The types of vessels eligible for boat registration include commercial vessels, barges, government-operated vessels, and pleasure craft under certain conditions. At the Canadian Vessel Registry, we guide you through the eligibility requirements so you can understand whether your vessel can be documented, and support the entire registration process using our online tools.
boat registration
We streamline the registration journey for individuals, companies, and government authorities, helping you determine whether your vessel must—or can—enter the Canadian Register of Vessels.
Our online service simplifies your documentation path so you can complete boat registration with confidence and compliance.
What Vessels Qualify for Boat Registration in Canada
In Canada’s registration system, eligibility depends on both vessel type and usage:
- commercial vessels under 15 gross tons powered by one or more engines of 10 hp (7.5 kW) or more
barges of any size
commercial river rafts
commercial vessels over 15 gross tons, with sufficient engine power
vessels intended to travel internationally, even if pleasure craft in nature
vessels used as security for a marine mortgage
pleasure craft not already licensed
Transport Canada divides boat registration into two parts: the Small Vessel Register (for Vessels up to 15 gross tons and for certain commercial uses) and the Large Vessel Register. Eligible vessels fall into either category depending on size and intended use.
You may choose to register a pleasure craft voluntarily, even if licensing would be sufficient—but pay careful attention to register only eligible vessels through our portal.
How We Help Determine Your Vessel’s Eligibility
If you’re unsure whether your boat qualifies for registration, we help walk you through an eligibility check based on your vessel’s engine power, gross tonnage, and use.
Using our online tools, we assist you in collecting the following:
- owner qualification information (must be Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or corporation)
details on tonnage, vessel construction, and usage
proof of ownership such as bill of sale or builder documentation
purpose of vessel use—commercial or pleasure
Once eligibility is confirmed, our portal helps you select the proper registration path whether Small or Large Vessel Register, avoiding confusion or missteps in the process.
Boat Registration Versus Pleasure Craft Licence
Boat registration provides legal title to the vessel, assigns it an official name and number, and is required in many commercial or international cases. In contrast, a pleasure craft licence is a free identification number issued to pleasure craft, valid for 10 years, but does not confer ownership. All pleasure craft with engines of 10 hp or more must be licensed unless they’re registered.
While licensing is often sufficient for recreational use within Canada, registering gives a vessel stronger legal status, especially for resale, financing, naming rights, and international travel. Our service supports both licensing and registration, giving you clear guidance on which path fits your circumstances.
boat registration
How Tonnage Affects Eligibility
Gross tonnage plays a central role in determining which register your vessel goes into. Vessels under 15 gross tons may qualify for the Small Vessel Register, while vessels over that threshold must use the Large Vessel Register. Engine power (must be 10 hp or more) and intended usage (e.g., commercial, international, mortgage) often trigger the need to register.
Tonnage calculations must follow standards referenced under the current federal legislation. Official tonnage certificates may be required for vessels over specific thresholds or when inspections occur. Details of these tonnage rules are found in Transport Canada’s Small Vessel Regulations, summarized here: [SOR/2007‑126] (https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/SOR-2007-126/b).
Examples of Eligible Vessels
Typical vessels that may be registered include:
- fishing boats used commercially
ferries and tugs
Bareboat charter vessels
vessels under construction in Canada
pleasure craft seeking a reserved name, mortgage, or international use
government research or service vessels
barge operations or river floats
Each of these categories may require registration depending on use, tonnage, and ownership. Our service ensures the correct classification and form set is selected for your specific type of vessel.
Challenges and How We Help Overcome Them
Boat registration often involves securing a chain of title, proving owner qualification, and verifying vessel specifications. Some common hurdles include:
- missing or incomplete ownership evidence
imported vessels with foreign registry
unconventional or custom-built vessels
uncertain tonnage data
Our platform provides guidance on acceptable substitutes, such as deletion, builder declarations, or surveyor reports. We can assist in gathering documents, translating them if needed, and verifying submission completeness to reduce processing delays.
Continued Support After Registration
Once boat registration is awarded, a certificate and a unique official number are issued. That number must be displayed as per federal rules. Registration is valid for up to five years in most cases, and requires renewal if you intend to keep your vessel registered long term.
We also support:
- ownership transfers between qualified parties
certificate replacement if lost or damaged
address or specification updates
mortgage registration or name reservation changes
Our team helps ensure each update is done correctly and promptly so that the registry record stays current and legally compliant.
What Boat Registration Can Mean for You
By documenting your vessel through boat registration instead of just licensing, you gain these advantages:
- legal title recognized under Canadian federal law
vessel name and official number unique to your boat
ability to fly the Canadian flag
option to use the vessel for financing or naming purposes
enhanced credibility, value, and regulatory clarity
We align the registration process with Transport Canada’s requirements, and our forms satisfy the need for all key documentation—owner qualification, tonnage, ownership, and vessel usage. Everything is clearly presented and ready for Electronic Government review.
How to Begin Your Boat Registration Journey
Start by selecting the correct type of registration on our portal—Small or Large Vessel Register—based on your vessel’s characteristics. From there, we guide you through gathering all required documents and uploading them securely. We review your application before final submission and provide timely updates on progress.
Our service removes postal delays and complex forms by handling everything digitally. Whether you’re registering your first vessel, updating details, or transferring ownership, we give you the tools and support to complete boat registration effectively and confidently.
If you’re ready to learn whether your vessel can be documented, explore eligibility, or start your application, begin now through our streamlined platform. We’re dedicated to helping vessel owners across Canada secure proper registration with ease.