Lost Your Certificate of Registry? How to Get Replacement Boat Registration
If your original Certificate of Registry has been misplaced, damaged, or lost, you can apply for a replacement boat registration through our online portal.
Our service provides the streamlined forms you need so you can request a new document quickly, helping you keep your paperwork in good order without unnecessary delays.
What a Replacement Boat Registration Certificate Does
A replacement certificate restores your official proof of registration when the original is no longer available. This document shows that your boat is properly entered in the national registry and is active under the markings required by Canadian maritime laws.
It may also be needed for activities such as selling your boat, refinancing through a lender, or handling a new mortgage. Without a valid certificate, certain transactions can become more difficult, and you may not have the paperwork required if your boat is inspected.
A new certificate ensures that all official details—including name, tonnage, usage, and port of registry—are available in a clear, Transport Canada–accepted format.
Some boat owners request a replacement after discovering the original was damaged during travel, while others do so because the document was never returned after a docking inspection, survey, or legal matter. Regardless of the reason, your new certificate carries the same legal standing as the one you previously held.
When You Should Apply for a Boat Certificate Replacement
There are several occasions when applying for a replacement certificate is the right step. Common situations include:
Your document was lost while traveling, trailering, or storing equipment.
Moisture, fading, or accidental tearing made the certificate unreadable.
You switched to a digital storage system and cannot locate the original.
Your lender, insurer, or a marina requested an updated physical document.
You are preparing the boat for sale and want to provide clean, current proof of registry.
If any of these apply to you, obtaining a replacement certificate can prevent frustration later.
Why the Certificate Matters for Different Types of Registration
Your certificate connects directly to the type of registration your boat holds with Transport Canada. Even though these categories serve different needs, each may require a replacement document under certain circumstances.
Here are common forms of recognition where a replacement may be requested:
Many owners of boats carrying Canadian boat registration will need a replacement certificate if theirs is lost, as this record is used for ownership, financing, and international travel.
Recreational owners with a pleasure craft licence do not request the same certificate type, though they may still need to access various forms through our site for other Transport Canada requirements.
Owners handling the registration of a government boat may need a replacement certificate if the physical copy used aboard is no longer available.
Certain commercial or work-related operators listed in the small vessel register may require a replacement if their document is misplaced.
Our portal focuses on the forms needed for federally registered boats, helping you access what you need quickly when something goes missing.
How Our Service Helps You Request a Replacement Boat Certificate
Our online system is built to simplify how you submit your application. Instead of searching through multiple Transport Canada pages, you can go directly to the form you need, complete it online, and submit it securely. Here, you can:
Go directly to the Certificate of Registry replacement certificate form without having to navigate Transport Canada's site.
Complete the application using the information from your existing registration record.
Submit everything electronically so your request can be processed without mailing delays.
Keep a digital record of your submission for your own reference.
Continue using our platform for renewals, boat name changes, ownership transfers, and mortgage-related filings.
Our service centralizes the required forms so you can complete everything needed for a replacement boat registration process through a single access point.
What You Need Before Submitting Your Boat Registration Replacement Request
Although we do not assist in collecting materials, most owners find that they already have the basic information needed to complete the replacement request. Commonly required details include:
Your official number
The name of your boat
Your current contact information
Confirmation of your ownership status
Any applicable supporting information about recent changes
You do not need to upload the old certificate—even if damaged—since the purpose is to replace it. Transport Canada refers to the record already on file for verification.
Situations Where a Replacement Certificate Can Prevent Problems
Many boat owners only realize the importance of having a replacement certificate when an urgent situation arises. By requesting a new document early, you avoid potential issues such as:
Delays in selling a boat when the buyer’s agent asks to see official paperwork.
Trouble during inspections or audits when operators must show current documentation.
Complications with financing or refinancing when a lender requires a physical proof of registry.
Problems during international travel where certain ports require a valid certificate onboard.
Inconvenience when officials need to confirm registry details and you cannot produce the physical document.
A replacement keeps your records clear and accessible—something especially helpful if you are traveling through different regions or working with organizations that require strict documentation.
What Happens After You Submit the Certificate Replacement Form
After you send your request through our portal, Transport Canada reviews the information to issue your new certificate. The timeline varies depending on workload and mailing conditions, but many owners find that having the correct form submitted through a centralized service helps prevent delays caused by incomplete or mismatched applications.
Your replacement certificate will typically arrive by mail, and it will contain the same information as your original unless you applied for a separate change—such as an ownership transfer or alteration to the boat’s name—through a different form. Your new document will need to be kept onboard, stored securely, or placed where regulators can easily access it during checks.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImkvL0GBWDU&pp=0gcJCRUKAYcqIYzv
Frequently Asked Questions About Replacement Certificates
Does the replacement change anything about the boat’s registration?
No. A replacement certificate simply provides another copy of your existing record. Your official number, ownership information, and registry status remain the same.
Can I request a replacement if I recently renewed my boat?
Yes. Renewal and replacement are two separate processes. If you renewed but lost your new certificate, you can still apply for a replacement through our portal.
What if I lost my certificate outside Canada?
Many boaters misplace documents while traveling, especially during long-distance trips. You may still request a replacement certificate from anywhere, as long as you have access to the online form.
Can I store my certificate digitally?
You may keep digital backups for your personal use, but Transport Canada still requires certain documents to be available in physical form onboard. A replacement ensures you always have what you need for inspections.
Apply for Your Replacement Certificate Today
If your Certificate of Registry is missing, damaged, or unavailable, you can apply for a replacement boat registration directly through our portal. Whether your boat is used commercially, recreationally, or within a specialized category, having an accurate, up-to-date certificate ensures smoother interactions with regulators, lenders, and anyone relying on official documentation.
Our online form gives you a straightforward way to request the replacement you need so you can stay focused on your time on the water, not paperwork.
Our service provides the streamlined forms you need so you can request a new document quickly, helping you keep your paperwork in good order without unnecessary delays.
What a Replacement Boat Registration Certificate Does
A replacement certificate restores your official proof of registration when the original is no longer available. This document shows that your boat is properly entered in the national registry and is active under the markings required by Canadian maritime laws.
It may also be needed for activities such as selling your boat, refinancing through a lender, or handling a new mortgage. Without a valid certificate, certain transactions can become more difficult, and you may not have the paperwork required if your boat is inspected.
A new certificate ensures that all official details—including name, tonnage, usage, and port of registry—are available in a clear, Transport Canada–accepted format.
Some boat owners request a replacement after discovering the original was damaged during travel, while others do so because the document was never returned after a docking inspection, survey, or legal matter. Regardless of the reason, your new certificate carries the same legal standing as the one you previously held.
When You Should Apply for a Boat Certificate Replacement
There are several occasions when applying for a replacement certificate is the right step. Common situations include:
Your document was lost while traveling, trailering, or storing equipment.
Moisture, fading, or accidental tearing made the certificate unreadable.
You switched to a digital storage system and cannot locate the original.
Your lender, insurer, or a marina requested an updated physical document.
You are preparing the boat for sale and want to provide clean, current proof of registry.
If any of these apply to you, obtaining a replacement certificate can prevent frustration later.
Why the Certificate Matters for Different Types of Registration
Your certificate connects directly to the type of registration your boat holds with Transport Canada. Even though these categories serve different needs, each may require a replacement document under certain circumstances.
Here are common forms of recognition where a replacement may be requested:
Many owners of boats carrying Canadian boat registration will need a replacement certificate if theirs is lost, as this record is used for ownership, financing, and international travel.
Recreational owners with a pleasure craft licence do not request the same certificate type, though they may still need to access various forms through our site for other Transport Canada requirements.
Owners handling the registration of a government boat may need a replacement certificate if the physical copy used aboard is no longer available.
Certain commercial or work-related operators listed in the small vessel register may require a replacement if their document is misplaced.
Our portal focuses on the forms needed for federally registered boats, helping you access what you need quickly when something goes missing.
How Our Service Helps You Request a Replacement Boat Certificate
Our online system is built to simplify how you submit your application. Instead of searching through multiple Transport Canada pages, you can go directly to the form you need, complete it online, and submit it securely. Here, you can:
Go directly to the Certificate of Registry replacement certificate form without having to navigate Transport Canada's site.
Complete the application using the information from your existing registration record.
Submit everything electronically so your request can be processed without mailing delays.
Keep a digital record of your submission for your own reference.
Continue using our platform for renewals, boat name changes, ownership transfers, and mortgage-related filings.
Our service centralizes the required forms so you can complete everything needed for a replacement boat registration process through a single access point.
What You Need Before Submitting Your Boat Registration Replacement Request
Although we do not assist in collecting materials, most owners find that they already have the basic information needed to complete the replacement request. Commonly required details include:
Your official number
The name of your boat
Your current contact information
Confirmation of your ownership status
Any applicable supporting information about recent changes
You do not need to upload the old certificate—even if damaged—since the purpose is to replace it. Transport Canada refers to the record already on file for verification.
Situations Where a Replacement Certificate Can Prevent Problems
Many boat owners only realize the importance of having a replacement certificate when an urgent situation arises. By requesting a new document early, you avoid potential issues such as:
Delays in selling a boat when the buyer’s agent asks to see official paperwork.
Trouble during inspections or audits when operators must show current documentation.
Complications with financing or refinancing when a lender requires a physical proof of registry.
Problems during international travel where certain ports require a valid certificate onboard.
Inconvenience when officials need to confirm registry details and you cannot produce the physical document.
A replacement keeps your records clear and accessible—something especially helpful if you are traveling through different regions or working with organizations that require strict documentation.
What Happens After You Submit the Certificate Replacement Form
After you send your request through our portal, Transport Canada reviews the information to issue your new certificate. The timeline varies depending on workload and mailing conditions, but many owners find that having the correct form submitted through a centralized service helps prevent delays caused by incomplete or mismatched applications.
Your replacement certificate will typically arrive by mail, and it will contain the same information as your original unless you applied for a separate change—such as an ownership transfer or alteration to the boat’s name—through a different form. Your new document will need to be kept onboard, stored securely, or placed where regulators can easily access it during checks.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImkvL0GBWDU&pp=0gcJCRUKAYcqIYzv
Frequently Asked Questions About Replacement Certificates
Does the replacement change anything about the boat’s registration?
No. A replacement certificate simply provides another copy of your existing record. Your official number, ownership information, and registry status remain the same.
Can I request a replacement if I recently renewed my boat?
Yes. Renewal and replacement are two separate processes. If you renewed but lost your new certificate, you can still apply for a replacement through our portal.
What if I lost my certificate outside Canada?
Many boaters misplace documents while traveling, especially during long-distance trips. You may still request a replacement certificate from anywhere, as long as you have access to the online form.
Can I store my certificate digitally?
You may keep digital backups for your personal use, but Transport Canada still requires certain documents to be available in physical form onboard. A replacement ensures you always have what you need for inspections.
Apply for Your Replacement Certificate Today
If your Certificate of Registry is missing, damaged, or unavailable, you can apply for a replacement boat registration directly through our portal. Whether your boat is used commercially, recreationally, or within a specialized category, having an accurate, up-to-date certificate ensures smoother interactions with regulators, lenders, and anyone relying on official documentation.
Our online form gives you a straightforward way to request the replacement you need so you can stay focused on your time on the water, not paperwork.