Where Can My Port of Registry Be?
Your port of registry can be any Transport Canada–approved port listed for Canadian boat registration, regardless of where your boat is kept or where you live. It functions as the legal home of your boat’s federal record, not a physical location, and it must be selected from an official list maintained by Transport Canada.
We help boat owners access the correct forms to choose, change, or confirm this designation so their registration reflects an approved port that meets current requirements.
What a Port of Registry Represents in Canadian Boat Registration
A port of registry is often misunderstood as a marina, harbour, or place where a boat is stored. In reality, it serves a very different role within Canadian boat registration. The port links your boat to a specific federal registry location, creating a permanent reference point for its official record.
This designation is used by Transport Canada to organize and maintain registration records. Every filing associated with a registered boat is connected to that port within the federal system. Your port:
Acts as the legal home of the boat’s registration record
Connects ownership records, transfers, and changes to a single registry location
Remains the same even if the boat moves between provinces or waterways
Appears on the stern of boats registered in the Large Vessel Register
Our service focuses on making it easier to access the official forms needed to select or update this information correctly, without confusion about what the designation actually means.
Approved Ports and the Transport Canada List
You cannot select just any town or city as a port of registry. Transport Canada maintains an approved list of ports that are authorized for use in federal boat registration. Only locations on this list may be used.
This list includes major coastal and inland cities across the country. It also includes ports in provinces without direct ocean access, ensuring that owners nationwide have appropriate options.
Examples of approved ports include:
Vancouver
Victoria
Toronto
Hamilton
Montreal
Quebec City
Halifax
St. John’s
Edmonton
Regina
Winnipeg
The availability of inland ports allows owners in landlocked provinces to complete Canadian boat registration without being tied to coastal geography. The key requirement is that the chosen port appears on Transport Canada’s approved list at the time of registration or transfer.
We provide direct access to the forms that reference this approved structure so your submission aligns with current federal requirements.
Does the Port Have to Match Where the Boat Is Kept?
The port does not need to be near where the boat is stored, launched, or primarily operated. This flexibility is one of the most practical aspects of the federal registration system.
Boat owners often choose a port based on:
Personal preference
Historical ties to a city
Prior registration records
Aesthetic considerations for the stern marking
Continuity when ownership changes
For example, a boat kept on a small inland lake in Ontario may be registered to Toronto or Ottawa. A boat operating seasonally in multiple provinces may retain a single port for decades.
The key factor is that the port is approved, not that it reflects the boat’s day-to-day location.
Visual Marking Rules for the Stern in 2026
When a boat is registered in the Large Vessel Register, the port of registry must be physically displayed on the boat. Transport Canada has clear standards for how this marking must appear, and these rules continue into 2026.
The marking requirements include:
Letter height of at least 10 cm
Placement on the stern of the boat
Position directly below or beside the boat’s name
Use of the Latin alphabet and Arabic numerals
A colour that contrasts clearly with the hull
These markings allow authorities and other parties to identify the registered boat quickly. They also reinforce the link between the physical boat and its federal registration record.
We provide access to the correct forms so that the selected port shown on the stern matches what appears in the registry.
Changing Your Port of Registry
A port of registry is not permanent. If circumstances change, owners may apply to update it through an official transfer of port.
Common reasons for a change include:
A sale or transfer of ownership
A name change for the boat
Consolidating records under a different port
Correcting outdated information
The process requires submitting the appropriate Transport Canada form, commonly known as Form 13, which covers changes to a boat’s name or port. When changing your port, remember:
The request must reference an approved port
The change updates the federal record
The new port must be marked on the stern once approved
A fee applies for a transfer of registry
Our platform provides streamlined access to the form required for this update, helping owners complete the process without uncertainty about which document applies.
Large Vessel Register and the Role of the Port
The requirement to declare and display your port applies specifically to boats registered in the Large Vessel Register. This includes pleasure boats that owners have chosen to register federally rather than rely solely on a pleasure craft licence.
In this registry:
Each boat receives an Official Number
The port is part of the permanent record
Ownership changes are recorded at the federal level
Mortgages and transfers are tied to the registry entry
The port designation helps organize these records within Canada’s federal system and supports transparency in ownership history.
The Small Vessel Register Exception
Not all boats are required to have or display a port. Boats listed in the Small Vessel Register follow a different system.
Key distinctions include:
Boats receive an Official Number beginning with “C”
No port is assigned or displayed
The system is used for certain commercial boats under 15 gross tons
The registration structure differs from the Large Vessel Register
This distinction is important for owners evaluating whether they need a port designation at all. Small boat registration under this register does not involve choosing or marking a port, and it should not be confused with other systems.
Our service helps users identify which registration path applies to their situation by providing access to the relevant forms for each register.
Relationship to Pleasure Craft Licensing
A pleasure craft licence is a separate system from federal registration. While both involve Transport Canada, they serve different purposes and carry different requirements.
Important differences include:
A pleasure craft licence uses a licence number, not an Official Number
No port of registry is assigned under a licence
The licence number is displayed on the bow, not the stern
Licensing is mandatory for most recreational boats, while registration is optional
Special Cases and Government Boats
Certain situations involve unique registration pathways, including the registration of a government vessel. These boats may follow specialized procedures depending on their use and ownership structure.
Even in these cases:
Approved ports still apply where a port is required
Federal records must align with Transport Canada standards
The registry structure supports accountability and traceability
The governing framework can be found through Canadian maritime laws, which outline how federal boat records are maintained and updated.
How We Support Your Registration Process
Our role is focused on access and clarity. We provide the official Transport Canada forms that allow you to:
Select an approved port
Apply for a transfer of port
Update records after ownership or name changes
Navigate Canadian boat registration pathways efficiently
We do not collect documents on your behalf or secure information from third parties. Instead, our service simplifies how you access and use the required forms so you can submit accurate information directly.
Choosing a Port That Works for You
Because the port does not restrict where your boat operates, owners have flexibility when selecting one. Many choose a port that reflects:
A connection to a major city
Continuity with previous ownership
A name that looks appropriate on the stern
Long-term stability in the federal record
What matters most is that the port appears on Transport Canada’s approved list and is correctly recorded in your registration.
Keeping Your Records Consistent
Consistency between your federal record and the markings on your boat is essential. If the port shown on the stern does not match the registry, it can create delays or complications when changes are requested.
Maintaining consistency involves:
Updating the port promptly after approval of a transfer
Ensuring markings meet size and placement standards
Using the exact spelling listed in the registry
By using our service to access the correct forms, you can keep your registration aligned with current requirements and avoid unnecessary revisions later.
Clarifying Common Misconceptions
Several misunderstandings often arise around this topic:
A port is not where the boat must be stored
Inland owners are not restricted to coastal ports
The designation is legal, not geographic
Not all boats require a port
Recognizing these points helps owners choose the appropriate path, whether that involves federal registration, small boat registration, or maintaining a pleasure craft licence.
Keeping Your Registration Current in 2026 and Beyond
As marking standards and fees evolve, keeping your registration current remains essential. The port of registry continues to play a central role in federal boat records, and selecting or updating it correctly supports smooth administration over time.
Our platform remains focused on providing straightforward access to the forms you need, helping you manage updates efficiently as requirements continue into 2026 and beyond.
We help boat owners access the correct forms to choose, change, or confirm this designation so their registration reflects an approved port that meets current requirements.
What a Port of Registry Represents in Canadian Boat Registration
A port of registry is often misunderstood as a marina, harbour, or place where a boat is stored. In reality, it serves a very different role within Canadian boat registration. The port links your boat to a specific federal registry location, creating a permanent reference point for its official record.
This designation is used by Transport Canada to organize and maintain registration records. Every filing associated with a registered boat is connected to that port within the federal system. Your port:
Acts as the legal home of the boat’s registration record
Connects ownership records, transfers, and changes to a single registry location
Remains the same even if the boat moves between provinces or waterways
Appears on the stern of boats registered in the Large Vessel Register
Our service focuses on making it easier to access the official forms needed to select or update this information correctly, without confusion about what the designation actually means.
Approved Ports and the Transport Canada List
You cannot select just any town or city as a port of registry. Transport Canada maintains an approved list of ports that are authorized for use in federal boat registration. Only locations on this list may be used.
This list includes major coastal and inland cities across the country. It also includes ports in provinces without direct ocean access, ensuring that owners nationwide have appropriate options.
Examples of approved ports include:
Vancouver
Victoria
Toronto
Hamilton
Montreal
Quebec City
Halifax
St. John’s
Edmonton
Regina
Winnipeg
The availability of inland ports allows owners in landlocked provinces to complete Canadian boat registration without being tied to coastal geography. The key requirement is that the chosen port appears on Transport Canada’s approved list at the time of registration or transfer.
We provide direct access to the forms that reference this approved structure so your submission aligns with current federal requirements.
Does the Port Have to Match Where the Boat Is Kept?
The port does not need to be near where the boat is stored, launched, or primarily operated. This flexibility is one of the most practical aspects of the federal registration system.
Boat owners often choose a port based on:
Personal preference
Historical ties to a city
Prior registration records
Aesthetic considerations for the stern marking
Continuity when ownership changes
For example, a boat kept on a small inland lake in Ontario may be registered to Toronto or Ottawa. A boat operating seasonally in multiple provinces may retain a single port for decades.
The key factor is that the port is approved, not that it reflects the boat’s day-to-day location.
Visual Marking Rules for the Stern in 2026
When a boat is registered in the Large Vessel Register, the port of registry must be physically displayed on the boat. Transport Canada has clear standards for how this marking must appear, and these rules continue into 2026.
The marking requirements include:
Letter height of at least 10 cm
Placement on the stern of the boat
Position directly below or beside the boat’s name
Use of the Latin alphabet and Arabic numerals
A colour that contrasts clearly with the hull
These markings allow authorities and other parties to identify the registered boat quickly. They also reinforce the link between the physical boat and its federal registration record.
We provide access to the correct forms so that the selected port shown on the stern matches what appears in the registry.
Changing Your Port of Registry
A port of registry is not permanent. If circumstances change, owners may apply to update it through an official transfer of port.
Common reasons for a change include:
A sale or transfer of ownership
A name change for the boat
Consolidating records under a different port
Correcting outdated information
The process requires submitting the appropriate Transport Canada form, commonly known as Form 13, which covers changes to a boat’s name or port. When changing your port, remember:
The request must reference an approved port
The change updates the federal record
The new port must be marked on the stern once approved
A fee applies for a transfer of registry
Our platform provides streamlined access to the form required for this update, helping owners complete the process without uncertainty about which document applies.
Large Vessel Register and the Role of the Port
The requirement to declare and display your port applies specifically to boats registered in the Large Vessel Register. This includes pleasure boats that owners have chosen to register federally rather than rely solely on a pleasure craft licence.
In this registry:
Each boat receives an Official Number
The port is part of the permanent record
Ownership changes are recorded at the federal level
Mortgages and transfers are tied to the registry entry
The port designation helps organize these records within Canada’s federal system and supports transparency in ownership history.
The Small Vessel Register Exception
Not all boats are required to have or display a port. Boats listed in the Small Vessel Register follow a different system.
Key distinctions include:
Boats receive an Official Number beginning with “C”
No port is assigned or displayed
The system is used for certain commercial boats under 15 gross tons
The registration structure differs from the Large Vessel Register
This distinction is important for owners evaluating whether they need a port designation at all. Small boat registration under this register does not involve choosing or marking a port, and it should not be confused with other systems.
Our service helps users identify which registration path applies to their situation by providing access to the relevant forms for each register.
Relationship to Pleasure Craft Licensing
A pleasure craft licence is a separate system from federal registration. While both involve Transport Canada, they serve different purposes and carry different requirements.
Important differences include:
A pleasure craft licence uses a licence number, not an Official Number
No port of registry is assigned under a licence
The licence number is displayed on the bow, not the stern
Licensing is mandatory for most recreational boats, while registration is optional
Special Cases and Government Boats
Certain situations involve unique registration pathways, including the registration of a government vessel. These boats may follow specialized procedures depending on their use and ownership structure.
Even in these cases:
Approved ports still apply where a port is required
Federal records must align with Transport Canada standards
The registry structure supports accountability and traceability
The governing framework can be found through Canadian maritime laws, which outline how federal boat records are maintained and updated.
How We Support Your Registration Process
Our role is focused on access and clarity. We provide the official Transport Canada forms that allow you to:
Select an approved port
Apply for a transfer of port
Update records after ownership or name changes
Navigate Canadian boat registration pathways efficiently
We do not collect documents on your behalf or secure information from third parties. Instead, our service simplifies how you access and use the required forms so you can submit accurate information directly.
Choosing a Port That Works for You
Because the port does not restrict where your boat operates, owners have flexibility when selecting one. Many choose a port that reflects:
A connection to a major city
Continuity with previous ownership
A name that looks appropriate on the stern
Long-term stability in the federal record
What matters most is that the port appears on Transport Canada’s approved list and is correctly recorded in your registration.
Keeping Your Records Consistent
Consistency between your federal record and the markings on your boat is essential. If the port shown on the stern does not match the registry, it can create delays or complications when changes are requested.
Maintaining consistency involves:
Updating the port promptly after approval of a transfer
Ensuring markings meet size and placement standards
Using the exact spelling listed in the registry
By using our service to access the correct forms, you can keep your registration aligned with current requirements and avoid unnecessary revisions later.
Clarifying Common Misconceptions
Several misunderstandings often arise around this topic:
A port is not where the boat must be stored
Inland owners are not restricted to coastal ports
The designation is legal, not geographic
Not all boats require a port
Recognizing these points helps owners choose the appropriate path, whether that involves federal registration, small boat registration, or maintaining a pleasure craft licence.
Keeping Your Registration Current in 2026 and Beyond
As marking standards and fees evolve, keeping your registration current remains essential. The port of registry continues to play a central role in federal boat records, and selecting or updating it correctly supports smooth administration over time.
Our platform remains focused on providing straightforward access to the forms you need, helping you manage updates efficiently as requirements continue into 2026 and beyond.