If you are a boat owner in Canada considering selling your vessel or transferring the registration to another boat, you should read this first. Because getting a boat registration transfer may be a significant pain if you make a mistake, it’s crucial to know what to do before the actual process begins. In this piece, we will advise making the procedure go as smoothly as possible.
The possibility of acquiring, selling, or even transferring ownership of a boat may be exciting. Still, it is possible to encounter a few obstacles along the way. When boat owners have plans to transfer their boat registration, they need to be sure that they go through the procedure appropriately to prevent any hassles that are not required. To avoid the move becoming a living nightmare, consider the following advice:
Ensure You Have the Correct Documentation
Boat registration transfer may be a problem if you need the proper paperwork. Depending on local regulations, you may be required to provide other documentation besides a bill of sale, title, or registration. If one of these papers still has your previous spouse’s name, it is your responsibility to update them to reflect your present name.
Check with your state’s department of motor vehicles or vessel registration office if you have any questions about whether or not you need to have the information handwritten or typed in black, dark blue, or green ink. You may choose from a few different paths if you still need to include a necessary item. Unfortunately, many states mandate that vessels longer than 25 feet be registered for an additional three years after the last renewal date, making it difficult to obtain copies of expired registrations. Some firms will assist customers in locating long-lost registrations for a charge if they last renewed in years and need help locating the bill of sale.
Verify That the New Owner is Eligible to Register the Boat
Selling your yacht may seem like a huge undertaking. You’ll need to take pictures, list them for sale, and field inquiries from interested parties. Once you’ve decided on a buyer and worked out a price, you’ll need to transfer the title to them. Make sure the buyer can legally register the yacht in their name before you agree to a selling price or enter into any negotiations with them.
Any yacht more than 16 feet in length must be registered in the owner’s name if they are not Canadian citizens or landed immigrants. Problems may arise if you sell to a person who needs to be qualified (for instance, an American citizen). It’s up to you to decide if you want to do a thorough background check on the buyer; if you don’t mind the possibility that they’ll never be able to register the boat, then by all means, sell it to them!
Complete and Submit the Appropriate Forms for a Boat Registration Transfer
You may have certain apprehensions about the boat registration transfer procedure. You could have heard that it’s a pain, and you might be picturing a lengthy procedure with a mountain of paperwork. The good news is that contrary to popular belief, there are some things you can do to facilitate a more straightforward and problem-free experience. The next step in transferring your boat’s registration to Canada is to complete the necessary paperwork.
You should begin registering your watercraft in Canada by picking up an application from your nearest marine licensing office. If you would rather avoid the crowds and pick up your Form elsewhere, you can do so online. Next, classify your watercraft as either a personal or a motorized boat, then fill out either Form A for a personal or Form B for a motorized boat. Form 2333A, which requests information such as your name, address, vehicle identification number, etc., must also be filled out.
Pay All Applicable Fees
Making sure you’ve paid all the costs associated with moving your boat registration from one province to another is the most critical thing you can do. There’s no excuse for not paying your account before commencing the transfer procedure since doing so is simply using Transport Canada’s online payment system. To initiate the transfer, please fill out and submit the following Form. After hearing back from Transport Canada, check that your vessel complies with all applicable regulations.
If you do this, you won’t have to worry about complications during the boat registration transfer. You must sign the order form and bill of sale. The registration process could be continued if you submit all of the paperwork necessary for your province of residence to register the boat.
Remember that every state has requirements and will require different paperwork and forms for registering a boat within its borders. If you’re transferring a vessel from out-of-state, contact the National Vessel Registry Center at +1 (800) 419-9569 (Canada) and check out our online resources for more information on what documentation you need.
