Procedures for Registration of Small Non-Pleasure Vessels in Canada

Vessels are registered in Canada in accordance with the provisions set forth in Part 2 of the Canada Shipping Act 2001 (CSA 2001).

Mandatory registration: The Act provides that the owner(s) be qualified to be registered as owner(s), i.e. Canadian citizen or a permanent resident within the meaning of subsection 2(1) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act or a corporation incorporated under the laws of Canada or a province and that the vessel is not registered in a foreign country. Section 46 of the Canada Shipping Act, 2001 states:

Documentation for registration

1. Complete the Application for Registry (Small Vessel Register) [PDF Version] and submit it to the Registrar at the Vessel Registration Office in the National Capital Region.

2. Produce evidence of ownership/title to the Registrar of Vessels:

   Canadian-built and Foreign-built
   
   If the original document of title (e.g. Bill of Sale/receipt, Builder's Certificate or other documentation) that proves you own the vessel cannot be produced, you must complete a declaration. You can use the sample Declaration [PDF Version] provided on the Vessel Registration Web site under Forms or another similar document, as long as it contains all the information required.

   Foreign-built only
    
   The evidence consists of the original Bill of Sale from the last foreign owner to the applicant for registration, duly authenticated by a Canadian consular officer, and any intervening Bill(s) of Sale demonstrating complete sequence of title from the last foreign owner to the applicant for registration. However, if the Bill of Sale has been executed previously, and under seal of a foreign or Canadian notary, or a lawyer, the customary authentication is not required.

   Further, if at the time of application, the vessel was registered in a foreign country, before Canadian registration could be effected, the owner shall provide evidence in the form of an original or true copy of a written document, such as a Deletion Certificate or an Abstract or Transcript of Registry. This provides proof that the foreign registry is closed and is free and clear of all encumbrances. The Registrar at the vessel's foreign port of registry issues these documents.

3. Furnish a Statement of Qualification for Vessel Registration [PDF Version] to prove eligibility to be registered as owner.

4. Appoint an Authorized Representative [PDF Version], if applicable.

5. Have the vessel measured for tonnage under Canadian rules, either by the Simplified Method or by a duly appointed Tonnage Measurer. If the vessel is to be measured using the Simplified Method, this method applies for the following vessels:

   1. Monohull vessels up to and including 15 metres tonnage measurement length (TML) - use the Form 4A, Simplified Method of Tonnage Measurement [PDF Version].

      “Monohull vessel” means a vessel having not more than a single tier of deckhouses and/or superstructures (including breaks that are also being regarded as one tier of superstructures) whose total combined length does not exceed 70% of TML to be measured.

   2. Simple multihull vessels up to and including 15 metres tonnage measurement length (TML) - use the Form 4B, Tonnage Measurement of a Simple Multihull Vessel [PDF Version].

      “Simple multihull vessel” means a flat platform installed on two or more pontoons.

   For more details, please refer to the Simplified Method of Tonnage Measurement [PDF Version] for monohull vessels and to the Tonnage Measurement of a Simple Multihull Vessel [PDF Version] for simple multihull vessels.

   If the vessel is to be measured by a Tonnage Measurer, you can either contact the Registrar at the Vessel Registration Office in the National Capital Region or refer to Tonnage Measurements.

6. Pay the fee of $50.00 for the issuance or renewal of a registration or a $50.00 flat fee for a “fleet” of vessels. Fees are payable by Visa, Mastercard or AMEX. A Certificate of Registry (Small Vessel Register) is valid for five (5) years from the date of issue.

7. If you are choosing to pay by cheque/money order, it is to be made payable to the RECEIVER GENERAL FOR CANADA.

All required forms are available from any Port of Registry across Canada, or online by selecting Vessel Registration Forms, or from Transport Canada's Forms Catalogue.

Vessel Registration
Operations & Environmental Programs
Marine Safety
Safety and Security
Transport Canada
330 Sparks Street, 10^th Floor
Ottawa, ON
K1A 0N8

North American toll free no. 1-877-242-8770 or
Telephone: 1-613-991-3150
Facsimile: 1-613-998-0637