Guide

Commercial, named or mortgaged vessel: choose the correct Canadian register and prove title and ownership

Choose the small or large register, verify owner eligibility, establish tonnage and title chain, then maintain the record.

Priority

Registration and a pleasure craft licence are not interchangeable. A sale does not automatically transfer the certificate to the buyer.

Confirm the scope

Determine use, power, tonnage, international voyages, desired name, mortgage and appropriate register part.

Verify owner citizenship or incorporation and gather the bill of sale, construction and title chain.

Obtain tonnage measurement or an accepted calculation, reserve the name if needed and complete the online application.

Pay, mark the vessel and report changes in address, ownership, characteristics, mortgage or closure.

Official sources are linked in the guide. Checked August 29, 2026; confirm current rules, forms and deadlines with the responsible authority.

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