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4. CHANGES TO BE REPORTED TO THE REGISTRAR Express Lane

General information

Name and address: ^
 As a registered owner or mortgagee, you must inform the registrar in your Port of Registry of any change in address or name, through marriage for example. There is no fee to have the registrar change your name or address.

Changes to measurements: ^
If you make changes to a vessel, you should notify the registrar who will advise you whether the changes need to be recorded. If those changes mean that the measurements shown on the Certificate of Registry are incorrect, you may have to contact an authorized tonnage measurer and arrange for a re-measurement. A fee may apply for changing the details of the Certificate of Registry. 

Change in description: ^
If the description of your vessel changes, for instance, from a fishing to a passenger vessel, you must notify the registrar for your Port of Registry (Please see Annex XX). 

Changes of vessel's name: ^
The process for changing a registered vessel's name is the same as naming a vessel at the time of first registration. You should always suggest at least three choices in case the one you want is not available. Remember that identical names ending in different roman numerals are different names. 

If another vessel has already been registered under the name of your first choice, your application will be returned unless you have given other choices and one of those names is available. Please see page xx for more information on registering a vessel's name. This fee must be paid at the time of application for a name change. Please refer to the fee table inserted into this guide.

Once a change is registered, a new Certificate of Registry will be issued which expires on the day the original certificate would have expired.

Changes in ownership ^

Buying a registered vessel or shares in a vessel  ^

In order to complete the purchase of a registered vessel or shares in a registered vessel, you will have to transfer legal title. When you finalize the purchase, be sure the Bill of Sale is completed by the person selling the vessel to you. In order to register the transfer of ownership, you must send the following documents to the registrar at the Port of Registry:

• the original Bill of Sale - This must be completed by the registered owner(s) who are selling the vessel;
• a Declaration of Ownership 
• Each purchaser must complete a separate form;
• Appointment of an Authorized Representative (if required)
• This must be completed by the owner(s);
• the appropriate fee - refer to the table of fees in the Appendix.

If some original document, such as a Bill of Sale, or a Declaration of Ownership by an interim owner cannot be produced, you must complete a statutory declaration. There is a fee for processing.

Bills of Sale detailing the required information are available from any registry office. 

Death of a sole owner or mortgagee  ^

The legal personal representative of the deceased must show the following documents:

• a Declaration of Transmission;
• the instrument of representation, such as a probate of the will, or letters of administration; and one of the following:
• death certificate; 
• burial certificate; or
• a presumption of death issued by a court.

The personal representative must apply promptly for the transmission to be registered. After verifying the documents, and updating the Register, the registrar will issue a new Certificate of Registry, if necessary.

Death of a joint owner or joint mortgagee  ^

The shares of the deceased are passed to the surviving joint owners or joint mortgagees. Such a change must be reported to the registrar with one of the following documents:

• death certificate; 
• burial certificate; or
• a presumption of death issued by a court.

Transfer to a person not qualified to own a Canadian vessel ^

The Canada Shipping Act requires that registry be closed if a vessel or any share in a vessel is transferred to an unqualified person or if an unqualified person obtains any joint interest in ownership. The new owner must give a copy of the Bill of Sale to the registrar along with notice that includes a statement of the foreigner's nationality. Notice given on behalf of a corporation should be executed by a company resolution. The Certificate of Registry must also be delivered to the registrar.

Ship no longer in use ^

If you own a vessel which is no longer in use, has sunk, has been wrecked, has burned, or has been sold to a foreign owner, then you are required by law to notify the Port of Registry and to deliver the vessel's Certificate of Registry. 

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