How to Register a Boat Name Online

If you are an aspiring boat owner, the summer months are a reminder that you really should be out on the water. In Canada, we all toil away through long, arduous winters, spurred on by the knowledge that warmer weather is always just around the corner. What better way to enjoy these precious days than out on the lake with your family and friends? Well, there has never been a better time to buy a boat, and if you are thinking about taking the plunge, there are a few steps to follow. First, you will need to find the right make and model for your needs. From there, you should probably determine whether you will be looking for a new or well-maintained, previously-owned vessel. Once you have found the boat for you and negotiated a price with the seller, you can then sit down and start completing some paperwork with Transport Canada. If this means obtaining a vessel registration, you may also want to learn a bit about how to register a boat name online.

People who are drawn to boating in the first place tend to have a taste for individualism and freedom. After all, what is more, liberating than untying from the dock and cruising the waves whenever the urge should call? Similarly–especially with a new boat–putting your own unique name on your vessel allows you to give it a personalized touch. Maybe it’s a moniker of a spouse or loved one? Or perhaps it is some other name that holds a special meaning to you? Regardless, by registering your boat with Transport Canada, you can obtain a completely original name for your vessel. In fact, your name will serve as the primary identifying aspect of your boat with Canadian officials. Read on to learn more.

How to Register a Boat Name–When is it Mandatory?
In Canada, there are a couple of different ways in which you can document a vessel with Transport Canada. The first pathway is to obtain what is called a Pleasure Craft License (PCL). A PCL is required for any motorized boat with an engine of 7.5 kW (10 horsepower) or more, provided it is used for purely leisure activities. When a boat is used for commercial means, or if it is financed with a marine mortgage, a vessel registration is required. You will also need to register your boat name if you are planning to travel on international waters under the Canadian flag.

To register your boat name online, you will need to fill out our web form versions of Form 1 – Application for Vessel Registration and Form 3 – Statement of Qualification for Vessel Registration. Additionally, you will need to submit a tonnage measurement, photographs of all four sides of your boat, and a bill of sale.

Work with Us Today!
We can help you with all of your Transport Canada paperwork needs by using our online forms. To learn more, take a couple of minutes to browse our website, or visit our Frequently Asked Questions page for more information.