How to apply

1. Complete:
   • Form 20 —Application for the Registration, Transfer or Renewal of a Small Commercial Vessel (Form 84-0166)
   • Form 3—Statement of Qualification for Vessel Registration (Form 84-0002)
   • Form 14—Appointment of Authorized Representative (Form 84-0035), only required if there's more than 1 owner or if a foreign corporation owns the vessel
   • proof of ownership of the vessel (title documents):
     • refer to page 3, note 3 "Proof of ownership of a vessel," of Form 20 —Application for the Registration, Transfer or Renewal of a Small Commercial Vessel (Form 84-0166)
     • if you can't provide any of the documents showing that you own the vessel, complete Form 23 – declaration form (Form 84-0178)
     • if the vessel was built for you (the applicant): Form 2 - Builder's Certificate for First Title in Canada (Form 84-0040)
   • the vessel's tonnage measurements 
2. Upload your documents and pay for your application

Register a commercial river raft

1. Complete:
   • Form 22 —Application for the Registration, Transfer or Renewal of a Commercial River Raft (Form 84-0181)
   • Form 14 —Appointment of Authorized Representative (Form 84-0035), only required if there's more than 1 owner or if a foreign corporation owns the vessel
2. Upload your documents and pay for your application

Register a government owned vessel

1. Complete Form 19 – Application for the registration, transfer or renewal of a government owned vessel(s) (small vessel register) (Form 84-0177)
2. Upload your documents and pay for your application

To voluntarily register a fleet of vessels with a propulsion motor with less than 7.5 kW (10 horsepower), the vessel must:

• be owned by the same owner(s)
• have the same vessel descriptor and sub-descriptor

To register a group of vessels or a fleet:

1. Complete:
   • Form 19 – Application for the registration, transfer or renewal of a government owned vessel(s) (small vessel register) (Form 84-0177)
   • Form 20 —Application for the Registration, Transfer or Renewal of a Small Commercial Vessel (Form 84-0166)
   • Form 21 – Application for the voluntary registration, transfer or renewal of a fleet of human-powered vessels or sailing vessels and small power-driven vessels with propulsion motors less than 10hp (7.5kw) (non-pleasure vessels) (Form 84-0180)
2. Upload your documents and pay for your application

You aren't required to apply for a provisional certificate of registry, but you can apply for one if you:

• are an owner and you have submitted all your documentation, but you're waiting for an appointed tonnage measurer to submit the tonnage documents
• are a Canadian builder and need to perform sea trials

A provisional certificate of registry is valid for a maximum of 6 months.

To get this certificate:

1. Complete Form 9 – Application for Provisional Certificate of Registry (Form 84-0149)
2. Gather all documentation required to register your vessel 
3. Upload your documents and pay for your application

Once a vessel has been registered, it always keeps its official number.

For example, the registry could be closed because the owner obtained a pleasure craft licence. Later, the owner (or a new owner) may want to re-register the vessel as a commercial vessel using the same official number.

A certificate of registry from the Small Vessel Register is valid for 5 years. We will notify a vessel owner in writing that their certificate will be expiring in 45 days. It's the owner's responsibility to renew before the certificate expires. You must have a valid Certificate of Registry on board at all times.

For a small commercial vessel

1. Complete Form 20 —Application for the Registration, Transfer or Renewal of a Small Commercial Vessel (Form 84-0166)
2. Upload your documents and pay for your application

For a government owned vessel

1. Complete Form 19 – Application for the registration, transfer or renewal of a government owned vessel(s) (small vessel register) (Form 84-0177)
2. Upload your documents and pay for your application

For a commercial river raft

1. Complete Form 22 —Application for the Registration, Transfer or Renewal of a Commercial River Raft (Form 84-0181)
2. Upload your documents and pay for your application

Every registered vessel in Canada must carry a valid Certificate of Registry on board.

If the certificate has been lost, stolen or destroyed, you must get a new one.

1. Write a request for a new certificate including the vessel official number.
2. Upload your document and pay for your application

Closing a vessel registration removes it from the Canadian Register of Vessels.

To close a vessel registration, email your request to vr-ib@tc.gc.ca with the following information:

• official number of the vessel
• copy of bill of sale (if applicable)
• reason for closure—for example:
  • vessel sold to a foreign citizen
  • change from commercial to pleasure
  • vessel is lost, wrecked or removed from service

1. To get a deletion certificate, you must prepare a letter and include the following information:
   • official number of the vessel
   • address where the certificate is to be sent
2. Upload your document and pay for your application

To report a change to your personal information, you must email vr-ib@tc.gc.ca and include the following information:

• official number of the vessel
• details about the changes required

To report a change of address, you must email vr-ib@tc.gc.ca and include the following information:

• official number of the vessel
• each owner's name
• old mailing address
• new mailing address

To report a change in the name or address of the authorized representative, you must email vr-ib@tc.gc.ca and include the following information:

• Official number of the vessel
• Details about the changes required

If your vessel has been altered or modified to the point where the information on your Certificate of Registry is no longer accurate, you must email vr-ib@tc.gc.ca for a new certificate of registry.

Examples of changes that need to be reported include changes to the vessel's tonnage, measurement, or engine power if the vessel was measured by:

• Assigned formal tonnage:
  • the owner must submit any changes, including a change of descriptor
• Simplified method of tonnage measurement:
  • submit Form 4A—Simplified Method of Tonnage Measurement (Form 85-0405) to report any alterations or Form 4B—Tonnage Measurement of a Simple Multihull Vessel (Form 85-0470)
  • the owner must submit a change of descriptor

Contact your regional Marine Safety office to speak to the technical services group if you have any questions about tonnage measurements.

Add an owner

1. Complete:
   • Form 20 —Application for the Registration, Transfer or Renewal of a Small Commercial Vessel (Form 84-0166)
   • Form 6 – Bill of Sale (Form 84-0015)
   • Form 3 — Statement of Qualification for Vessel Registration one per Applicant and not Required for Government-Owned Vessels (Form 84-0002)
   • Form 14 —Appointment of Authorized Representative (Form 84-0035), only required if there's more than 1 owner or if a foreign corporation owns the vessel
2. Upload your documents and pay for your application

Small commercial vessels

1. Complete:
   • Form 20 —Application for the Registration, Transfer or Renewal of a Small Commercial Vessel (Form 84-0166)
   • Form 3 — Statement of Qualification for Vessel Registration one per Applicant and not Required for Government-Owned Vessels (Form 84-0002)
   • Form 14 —Appointment of Authorized Representative (Form 84-0035), only required if there is more than 1 owner or if a foreign corporation owns the vessel
   • Form 6 – Bill of Sale (Form 84-0015) from the last registered owner
     • if the new owner can't produce a bill of sale from the last registered owner, complete Section B of Form 23 —Declaration (Form 84-0178)
     • the declaration must be made before a lawyer, a notary, Commissioner of Oaths, or any other person authorized by law to administer oaths in the province or territory where the declaration is made
2. Upload your documents and pay for your application

Government-owned vessels

1. Complete Form 19 – Application for the registration, transfer or renewal of a government owned vessel(s) (small vessel register) (Form 84-0177)
2. Upload your documents and pay for your application

Commercial river rafts

1. Complete Form 22 —Application for the Registration, Transfer or Renewal of a Commercial River Raft (Form 84-0181)
2. Upload your documents and pay for your application

Transfer of ownership – death of individual owner

1. Complete:
   • Form 8—Declaration of Transmission (Form 84-0027) one form completed by each executor or administrator and signed under oath
   • Form 20 —Application for the Registration, Transfer or Renewal of a Small Commercial Vessel (Form 84-0166)
   • probate of a will or letters of administration, stamped or sealed copy from the court.
     If provincial laws waive the requirement for the will to be probated, include a letter from a lawyer stating they are satisfied that:
     • all applicable requirements of the provincial legislation have been met
     • the person named as executor is the proper person to settle the estate
     • the will does not need to be probated
   • death or burial certificate, or presumption of death
   • Form 14 —Appointment of Authorized Representative (Form 84-0035), only required if there's more than 1 owner or if a foreign corporation owns the vessel
2. Email your request to vr-ib@tc.gc.ca

Transfer of ownership - death of a joint owner

1. Complete:
   • Form 8—Declaration of Transmission (Form 84-0027) one form completed by each surviving joint owner and signed under oath
   • death or burial certificate, or presumption of death
   • Form 14 —Appointment of Authorized Representative (Form 84-0035), only required if there's more than 1 owner or if a foreign corporation owns the vessel
2. Email your request to vr-ib@tc.gc.ca

When a registered owner goes bankrupt, their shares in the vessel are transferred to a trustee. This process is called a transmission.

Note: If a sale is pending after a transfer due to bankruptcy, you must follow the transfer of ownership procedures after the sale.

Bankruptcy of an owner by court adjudgment (court decision)

1. Provide the following for a transmission by court adjudgement:
   • appointment by the Court of a Trustee resulting from the bankruptcy process
   • Form 8 – Declaration of Transmission (Form 84-0027), one form completed by each executor or administrator and signed under oath
   • Form 14 —Appointment of Authorized Representative (Form 84-0035) only required if there's more than 1 owner or if a foreign corporation owns the vessel
2. Upload your documents and pay for your application

Bankruptcy of an owner by assignment (owner decision)

1. Provide the following for a transmission by assignment:
   • assignment in Bankruptcy resulting from the bankruptcy process
   • appointment of Trustee by the Official Receiver
   • Form 8 – Declaration of Transmission (Form 84-0027), one form completed by each executor or administrator and signed under oath
   • Form 14 —Appointment of Authorized Representative (Form 84-0035) only required if there's more than 1 owner or if a foreign corporation owns the vessel
2. Upload your documents and pay for your application

When you apply to register your vessel in the Large Vessel Register, you automatically apply to reserve a name for your vessel. You can choose to apply to reserve your vessel's name early, while you wait for supporting documentation. If the name is available, we will reserve it for 12 months. If your vessel is not registered within that 12-month period, you can request to extend a name approval.

1. Complete:
   • Form 1 – Application for Registry (Form 84-0044), or Form 17 – Application for Registry of a Government Owned Vessel (Form 84-0046)
   • Form 3—Statement of Qualification for Vessel Registration one per Applicant and not Required for Government-Owned Vessels (Form 84-0002)
   • tonnage measurement
   • evidence of ownership
   • naming your vessel
   • Form 14 —Appointment of Authorized Representative (Form 84-0035)
2. Upload your documents and pay for your application

You aren't required to apply for a provisional certificate of registry, but you can apply for one if you:

• are an owner and have submitted all your documentation, but you are waiting for an appointed tonnage measurer to submit the tonnage documents
• are a Canadian builder and need to perform sea trials

A provisional certificate of registry is valid for a maximum of 6 months.
To get this certificate:

1. Complete Form 9 – Application for Provisional Certificate of Registry (Form 84-0149)
2. Gather all documentation required to register a vessel 
3. Upload your documents and pay for your application

Once a vessel has been registered, it always keeps its official number.

For example, the registry could be closed because the owner got a pleasure craft licence. Later, the owner (or a new owner) may want to re-register the vessel as a commercial vessel using the same official number.

To re-register the vessel, follow the same steps as if you're registering your vessel for the first time but be sure to enter the official number in the documents you submit.

You can extend the reservation of your vessel’s name for an extra 12 months by providing us with a written request.

Upload your written request and pay for your application

You must have a valid Certificate of Registry on board at all times.

A certificate of registry from the Canadian Register of Vessel is valid for 5 years. We will notify the vessel owner in writing of the upcoming expiry, 45 days before the expiry date. It's the owner's responsibility to renew before the certificate expires.

To renew your certificate of registry:

1. Complete Form 1 – Application for Registry (Form 84-0044), or Form 17 – Application for Registry of a Government Owned Vessel (Form 84-0046)
2. Upload your documents and pay for your application

Each registered vessel in Canada must carry a valid Certificate of Registry on board. If the certificate has been lost, stolen or destroyed, you must get a new one.

1. Write a request for a new certificate including
   • the vessel official number
   • the vessel name
2. Upload your document and pay for your application

Closing the registry of a vessel removes it from the Canadian Register of Vessels and its name becomes available for others to use.

You may choose to close a vessel registration because:

• you want to get a pleasure craft licence
• vessel is sold to a foreign citizen
• vessel is lost, wrecked or removed from service

Conditions:

• Only vessels that are free of mortgages can be closed voluntarily
• If the vessel is sold to a qualified person, the request to close must come from the new owner

To close a vessel registration, you must email vr-ib@tc.gc.ca and include the following:

• vessel name
• vessel official number
• reason for closure (include the date of the vessel's destruction or removal from service, if applicable)
• copy of Bill of Sale, if applicable

A deletion certificate is often issued when a vessel is sold to a foreign buyer who wants to register it in their own country. The foreign registry will need proof that the vessel’s Canadian registration has been closed.

1. Provide a written request and include the following
   • vessel name
   • vessel official number
   • address where the deletion certificate is to be mailed
2. Upload your document and pay for your application

Please note this is not reporting a change of ownership.

If an owner, authorized representative, or mortgagee changes its name, you must report the change and list all the vessels affected by the change.

To submit a request:

1. Prepare the following documents:
   • a change of name certificate along with a copy of a government-issued identification card
   • if a corporation changes its name, submit a certificate of name change issued by the Registrar of Companies
2. Email your request to vr-ib@tc.gc.ca

1. Prepare your request including the following information:
   • vessel name
   • its official number
   • its port of registry
   • name of owner whose address has changed
   • the new address
2. Email your request to vr-ib@tc.gc.ca

If there are any changes to the lender in a mortgage, you must update the vessel registry. This includes a name change, address update, or a transfer of the mortgage.

Find out more on Managing marine mortgages

1. Complete Form 13—Application for Change of Name of vessel and/or Transfer of Port of Registry (Form 84-0042)
   • What to consider when choosing a name
2. Upload your documents and pay for your application

1. Complete Form 13—Application for Change of Name of vessel and/or Transfer of Port of Registry (Form 84-0042)
2. Upload your documents and pay for your application

If your vessel has been altered or modified to the point where the information on your Certificate of Registry is no longer accurate, you must email vr-ib@tc.gc.ca for a new certificate of registry.

Examples of changes that need to be reported include changes to the vessel's descriptor, tonnage, length, breadth, depth, or engine size (horsepower).

Contact your regional Marine Safety Service Center to speak to the technical services group if you have any questions regarding tonnage measurements.

1. Provide the following to report an alteration to:

   Table 1: Tonnage measurement methods and instructions

   Tonnage measurement method	Instructions
   Certificate of Survey	For changes to tonnage or engine, contact an appointed tonnage measurer to have a new Certificate of Survey done The measurer will send us the new certificate For a change of descriptor: With no change to vessel tonnage, submit a letter signed by the owner If the change affects the vessel's tonnage, a new Certificate of Survey is required
   Tabular Method	This method is no longer an option, choose a new method. Email vr-ib@tc.gc.ca stating which method you will use and send us the new tonnage documents.
   Assigned Formal Tonnage	Submit any changes to the vessel, including a change of engine or descriptor, by a letter signed by the owner Determine the new tonnage. If the vessel is: no more than 8.5 m, enter 4.99 as the gross tonnage between 8.5 m and 10 m, enter 9.99 as the gross tonnage more than 10 m, but less than 12 m, enter 14.99 as the gross tonnage
   Simplified Method of Tonnage Measurement (Form 4A)	Complete and send in the Form 4A - Simplified Method of Tonnage Measurement (Form 84-0405) for tonnage or engine changes Submit a change of descriptor by a letter signed by the owner
   Tonnage Measurement of a Simple Multihull Vessel (Form 4B)	Complete and send in the Form 4B - Tonnage Measurement of a Simple Multihull Vessel (Form 84-0470)  for tonnage or engine changes Submit a change of descriptor by a letter signed by the owner

2. Upload your documents and pay for your application

1. Complete:
   • Form 6 – Bill of Sale (Form 84-0015) signed by the current registered owner (seller)
   • enter the number of shares being transferred and the name and address of the owner(s) of those shares. Learn more about individual and joint ownership.
   • Form 3—Statement of Qualification for Vessel Registration (Form 84-0002), each new owner must complete a separate form
   • Form 14 —Appointment of Authorized Representative only required if there's more than 1 owner or if a foreign corporation owns the vessel (Form 84-0035)
2. Upload your documents and pay for your application

When you buy or sell a registered vessel, you must send a copy of the Bill of Sale to the Vessel Registration Office. It's the registered owner's (seller) responsibility to ensure that the transfer of ownership is completed.

Before you buy a registered vessel, you might want to check to see if there are any encumbrances or mortgages on it.

1. When you ask for a transfer of ownership, include:
   • Form 6 – Bill of Sale (Form 84-0015) signed by the current registered owner (seller).
     If a valid Bill of Sale cannot be produced, the new owner must complete the Form 10 – Declaration (Form 84-0188) (note this form must be signed under oath) which includes the following:
     • vessel name
     • signature and printed name
     • signature and printed name of a lawyer, notary, justice of the peace, or commissioner of oaths
   • Form 3—Statement of Qualification for Vessel Registration (Form 84-0002), each new owner must complete a separate form
   • Form 14—Appointment of Authorized Representative (Form 84-0035), only needed if there's more than one owner or if a foreign corporation owns the vessel
2. Upload your documents and pay for your application

When a registered owner transfers their share of a vessel through a court order or any sale of a government owned vessel (federal or provincial), it's considered a special sale.

Special sale through a court order

1. Provide the following for special sale through court order:
   • Court order
   • Form 3—Statement of Qualification for Vessel Registration (Form 84-0002), each new owner must complete a separate form
   • Form 6 – Bill of Sale (Form 84-0015)
2. Upload your documents and pay for your application

Sale of a government owned vessel (federal or provincial)

1. Provide the following to sell a government owned vessel:
   • Form 3—Statement of Qualification for Vessel Registration (Form 84-0002), each new owner must complete a separate form
   • Form 6 – Bill of Sale (Form 84-0015)
2. Upload your documents and pay for your application

Transfer of ownership – death of owner

When an individual owner dies, their shares in a vessel become part of their estate. This type of transfer is settled by the estate executor.

1. Provide the following for the transmission on death of an individual owner:
   • probate of a will or letters of administration, stamped or sealed copy from the court. If provincial laws waive the requirement for the will to be probated, include a letter from a lawyer stating they are satisfied that:
     • all applicable requirements of the provincial legislation have been met
     • the person named as executor is the proper person to settle the estate
     • the will does not need to be probated
   • death or burial certificate or presumption of death
   • Form 8—Declaration of Transmission (Form 84-0027), one form completed by each executor or administrator and signed under oath
   • Form 14—Appointment of Authorized Representative (Form 84-0035), only needed if there is more than one executor or administrator
2. Upload your documents and pay for your application

Transfer of ownership – death of joint owner

When a joint owner dies, their shares in a vessel pass to the surviving registered joint owner(s).

1. Provide the following for the transmission on death of a joint owner:
   • death or burial certificate or presumption of death
   • Form 8—Declaration of Transmission (Form 84-0027), one form completed by each surviving joint owner and signed under oath
   • Form 14—Appointment of Authorized Representative (Form 84-0035), only needed if the deceased was the Authorized Representative and more than one joint owner remains
2. Email your request to vr-ib@tc.gc.ca

When a registered owner goes bankrupt, their shares in a vessel are transferred to a trustee. This process is called a transmission.

Note: if a sale is pending after a transfer due to bankruptcy, you must follow the transfer of ownership procedures after the sale.

Bankruptcy of an owner by Court adjudgment (Court decision)

1. Provide the following for a transmission by court adjudgement:
   • appointment by the Court of a Trustee resulting from the bankruptcy process
   • Form 8—Declaration of Transmission (Form 84-0027), one form completed by each executor or administrator and signed under oath
   • Form 14—Appointment of Authorized Representative (Form 84-0035), only required if there's more than 1 owner or if a foreign corporation owns the vessel
2. Upload your documents and pay for your application

Bankruptcy of an owner by assignment (owner decision)

1. Provide the following for a transmission by assignment:
   • Assignment in Bankruptcy resulting from the bankruptcy process
   • Appointment of Trustee by the Official Receiver
   • Form 8—Declaration of Transmission (Form 84-0027), one form completed by each executor or administrator and signed under oath
   • Form 14—Appointment of Authorized Representative (Form 84-0035), only required if there's more than 1 owner or if a foreign corporation owns the vessel
2.  Upload your documents and pay for your application

This is available only to vessels being built in Canada by Canadian builders.

1. Complete Form 15 - Description of Vessel Under Construction (Form 84-0066)
2. Upload your documents and pay for your application

Once the recorded vessel is built, the recorded owner must:

1. Complete Form 2 - Builder's Certificate for First Title in Canada (Form 84-0040), signed by the builder
2. Email your request to vr-ib@tc.gc.ca within 30 days after the construction is completed