Ownership

What if the seller is not the person on the licence?

Transport Canada may ask for more proof of ownership, such as a declaration under oath, before it transfers the licence.

The name should match

The straightforward private sale is the one where the seller is the person named on the Pleasure Craft Licence. Compare the licence card with the seller's ID before you pay.

If the names differ — an estate, a spouse, a dealer, or a boat that was never transferred after an earlier sale — Transport Canada may need more proof. That can include a declaration under oath. BoatHandoff is not a law firm and cannot prepare that declaration.

How the kit flags it

During setup, the seller answers whether they are the person named on the licence. If they are not, the bill of sale and the as-is disclosure say so in plain language, so the buyer is not surprised at the counter.

Sort the paperwork out before the boat moves. A signed bill of sale alone may not be enough for the licence transfer when the chain of ownership is broken.

Put it on the bill of sale

The free download covers the proof-of-ownership fields. The full kit adds the walk-through and both signatures.


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Not legal advice. Not a marine survey. BoatHandoff provides document templates and checklists for information only. It is not a law firm and does not give legal advice. The inspection checklist is a buyer and seller walk-through, not a marine survey, and it does not certify seaworthiness, value or condition. For financed, insured or high-value boats, use a qualified marine surveyor and a lawyer. BoatHandoff is not affiliated with Transport Canada.