If you own a boat in Ontario, you’ll need to register it — but do you know how? Before you can enjoy the boat on the water, it’s crucial to make sure it’s legal to be out there.
Registering your boat is a simple but necessary process, and BOATsmart! is here to help! Keep reading for our boat registration guide for Ontario boaters, including how it differs from a boating license (which you’ll also need)!
Licensing Your Boat in Ontario
First, let’s talk about licensing your boat.
Unlike the boat license you keep in your wallet, a Pleasure Craft License is the set of ID numbers displayed on your boat that can be used by Search and Rescue personnel to identify your vessel.
A Pleasure Craft License is different from a Vessel Registration, which provides proof of ownership (legal title), a unique name and official number for your boat, and the right to use your boat as security for a marine mortgage.
The Small Vessel Regulations require that all pleasure craft of all sizes equipped with one or more primary propulsion motors of 10 hp (7.5 KW) or more must be licensed unless they are registered. The regulation applies to all boats mostly operated or kept in Canada.
You can obtain a 10-year license for free from Pleasure Craft Licensing Centre. You must renew the license after the ten years has expired. If your boat is already licensed, you should make sure that it is in your name and that your contact information is up-to-date.
Remember: the renewal of your address or contact information does not qualify as a renewal of your pleasure craft license.
Transferring Ownership of Your Boat
Reporting a name change and address to the Service Canada Pleasure Craft Licensing Centre is mandatory.
If selling a pleasure craft, you must transfer ownership by signing the reverse side of your vessel license and providing it to the purchaser. The purchaser must complete and sign the reverse side of the vessel license and submit it to Transport Canada for transfer within 90 days.
An owner may operate the pleasure craft for 90 days after the date of change of name or address if documents establishing the date of change of name or address are on board. Owner information, including name and address changes, must be kept up-to-date.
Registering Your Boat in Ontario
Now, we’ll cover registering your boat.
There are costs involved in registering your vessel, but if you plan to operate your boat in international waters, registering your vessel provides the benefit of proof of ownership in addition to the benefits noted above.
To register your boat, you will be required to select at least three names for your vessel (of which one will be approved), pay a registration fee, complete an application for the registry, produce evidence of ownership/title and a statement of qualification for vessel registration, as well as have your vessel measured for tonnage.
For more information about Pleasure Craft Licensing and registration visit the Transport Canada Application webpage or call 1-800-267-6687.
Learn More About Boat Safety with BOATsmart!
As a Canadian pleasure craft operator, you must know the rules and regulations governing Canada’s waterways. You are responsible for equipping yourself with the right equipment and operating your boat safely and courteously. You are also responsible for ensuring the safety of your passengers and other boaters.
Learn more about being a safe and responsible boater by obtaining your Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC) and completing the Canadian boater education course through BOATsmart! With our fun and engaging online course, you’ll learn everything you need to know to stay safe on the water and get your PCOC.
Originally published in March 2020. Content most recently reviewed and updated for relevancy and accuracy September 16, 2024.
