It is essential for boat owners to keep in mind that they must have their Transport Canada boat registration in order whenever they use their vessels, particularly for commercial purposes. At the National Vessel Registry Center, we recognize that your sailing time is frequently constrained by daily obligations. Having the necessary documentation will greatly assist you in balancing your daily life activities (family, work, hobbies) with your boating objectives. If you have any questions about how to register your vessel with Transport Canada, please allow us to guide you through the overall process based on your specific situation.
Is a Transport Canada Vessel Registration Required?
Many boat owners think that Transport Canada requires all boat owners to register their vessel, no matter what they plan to do with it.This is not always the case! For example, if you intend to use your Canadian vessel for pleasure and recreation purposes only, then obtaining a Pleasure Craft License is likely the best course of action. We bet you’re probably wondering how to determine this. Visit our website to learn more about the forms and permits required for every type of boating scenario.
As a general rule of thumb, you will need to obtain a pleasure craft license if the vessel will be used for pleasure, recreation, or leisure and its engine is greater than 7.5 kW (10 horsepower). If you intend to use the vessel for commercial purposes and its gross tonnage is 15 or less, you should register it as a small vessel.
Keep in mind that “gross tonnage” measures volume, not weight.
Additionally, if you intend to use your boat for commercial trading, passage of goods and passengers, or any other commercial purposes, you must register your boat. If your boat does not qualify for small vessel registration, registration is also required. At the National Vessel Registry Center, we can definitively guide you if you have any questions regarding which option would be best for you.
How to Complete the Registration Process
To obtain a Transport Canada boat registration for the first time, you must complete an initial application and provide supporting documentation. This additional information refers to accurate tonnage measurements and photographs of your vessel’s four sides. Documentation of ownership, such as a bill of sale, is also required.
Transport Canada provides direct access to the necessary forms. You can visit their website, locate the relevant PDFs, download and print them, fill out the forms by hand, and send them to a Transport Canada service office. Alternately, better and more efficient options include working with a company such as the National Vessel Registry Center, utilizing our private service.
Completing the New Form for Boat Registration
When creating a new application form, make sure that the document is filled out completely and accurately before submitting it online via the portal. According to the Canada Shipping Act of 2001, providing false information on a form is subject to penalties and other sanctions. When filling out the online form, you must provide the boat’s name and port of registration before proceeding.
While waiting for the supporting documentation, you can register the name in advance. You have the option of reserving the name you select for your vessel to ensure its continued use. After the initial 12-month period, you are permitted to request a reservation extension. There is space for three boat names on this form (first choice to the third choice). By selecting a few alternative names, registrants can avoid wasting time by accidentally picking a boat with an already-recorded name. Your application for registration must be accompanied by proof of ownership documentation in either French or English.
Enter the National Vessel Registration Center.
Using our mobile-friendly website, even the most intricate and sensitive paperwork can be completed in a matter of minutes. Through the use of our straightforward, streamlined web forms, you can avoid the hassle of printing, manually filling out, and rushing to the post office before it closes. We also make it easy for you to upload any extra files and pictures that your registration (or other) application may need.
How to Renew Your Boat’s Registration Via a Mobile Device
Today, the majority of our daily transactions are conducted online. The same scenario applies when applying for or renewing your Transport Canada boat registration. You can submit your Transport Canada boat registration renewal as well as most of your boat documentation requirements via our secure, SSL-encrypted web portal. Our professional services give you more control over your time.
Use Our Professional Services to Get It Done Like a Pro.
We can assist you whether you require a new registration or a license renewal. In order to meet the diverse needs of Canadian boat owners, we provide these and a vast array of additional online forms. Spend some time browsing through our website; we probably have the vessel documentation form you need. Contact one of our friendly customer service representatives today to learn how the National Vessel Registry Center can assist you.
