Guide to Registering a Boat in Canada

August 24, 2021

Are you a pleasure craft owner wondering whether you need to register your vessel? You’ve come to the right place!

In this article, find out what boat registration is, when it is required, and how to register your boat.

In most cases, boat registration is optional. However, there are other documents that are mandatory for legal boating on Canadian waters: a Pleasure Craft License (PCL) and a Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC). Keep reading to learn more.

What is boat registration?

When you register a vessel in Canada, it is listed in the Canadian Vessel Registry.

The register is a kind of ownership verification system that is managed by Transport Canada and contains a wealth of information about registered vessels, such as:

Owner’s name
Type of vessel
Tonnage
Materials

By registering your vessel, your boat’s name is reserved and you get permission to fly the Canadian flag and a unique identification number for a period of 3 years. Your boat will be easy to identify in case of theft, loss or damage.

To register a pleasure craft in Canada, you must be a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident, or a corporation.

Registration is optional for pleasure craft

Under the Canada Shipping Act 2001, registration is optional for all pleasure craft, regardless of tonnage or length.

A vessel must be registered only if it meets one or more of the following criteria:

The boat is a commercial vessel with a gross tonnage of 15 or more and is powered by motors totalling 7.5 kW (10 horsepower) or more.
The boat will have a marine mortgage.
The boat needs a reserved name.
The boat will be traveling outside of Canada.

Most pleasure boaters navigating in Canadian waters won’t need to register their craft.

How to register a boat in Canada

Here are the steps to follow if you decide to register your vessel in Canada:

Step 1: Fill out the Vessel Registration Forms online. Transport Canada will direct you to the right application process after you answer a few questions.

Step 2: Submit the completed form(s) and proof of ownership to Transport Canada, along with the associated fee, which will vary according to the size and type of vessel you are registering.

You can submit your application online, by mail, or in person at a Service Canada Centre. Payment can be made online if you are applying online, or by cheque or money order, payable to “Receiver General for Canada”.

You can mail your documents to:

Transport Canada, Vessel Registry AMSED

330 Sparks Street

Ottawa ON K1A 0N8

A renewal form will be sent to the vessel’s owner or their representative 30 days before the registration certificate expires. If the boat is still in use, renewal is mandatory, because valid registration documents must be kept in the boat at all times.

Transport Canada must be informed if your boat changes ownership.

The difference between boat registration, a Pleasure Craft Licence (PCL) and a Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC)

As mentioned above, registration is optional for pleasure craft, but it’s important not to confuse registration with the Pleasure Craft Licence or Pleasure Craft Operator Card.

Pleasure Craft Licence

If you decide not to register your boat, and your boat is powered by motors totalling 7.5 kW (10 horsepower) or more, you need to obtain a Pleasure Craft Licence. The Pleasure Craft Licence comes with an identification number, comparable to a car licence plate number, that provides important information to search and rescue personnel in the event of an emergency. The number must be displayed on both sides of the bow above the waterline.

Here are the steps to getting a Pleasure Craft Licence in Canada:

Step 1: Fill out an application for Transport Canada, online or by filling out an application form.

Step 2: Add a proof of boat ownership to your file. This could be a bill of sale, a transfer of ownership document, or a manufacturer’s statement of origin.

Step 3: Submit your application, online, by mail or at a Service Canada Centre. If you apply online, you will receive an acknowledgement number, which you can indicate on the side of your boat for 90 days while you wait to receive your official Pleasure Craft Licence.

Mail-in applications must be sent to the following address:

Pleasure Craft Licensing Centre
P.O. Box 2006
Fredericton, New Brunswick
E3B 5G4

Pleasure Craft Operator Card

A Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC) is proof of competency that boaters can obtain by taking a short boating safety course and passing a boating exam online. In Canada, all boaters who operate pleasure crafts powered by motors must have their PCOC with them at all times while boating.

To learn more about Pleasure Craft Operator Cards and to find out how you can get one, check out our full article: What is Proof of Competency for Boaters?

Boat safely with the National Boating Safety School

Not all boats need to be registered. Only those that meet certain criteria will need to be listed in the Canadian Vessel Registry.

Ready to hit the water safely? Don’t forget, having your Pleasure Craft Operator Card is a must for boating in Canadian waters. Take our safe boating course today and learn everything you need to know to navigate the seas with confidence. Join us at the National Boating Safety School and become a responsible boat operator.