answer, and it goes back to them.
Finishing later, due dates and reminders
Everything you enter is saved, so you can stop and come back while the link is valid. If required items are still missing, you may get up to three reminder emails, each listing what's left. Each reminder carries a fresh link, and older links stop working, so always use the newest email.
Uploading from a phone
- Get all four corners of the document in the frame, on a flat surface in even light.
- Upload every page of a multi-page document. A missing page is the most common reason for Needs fix.
- One item can hold up to three files, for example the front and back of an ID.
What the business sees
The business sees your answers, the files you upload and your signatures for this checklist only. They can't see anything else connected to your email address or to other businesses. See What a business can see.
Why some people create a free account afterwards
The documents a checklist asks for, such as ID, proof of income and references, are usually the same ones the next business will ask for. With a free my-id.ca account, you can attach a file you already saved instead of finding it again. What you sent through the link is already in your account if you sign up with the same email address. See Claim your guest documents.
If something looks wrong
If you weren't expecting the checklist, or it asks for something unrelated to your dealings with that business, contact the business using a phone number or address you already have, not one from the email. See When a request feels wrong.
Related
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need a my-id.ca account to fill in the checklist?
- No. Open the link from the business's email and enter the one-time code sent to the same address. A free account is optional. It lets you keep your documents and reuse them next time.
- Why did new items appear after I answered a question?
- Some items only apply to some people. For example, a business may ask for tax returns only if you answer that you are self-employed. When your answer calls for an item, it appears right away. If you change the answer, the item goes away again and doesn't count.
- What does Needs fix mean?
- The business looked at what you sent and needs it again, usually because a page is missing or a photo is hard to read. Their reason is shown under the item. Remove the old file if you want, upload a new one and it goes back to them.
- What files can I upload?
- A PDF or a photo (JPEG, PNG, WebP or GIF), up to 5 MB each and up to three files per item. On a phone you can take the photo straight from the upload button.
- Can I stop and finish later?
- Yes. Everything you already answered or uploaded is saved. Open the link again before it expires. If it has expired, ask the business to send a new one.