State Boat Registration Guidelines
How to state register and title a boat with step-by-step instructions.
It is now easier than ever to register and title a boat considering the online resources currently offered by most state registration agencies. In fact, many applications can be implemented by simply establishing an account through your mobile iPhone or a desk top computer. It's just a matter of knowing where to look and what to provide. The following guidelines will walk you through the step by step procedures for registering or titling a boat in today's environment.
Determining the Proper Jurisdiction
Owners are typically required to register non-exempt boats
when operating principally within a particular state. In doing so, this
confers visitation rights in other states for a limited time which is
usually from 60 to 90 consecutive days. Beyond such period, the boat becomes
subject to registration in that jurisdiction. The state registration overviews found in the references for this page will offer an
excellent starting point in making such determination.
Tax and Fee
Avoidance - Boat registration fees, sales tax, use tax and assessments
can vary widely among the states. However, there is no realistic way
of avoiding such obligations by simply registering in a more favorable
jurisdiction. Revenue agencies have become very astute in detecting boats on
their waters that are skirting the visitation rules. This can result in
fines, additional penalties, interest charges and perhaps even impoundments.
Registration vs. Titling
Some jurisdictions are considered as registration only states because they do not require or perhaps even offer boat titling. In most titling scenarios, both registration and title applications are combined as a single application. However, this is not always the case as you will find by visiting our state registration overviews.
Choosing a Desired Application Method
Service options for registering and titling a boat will differ on a state by state basis. These may become available through online portals, via email, by facsimile, the use of regular mail or upon personal appearance at a registration office. Visit our state overviews for more detailed information in this regard.
Completing the Application
Whether online or on paper, registration applications are
usually self-instructive and many come with informational attachments.
Although formats may vary among the states, the following information will
be required in most circumstances.
Type of Application
- Boat registration forms are used for a number of different reasons. These
may include initial or re-registration, renewals, transfers of ownership,
incident reporting, changes of status, lost certificates and adding or
removing a secured party. You will accordingly need to indicate your
intention for making the application.
Name and Address - You should always use your
legal name and a physical address. Legal names make it easier when it comes
to defending and transferring your ownership. Some states may furthermore reject an
application based on a postal box number.
Multiple Owners - Unless otherwise indicated, multiple owners are
typically viewed as tenants in common with an undivided interest. Many
states allow an "and/or" designation where "and" requires all owner
signatures upon a transfer whereas "or" only requires that of any one owner.
Some applications also have check boxes for joint tenants, entities and
other types of ownership. You should give these careful consideration as
this may have legal implications or create issues when it comes to
transferring the registration or title.
Boat
Identification - It is very important that all of the boat
identification numbers shown on the application actually match up with those physically affixed
to the boat. You may otherwise have difficulty in transferring the
registration or title to another party and could encounter enforcement
or inspection problems. Boat names as affixed by an owner are not a factor
when it comes to state registration.
Boat Description - When
applying for registration you will need to provide a full description of the
boat including the year, model and length. Additional specifications and
details may be required according to jurisdictional requirements.
Usage
and Operation
- You may also have certify as to the boat's intended usage usage and area
of principal operation. An application may be declined if this not within the state
to which the application is being submitted.
Signature Requirements - Applications
must typically be signed by the owner, although agents are allowed in some
cases. In most states, you will also be making a declaration under penalty
of law that all information provided is true to best of your knowledge.
Signature notarizations are not usually required on the application form
itself.
Required Items
All boat registration and title applications, other than those
for renewals, replacements or corrections, must be accompanied by items serving as
evidence of ownership. You may also be required to provide supplemental
items depending on the circumstances and jurisdictional regulations.
Manufacture's Statement of Origin - Although a Builders Certification
may suffice, the Manufacturer's Statement of Origin (MSO) is typically
issued for state registration purposes of a new boat for the first time. This is a declaration from the manufacturer showing the vessel and build
specifications along with assignments to subsequent owners. may be
initially assigned to the first retail buyer, but is usually issued to a
dealer for subsequent assignment.
Builder's Certification - A
Builder's Certification serves the same purpose as the Manufacturer's
Statement of Origin, but is designed specifically for USCG vessel
documentation purposes in establishing build evidence. Most states will accept this in lieu of a
Manufacturer's Statement of Origin.
Title or Registration Certificate
- If the boat was previously state titled, you will need to provide the certificate itself. This may be signed off by the registered owner or
accompanied by a Bill of Sale. Any secured parties or legal owners must also sign off or
execute a release of interest form. If previously registered in a non-title
state, you will need to provide a copy of the registration certificate
accompanied by a Bill of Sale.
Documented Vessel - Although state
titling is prohibited for currently documented vessels, state level
registration is allowed in those jurisdictions where required. In this case,
it will be necessary to provide a copy of the documentation certificate or
underlying abstract of title. When converting from documentation to a state
title, you must also to provide a certification from the National Vessel
Documentation center showing that the vessel has been deleted from active
status.
Foreign Registered
Yachts - The requirements for state registration of a foreign flagged
yachts are basically the same as for documented vessels. The main difference
being that most foreign abstracts of title are referred to as transcripts
of registry. If issued in a foreign language, these must be professionally
transcribed. Foreign registry information is available from our foreign
yacht registry overviews.
Hull Number Inspection - If there are
any questions or issues surrounding the boat's hull identification number,
it must be
inspected and certified by a law enforcement official. Under certain
circumstances this may precipitate the need for a state issued hull number.
This is especially applicable to home made boats and those where the number
was not properly formatted in accordance with federal requirements.
Registration Fees - Applications will not be processed unless
accompanied by exact payment of the necessary registration fees. You should
accordingly obtain these directly from the respective agency rather than
relying on second hand websites as such information is often outdated.
Taxes and Assessments
- Payment for any required sales tax, use tax or personal property
assessments must also accompany a boat registration application. If these
have already been
paid, evidence thereof will be required. Sales or use tax paid in another
jurisdiction is usually exempted if properly evidenced. Contact information
for revenue offices is included in our state registration overviews.
Title Bonding - Certain states may accept a title bond in those cases
where sufficient evidence of ownership can not be otherwise provided. This basically
an insurance policy that protects the state and other claimants as a result
of such action. Bonded titles will usually convert automatically into
regular titles if undisputed over a certain number of years.
Abandonments
- Property owners may acquire title to a boat which has been abandoned on
their premises in most states. However, the procedures for doing so must be
handled in strict accordance with the respective statutes. Evidence of such
actions must be provided upon registering or titling under these
circumstances.
Foreclosures - Boat lien holders in possession of a boat and duly
secured parties may foreclose on delinquent obligations in most states
without formal litigation. However, this must be implemented in
strict accordance with the respective statutes. Evidence of adherence to such rules must be presented upon subsequent registration or titling
applications.
Estates - Requirements for registering or titling boats upon the
death of an owner are fairly standard among the states. In the case of a
joint tenancy, the survivor needs only to present a certified copy of the
death certificate. In probate situations, the administrator must present a
court approved certificate of appointment. If an owner dies intestate, the
surviving heir must provide an affidavit that satisfies statutory
regulations.
Court Orders - In registering or titling a boat that
was subject to litigation, the prevailing party must present a
certified court order attesting to such award. This also applies to
situations where a court has been petitioned for a summary award of
ownership. In any event, the court documents must specifically identify the
boat by its hull number, registration number and/or official USCG
documentation number.
Submitting the Application
The available options for submitting boat applications ranges
from establishing online accounts to showing up in person at the nearest
registration office. However, these choices may be limited depending on what your
particular state has to offer. Visit our state overviews for more detailed
information in this regard.
Online Accounts - There is a growing
trend among the more progressive states to facilitate online boat
registrations. This involves setting up an account, simply filling in the
blanks and providing your credit card information. Another advantage is that
more agencies are now accepting electronic copies of required items in lieu
of the originals.
Email Applications - Email applications function
similarly to online accounts in that everything is scanned and transmitted
electronically, including the application itself. This can even facilitate
credit card information in payment. It is important in this scenario,
however, to include a transmittal cover sheet where the agency has all your
contact information. It should also provide a listing of all items included
with processing instructions.
Mail-in Applications -
There is of course, the traditional way of placing the items into an
envelope and sending sending them off by regular mail. Here again, a
transmittal cover sheet should be included to provide your contact
information, a list of the submissions and processing instructions
Personal Visitation
- Most states will allow personal
visitations to a boat registration office for application purposes. Some may
even require this. In these
cases, it may save time beforehand to download and complete an application
from their website.
Rejections and Deficiencies
Applications are declined in most cases for over or under payment of fees, failure to provide required items such as evidence of ownership and missing signatures. In any event, the submissions may be summarily returned or you may be notified of the deficiencies and given a period of time to make any corrections.
Conclusion
Federal law prescribes hull identification rules, marking and tabbing
requirements for boats. However, registration procedures, fees, and taxes are not
otherwise regulated. Applicants should accordingly contact or visit the
respective jurisdiction's website to confirm the most current procedures,
fees and regulations.
References and Referrals
Comments - Suggestions - Corrections