A Certificate of Registry in Canada is valid for five years from the date it is issued. To stay in compliance with Transport Canada, boat owners must renew their registration before it expires. You can renew boat registration in Canada through our online portal quickly and easily.
Renewal ensures that your registration remains active, your ownership details stay current, and your boat continues to meet all legal requirements.
If your registration expires, you may not legally operate your boat until it’s renewed, and penalties may apply under Canadian maritime laws.
What a Certificate of Registry Represents
A Certificate of Registry serves as your boat’s official proof of registration under the Transport Canada system. It shows who owns the boat, its official number, and other identifying information. It’s also used to establish nationality, which allows your boat to travel under the Canadian flag.
This certificate is distinct from a pleasure craft licence or entry in the small boat register. While those documents apply to recreational or smaller commercial boats, a Certificate of Registry is required for:
- Commercial boats
- Government boats
- Boats over certain size and tonnage thresholds
- Boats used for international travel under the Canadian flag
Every registered boat is issued an official number, which must be displayed permanently on the hull and inside the cabin. That number remains with the boat throughout its life, as long as the registration remains valid.
How Long a Certificate of Registry Is Valid
In Canada, a Certificate of Registry is valid for five years. Transport Canada typically issues a renewal notice or new certificate approximately 30 days before your current one expires.
That means you don’t have to start over or re-register the boat from scratch—you simply renew the registration to maintain its status.
If you allow your certificate to expire without renewal, the registration becomes invalid.
Renewing on time ensures:
- Your ownership record remains active and accurate
- Your boat retains its official number
- You remain compliant with federal requirements
- You can continue to legally operate your boat in Canadian and international waters
What Happens if Registration Expires
If you fail to renew your Certificate of Registry before it expires, your boat’s registration becomes invalid. This can lead to several consequences, including suspension or cancellation of your record.
Once the certificate lapses, you’re no longer legally authorized to operate your boat. In such cases, you may need to go through the registration process again, including resubmitting ownership information and fees.
Operating with an expired certificate may lead to enforcement actions, fines, or other penalties as set forth under Canadian maritime laws.
To avoid these issues, always confirm your expiry date and renew in advance.
Reporting Changes During the Five-Year Term
Even if your Certificate of Registry is still valid, you’re required to keep your registration information current. This includes reporting any changes to the details shown on your certificate.
Changes that must be reported include:
- Change of address
- Sale or transfer of ownership
- Alterations to the boat’s name or port of registry
- Modifications that affect size or tonnage
- Deletion or destruction of the boat
You must notify Transport Canada in writing within 30 days of any such change. If you fail to update your information, your registration may be suspended or canceled.
Our online system provides the correct forms to update or renew your information quickly, ensuring your records remain accurate throughout your certificate’s term.
The Difference Between Registration and Pleasure Craft Licencing
Boat owners often confuse registration with a pleasure craft licence, but they’re different.
A pleasure craft licence applies to recreational boats powered by motors of 10 horsepower (7.5 kW) or more that aren’t used for commercial purposes. It doesn’t establish nationality or allow the boat to be mortgaged or used for commercial work.
A Certificate of Registry, however, is a legal registration document under Transport Canada that formally records ownership and nationality.
If your boat is primarily for leisure, a pleasure craft licence might be sufficient. If it’s used for work, transport, or larger-scale operations, you likely need full registration or entry in the small boat register.
How to Renew Your Certificate of Registry
Renewal is a straightforward process that can be done online through our portal. We provide all the official Transport Canada forms in one place, helping you complete your renewal efficiently.
When you renew, you’ll typically need to confirm or update:
- The ownership name(s) and contact information
- The boat’s name and port of registry
- The boat’s tonnage or measurements, if changed
- Any relevant modifications made since your last registration
Once your renewal is processed, you’ll receive a new Certificate of Registry valid for another five years.
What To Do If You’ve Sold Your Boat
If you’ve sold your boat and it’s still under your registration, you must notify Transport Canada within 30 days. The registration does not automatically transfer to the new owner.
The buyer must submit their own registration application under their name. During this process, you’ll cancel or transfer your existing certificate, depending on the type of transaction.
Failure to do so could leave your name attached to a boat you no longer own, which may cause future administrative or liability issues.
Our online portal provides the necessary forms for both cancellation and transfer of ownership, helping you complete these steps easily and securely.
How Our Portal Simplifies Renewal
Renewing your Certificate of Registry directly through our website streamlines what could otherwise be a time-consuming process. Our platform allows you to:
- Access the official Transport Canada renewal forms online
- Submit renewal requests for your Certificate of Registry
- Update ownership details or address changes
- Review other registration options if your boat’s purpose changes
By handling the renewal online, you avoid mailing delays and ensure your information reaches the proper authorities securely.
Avoiding Suspension or Cancellation
Neglecting renewal or failing to update changes can lead to registration suspension or cancellation. Once canceled, your boat loses its legal registration and must go through the initial registration process again.
To prevent this:
- Renew before the expiry date
- Submit address or ownership updates within 30 days of changes
- Keep copies of your current Certificate of Registry on board
- Use our portal for a simple, digital renewal process
Operating with an expired or invalid certificate can lead to enforcement actions under Canadian maritime laws, potentially including fines or prosecution.
Renew Boat Registration in Canada and Other Registry Services
Beyond renewal, we also offer digital access to many Transport Canada registry forms. These include applications for:
- First-time boat registration in Canada
- Transfer of ownership
- Name or port change
- Deletion or replacement certificates
- Small boat register entries
All of these can be found within our secure online system, helping you manage your registration needs in one place.
Keeping your Certificate of Registry valid isn’t just a formality—it’s what keeps your boat legally recognized and operational on Canadian waters.
Renewal also helps ensure your information remains up to date, especially if you’ve moved, changed ownership, or modified your boat in any significant way.
Renewing your registration is an essential part of responsible boat ownership. With a Certificate of Registry valid for five years, keeping it current helps protect your rights, confirms your ownership, and keeps your boat in compliance with national standards. Through our platform, you can renew boat registration in Canada without paperwork delays—ensuring that your registration stays valid, your details stay accurate, and your time on the water remains uninterrupted.