Where To Get My Boat Registered

Get Your Registration Completed

For boat registration in Ontario or another Canadian province, turn to us at the National Vessel Registry Center Corp. so you can get the job done. Our website has been created, so it is easy to use and follow each step so you can complete forms correctly. We also provide other forms you may need as a boat owner along the way. You can always come to our site for all your Transport Canada needs. We offer the best way for you to register or license, and you can phone us at 419-9569 if you ever have questions regarding the process or need help with filing.

Which Boat Is Right For You

There is much to consider in determining the right boat for you and your family. What kind of boating are you interested in? Do you want to use it for day-tripping or long-term cruising? How many people does it need to accommodate? How much do you want to invest?

Our partners at Discover Boating Canada have an in-depth boat selector toolthat can help you make the right choice.

Vessel Titling And Registrations

All motorized vessels operating on Floridas public waterways must be titled and registered. Chapter 328, Florida Statutes, designates that FLHSMV is responsible for issuing vessel registrations and titles. Applications for titles and registrations must be filed at a county tax collector or license plate agent office. Owners have the option of registering their vessel for either one year or two years.

A purchaser of a new or used vessel has 30 days to title and register that vessel. During this 30 day period, the owner must have proof of the date of purchase aboard the vessel. Operating an unregistered vessel after 30 days is a second-degree misdemeanor.

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Vessel Registration Sticker And Number

Your registration number must be fixed as follows:

• Power boats: Midship on the side or superstructure, clearly visible and not under the flare of the bow .
• Yachts fitted for motors: On the side of the hull immediately forward of the transom .
• Tenders: Must have parent vessel’s number on each side, forward of the transom.

The registration identification label is to be fixed to the port side of the vessel, next to the registration number.

You can pay for the following online:

• Boat registration
• Jetty, mooring or pen licences
• Fishing licence

There Are Some Places Only A Boat Can Take You

Roads and highways can take you to some amazing places, but the route is the same each time, and you dont get to set it yourself. A boat lets you travel to some spectacular destinations, but the real joy is in the journey. Every trip on the water is an adventure, and its never the same one twice.

As you think about purchasing a boat, there is a lot to consider what journeys do you want to take? The answer will help determine which boat is right for you, where to buy and store it, find out if you need to licence or register it, and when youre ready to move on, how to sell or dispose of it.

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How Long Does It Take To Get A Boat Registered

The process can be pretty quick as long as you have all the documents requested by the DMV.

How long you wait at the DMV is another story, though and thats not really up to you.

But, once you do submit everything to the DMV, they will process the information, and you should receive your registration numbers and validation sticker generally within a couple of weeks.

In other words, its a fairly simple process and shouldnt take much time at all.

Can I Renew My Boat Registration Online

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency offers online renewal of boat registrations through its website by Other types of transactions must still be processed in person at the License Office.

Please be aware that you will not receive a renewal notice from the Tuscaloosa County License Office the next year if you renew your boat registration online because the renewal will not be in our registration system.

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Applying For Vessel Title For In

A vessel not exempt from titling must be titled at the same time it is registered. To issue a Florida Certificate of Title for a new or used vessel purchased in or outside of Florida, the owner of the vessel must bring the appropriate titling fee and the following documents into a tax collector or license plate agent office:

New vessel Manufacturers Certificate of Origin or its equivalent statement of builder, or if the vessel is purchased in a state that does not require an MCO, the proof of ownership is an executed dealers bill of sale. The proof of ownership must include a complete description of the vessel, including manufacturers name, year, type, hull material, propulsion, fuel, use of vessel, hull identification number and length.

Used vessel currently titled in FL Florida title accurately completed for transfer to purchaser.

Used vessel currently titled out of state Out-of-state title accurately completed for transfer to purchaser.

Used vessel from a state that does not require title Current registration from that state and a bill of sale from the current registrant. Bill of sale must include complete description of the vessel including manufacturers name, year, type, hull material, propulsion, fuel, use of vessel, hull identification number and length.

License Numbers For Your Pleasure Craft

At a minimum, licensing is required for pleasure craft in Canada if your boat has an engine that over ten horsepower and is not used for commercial purposes. If you fall into this category, you will want to complete the paperwork needed so you can license your vessel. You will be assigned a license number that you must then place on your boat according to the regulations put out by Transport Canada. The numbers must be at least three inches and in block lettering. They also must be placed on the hull of the ship on both sides so that they are as far forward as possible and visible above the waterline.

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How Do You Transfer A Boat Title

Any time a boat is bought or sold, the title must be transferred to the new owner.

Remember, a registration shows that the vessel is registered to be operated on public waterways.

A title, however, proves that you are the legal owner of that boat.

The process of transferring a title is fairly easy.

For a full explanation, check out How To Get & Transfer Boat Titles.

What Is A Boat Registration

Boat registration is not required for pleasure craft in Canada. You can either license or register your boat. Still, certification does offer you some protection. It is often needed for the mortgage company involved in the purchase of your vessel. You must get the necessary paperwork and fill it out correctly, then send it to Transport Canada for processing. The form might seem confusing at first glance if you are unfamiliar with some of the terminology used. You might not know just what supporting documents and information you need to provide, and this can cause you to make mistakes that can have the paperwork returned to you, delaying your application and the time you can legally sail your boat.

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Apply By Regular Mail

To apply for a Pleasure Craft Licence by regular mail, download and fill out the application form along with all other required documents. The form and instructions about what documents to attach are available in the following application package.

Then you must print the form and mail it along with the other required documents to the following Transport Canada address:

Pleasure Craft Licensing CentreE3B 5G4

Renewing Or Updating A Pleasure Craft Licence

A Pleasure Craft Licence that was issued or updated after 2010 is valid for 10 years. At the end of that period, you must renew your licence.

If you change your name, address, or particulars of the pleasure craft after you obtain a Pleasure Craft Licence, you must update your licence.

Note: Updating your name will require a copy of one of the name change document listed below. This document can be uploaded in the additional document slot in the document upload section of the online application.

• an adoption order
• a legal change of name document
• a marriage certificate or marriage registration
• a request to amend a record of landing or a confirmation of permanent residence

You may renew or update a licence by regular mail or online, using the procedures outlined above at Obtaining a Pleasure Craft Licence.

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What Is A Hull Identification Number

The Hull Identification Number is a 12 or 14 character serial number that uniquely identifies a boat. The HIN is analogous to a VIN on a car. All boats manufactured or imported on or after November 1, 1972, must bear a HIN, and this HIN must be identified during the boat registration process. Vessels manufactured or imported before 1972 are EXEMPT because they often do not have a HIN.

The HIN is found on a metal or plastic plate, typically on the transom of the boat, usually on the right starboard side of the transom within two inches of the top of transom, gunwale, or hull/deck joint, whichever is lowest. On vessels without transoms, or impractical to use transoms, the HIN is usually affixed to the starboard outboard side of hull, aft, within one foot of the stern and within two inches of the top of the hull side, gunwale or hull/deck joint, whichever is lowest. On catamarans and pontoon boats with replaceable hulls, the HIN is usually affixed to the aft crossbeam, within one foot of the starboard hull attachment.

Register Your New Watercraft:

• Options are limited for in-person registrations so check the deputy registrar of motor vehicles listings . The DNR License Center, 500 Lafayette Road in St. Paul is closed and cannot process registrations.

  If your new boat is longer than 16′, your dealer will apply for title and registration on your behalf, and is responsible for providing you with license materials.

  When you register your boat for the first time, know its length, manufacturer, type of hull material , type of propulsion, model, year, serial or hull identification number and have a sales receipt that shows you have paid the sales tax.

  Length is the straight-line distance from the foremost part of the boat to the rearmost part of the boat . Bowsprits, outboard motor brackets, rudders and other attachments are not included in the measurement.

  A watercraft license is not required for: Non-motorized watercraft 10 ft or less, or a watercraft owned by a person from another state and that state does not require licensing of that type of watercraft and it is not within Minnesota for more than 90 consecutive days. See MN Boating Guide for more information.

  Boat registrations are good for 3 calendar years .

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Registering Or Purchasing An Inherited Boat

When a person dies, title to their property, including any vessels they owned, becomes vested in another person. A formal legal process guides this action. Legal documents may be available to show who gained ownership of a vessel from the estate, or who has legal authority, such as an Executor or Administrator of an estate, to dispose of a vessel.

To transfer registration, the Department of Natural Resources must have a legal document reflecting the change in ownership of the vessel. We have past instances where we learn ownership of a vessel is in dispute. For example, someone may have sold a deceased’s vessel to a third party and others in the family or spouse claim the seller had no ownership claim to legally sell the vessel. Therefore, the person that sold the boat was not the owner and the buyer is unable to legally transfer registration.

Boats That Do Not Need To Be Registered

Recreational vessels not requiring registration:

• Sailing vessels that cannot carry a motor.
• Canoes, surf skis and other craft without motors.
• Tender vessels no more than 3.1 metres long.
• With a motor not bigger than 5hp .
• Used only as a lifeboat and for ship to shore transport, and for no other purpose.
• Displaying the registration number of the parent vessel.

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How Do You Prove Ownership Of A Boat

When the manufacturer sells a new boat to a purchaser, usually a dealership, they give the purchaser a Manufacturers Statement of Origin or MSO.

The MSO is similar to a Title in that it proves ownership of the boat.

Now, when you purchase the boat from that dealer, they will sign over the MSO to you, and you will be the official owner of the vessel. You can now present the MSO to your local DMV to prove that youre the owner of the boat, and they will issue you a new registration number.

When purchasing a used boat, however, youll need to make sure the previous owner is, in fact, the real owner by verifying the boat registration and the Title.

Remember, the Title serves the same purpose as an MSO: it shows proof of ownership .

The process would be the same if you were to sell the vessel as well.

As long as you have the registration and Title to the vessel in your possession, thats all you need to prove youre the real owner.

Registration Numbers For Your Boat

You do have the option of registering your vessel with Transport Canada if you wish. If your boat is for commercial purposes, registration is a must for you. In either situation, you must fill out the registration paperwork, provide supporting documentation, and the appropriate fees. You then receive the boat registration numbers in Canada that are assigned to your vessel. These numbers, just like licensing ones, must be placed on the hull of your boat on both sides. They must be four inches in height and include the vessel name and your hailing port. You must also have the numbers affixed inside the boat.

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How Do You Make Sure A Boat Is Not Stolen

Its hard to believe, but stolen boats are pretty common.

According to a National Insurance Crime Bureau report, there were 4,240 stolen vessels reported to the FBI in 2019.

Though unlikely, it is possible that you come across a stolen boat and never know it.

So how can you make sure a boat isnt stolen before purchasing it?

Here are some signs to look out for:

How Do I Get A Hull Identification Number

• Boat owners should use every effort to determine if a boat has an existing HIN or resolve problems with a HIN for use in the registration process.
• A HIN is required for boats manufactured after November 1, 1972. If the HIN is unavailable and unknown, the boat owner must first contact the boat manufacturer to obtain a replacement HIN .
• If the HIN is known but the plate is missing or the HIN not inscribed on the boat, the boat owner is responsible for permanently affixing the HIN to the boat.
• If the HIN is an improper format, the applicant will be asked to electronically upload or send a picture or pencil tracing of the HIN to DNR for verification and further instruction.
• If the manufacturer is out of business or will not assist the boat owner, a DNR HIN Inspection is necessary. DNR will assign a HIN number after the inspection process and the boat owner is responsible for permanently affixing the HIN to the boat. Information on arranging an inspection can be found at .

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Recreational Vessel Dealer Trade Plate Fees

Updating Your Contact Information

It is important the department has your updated address on file so you receive registration renewal notices and other registration materials sent by the Department. State law requires boat owners to notify the department within 15 days after moving. )

To update your contact information you can log into your DNR GoWILD customer account. After logging in, you will be asked to verify or edit your address and contact information.

If you have difficulties accessing your DNR GoWILD account, you may also . We ask that you include your customer ID number , first and last name, date of birth, old address, new address, phone number and email address.

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Complete Accurate And Signed Application And Forms

If a boat registration is submitted online, the online process includes an electronic attestation in lieu of a signature.

• All fields on the application and forms are required unless stated otherwise. Incomplete applications will result in processing delays. A complete list of applications and forms is provided here.
• All primary and additional owners that are individuals must provide their name, address, date of birth and one of the following identifiers:
• DNR Customer ID number
• Social Security Number
• Drivers license number