FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS FOR VESSEL REGISTRATION
We understand that the registration process for vessels can be confusing, which is why we always make an effort to answer your questions and address your doubts. Here we answer some frequently asked questions about Transport Canada boat registration so that you can move forward without issue.
Transport Canada Marine Transportation
Boat/Vessel registration Questions
What Makes a Boat a “Pleasure Craft?”
If you’re only going to use your vessel to have a good time, whether it’s by yourself, or with friends and family, it’s a pleasure craft. A pleasure craft is one that isn’t used for money. Having a family member chip in some money for gas doesn’t count.
What Are the Marking Requirements?
For commercial vessels, the vessel name must be marked on each bow and the vessel name and port of the registry must be marked on the stern. If the vessel has a square bow, the name may be marked on a clearly visible exterior part of the bow. You may make the markings by any means and materials that result in durable markings. All must be at least 10 cm in height, made in clearly legible letters of the Latin alphabet or Arabic or Roman numerals
Registered tonnage and official number:Both the official number and registered tonnage shown on the Certificate of Registry must be marked in block-type Arabic numerals at least 4 cm high on a clearly visible interior structural part of the hull. Place the abbreviation:“N.R.T.” before the registered tonnage
Registered tonnage and official number:Both the official number and registered tonnage shown on the Certificate of Registry must be marked in block-type Arabic numerals at least 4 cm high on a clearly visible interior structural part of the hull. Place the abbreviation:“N.R.T.” before the registered tonnage
How Do I Establish Canadian Citizenship?
You can prove your Canadian citizenship with citizenship certificates, citizenship cards, some birth certificates and naturalization certificates.
This includes e-certificates/electronic certificates as well as paper certificates. There are exceptions to birth certificates (such as if one of your parents worked for a foreign government/international organization or neither of your parents were a Canadian citizen/permanent resident of Canada). If you have questions about these, contact your local government.
This includes e-certificates/electronic certificates as well as paper certificates. There are exceptions to birth certificates (such as if one of your parents worked for a foreign government/international organization or neither of your parents were a Canadian citizen/permanent resident of Canada). If you have questions about these, contact your local government.
How to Do a Transport Canada Boat Transfer Online
If you have caught the boating bug, you may just have a hobby for life. People of all ages can find something enjoyable about a day out on the water, whether that be fishing, sightseeing, or water sports. As your life grows and changes, though, so too may your boating needs. Maybe you are looking to purchase a larger vessel to accommodate a growing family. Perhaps it is time to downsize as the kids have gone off to college. Regardless of your circumstances, if you are planning to buy or sell a boat, there are some steps that you will need to follow. If you are selling a boat, you will need to create an engaging listing in online and print marketplaces. If you are buying a boat, you will want to do a fair amount of research on which particular make and model is right for you. No matter what end of the transaction you happen to find yourself on, though, you should know a bit about how to complete a Transport Canada boat transfer online.
Whether you are buying or selling a boat, you will find yourself working with Transport Canada from time to time. As the nation’s primary transportation agency for all things water-related, Transport Canada is tasked with regulating our waters and issuing licenses and registrations. As such, this agency likes to stay informed when a vessel with a pleasure craft license (PCL) or a vessel registration changes ownership. The good news is, you can find the forms you need online using our website. We have a number of fillable forms for all sorts of Transport Canada documents, and if you are buying or selling a vessel, we can help you do what you need to do over the web.
Completing the Right Transport Canada Boat Transfer
In a transaction involving a boat, the paperwork that you will need to process with Transport Canada is largely dependent on how your boat is documented. If your boat has a PCL–which is applicable to most pleasure crafts with an engine of 7.5 kW or more–you will need to sign over the license to the new buyer, who will then need to provide a bill of sale to Transport Canada. You can complete this process online using our forms found under the “Pleasure Craft License” section.
Registered vessels require a slightly different process. When a registered vessel is sold, a Form 6 - Bill of Sale and a Form 3 - Statement of Qualification for Vessel Registration will need to be provided to Transport Canada by the buyer. We also have streamlined versions of these forms on our website.
Close Your Deal with Our Forms
Whether you need a bill of sale or a pleasure craft license application, we have easy-to-fill web forms for you. If you would like to learn more about our services, visit our Frequently Asked Questions page, or take a few minutes and keep exploring our site for yourself.
Whether you are buying or selling a boat, you will find yourself working with Transport Canada from time to time. As the nation’s primary transportation agency for all things water-related, Transport Canada is tasked with regulating our waters and issuing licenses and registrations. As such, this agency likes to stay informed when a vessel with a pleasure craft license (PCL) or a vessel registration changes ownership. The good news is, you can find the forms you need online using our website. We have a number of fillable forms for all sorts of Transport Canada documents, and if you are buying or selling a vessel, we can help you do what you need to do over the web.
Completing the Right Transport Canada Boat Transfer
In a transaction involving a boat, the paperwork that you will need to process with Transport Canada is largely dependent on how your boat is documented. If your boat has a PCL–which is applicable to most pleasure crafts with an engine of 7.5 kW or more–you will need to sign over the license to the new buyer, who will then need to provide a bill of sale to Transport Canada. You can complete this process online using our forms found under the “Pleasure Craft License” section.
Registered vessels require a slightly different process. When a registered vessel is sold, a Form 6 - Bill of Sale and a Form 3 - Statement of Qualification for Vessel Registration will need to be provided to Transport Canada by the buyer. We also have streamlined versions of these forms on our website.
Close Your Deal with Our Forms
Whether you need a bill of sale or a pleasure craft license application, we have easy-to-fill web forms for you. If you would like to learn more about our services, visit our Frequently Asked Questions page, or take a few minutes and keep exploring our site for yourself.
How to Register a Boat in Canada Online
Owning your own boat is one life’s great pleasures. Having the freedom to escape the daily rat race and venture out onto the lake whenever you want is a privilege worth preserving. Since you value this pastime and cherish the memories made with loved ones on your boat, it may be worth considering how to register a boat in Canada.
If you have experience with boat ownership, the odds are good that you are at least somewhat familiar with the paperwork it entails. You have already navigated the process of filling out a bill of sale (as a buyer or a seller), and if your boat has a horsepower greater than 10, you have done the legwork necessary to obtain a Pleasure Craft License (PCL). Of course, you have also likely completed the educational course and exam required to get your Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC), otherwise known as a boating license.
With all the required documents in place for your vessel, you may be wondering why you would take the additional step of entering your boat into the Canadian Vessel Registry, especially if it is not mandatory in your situation. Read on to discover some of the perks and benefits this process can provide to all Canadian boat owners.
Vessel Registration for Commercial Purposes
Have you ever dreamt of making your living out on the water? Perhaps you are seeking a career turn that involves either commercial fishing or shipping? Well, if you find yourself in such a situation, and your boat has a gross tonnage of 15 or more, it is compulsory for you to register your vessel.
Considering the cost to register your boat with Transport Canada, this can be a particularly prudent investment. Commercial fishing and sightseeing charters are big business in Canada, so completing this initial piece of paperwork can prove lucrative for you and your business aspirations.
A Name That is All Your Own
As you stroll around the marina and walk the docks where you keep your boat, you have probably noticed some rather interesting names adorning your neighboring vessels. The truth is, boat names often hold a special place in the hearts of their owners, and a unique moniker can help you stand out from your seafaring peers.
When you register your vessel with the Canadian Vessel Registry, you are issued a completely individual, one-of-one name for your boat. For this reason, when you submit your application, you have to provide three potential options, as Transport Canada will check them against their database.
Demonstrating Your National Pride
With owning your own boat comes the freedom to explore. While Canada is home to a sizable quantity of scenic waterways, perhaps your inclinations are pulling you toward international waters. When your boat is registered with Transport Canada, you are granted the privilege of flying the Canadian flag while traveling abroad.
Imagine you and your friends and family pulling into a foreign port, the sun on your faces, and the Canadian flag majestically shimmering in the wind. This can be an attainable reality when you opt to register your boat.
Carrying a Marine Mortgage
Let’s face it: boat ownership tends to have a prohibitive cost of entry. Even purchasing a used vessel can be a considerable financial commitment. For this reason, it is not uncommon for a potential boat owner to secure a marine mortgage.
Not dissimilar from a home mortgage, this maritime financing option can make boat ownership a much more achievable dream. Because banks and lenders tend to protect their investments, they will often not issue a mortgage unless a vessel is registered. This makes sense for a couple of reasons. For one, when registered, the boat is officially documented with Transport Canada, ensuring complete records for pertinent matters. For two, in the event that your boat is lost or stolen, a registration can greatly aid in the recovery process.
How to Register a Boat in Canada Online Easier Than Ever
You can visit Transport Canada’s website and track down the vessel registration application on your own. After you have printed the necessary forms, you will have to fill them out and photograph all four sides of your vessel.
Of course, there is also a much simpler way. By working with a private service like ours at the National Vessel Registry Center, you can avoid running out printer ink or a time-consuming trip to the post office. We offer simple-to-fill online forms for your registration, as well as a secure web portal for uploading your photos and other supporting documents. With our help, you can complete this process in a matter of minutes. To learn more about this and the other services that we provide, contact one of our seasoned customer service representatives today.
If you have experience with boat ownership, the odds are good that you are at least somewhat familiar with the paperwork it entails. You have already navigated the process of filling out a bill of sale (as a buyer or a seller), and if your boat has a horsepower greater than 10, you have done the legwork necessary to obtain a Pleasure Craft License (PCL). Of course, you have also likely completed the educational course and exam required to get your Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC), otherwise known as a boating license.
With all the required documents in place for your vessel, you may be wondering why you would take the additional step of entering your boat into the Canadian Vessel Registry, especially if it is not mandatory in your situation. Read on to discover some of the perks and benefits this process can provide to all Canadian boat owners.
Vessel Registration for Commercial Purposes
Have you ever dreamt of making your living out on the water? Perhaps you are seeking a career turn that involves either commercial fishing or shipping? Well, if you find yourself in such a situation, and your boat has a gross tonnage of 15 or more, it is compulsory for you to register your vessel.
Considering the cost to register your boat with Transport Canada, this can be a particularly prudent investment. Commercial fishing and sightseeing charters are big business in Canada, so completing this initial piece of paperwork can prove lucrative for you and your business aspirations.
A Name That is All Your Own
As you stroll around the marina and walk the docks where you keep your boat, you have probably noticed some rather interesting names adorning your neighboring vessels. The truth is, boat names often hold a special place in the hearts of their owners, and a unique moniker can help you stand out from your seafaring peers.
When you register your vessel with the Canadian Vessel Registry, you are issued a completely individual, one-of-one name for your boat. For this reason, when you submit your application, you have to provide three potential options, as Transport Canada will check them against their database.
Demonstrating Your National Pride
With owning your own boat comes the freedom to explore. While Canada is home to a sizable quantity of scenic waterways, perhaps your inclinations are pulling you toward international waters. When your boat is registered with Transport Canada, you are granted the privilege of flying the Canadian flag while traveling abroad.
Imagine you and your friends and family pulling into a foreign port, the sun on your faces, and the Canadian flag majestically shimmering in the wind. This can be an attainable reality when you opt to register your boat.
Carrying a Marine Mortgage
Let’s face it: boat ownership tends to have a prohibitive cost of entry. Even purchasing a used vessel can be a considerable financial commitment. For this reason, it is not uncommon for a potential boat owner to secure a marine mortgage.
Not dissimilar from a home mortgage, this maritime financing option can make boat ownership a much more achievable dream. Because banks and lenders tend to protect their investments, they will often not issue a mortgage unless a vessel is registered. This makes sense for a couple of reasons. For one, when registered, the boat is officially documented with Transport Canada, ensuring complete records for pertinent matters. For two, in the event that your boat is lost or stolen, a registration can greatly aid in the recovery process.
How to Register a Boat in Canada Online Easier Than Ever
You can visit Transport Canada’s website and track down the vessel registration application on your own. After you have printed the necessary forms, you will have to fill them out and photograph all four sides of your vessel.
Of course, there is also a much simpler way. By working with a private service like ours at the National Vessel Registry Center, you can avoid running out printer ink or a time-consuming trip to the post office. We offer simple-to-fill online forms for your registration, as well as a secure web portal for uploading your photos and other supporting documents. With our help, you can complete this process in a matter of minutes. To learn more about this and the other services that we provide, contact one of our seasoned customer service representatives today.
FAQs for Pleasure Crafts
DO I NEED A PLEASURE CRAFT LICENCE?
Yes, if your vessel is over 10 hp and it has not been registered in the Canadian Register of Vessels. A pleasure craft licence provides a unique identification number – commonly referred to as the “licence number” – that you must display on your recreational vessel, as required under the Small Vessel Regulations of the Canada Shipping Act, 2001. This licence number helps law-enforcement and search and rescue officials trace a pleasure craft to its owner.
What is a passenger vessel?
A passenger vessel refers to any vessel that transports at least one individual who has paid for the trip. This category encompasses vessels utilized for various activities, including sightseeing tours, water taxis, ferries, and harbor cruises. Essentially, it applies to all vessels earning income from passengers.
If you have passengers, then you have a commercial vessel.
If you have passengers, then you have a commercial vessel.
HOW DO I KNOW IF MY VESSEL MEASURES FIVE NET TONS?
Usually, If It’s At Least 25 Feet Long, It Measures Five Net Tons Or More
Net tonnage determines a vessel's volume, distinct from its weight, which may also be expressed in tons. Access to this information should be available via the manufacturer’s data or a gross tonnage calculator, but an approximation can also be calculated independently. A useful guideline is that vessels longer than 25 feet typically have a net tonnage of at least five tons or more.
Mandatory for registration, vessel tonnage must be measured as dictated by the Vessel Registration and Tonnage Regulations and TP 13430 (Standard for the Tonnage Measurement of Vessels) by an officially appointed Tonnage Measurer.
Net tonnage determines a vessel's volume, distinct from its weight, which may also be expressed in tons. Access to this information should be available via the manufacturer’s data or a gross tonnage calculator, but an approximation can also be calculated independently. A useful guideline is that vessels longer than 25 feet typically have a net tonnage of at least five tons or more.
Mandatory for registration, vessel tonnage must be measured as dictated by the Vessel Registration and Tonnage Regulations and TP 13430 (Standard for the Tonnage Measurement of Vessels) by an officially appointed Tonnage Measurer.
How Do I Prove Ownership of My Vessel?
If the vessel was built in Canada, you can attach the form for a Builder’s Certificate for First Title in Canada and, if applicable, all the Bills of Sale that led to you owning the vessel.
If the vessel was built in a foreign country but never previously owned, a Builder’s Certificate from that foreign country will suffice.
If the vessel was built in a foreign country but never previously owned, a Builder’s Certificate from that foreign country will suffice.
How to Get Your Pleasure Craft Licence?
Most people get a pleasure craft to use it for various reasons such as personal or family activities. It is important that when you buy the craft, you should do all the paperwork with National Vessel Registry Center. This will prevent you from contravening the law when using it. There are several things which you need to fulfill before driving it. For one, it is essential for you to know how to get your pleasure craft license. Here are some of the things you need to know about licensing a pleasure craft.
A pleasure craft license
A pleasure craft license applies to all the vessels that are used for pleasure, recreation or daily living. It is a document that has a unique license number. This number is used as a form of identification for the vessel.
It also helps people involved in searching and rescuing operations to find the information about the vessel during a crisis.
Transferring a license
When you get a pleasure craft, you will need to transfer a license to your name. Some of the documents to be submitted include an application for a pleasure craft license.
Proof of ownership of the pleasure craft and a signed photocopy of a government-issued ID are also required. All these documents are submitted together. In case of lack of proof of ownership for the pleasure craft, a declaration under oath is required. It should state why you cannot produce the bill of sale or proof of ownership as required.
3. Applying for a pleasure craft license
Every pleasure craft must have a license except for those using a motor which has less than 10 horsepower (7.5KW). The other exceptions include a pleasure craft that has a vessel registration and was bought less than 90 days previously. You can apply for the license using a regular email or online. After making an application, you can use the pleasure craft for 90 as you wait for the license to be issued.
How to use a pleasure craft license
When you receive your pleasure craft license, it must be carried on board the vessel at all times. Ensure that it is displayed on both sides of your craft's bow. The numbers must be visible and should be at least 3 inches high. Furthermore, the numbers should be in contrasting color with that of the bow. A fine is administered for operating a vessel without a license.
5. Renewing or updating a Pleasure Craft License
The license for a pleasure craft is valid for 10 years. After that period, the license needs to be renewed. It also needs updating when your name, address, or details of the vessel are changed. The renewing or updating are done at National Vessel Registry Center and is done in the same way, by email or online. It will take another 10 years before considering renewing your pleasure craft license again.
A pleasure craft license
A pleasure craft license applies to all the vessels that are used for pleasure, recreation or daily living. It is a document that has a unique license number. This number is used as a form of identification for the vessel.
It also helps people involved in searching and rescuing operations to find the information about the vessel during a crisis.
Transferring a license
When you get a pleasure craft, you will need to transfer a license to your name. Some of the documents to be submitted include an application for a pleasure craft license.
Proof of ownership of the pleasure craft and a signed photocopy of a government-issued ID are also required. All these documents are submitted together. In case of lack of proof of ownership for the pleasure craft, a declaration under oath is required. It should state why you cannot produce the bill of sale or proof of ownership as required.
3. Applying for a pleasure craft license
Every pleasure craft must have a license except for those using a motor which has less than 10 horsepower (7.5KW). The other exceptions include a pleasure craft that has a vessel registration and was bought less than 90 days previously. You can apply for the license using a regular email or online. After making an application, you can use the pleasure craft for 90 as you wait for the license to be issued.
How to use a pleasure craft license
When you receive your pleasure craft license, it must be carried on board the vessel at all times. Ensure that it is displayed on both sides of your craft's bow. The numbers must be visible and should be at least 3 inches high. Furthermore, the numbers should be in contrasting color with that of the bow. A fine is administered for operating a vessel without a license.
5. Renewing or updating a Pleasure Craft License
The license for a pleasure craft is valid for 10 years. After that period, the license needs to be renewed. It also needs updating when your name, address, or details of the vessel are changed. The renewing or updating are done at National Vessel Registry Center and is done in the same way, by email or online. It will take another 10 years before considering renewing your pleasure craft license again.