Running a charter operation legitimately takes time, money, and effort. When you’ve put this work in, you deserve the best chance of getting customers.
We believe legitimate captains should be able to show their high standards to customers. That’s why FishingBooker’s verification program promotes guides who have uploaded proof of their qualifications, wherever they are in the world.
Now’s the time to upload your documents, boost your listing, and get more customers. Read this guide, learn what’s required in your country, and get verified today.
The Basics
Every FishingBooker captain has a secure page within their profile. This is where you store and update your documents, and where our compliance team verifies your listing.
The wording on this page is fairly general, but the concept is simple. It’s designed so you can easily show us that you:
- Are the person who’s advertising your boat on FishingBooker – with photo ID
- Have the necessary qualifications to drive a boat – with a captain’s license or certificate of competency
- Are legally permitted to run fishing charters – with a tour license, nautical tourism permit, guide license, or similar
- Have registered your vessel with the local authorities – with a boat registration certificate
- Are insured – with an insurance certificate
Don’t know what to upload? These documents vary according to where you fish, so check your local requirements below.
How to Add Documents to Your Account
Simply take a photo of the document with your phone or scan it with your computer, and upload it to your verification page.
💡 We take your privacy seriously. You can blur or cover any personal details – all we need to see is your name, your boat’s details, and the documents’ issue and expiry dates where appropriate.
Documentation by Country
Not sure what a fishing tour license is? Confused about which captain’s license to upload? Don’t worry – all your local requirements are listed below, with names and examples of the required documentation. Just click on your country to see what you need to get verified.
- Australia
- Canada
- Costa Rica
- Dominican Republic
- Mexico
- New Zealand
- Panama
- Puerto Rico
- South Africa
- United States
We’ll continue updating this list as new countries are added to the verification database.
Australia
Getting verified in Australia depends on where you operate and the type of fishing you do. As a general rule, we follow the Australian Maritime Safety Authority’s (AMSA) requirements for commercial vessels. In some states, we also need to see your local documentation, such as a Charter Fishing Licence.
Here’s what to upload in each category on the verification page:
Captain’s License Section
First of all, we need to see your Certificate of Competency. Just make sure the photo you upload clearly shows your name and the certificate’s expiration date.
This document can also be uploaded in the “Government ID” section.
Fishing Charter/Tour License Section
Here, we’re looking for proof that you’re registered to take paying customers fishing with you. The specific document depends on your state or territory.
Check out this table for a breakdown of what to upload in your state:
| Listing Location | Required Document |
| New South Wales | Charter Fishing Boat Licence |
| Northern Territory | Fishing Tour Operator Licence & Approved Operator Card |
| Queensland | Charter Boat Licence |
| South Australia | Charter Boat Fishery Licence |
| Tasmania | Domestic commercial vessel requirements (Certificate of Competency, Certificate of Operation and the Certificate of Survey) |
| Victoria | Local Knowledge Certificate (if required in your area) |
| Western Australia | Fishing Tour Operator’s Licence |
Boat Registration Certificate
In this section, upload your boat’s Certificate of Survey or your state’s boat registration document.
Finally, you’ll need to upload a current insurance document for your boat in order to get verified.
Canada
Verification in Canada is based on your province, and whether you fish in salt or freshwater. We follow federal requirements for operating and registering a vessel, while guides in British Columbia must provide some additional documentation to show they’re registered to run fishing trips.
As well as the documentation below, you will also need to upload a form of government ID and insurance.
Here’s what to upload in each category on the verification page:
Captain’s License Section
The first thing to upload is your Certificate of Competency. We recognize any document on this list as proof that you are qualified to operate a vessel.
Boat Registration Certificate
If you use a boat, we also need to check that it’s registered with the relevant authorities. The best document to upload here is your Certificate of Registry.
Just make sure the expiry date and boat details are clearly visible!
Fishing Charter/Tour License Section
As well as the above, guides in British Columbia also need to upload their Angling Guide Licence or CTAG certification.
Guides in other provinces should upload their local Guide or Outfitter Licence (if applicable).
Finally, you’ll need to upload a current insurance document for your boat in order to get verified.
Costa Rica
If you fish in Costa Rica, you need to upload your government-issued documentation so we can confirm that you’re fully verified. As well as the documentation that’s specific to your business, you’ll also need to upload a form of government ID and insurance for your boat.
Here’s what to upload in each category on the verification page:
Captain’s License Section
This category is where you should upload your MOPT Zafarrancho Certificate. We’ll check how long it’s valid for, so make sure your name and the document’s expiry date are clearly visible.
Fishing Charter/Tour License Section
There are two Incopesca documents to upload here, and they cover your boat as well as your crew. These are:
- The Licencia de Pesca for your boat
- The Carné Pesca Deportiva o Turística for you and your crew
Boat Registration Certificate
Here, upload your Certificado de Navegabilidad, which is issued by the MOPT.
As well as these documents, make sure to upload your boat’s insurance certificate in order to get verified.
Dominican Republic
To get verified in the Dominican Republic, you need to upload documentation from the Ministry of Tourism and the Navy, as well as your photo ID and boat insurance.
Find out which documents to upload in each section below.
Captain’s License Section
Once you’ve uploaded your photo ID, you’ll need to add your Licencia Maritima.
Make sure your name, photo, and the expiry date are clearly visible so we can fully verify your listing.
Fishing Charter/Tour License Section
This section is for your Resolución de Autorizada de Operación.
This is issued by the Ministerio de Turismo and gives details about your boat, the captain, and the number of passengers permitted per trip.
Boat Registration Certificate
Here, you just need your Certificado de Navegabilidad.
This is issued by the Comando Naval de Capitanías de Puertos y Autoridad Marítima and shows us that your boat is suitable for taking customers fishing.
As well as the above, don’t forget to upload your boat’s insurance certificate so you can get verified.
Mexico
To get verified in Mexico, you need to upload licenses for your captains, data about your boats, your photo ID, and boat insurance.
Many of these documents are several pages long. But we only need to see those that directly reference you, your captains, the boat details, and the documents’ expiry dates.
Here’s more information on what’s needed in each section:
Captain’s License
Here, you’ll need to upload your Licencia de Capitán. If more than one captain works with you, each one will need their own license here.
You can share this document in any of these forms:
- License card – both the front and back; or
- Passport-like document – the page with the photo, and the Certificado de Competencia para Patrón Marinero Turístico; or
- Paper certificate.
Boat Registration Certificate
This section is for your Certificado de Seguridad. You will need to upload this certificate for each boat you’re advertising with us in order for each listing to get verified.
Fishing Charter/Tour License Section
Here, you’ll need to upload part of your Permiso de Turismo Nautico, also known as La Permisionaria. You don’t need to upload all of this document’s pages, but we do need to see:
- The name of the license holder
- The boat name’s name
- The document’s expiry date
Have you renewed this license recently? In that case, just upload the first page. All this information will be there!
You may also have a document from a government authority stating which documents you have for your charter business and their status. If you have a document like this, you can upload this instead of the individual documents above, alongside your photo ID and insurance, to get fully verified.
New Zealand
It’s easy to get verified in New Zealand. Here, we’ll cover which documents to upload in each section of your verification page.
Captain’s License Section
This section is for your Certificate of Competency. Make sure to upload both sides of the card!
Boat Registration Certificate
Here, you should upload your boat’s Certificate of Survey. Make sure that the boat’s details and the expiration date are clearly visible.
Fishing Charter/Tour License Section
This is where you should upload your Maritime Transport Operator Certificate.
In order to verify your listing, we need to see the name of the operator, trading name, issue date, and the expiry date.
Boat Insurance Certificate
Finally, upload your Certificate of Currency so we can confirm the insurance period for your boat.
Don’t forget to upload this alongside your photo ID so you can get verified today!
Panama
There are a variety of documents you can upload to get verified in Panama. Here, we’ll go over all the options for each section of your verification page.
Captain’s License Section
Here, you can upload any of the following:
- Libreta de Embarque; or
- Passaporte de Marino; or
- Operador de Lancha.
Just make sure that your name and the document’s expiry date are clearly visible.
Fishing Charter/Tour License Section
Usually, you will upload your Licencia de Operación in this section. We also accept the Permiso De Pesca Ribena if you fish from land.
Boat Registration Certificate
Here, you should upload your Licencia de Navegación as well as your Certificado de Inspección de Seguridad. You can also share your Radio License.
As well as these documents, make sure to upload your boat’s insurance and your photo ID so your listing can get fully verified.
Puerto Rico
To get verified in Puerto Rico, you need to upload your government-issued documentation. As well as the documents that are specific to your business, you’ll also need to upload a form of photo ID and insurance for your boat.
Here’s which document to add to each category on your verification page:
Captain’s License Section
Here, simply upload your USCG MMC or your Licencia de Navegación.
Just make sure your name and the document’s expiry date are clearly visible so we can verify your listing.
Fishing Charter/Tour License Section
This section is for your Certificación Para Actividades de Turismo Náutico.
When you upload this document, we know that you’re licensed to take people fishing.
Boat Registration Certificate
Here, just upload a photo of your Certificado de Numeración.
Make sure to include the part that states the details about your boat, so that we can verify the certificate is associated with your listing.
Finally, you’ll need your current Boat Insurance document. You don’t need to send the whole insurance policy – just the part that states the details of your boat and the expiration date.
That’s it – upload your documents and get verified today!
South Africa
To get verified in South Africa, you need to upload your official photo ID, Certificate of Competence, Local General Safety Certificate, and a current insurance certificate.
Below, we’ll outline which document to upload in each section of your verification page.
Captain’s License Section
This category is for your Certificate of Competence.
In order to verify your listing, we need to see the page that states your name and the document’s issue date.
Fishing Charter/Tour License & Boat Registration Certificate
Your Local General Safety Certificate (LGSC) is valid for both the charter fishing licence and the boat registration slots.
As this document only lasts a year, make sure to upload your current version to stay verified.
Finally, upload your boat’s insurance and your photo ID to get verified and grow your customer base!
United States
The documents you need to verify in the United States depend on your state and the waters where you fish. For full information on verification in each state, head over to our detailed support pages here.
Wherever you fish, verification will help you get more customers and build your charter’s reputation online. Show your business in its best light and join the world’s largest community of proven charter fishing professionals.
You’re always welcome to get in touch if you need any help or support with verifying your listing.
Have your documents ready? Verify your listing today!