Do You Have Walk-In Canadian Boat Registration & Licencing Service?

No, we currently do not provide a walk-in service for boat registration or licencing. However, you can easily complete your registry applications using our secure online portal from the comfort of your home. 



Whether you’re applying for your first registration, transferring ownership, or renewing an existing licence, our digital platform allows you to complete the process quickly and safely. If you need direct assistance, you can also reach us at 1 (800) 419-9569 for support. To begin your registration, visit our Canadian boat registration page.
Convenient, Secure Access to Canadian Boat Forms Online
We created our online system to help you handle the necessary paperwork without the need to visit any government office or stand in line. With our streamlined process, you can access the correct forms, fill them out online, and submit them directly through our encrypted portal. This eliminates delays caused by mailing or in-person submissions while keeping your personal and boat information safe.

Our platform provides access to a wide range of applications and forms for Canadian boat owners, including:

First-time registration 
Renewal of registration 
Transfer of ownership 
Change of address or name 
Replacement certificates 
Mortgage registration and discharge 

These are the same Transport Canada forms you would otherwise have to mail or deliver in person. We make them available digitally to help you complete your Canadian boat documentation faster and more conveniently.
Why We Operate as a Digital Service
The decision not to offer a walk-in option comes from our commitment to efficiency, accessibility, and nationwide availability. Canada’s vast geography means that in-person services can limit access for many boat owners. By focusing exclusively on digital registration, we ensure that any boat owner—whether in a coastal community or inland—can submit their applications instantly.

Our online system allows us to assist more people simultaneously, which shortens processing times and helps reduce common errors found in handwritten or mailed submissions. It also means you can access the correct application at any time, from anywhere, even after hours or on weekends.
How Our Online Canadian Registration & Licencing Process Works
Our platform was designed for ease of use. Once you select the form you need, you’ll be guided through a straightforward set of steps that allow you to enter the required information directly. You can securely upload supporting materials and submit everything in one session. Once your information is submitted, our system automatically routes it to the appropriate area for review.

Every application type includes clear instructions and built-in fields so that your submission aligns with Transport Canada’s requirements. We don’t handle your paperwork or fill out documents for you, but we do provide access to every form needed to process your request efficiently.
Applying for a Pleasure Craft Licence
If your boat is primarily used for personal, recreational purposes and does not require full registration, you may need what’s known as a pleasure craft licence. This licence allows you to legally operate your boat in Canadian waters and display an identification number. You can apply for or renew your pleasure craft licence using our online portal as well, saving you time and travel.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QA7E7K-fZOg
The Small Boat Register
For certain smaller, non-commercial boats, Transport Canada offers registration under the small boat register. This register serves as an official record of ownership and identification, separate from the pleasure craft licence system. If you’re unsure which option applies to your situation, our portal provides access to both registration paths so you can easily select the correct one.

Our site ensures that you can locate the right form quickly, understand what details are needed, and submit your information directly. Whether your boat qualifies for registration or only requires a licence, you can manage everything from your device without the need to visit an office.
Benefits of Submitting Through Our Online Portal
Handling your registration digitally provides a number of benefits, including:

Time savings: No travel, no lineups, and no waiting for mail delivery. 
24/7 accessibility: You can complete your Canadian boat applications whenever your schedule allows. 
Secure submission: Our portal uses encryption to protect your data throughout the process. 
Nationwide availability: Whether you live near a coast or far inland, our system serves you equally. 
Streamlined forms: All applications are formatted for clarity and ease, reducing common submission mistakes. 

Our goal is to help you complete your boat registration or licence process without unnecessary steps or confusion. Everything you need to register your Canadian boat is online in one place.
Assistance Without a Walk-In Option
While we don’t offer a physical location for in-person visits, our customer support team remains fully accessible. You can reach us by phone or through our website for assistance with form selection, portal navigation, or any questions related to your submission.

We strive to provide the same level of attentiveness you would expect from an in-person service, only faster and without the limitations of a physical office. Many boat owners have found that our online platform actually simplifies their process compared to traditional walk-in methods.
How Our Process Simplifies Your Canadian Boat Documentation
Because everything is centralized online, you no longer have to search multiple pages or contact several offices to locate the right form. Our site groups all registration and licencing forms by purpose—making it easy to locate exactly what you need.

You can also complete multiple applications at once if necessary. For instance, if you’re renewing a registration and updating an address simultaneously, you can do so using the same secure portal without starting a separate process.

The system was designed to minimize paperwork errors and eliminate confusion. Every form includes required fields and built-in validation to ensure your application meets Transport Canada’s submission standards.
In Compliance with Canadian Maritime Laws
Submitting your registration online helps ensure your boat complies with Canadian maritime laws and operating standards. All registration types—whether for commercial use or recreational—fall under Transport Canada’s oversight. By using our secure online service, you are completing your paperwork through a platform designed specifically to align with official requirements, helping ensure compliance with the Canadian maritime laws governing boat ownership and operation.

Proper registration also provides proof of ownership and can assist with insurance, financing, or the resale of your boat. Completing this process online provides you with a traceable, organized record of your documentation.
Modern Canadian Boat Registration & Licencing Solutions 
Our focus remains on convenience, efficiency, and security. Rather than requiring walk-in service, we’ve built an all-digital solution that makes registering or licencing your boat faster and simpler than ever. The entire process can be done from anywhere—whether you’re on the coast or inland—and every form is available online through one central platform.

Boat ownership should be about enjoyment, not administrative stress. Check out what our portal has to offer. We can help you complete your Canadian boat documentation seamlessly, so you can focus on getting out on the water with confidence and full compliance.

 

Why You May Need the Deletion of a Certificate

The Transport Canada registry is only for vessels that are actively being used commercially in Canada. If for some reason yours isn’t being used, you can go through the deletion certificate process. 
Deletion of a Certificate From the Transport Canada Registry
The process of deletion of a certificate from the Transport Canada registry will make it official that the registration or licence in question is no longer a part of the registry of vessels. Once this deletion is processed, the vessel is no longer allowed to operate commercially in Canadian waters, for they are no longer part of the official registry. This can be quite a useful tool in plenty of cases, but not all boat owners are aware of them, which is why we have all the information you might need about the process right here on our documentation portal. When might you need to file for this vessel deletion? Here’s what you need to do.
The Boat Can No Longer Be Operational
The most common reason for which people tend to file for deletion of a vessel’s documentation is that the boat in question is no longer operational. This might be for all sorts of reasons. It might have been damaged beyond repair in an accident, it could be retired from use due to age, or it might have even sunk. Regardless of the reason for ceasing use of the vessel, it will be important to file for its deletion from the Transport Canada registry. All you need to do is request the deletion certificate using the form that you find on the site menu. Once the deletion is processed, you will receive the certificate that will serve as proof of such.
The Boat Will Be Registered Elsewhere
You should know that a boat can never be simultaneously registered with the transportation authorities of two different countries, which is why, if you wish to register the boat in a different country, you will first need to delete it from the Transport Canada registry. This might be done because the owner is moving abroad and taking the boat along with them, or because the vessel is being sold to someone residing outside of Canada. Either way, you will need to file for deletion, since it’s very likely that the new registering authority will ask for the deletion certificate in order to process the new documentation. You can simply go to the deletion form on our sidebar in order to fill it out and submit it through our processors to Transport Canada.


File For Deletion from the Registry
Documenting your vessel will always be an important component of your boat ownership here in Canada, which is why we don’t want you to have to go through this process alone. At the National Vessel Registry Center, we have everything that you might need in order to take care of these processes. Whether you are getting your boat registration or your pleasure craft licence with Transport Canada, you will find all the tools that you might need right here on our website. And, should you need any more information or assistance with the application process or by filling out the forms, don’t hesitate to reach out to us for help. You will get your documentation processed in no time.