The registration of a vessel isn’t exactly tied to the owner, but rather to the boat itself. It is, after all, its documentation with Transport Canada. This means that, should the owner change, the registration will have to stay with the vessel. Hence, this is what the process for a transfer of Canadian registration will entail.
Transfer of Canadian Registration
So, what exactly is this transfer about? Your vessel registration is the document that backs and confirms your ownership over the boat in question. Therefore, the transfer’s purpose is to officially transfer the ownership, registration, and property of the vessel in question to another person, whether that means partial or full ownership. Yes, this form is designed to target a variety of different processes, which is why the form itself can be a source of confusion to those approaching it for the first time. That’s what our team is here for, though, so let’s take a closer look at how a transfer of Canadian registration works depending on the different circumstances.
Changing Partial Ownership
In cases in which vessels are owned by more than one person, there are potentially going to be instances in which the joint ownerships change in order to exclude someone from the official registration. This is perhaps most common when it comes to married couples and other domestic partnerships. Part of the subsequent divorce arrangements will include determining who will get ownership of the vessel in question, of course. However, this sort of transfer of ownership can also apply to the dissolution of business partnerships, as well as other instances of shared assets. In these cases, even if an old owner is remaining on the license, it will be necessary to undergo a transfer of Canadian registration.
Transferring Full Ownership
Now, if you are selling the vessel, it will be important to go through the transfer of Canadian registration. This will make it official with Transport Canada that the vessel in question is no longer yours and it now belongs to the new owner. You might think that the sale itself is enough to make the new ownership official, but in reality, there needs to be an administrative process that ratifies this in the eyes of the government and the relevant boating agencies. The transfer of ownership should be carried out by the previous owner, so if you are the one selling your vessel, then this process is up to you.
Canadian Boat Documentation Forms
Once you know what you need as part of the process, it will be time to actually submit the application for a pleasure craft licence. You can do so directly and risk delays, or you can submit everything through our platform here at the National Vessel Registry Center Corp. We are always making sure that people have easier access to Transport Canada forms and applications, as well as the right venue through which to submit them. You’ll be able to find everything you need here on our website. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to us by calling +1 (800) 419-9569 or emailing us at info@canadianvesselregistry.ca.
