Connecticut Boat Registration Overview
All you should know about registering and titling a boat in Connecticut.
The Connecticut boat registration and titling overview is a public service designed to inform boaters about operational requirements, recording methods, and record search lookups for the State of Connecticut. This includes essential references for the most detailed and accurate information currently available.
Registration Agency
Connecticut boat registrations and titles are administered by
the Department of Motor Vehicles which is headquartered in Wethersfield. Field
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
the DMV home
and field offices.
Applications must be implemented by mail or personal visitations as there
are no online portals for such purpose. Automobile dealerships are also
authorized to register boats on behalf of the DMV.
Renewal Services - Renewals may be implemented online from the DMV boat
registration website, by regular mail or at any field office. A link for
online renewals can be found in the Referrals for this page.
Registration Statistics - There are approximately 89,172 boats
currently registered in the State of Connecticut which accounts for 0.8%
nationwide. USCG vessel documentation records indicate 4,608 owners with a
Connecticut address and 4,108 documented vessels that display a Connecticut hailing
port.
Registration Requirements
Connecticut requires registrations on
non-exempt boats that operate within its jurisdictional waters. The
following are basic requirements and exemptions with further details
available from the Referrals for this page .
Motor Boats - All
motorized boats must be registered in Connecticut regardless of size.
Sailboats
- All sailboats must be registered in Connecticut if longer that 19 1/2
feet.
Dinghies and
Lifeboats - Boats less than 19 1/2 feet that are not powered
by motor or sail are exempt from registration in Connecticut.
Documented Vessels - Coast Guard documented vessels are
not exempt from registration in Connecticut.
Visiting Boats -
Boats currently registered in another state or country are allowed
visitation privileges in Connecticut for 60 days
without registering.
Boat Titles - Boat titles are
issued on all boats registered in Connecticut with a model year of 2017 or
greater.
Residency
Requirements - Connecticut must be the state of principal
operation in order to register a boat..
Outboard Motors - Titling and registration are not
available for outboard boat motors in Connecticut.
Boat Trailers
- Titles and registrations are required for boat trailers in Connecticut.
These are administered by the Department of Motor Vehicles.
Marking Requirements
Boat registration numbers in Connecticut begin with an
"CT" 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 built after 1972 are required to have a properly
formatted 12 digit hull identification number. Although
typically assigned and installed by the manufacturer, owners
with older, homemade, or imported boats may apply to the
Connecticut DMV for a hull number assignment. These are prefixed
with the letters "CTZ" in place of the manufacturer's
identification code (MIC). An application form for doing so can
be found in the Referrals for this page. Boats must be inspected by a Connecticut law enforcement official
whenever their is a missing or deficient hull identification number.
Application Requirements
Boat registrations in Connecticut are implemented
by filing an Application for Registration form which can be
found in the referrals for this page. This must be presented to
one of the DMV offices. Auto dealerships are also authorized to
register boats on behalf of the DMV. The application
must be accompanied by sufficient evidence of ownership and
registration fees.
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 repossession and foreclosure statutes must be presented
when registering a foreclosed boat in Connecticut.
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 Connecticut mechanic's lien laws have been
fulfilled. Evidence of this must be provided upon registering
the boat.
Abandoned Boats - Connecticut has procedures
for claiming abandoned boats on private property. Further
information is available from the Referrals for this page.
Title Bonding - Boat title bonding is available in
Connecticut. The process is the same as that for vehicles. A
link to the bonding form and instructions can be found in the
Referrals for this page.
Registration Fees
- The most current list of boat registration fees for
Connecticut 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 Connecticut are determined
by various factors. These include the type of debt, obligation
or liability and whether the boat is USCG documented.
Loan Security Interests - Security interests in Connecticut
titled boats are listed on the certificate of title. Security interests
in non-titled and non-documented boats must recorded as UCC
filings with the Secretary of state. Information for doing so
can be found in the References for this page. If a boat qualifies for USCG documentation, the
lender must obtain a preferred mortgage in order to perfect or
prioritize its security 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
Connecticut 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 Connecticut other than by filing a report with a
local law enforcement agency. 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 and lien search lookup methods for boats
registered in Connecticut may vary depending on the type of lien
and method of ownership.
Registration Searches -
Connecticut boat registration and title records are maintained
in a database administered by the Department of Motor Vehicles.
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 Connecticut
can be found by visiting the Registration Search link
in the References for this page.
UCC Searches -
Uniform Commercial Code filing searches in Connecticut are
available online from the Secretary of State's office. Visit the
Referrals 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.
USCG Documentation Searches - Ownership,
mortgage and lien information of USCG documented vessels must be
obtained by ordering an Abstract of Title from the National
Vessel Documentation Center.
Non-Recorded Lens - Non-recorded maritime liens may also
be a factor in conducting lien searches. These may include
liabilities for items such as services, equipment, fuel,
storage, parts, supplies, and damages which are related to the
boat itself. This type of research must be determined through
personal investigation, owner disclosures, and boat history
lookups.
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. This will of
course 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
inclination and ability 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 identify those authorized to act on its behalf. An online
search portal for doing so is maintained by the Secretary of
State which can be accessed from the Referrals for this
page.
Proprietary Searches - Our website offers a proprietary lien
claims registry and a stolen boat registry which are free of
charge. These may be accessed by visiting the References for this page.
Taxes and Insurance
Sales and Use Tax - Sales and use tax may apply when a boat is
purchased, owned, or operated in Connecticut. You may visit the
Department of Revenue for further information by visiting their
link in the referrals for this page.
Personal Property Tax -
Personal property tax is not applicable to boats in Connecticut.
Insurance
Requirements - Although highly recommended, boat liability
and collision insurance are not otherwise required in
Connecticut.
Operator Requirements
Operator Requirements - All boat operators
in Connecticut must carry a valid boating certificate.
Accident Reporting
- The operator or owner of every boat involved in a collision,
accident or other casualty with property damage must immediately
contact a law enforcement agency. A written report must also be
filed with the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
(DEEP). Additional information is available from the Referrals
for this page
Notifications - The DMV must be notified within 15 days
whenever a registered boat has been stolen, lost, abandoned.
This also applies to ownership and address changes.
Enforcement Agency - The DEEP is primarily responsible for
boating law enforcement in Connecticut. However, all law
enforcement agencies are authorized to enforce boating laws.
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