PLEASURE CRAFT LICENSING

This page contains basic information on pleasure craft licensing.  Click here for specific information on how to licence your boat or transfer the licence in your name.

Application
Registration
Transfers
Dealer Licence
Licence On Board
Marking Your Vessel
Foreign Vessels
Changes Of Information
Duplicate Licence
Production Of License

Sample Pleasure Craft Licence
Application for Pleasure Craft Licence
Declaration

Application

All recreational vessels under 15 gross tons and powered by an engine 10 horsepower (7.5 kilowatts) or more must be licensed or registered, regardless of where they operate in Canada. The process is free of charge for licensing through Canada Border Services Agency(CBSA) (formerly known as Customs Canada). The addresses and telephone numbers of the CBSA, Customs District offices can be found on their website: www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/contact/rco-e.html, or refer to the blue pages in your telephone directory to obtain the telephone number.

All vessels must be documented, especially dinghies or tenders that accompany a larger boat (remember dinghies or tenders equipped with an engine 10 horsepower/7.5 kilowatts or more must be licensed separately). Make sure all boats are properly marked and documented. It's important to keep your papers with the boat.

Registration

Vessels of 15 gross tons or more must be registered, a different process than licensing. They carry a name, rather than a licence number. For further information on registering your vessel, please contact the nearest Department of Transport Canada, Office of Ship Registration.

Transfers

When you transfer ownership of your vessel, complete the information required and follow the instructions on the reverse side of your Pleasure Craft Licence and give it to the new owner. With the completed transfer form (reverse side of Pleasure Craft Licence), the new owner should contact the nearest Canada Border Services Agency office for additional information. Refer to the blue pages in your telephone directory to obtain the telephone number for the office nearest to you.

Dealer Licence

A dealer licence can be issued to every person carrying on the business of selling pleasure crafts for use in connection with the operation of pleasure craft that may from time to time be demonstrated.

Licence On Board

The original licence (white copy issued at a Canada Border Services Agency office) is to be kept on board at all times.

Marking Your Vessel

To identify your pleasure craft properly, your licence number shall be displayed above the water line, on both sides of the bow of your pleasure craft. The number must be in block characters, not less than 7.5 centimetres (3 inches) high and in contrasting colour to the colour of the pleasure craft's bow.

Foreign Vessels

The requirement to have a pleasure craft licensed does not apply to a vessel belonging to the Canadian Forces of foreign military force or to any other vessel that is under the command, control or direction of the Canadian Forces.

The requirement to have a pleasure craft licensed also does not apply to a vessel that is licensed or registered and principally operated in a country other than Canada.

Changes of Information

A Customs Office must be notified in writing of any change of address or changes made to the pleasure craft.

Duplicate Licence

A duplicate pleasure craft licence can be issued if the owner of a pleasure craft has lost their copy of the licence. Please contact the nearest Canada Border Services Agency office for additional information. Refer to the blue pages in your telephone directory to obtain the telephone number for the office nearest to you.

Production of Licence

Every person who has the care or control of a vessel that is licensed shall at the request of a peace officer produce the licence for that vessel forthwith.