Arizona Boat Registration Overview
All you should know about registering a boat in Arizona.
The Arizona boat registration overview is a public service designed to inform boaters about requirements, recording methods, and record search lookups for the State of Arizona. This includes essential references for the most detailed and accurate information currently available.
Registration Agency
Arizona boat registrations are administered by the
Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) which is headquartered in Phoenix. Regional
offices are also situated throughout the state. Location and contact
information for these can be found in the Referrals for this page.
Registration Services - Boat registration services are available from
AZGFD home and regional offices or certain authorized service providers.
Applications must be implemented by mail or personal visitations as there
are no online portals for such purpose.
Renewal Services - Renewals may be implemented online from the
AZGFD boat registration website, by regular mail or at any servicing office. Online
renewals will require an account
setup.
Registration Statistics - There are approximately 136,602 boats
currently registered in the State of Arizona which accounts for 1.2%
nationwide. USCG vessel documentation records indicate 2,013 owners with an
Arizona address and 1,633 documented vessels that display an Arizona hailing
port.
Registration Requirements
Arizona issues registration certificates on non-exempt boats
that operate within its jurisdictional waters. Specific requirements for each type of boat are shown as follows.
Motor Boats -
Motorized boats must become registered in Arizona regardless of
size, unless otherwise exempted.
Sailboats - Sailboats must be registered, but only if
motorized.
Dinghies and
Lifeboats - Dinghies and tenders must be registered if
motorized. Watercraft used exclusively as lifeboats are exempt.
Documented Vessels - Coast Guard documented vessels are exempt from registration in
Arizona.
Visiting Boats - Boats currently registered in another
state or country are allowed visitation privileges for 90 consecutive days
without registering.
Boat Titles - Arizona
is a registration only state and does not issue boat titles.
However, their boat registration certificates are generally viewed as proof
of ownership on non-documented vessels.
Residency Requirements - In order to register a
boat in Arizona, you must declare this state as the principal place in which
it will be operated.
Outboard Motors - Titling and registration is not
available for outboard boat motors.
Boat Trailers -
Titles and registrations are required for boat trailers in
Arizona. These
are administered by the Motor Vehicle Division, a link to which
can be found in the Referrals for this page.
Marking Requirements
Boat registration numbers in Arizona begin with an
"AZ" designation which is followed by four numbers and then two
letters. These must be displayed on all registered boats along
with the current registration decals. State boat numbering
configuration, size and placement requirements are actually
dictated by federal regulations. More detailed information can
be found in the Referrals for this page.
Hull Numbers -
All vessels manufactured after 1972 are required to have a 12 digit hull
identification number affixed to the vessel by the manufacturer. Owners with older
boats may apply to the Game and Fish Department for a hull
number assignment. State assigned hull numbers prefixed with
the letters "AZZ" are also available for home made boats and those without factory designations. A boat must
be inspected by an Arizona law enforcement official if there is a
discrepancy in the hull identification number.
Application Procedures
Boat registrations in Arizona are
implemented by filing an Application for Arizona Certificate of
Watercraft Number which can be found in the referrals for
this page. This may be submitted by mail, through a service
vendor or in person at one of the AZGFD offices. It must be
accompanied by sufficient evidence of ownership, registration
fees and evidence of any required tax payments.
Manufacturer's Statement - When a new boat is to be registered for the
first time, you must present a Manufacturer's Statement of
Origin (MSO) or Builder's certification. The statement or
certification must be properly
assigned into your name or accompanied by a bill of sale.
Previous Title - When a boat was previously state titled,
you must present a properly assigned title certificate or one
that is accompanied by a bill of sale.
Previous
Registration - If a boat was registered in a non-title
state, it will be necessary to present an assigned registration
certificate or one that is accompanied by a bill of sale.
Loan Foreclosures - Evidence of compliance with the
respective
non-judicial foreclosure statutes must be presented when
registering a foreclosed boat in Arizona.
Mechanic's Liens
- Mechanic's and storage liens may be foreclosed upon if a
boat is still in the possession of the lien holder and all
provisions of Arizona mechanic's lien laws have been
fulfilled. Evidence of this must be provided upon registering
the boat.
Towed Boats - Procedures are available for registering
unclaimed boats in the possession of a towing company. The
registration application has a section for such attestation.
Abandoned Boats - Registering boats that
have been abandoned on
private property are handled on a case-by-case basis. Check with
the AZGFD for further information.
Registration Bonding - Arizona does not have bonding
provisions for registering a boat without sufficient proof of
ownership. In these cases, a court adjudication
may be required.
Registration Fees -
The most current list of boat registration fees for Arizona can
be obtained by visiting the Referrals for this page.
Lien Recordings
The available options for securing loans, liens
and claims against boats registered in Arizona are determined by
various factors. These include whether a boat is USCG documented
and the type of debt, obligation or liability at hand.
Loan Security Interests -
In states such as Arizona that do not issue boat titles, loan security interests
in non-documented boats are recorded through Uniform Commercial
Code filings which are handled by the Secretary of State's
office. If a boat qualifies for USCG documentation, however, the
lender must obtain a preferred mortgage in order to perfect or
prioritize its interest. These are recorded with the National
Vessel Documentation Center.
Tax Liens -Tax liens are sometimes flagged in the state's
boat registration
database, recorded as Uniform Commercial Code filings, shown on state revenue records,
or filed with a county clerk's office.
Mechanic's Liens
- There are no means of recording mechanics or storage liens on
Arizona state boat registration records. However these may be listed for
informational purposes on a documented vessel's underlying
abstract of title. Our website also facilitates the nation's
only proprietary boat lien claim registry that exposes such
encumbrances to the general public. This may be accessed by
visiting the References for this page.
Stolen Boats -
Although stolen boats do not actually qualify as maritime liens,
the true owner may have rights of recovery regardless of a
subsequent owner's awareness. There are no methods for recording
stolen boats in Arizona other than by filing a report with the
Game and Fish Department. However, our website does facilitate a
proprietary stolen boat registry that exposes such events to the
general public. This may be accessed by visiting the References
for this page.
Ownership and Lien Searches
Ownership, lien and registration search lookup
methods for boats registered or domiciled in Arizona are
determined by the circumstances at hand. These may include
whether the boat is state registered or USCG documented, the
type of ownership and whatever degree of confidence you may have
in any owner representations.
Registration Database - Arizona boat registration records are maintained in a database administered by the Game and Fish Department (AZGFD).
Access to such data is available for owners and
certain qualified parties as prescribed by regulatory standards.
A comprehensive overview about boat record searches in Arizona
can be found by visiting the Registration Database Search link
in the References for this page.
UCC Searches - Uniform
Commercial Code filing searches in Arizona are available
online from the Secretary of State's office. Visit the Referrals
for this page for additional information.
Tax Lien
Searches - State and Federal tax liens on boats are not
always recorded in a consistent manner and are therefore
difficult to identify. They may show up as a red flag on state
registration records, as UCC filings, in state revenue records,
in a county clerks records, or on a vessel's abstract of title
for documented boats. Given these disparities, it may be worth
obtaining the services of a public record vendor that has access
to a broad range of personal lien
recordings.
Non-Recorded Lens - Non-recorded liens may also be a
factor under certain circumstances. These may include liabilities
for items such as services, equipment, fuel, storage, parts,
supplies, and damages which are related to the boat itself.
The respective searches must be determined through personal investigation, owner
disclosures, and boat history searches.
Owner Background Checks - Yacht brokers, documentation companies, and attorneys do not warrant or guarantee
titles. There is moreover no such thing as boat title insurance in the marine industry.
It is therefore incumbent on the owner to stand behind any such representations.
Of course it will be of no consolation if a guarantor is insolvent,
non-cooperative, or can not be subsequently located. This calls for a thorough background check
to ensure the owner's wherewithal for making good on any hidden liens or title
deficiencies.
Business Entity Search - You should run
a business entity search when dealing with a boat registered to
an entity such as a corporation or limited liability company.
This will help confirm the legitimacy of such enterprise and
help identify those authorized to act on its behalf. An online
search portal for doing so is maintained by the Arizona Corporations
Commission which can be accessed from the Referrals for this
page.
Proprietary Searches - Although
non-governmental, our website does offer a proprietary lien
claims registry and stolen boat registry. These may be accessed
by visiting the Referrals for this page.
Taxes and Insurance
Sales and use tax may be required in order to
register a boat in Arizona. However, there are no requirements
for having insurance.
Sales and Use Tax -
Boats sold by a dealer,
broker or auctioneer are generally taxable. However, this does not apply
to private party transactions. More specific information can be
obtained by visiting the Department of
Revenue website as shown in the Referrals for this page.
Personal Property Tax - There are no personal property taxes
assessed to boats as these are incorporated into yearly
registration fees.
Insurance
Requirements - Although highly recommended, boat liability
and collision insurance are not otherwise required in Arizona.
Operator Requirements
Boating laws in Arizona are enforced by Department of Fish and Game
field officers. Questions or
concerns about equipment and operational requirements should be
addressed to this office.
Licensing Requirements - Operator licensing is not required in
Arizona, although a boater education course is highly
recommended.
Accident Reporting - The operator or owner of every boat involved
in a collision, accident or other casualty with property damage
exceeding $500 must submit a written report to the AZGFD within 5 days.
Accidents involving death or serious injury must be submitted within 48 hours. A
form for doing so can be found in the Referrals for this page.
Notifications - The AZGFD must be notified within 15 days
whenever a registered boat has been stolen, lost, abandoned.
This also applies to ownership and address changes.
Conclusion
The information provided herein is gathered from various sources and may be subject to errors, omissions or changes without notice. You should always consult directly with the appropriate agency or a qualified attorney before taking any actions based on this overview.
References and Referrals
Comments - Suggestions - Corrections